The Lady-in-Waiting. Secrets and Mysticism of the Imperial Court. Book 3

By Elena Kryuchkova and Olga Kryuchkova

The final third book in the series.
Strange events begin to occur in Heian, connected with the demon appearing on the streets at night. What is really behind this? And what role will Komachi play in this?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elena Kryuchkova
• Release date: Oct 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215263853

Elena Kryuchkova

Elena Kryuchkova started her creative path in 2012. She writes in different genres, such as: esotericism, fantasy, Slavic fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, post-apocalyptic and others. Has several graphic works. A number of her novels were co-authored with Olga Kryuchkova.She is inspired by various fantasy and science fiction.Loves cats and draws.

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The Lady-in-Waiting. Secrets and Mysticism of the Imperial Court. Book 3.

Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

The Lady-in-Waiting. Secrets and Mysticism of the Imperial Court. Book 3

Written By Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

Copyright © 2023 Elena Kryuchkova, Olga Kryuchkova

All rights reserved

Cover Design © 2023 Elena Kryuchkova

Book 3

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Epilogue

List of Historical Persons

This story is fiction and any similarity to real people or events are coincidental.

The names of real people who lived in the past are marked. But the description of their life in this story is fictitious.

This story is completely fiction.

Book 3

Chapter 11

Twelfth year of the reign of Emperor Ninmyō (845 AD), Heian.

It was the middle of spring. Prince Michiyasu has not yet had an heir from his consort, Lady Akirakeiko, nor from Fujiwara no Furuko and Fujiwara no Takakiko.

But much to Lady Junshi's displeasure, his new consort, Lady Ki no Shizuko*, gave birth to a healthy boy last year, named Prince Koretaka*. And from the young man's passion for the Court Lady Sayaka from the Tomo family, another boy was born this year: Yoshiari*.

But his mother's family was not noble enough. Therefore, Yoshiari was deprived of the status of Prince and he was granted the surname Minamoto. He and Lady Sayaka were sent away from the palace and given a decent living.

Also, the daughters of Tachibana no Ujikimi, Chushi and Fusako, entered the palace. However, none of the daughters of the Minister of the Right has yet conceived a child.

Komachi, meanwhile, has returned to serving as the lady-in-waiting after a nearly three-year hiatus. Three years ago, she gave birth to a boy, Yoshihara, from Kuniyoshi. The pregnancy was difficult, and because of her condition, the poetess was unable to continue her service. She left the palace and went to the house she inherited from her mother.

She had severe toxicosis, her arms and legs swelled. Everything was aggravated by the fact that her husband visited her extremely rarely. Soon, disappointing rumors reached the woman: Kuniyoshi took a new wife.

A distressed Komachi immediately realized that their relationship was unlikely to last long. And she was right...

After the birth of Yoshihara, there was no improvement in the relationship. Kuniyoshi continued to visit them very infrequently, sending meager amounts. Eventually, he stopped doing that too. Due to his failure to fulfill his marital obligations, Kaori and Atsutada, as the eldest in the Komachi family, officially terminated their marriage. Komachi persevered through this, although it was not easy for her.

The poetess would like to return to the service, but the boy was born weak and sickly, therefore he needed constant care.

To earn a livelihood, the woman began rewriting her poems and the story of the Moon Princess in beautiful calligraphy, and selling the scrolls to the city's aristocracy. They were especially popular among wealthy ladies.

At first, this brought a good income, but gradually the popularity began to decline, and creativity brought the poetess less and less money... She began to spend the already significantly reduced funds accumulated during her service at Court, and slowly sell her jewelry...

The former lady-in-waiting sought solace in poetry and in reading her mother's diary, which she accidentally discovered while sorting things out in the house. After all, her mother was also not the first wife, and her relationship with her husband (Kaori and Komachi's father) did not develop smoothly...

...Kaori, seeing her sister's difficult situation, offered to take care of Yoshihara, and Komachi again went to serve the Lady and try to arrange her life. The poetess did not refuse help, and, entrusting her son to the care of Kaori, returned to the service with the help of old connections.

After spending some time at the Court, Komachi realized that she had completely lost the habit of the palace way of life. In addition, now, being single and after a long break, she, like many years ago in her youth, had to share a room with other ladies. However, now Komachi was so tired during the day that someone's snoring was indifferent to her. The only thought that occupied her in the evenings was how to quickly get to the futon and fall asleep.

Still, after some time, she asked for permission from Lady Junshi to leave for a while. The Empress graciously agreed.

That same evening, the lady-in-waiting left the palace in her carriage, heading for her home. On the way, Komachi suddenly wanted to re-read her mother's diary, which was kept at home, in a wooden box. Before, it always helped her to put her thoughts in order...

Arriving home, the lady-in-waiting, after a little rest, retired to her chambers, and took out the wooden box. It opened with a slight creak. Komachi carefully took out a heavy scroll and began to read...

Diary of Lady Kiyohara1