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CHAPTER 5 - THE MAIDENS OF PEONY PALACE
Finally, they arrived at the Peony Palace of the Star Noble Consort.
As the carriage door opened, maidens greeted them, numbering around five.
Adorned in blue floral attire with yellow sashes, hair intricately woven on both sides, and fashioned into buns, they all wore matching light pink peony hair ornaments.
"That's the maiden group from the Inner Chamber Section. The one inserting a comb with a deep peony flower is their leader."
There were around thirty maidens in the Inner Chamber Section. Usually, a harem would have nearly a hundred maidens, but Hongyu explained to Sango that the Star Noble Consort found it annoying to have many attendants and only allocated the minimum necessary staff.
As Hongyu disembarked from the carriage, the maidens covered their chests with their left hands wrapped by their right hands and deeply bent their knees.
"Hey, that's the 'Houken Rei,' a courtesy in this country. Normally, it's fine at chest height, but in front of the Star Noble Consort, raise it up to head level. Remember that."
"Yes."
Trying to understand, Sango performed the courtesy, covering her right hand with her left and bending her knees toward the maidens.
"Like this, is it okay?"
"Not 'like this,' it's Hongyu."
Frowning, he corrected her with a stern expression, but Sango just tilted her head. She mumbled Hongyu's name several times, but each attempt was wrong. The courtesy received a mediocre evaluation.
"It's difficult."
"You're terrible at various things."
Noticing the maidens' gaze, Hongyu told them to disperse. Then, as if recalling something, he called out to a nearby maiden.
"Hey, is that maiden with the issue around?"
"By 'the issue,' do you mean Tsubasa? I suppose you're talking about Tsubasa Konkon."
"I don't know her name. It doesn't matter. The one who's particularly clumsy."
"Probably Tsubasa Konkon, I'll call her for you."
A few minutes later, a girl with disheveled hair rushed out from the front entrance of the Peony Palace.
"Y-Your Highness, I've arrived, Tsubasa Konkon!!"
Tsubasa Konkon blushed her plump cheeks, raised her left hand energetically, and approached with vigor. However, as she met Hongyu's stern gaze, she suddenly realized and assumed the form of the Houken Rei courtesy.
"Hey, she's your exclusive maiden. If you don't understand something, ask her."
"Oh, yes."
"Hey, the girl named Tsubasa. Also, change this man's clothes. The size... well, we're about the same height, so fit him into the clothes in the room for now. Also, ask the Shofuku Section to take measurements."
"Um, yes! I understand!"
The duties of the Inner Chamber Section were divided into six departments:
- **Shokan (尚官):** Overall supervision.
- **Shoshoku (尚食):** Overseeing the kitchen.
- **Shogi (尚儀):** Managing etiquette and music.
- **Shofuku (尚服):** Handling all aspects of clothing.
- **Shoshin (尚寝):** Dealing with living spaces.
- **Shoko (尚功):** Engaged in craftsmanship.
Konkon, described by Hongyu as clumsy, had no talent for music, often pricked her fingers with needles when making clothes, and lacked artistry. However, being from a wealthy local family, she remained here without being dismissed. Thus, she was appointed as Sango's exclusive maiden.
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**Character Introduction:**
**Tsubasa Konkon/ Konji:** A clumsy maiden, lacking talents in music, dressmaking, and artistry. Despite her shortcomings, she comes from a wealthy family, allowing her to stay in the palace without repercussions. Appointed as Sango's exclusive maiden.
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"Let me introduce Sango, as you can see, she's a foreigner."
"Hmm... she's like a beautiful giraffe or something."
A giraffe is a mythical creature passed down in the Karetsu culture, an intelligent quadruped with a beautiful coat of golden fur and blue eyes.
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Konkon, in a daze, looked up at Sango.
"What part of her is like a giraffe?"
"The beautiful hair, captivating blue eyes, and the mysterious aura."
"It's not mysterious; he just doesn't understand the language."
"Oh, really."
Hongyu sighed deeply and clicked his tongue.
Sango murmured to herself that she couldn't present herself before the Star Noble Consort yet.
"After changing, take her to the Shogi Section. Make sure she learns the customs of this country. Also, tell them to teach her how to communicate."
Konkon nodded along, understanding Hongyu's instructions with determined agreement.
"She probably came from a wealthy family. She has manners. However, due to cultural differences, make sure she thoroughly learns."
"Yes, I'll convey that to the Shogi Section."
"We'll be sharing a room. Before night, inform the Shoshin Section to bring another bed. Also, ask the Shoshoku Section to measure her."
"Understood."
Hongyu handed Konkon the key to the room.
"Keep it around your neck so you won't lose it."
"Um, yes, I'll do that."
Facing the somewhat unreliable Konkon, Hongyu sighed once more and entered the Peony Palace, leaving Sango with a parting remark about not causing any trouble.
Konkon turned to Sango and greeted her.
"Um, nice to meet you. I'm Tsubasa Konkon."
While Konkon spoke much faster, Sango couldn't understand much, furrowing her brows.
"Um, sorry. Can you... talk a bit more slowly?"
"Uh, sorry. One more time, is it okay?"
"Yeah, your name? Tsubasa Konkon?"
"Konkon... my name?"
"Yes!"
Now that she understood, Sango sighed in relief.
"I'm Sango, nice to meet you."
Sango gently took Konkon's fingertips and lightly kissed them.
"Hyaa!"
Konkon's face turned completely red.
Seeing her exaggerated reaction, Sango realized she made a mistake, using a greeting from her homeland. In this country, the customary greeting was the 'Houken Rei.'
"Oh, Konkon-san, I'm sorry. I made a greeting from my country."
"Oh, no. Konkon-san isn't necessary; just Konkon is fine. Konkon."
"Yes!"
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"Unable to communicate smoothly, I entered the inner palace."
"The newly constructed inner palace, Boden Palace, has a blue-themed interior."
"Blue suits Star Consort the best, and it's a rule for all officials, palace attendants, and members of the Inner Palace to wear blue floral outfits."
As usual, Konkon spoke rapidly, making it difficult to understand. Sango gathered the words she could comprehend to guess the content.
The long corridor walls were painted in beautiful blue, featuring creatures unknown to Sango.
"Konkon-san."
"Oh, you don't need 'san.' Just Konkon is fine."
"It's not 'Konkon-san'? It's 'Konkon-desu'?"
"Yes!"
Sango, responding with a smile to Konkon's cheerful remark, inquired about the creatures on the wall.
"These are mythical spirit beasts. Together, they are called the Four Symbols, representing the four directions."
Pointing to a creature with a turtle body and a snake tail, Konkon explained, "This is Genbu, the guardian deity of the north, symbolizing longevity."
She continued, "Seiryu, to the east, is a creature resembling a mix of a snake and a lizard, governing growth."
Pointing to the adjacent red bird-like creature, she said, "Suzaku is the one. It represents the south and governs fire."
Lastly, she explained the white tiger-like spirit beast, "This is Byakko, the guardian deity of the west, symbolizing safe childbirth."
The Four Symbols were considered the guardian deities of Karekoku, governing all living beings, Konkon clarified.
Sango, having grasped only a fraction of the information, sighed with slight understanding.
The content of Boden Palace was entirely different from the royal palaces in her homeland. Curious, she began asking various questions.
Konkon explained that Karekoku's architecture was entirely wooden, with floors, walls, and ceilings all made of wood, designed symmetrically.
The palace had a large pond in the garden with beautiful floating flowers, something Sango had never seen before, leaving her in awe.
"This is the office of Ounai-kwan."
Walking through a long corridor, they finally reached Konkon's room. Upon opening the door, a plain room with only a round table and a chair was revealed.
"Uh, this is the living room."
Continuing through the room, there was a bedroom behind one door and a study behind the other.
"Probably, your desk and bed will also be brought here," Konkon mentioned.
For the wardrobe, Konkon took her to the bedroom. From the clothing box, she laid out a set of ordinary clothes – a one-piece-like undershirt called juban, black trousers, and an upper garment and lower skirt ensemble known as joi and ika.
"This is casual wear. For formal occasions, you'll have more luxurious clothes."
Though Konkon explained patiently, the foreign clothes were bewildering for Sango. She bowed her head, requesting assistance in changing.
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"Oh, no need to worry. I'll help you change every time," Konkon reassured her.
"Thank you, it's reassuring."
"Such kind words aren't necessary."
Ready to start changing, Konkon hesitated, staring at Sango's clothes.
"Konkon?"
"Ah, sorry! How do I take these off...?"
Looking at Sango's uniform, which was red with gold buttons, and with decorations on the shoulders, Konkon curiously observed as she began unbuttoning it.
"In our place, we don't have clothes that fasten like this. It's impressive," she murmured.
Taking off the turtleneck jacket and shirt, Sango, now in her undershirt, startled Konkon.
"Oh, um, Sango-sama, are you injured?"
"Eh?"
"You have bandages around your chest."
"It's not an injury, it's just... inconvenient with my chest."
"Huh?"
Sango shook her head, indicating that she didn't need to wear anything underneath the clothes. Worried, Konkon proceeded to remove the bandages.
"Oh!?"
Upon seeing Sango's ample bosom beneath the bandages, Konkon exclaimed.
Sango remained oblivious to the misunderstanding of her gender, looking quizzically at Konkon.
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