Whispers spread like wildfire through the palace servants' quarters, where terrified maids huddled together sharing stories of supernatural encounters. One young laundress named Miya recounted what she witnessed earlier that day:
"I was carrying linens to the eastern courtyard when I saw her again - a woman draped in black veils, muttering to herself near the fountain. Her voice sounded so distraught, like she was arguing with someone invisible."
Miya wrung her hands nervously. "When I called out to ask if she needed help, she spun around so fast! Her face was hidden but her eyes glowed with pure hatred. She screamed 'Death to all!' and then just... vanished into thin air right before my eyes."
Other servants nodded vigorously, recounting similar encounters throughout various wings of the palace. An older cook added, "It's happening more often now. Last week it was near Empress Cheng's chambers during one of her late-night meetings."
The rumors gained momentum as more servants claimed encounters with the veiled figure. A young stable boy named Hiro reported seeing her near the imperial stables, where she allegedly tried to pet a horse before screaming obscenities at it.
"I thought she was going to attack me too!" Hiro exclaimed to his fellow grooms, who listened wide-eyed. "But then she just kept shouting 'Traitor!' over and over until I ran away."
Meanwhile in her private chambers, Empress Cheng sat sipping tea while reviewing trade reports. Her eyes occasionally drifted toward the window where she'd sworn she saw movement out of the corner of her vision.
"Aiko," she called without looking up from her scrolls. "Has anyone else mentioned seeing... unusual things recently? Strange women appearing and disappearing?"
The loyal attendant hesitated before approaching cautiously. "Your Majesty, several servants have spoken of encountering a woman cloaked entirely in black veils. They say she behaves erratically and disappears suddenly."
Cheng set down her tea cup without deliberate precision, her expression shifting from casual interest to masked worry. "Black veils, you say? And erratic behavior? Describe her appearance precisely."
Aiko clasped her hands nervously before continuing. "The servants claim she appears quite tall for a woman, with long dark hair escaping from beneath the veil. Her movements seem agitated - pacing rapidly or gesturing wildly as if arguing with someone unseen."
The Empress leaned forward slightly, studying Aiko's face for any signs of fabrication. "And these encounters - where specifically within the palace grounds have they occurred?"
"They've been seen everywhere lately," Aiko replied quickly. "Near the training grounds where soldiers practice swordsmanship, by the laundry rooms where linen is hung to dry outdoors... always at dusk or early morning when fewer people are about."
Cheng tapped a fingernail against her porcelain saucer trying to hide the fear growing in her.
Cheng thought to her self. Maybe if she played with Yumi for a while, she wouldn't worry so much about what she learn't from Aiko. She wasn't in the mood for it, but she decided to test it. "Aiko, bring me princess Yumi. I don't care if she is sleeping. Wake her up" she commanded. Aiko wasn't really a fan of how the empress treated baby Yumi, but she was smart enough not to utter her concerns. " Yes my empress !" She bowed before leaving the room to get Yumi from the nursery.
Cheng paced the length of her chambers, as she waited for Aiko. Her silk slippers barely making a sound against the polished wood floors. The room felt suddenly cold despite the warm afternoon sun streaming through the windows. Outside in the courtyard below, she could hear the distant sounds of soldiers drilling formations - life went on normally while strange occurrences plagued the palace.
"Hurry up already," she muttered under her breath, adjusting a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Motherhood was supposed to be an easy performance; show affection for the child, ensure everyone believes in your maternal instincts. Yet whenever Yumi was brought before her, Cheng found herself distracted by other thoughts - business matters requiring immediate attention or whispers about mysterious apparitions wandering the halls.
"Here is Princess Yumi, Your Majesty," Aiko announced formally while placing the squirming baby on the embroidered blanket spread across Cheng's bed. "She wasn't happy about being disturbed but I applied some honey balm to her gums which should help soothe her temper." Forcing a maternal smile onto her lips. "Good girl," she cooed unconvincingly. "Stay awake for Mama."
The Empress picked up her daughter cautiously, holding Yumi at arm's length as if assessing whether she was worth the effort. "Good. Now sit with me while I feed her this gruel mixture the nurses prepared." She indicated a nearby chair where Aiko could observe from a distance.