It was their first meeting. The older princess spoke to her wide-eyed seven-year

-old sister.

"Listen well. The Umashi-no-Miya

Exist s for no reason but to provide

exquisite food to the god as well as me.

Do you Follow me? You there, with

the vacant Expression of a bear Cub

who just woke from it's winter hibernation."

"Huh... Really?"

Placing a finger on the tip of her perplexed

sisters nose, the princess, who was decade older, continued," That's right. I'm Saigu who

serves Kunimamori-no-Okami, the protector

Of These Lands.

And You were The Umashi-no-Miya,

Who will Serve the god and me.

From now on, you will make food for the

God and me. From now on, You will Make Food

For the God, And after the you have offered it, It well be my food to eat. That's your duty and the Reason you have come here. Are you capable doing that?"

"What? Duty? It's my duty?!" the younger princess, who up until now had seemed to be in Daze, exclaimed in excitement, leaning Forward. "Um, in that case, Lady Saigu,

If I'm able to make good for you, will this be

the place where I belong?"

"The Palace Where You Belong?"

"Up Until now,

Everyone has always been at a loss as

to what to do with me," This Princess has

nowhere she belongs,' they would say.

Father and handmaids always said it too.

They were all at a loss. There was no place

for me in the palace. But here I have a duty to fulfill right, right?

Does that mean if i make food you like,

this will be here I belong?!" She spoke frantically and filled with expectation, but

her voice betrayed a sense of desperation

Unbefitting of her young Age.

Looking back at the young Princess, the older

princess seemed to be sensed something in her younger sister's eyes, as she soften her voice.

" Yes, that's right. If you're able to make us exquisite Food, this will be where you belong, Ayako."

Upon hearing her Sister say this,

the young girl's- Ayako's - Eyes

Burned Even Brighter