Hitomi gave a faint smile when the price spoke so highly of her; however she remained still and quiet until the moment the advisers left and the guards stood down leaving the two alone. Hearing Ryou speak she turned her head and slowly her body towards him, though the moment he would finish speaking she would unlace her hands from her kimono. With the freedom of her left hand it rose to his cheek; softly whipping the single tear that left a streak from his cheek before placing the same hand to his shoulder as she drifted closer to him, though still giving him a respectable space to himself. "Come, I will have some tea brought; there isn't no scene in discussing such matters until you have at lest settled in..."<br/><br/>Guiding the prince away from the main hall Hitomi would speak to a servant as they passed before they would both eventually reach one of the open porches of the palace; the rice-paper doors pulled back to reveal a beautiful scene to the palace gardens. Again she would remain quiet until tea and a Chinese checkers set was brought. First pouring him a cup of tea she would start to set out the pieces of the game as she started to answer his question. "I would never speak ill of your father Ryou, but his health had been poor every since since your mother's passing..... And judging by his most recent actions within the kingdom after the death of his second son, he has been well aware of his declining health, setting preparations for when your oldest brother would take the throne..." She would pause after setting up the pieces to the game, but then turning the game table around, giving him the color he preference.<br/><br/>"Whether or not it was a natural cause or foul play, you must remain firm and level headed, as the game-play would start the same either way." She then faintly smiled, moving the first piece forward to start the game. "I do not believe however that it was an act of murder... As while this would open an opportunity for our foes and rivals to strike us, it would provoke multiple ones to strike.. As ideally you would not to lure other hunters to your prey.. A prey mind you has been rather well armed in the last passing years thanks to your father's preparations and future planing..." Awaiting for him to make his first move in the game she soon poured herself a cup of tea and started to sip it.<br/><br/>"This all is just another life lesson; and if you fail to gather it's teachings... Then it is more the likely the men that wished to see your father; and even yourself removed from the greater picture will have their way in the end..." Hitomi closed her eyes for a moment before setting her cup back down. "Question is.. are you ready to hold up your father's legacy... As your brother may simply only take his role, you will still have the freedom to make yourself known." She then smiled reopening her eyes. "Arn't you going to make a move?..." she gestured to the game board.<br/><br/>