Chapter 18: TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

As the rays of the rising sun filtered through the paper-thin shoji screens, casting a warm and gentle glow, Raiden Mae found solace in the tranquility of her surroundings. She lay upon a soft futon positioned near the door at the back of the courtyard, a place chosen for its serene ambiance and restorative energy.

Surrounded by the embrace of a traditional samurai mansion, the air carried a delicate symphony of nature's melodies. The soft chirping of birds echoed through the stillness, their cheerful songs intermingling with the soothing sound of water gently flowing from a nearby bamboo fountain. The gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze provided a rhythmic backdrop, as if nature itself was orchestrating a lullaby to aid her recovery.