Year of the Boar, Tenth Month, Day 5.

Praise be to the goddess. It is not Shigeru's troops at the border but a delegation from the Sixth Kingdom. Quite why they deemed it necessary to sneak around like lowly scouts rather than simply send a forerunner to announce their arrival, I cannot imagine. No matter; for now, my House is safe from Shigeru's insanity and I may welcome a visitor in a few weeks. Princess Rani of the Sixth Kingdom apparently intends to tour the Seventh and Ninth Kingdoms as part of her preparation to ascend to her throne when the time comes.
I must play host to her as she crosses the border from the Seventh since mine is the closest House. She could cross at Fallen Sakura or Purple Lightning or even go by coast and arrive at Pale Twilight or Shimmering Dawn but from the Royal House of the Seventh's Queen, I suppose crossing into Dying Crane is the most direct route into the Kingdom. I had no choice but to grant her passage and agree that I would arrange for her delegation to be received by the other Houses. Since she is to learn our ways for the purposes of diplomacy, she is desirous of meeting representatives of all of the Houses together before she tours each House.
I cannot say that I am not filled with dread at the thought. While I may be safe imminently, this could be just the excuse Shigeru needs...  He is hardly likely to send a representative when he can come here and torment me himself... The more I consider this visit, the more afraid of it I am. Perhaps I can convince Princess Rani that she would prefer to begin her tour elsewhere. I can hardly teach about the diplomatic niceties of my House since I fail so miserably at every turn. If I could have a pipe, I may be able to think more clearly about this. Now that Nanami has deserted me, perhaps I can find another maid to buy me a small supply. Just to help me through this particular nightmare...
Little Chiyo has refused to return to her duties as my chambermaid and I have not the heart to tell Atsuko to dismiss her; I can only conclude that I am growing soft-hearted... I must talk to Atsuko about replacing her though, especially now that I no longer have Nanami. I cannot continue to rely soley on Atsuko when I need her to manage the rest of my staff. It cannot be that difficult to dress my hair and do my make- up but no one seems to be able to do it. I tried to recall who did it before Nanami and I could only think that Itsuki did it as well as the rest of her duties... But she was always at my side so what duties did she carry out..? Thinking about Itsuki brought back unpleasant memories... I do so wish I could smoke. I do not even know where Itsuki purchased my opium; perhaps the physician knows since it was he who first prescribed it... I shall summon him and find out.