Chapter 358: Strict Laws
“Ah, would you stop staring at me with that strange look?”
Mina said in annoyance as she held the ice cream in her hand, addressing Tobirama, who was walking behind her and Hashirama as they toured the city, because she felt as though Tobirama’s eyes were piercing through her back.
Tobirama quickly replied, trying to justify himself because he had not expected the princess to notice his staring:
“Princess, I wasn’t… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any offense.”
Before he could finish, Hashirama interrupted him, his voice carrying a hint of amusement as he enjoyed embarrassing his brother:
“You really don’t know how to enjoy yourself, brother. We’re in a beautiful city, walking around with a kind princess, and you’re staring at people as if you’re investigating a crime. Why don’t you let your mind relax a little and enjoy the moment like I am?”
But he quickly fell silent in fear as soon as he saw Tobirama’s harsh look, which was enough to silence him, because he knew that when his younger brother became angry, he turned into a different person. So he preferred to remain silent and simply enjoy the ice cream in his hand.
“Actually, even if you tried to influence me to help you make your request to my brother, I wouldn’t be able to do so.”
Mina said as she explained to Tobirama, whose expression had become more serious, as if he had been waiting for this moment to find out whether the princess could pressure the king.
Then she turned toward Hashirama as well and continued:
“In our family, there are strict and clear laws and a precise division of authority. So even though I am a princess, I have no influence over my brother, the king. Even major decisions are not entirely in his hands, but are governed by the Council of Governance and the laws established by our ancestors. We are all bound by them, regardless of our position.”
Tobirama replied after a moment of silence, his voice carrying a hint of determination:
“All we mean, Princess, is that we want to…”
But before he could finish, Mina interrupted him in a firm yet polite tone:
“That’s enough. Don’t explain. I don’t want to know the details of the reason for your visit. I am not in a position that allows me to interfere, and I don’t want to put myself in a situation I dislike. Besides, since you two are from the Senju clan, you must have some information about our kingdom and our family.”
She then walked a few steps toward a beautiful fountain in the middle of the square, its water spraying upward in elegant arcs and sparkling beneath the sunlight. She sat gracefully on its edge and continued speaking:
“Even if I wanted to help you and tried to influence my brother, he wouldn’t be able to fulfill the request. Even my brother, as king, is bound by strict rules established by our ancestors, and he cannot violate them no matter what. So the matter of your meeting in the palace and what will happen there depends entirely on the two of you. I won’t be able to open closed doors for you. All I can do is be a good host and show you around the city.”