# E8 - The Intruder
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GEVUZ7QQD/the-intruder)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
***SIGN*** Clear Mirror Temple
**[00:17] Rokon**
Someone's been acting strange lately.
**[00:21] Rokon**
I mean Atsufusa.
You must have noticed, Lord Natsuka.
**[00:25] Rokon**
It seems he's been in
contact with the Prince,
**[00:28] Rokon**
but who knows what he's plotting?
**[00:31] Rokon**
Whatever it is, it's always
better to nip trouble in the bud.
**[00:42] Rokon**
Oh, and there has been a death
in Cherry Blossom Palace.
**[00:46] Natsuka**
A death?
**[00:47] Rokon**
An imperial lady-in-waiting, I hear.
**[00:55] Rokon**
I await your orders.
***SIGN*** YATAGARASU
***SIGN*** The Raven
Does Not
Choose
Its Master
**[02:35] Yukiya**
How did this happen?
**[02:37] Sumio**
She fell sometime between midnight
last night and dawn this morning.
**[02:42] Sumio**
But a few days ago, she said she had a family
emergency and spent two nights away.
**[02:48] Sumio**
When I asked her family, however,
it turned out she didn't go home.
**[02:54] Yukiya**
What does it mean?
**[02:56] Sumio**
It happens sometimes.
**[02:58] Sumio**
Cherry Blossom Palace imposes
strict limits on outside contact.
**[03:02] Sumio**
When a lady-in-waiting wants to go out,
visiting home makes the best excuse,
**[03:07] Sumio**
even if they really want to meet a man
or do something they can't admit to.
**[03:12] Yukiya**
What they can't admit to?
**[03:14] Nazukihiko**
We can rule out suicide.
**[03:16] Nazukihiko**
Look how her feathers have scattered.
**[03:18] Nazukihiko**
She must have tried
to shift shape mid-fall.
**[03:23] Nazukihiko**
At the very least, she wasn't ready to jump.
**[03:28] Yukiya**
This is giving me the creeps.
**[03:32] Yukiya**
What the heck is going on
in Cherry Blossom Palace?
***SIGN*** Wisteria Hall, Cherry Blossom Palace
**[03:40] Sumio**
We have identified the deceased
as Samomo, an imperial lady-in-waiting.
**[03:46] Ukogi**
Are you quite certain? Couldn't it be
someone who merely looks like her?
**[03:51] Sumio**
We had her younger brother identify
the body. There can be no doubt.
**[03:58] Sumio**
By order of His Highness, the Yamauchi
Guard will continue to investigate.
**[04:04] Sumio**
We sincerely hope for your cooperation.
**[04:12] Asebi**
Wait!
**[04:14] Asebi**
Please wait!
**[04:16] Asebi**
Is what you just said true?
**[04:17] Ukogi**
My lady, restrain yourself!
**[04:18] Sumio**
And you are?
**[04:20] Ukogi**
You there! You stand before
the mistress of the Spring Hall!
**[04:25] Sumio**
I beg your pardon.
**[04:27] Asebi**
How did this happen?
**[04:29] Asebi**
Did she lose her footing
while running an errand?
**[04:34] Sumio**
We are currently investigating the cause.
**[04:37] Asebi**
I chatted with Samomo just the other day.
**[04:42] Asebi**
She was so cheerful and kind to everyone.
**[04:47] Asebi**
I can't believe it!
**[04:49] Asebi**
Why Samomo?
**[04:50] Sumio**
This incident grieves His Highness as well.
**[04:55] Sumio**
He has commanded us to uncover the truth.
**[04:59] Sumio**
I swear to report the truth
if I possibly can. Please be patient.
**[05:13] Fujinami**
Sister...
**[05:15] Fujinami**
I never dreamed this would happen.
**[05:21] Fujinami**
Samomo is dead.
**[05:23] Asebi**
Princess Fujinami!
Please get a hold of yourself!
**[05:25] Fujinami**
Why? Why?
**[05:29] Fujinami**
Oh, if only I'd known, I would never
have made her my lady-in-waiting!
**[05:34] Asebi**
Please don't say that. I know it would've
saddened Samomo to hear you.
**[05:40] Asebi**
Don't worry. The Yamauchi Guard
will bring the truth to light.
**[05:45] Fujinami**
There must be some explanation.
**[05:51] Cha-no-Hana**
Surely either Samomo jumped
or someone pushed her.
**[05:56] Kikuno**
I suppose we should assume
one or the other,
**[05:59] Kikuno**
given that His Highness's
personal guardsman is involved.
**[06:03] Shiratama**
If Samomo was murdered,
**[06:07] Shiratama**
then surely you, Lady Asebi,
are the most likely culprit.
**[06:12] Asebi**
What?
**[06:14] Shiratama**
I suppose you had Samomo
arrange your little tricks,
**[06:18] Shiratama**
then disposed of her
when she became inconvenient.
**[06:22] Asebi**
What? How could you say that?
**[06:24] Fujinami**
Shiratama, I will take any insult
aimed at Lady Asebi as an insult at myself!
**[06:30] Shiratama**
Taking in the Princess like that
only makes it more plausible.
**[06:34] Shiratama**
You really are just as vicious
as your mother was, I see.
**[06:39] Shiratama**
And after my Cha-no-Hana warned you
not to follow in her footsteps.
**[06:44] Masuho**
That's quite enough, Shiratama.
**[06:46] Masuho**
We came here to refine ourselves
through competition.
**[06:50] Masuho**
Taking advantage of others' misfortune
to torment Asebi is simply disgraceful.
**[06:54] Shiratama**
My, how odd.
**[06:56] Shiratama**
You've scorned Lady Asebi
as a country bumpkin all this time.
**[07:03] Shiratama**
When did you become such good friends?
**[07:05] Shiratama**
Well, I suppose the Western House
*is* famously fickle. Or...
**[07:11] Shiratama**
Did you two desperate ladies
bond over your shared misfortune?
**[07:15] Masuho**
Shiratama, you dare—
**[07:16] Hamayu**
Enough, Shiratama.
**[07:19] Hamayu**
Samomo is dead. You could
at least *pretend* to mourn.
**[07:26] Takimoto**
We of the Wisteria Guard are also
investigating what befell Samomo.
**[07:32] Takimoto**
Please refrain from communicating
directly with the Yamauchi Guard,
**[07:36] Takimoto**
even if you receive questions in writing.
**[07:39] Takimoto**
As before, we ask that you only correspond
with the outside world via Wisteria Hall.
**[08:11] Nazukihiko**
See to Kazumi while I'm out.
**[08:15] Yukiya**
Yes, sir.
**[08:16] Yukiya**
I assume I only need to guide him?
**[08:19] Yukiya**
To the spot Your Highness pushed me off
when we spied on the ladies, I mean.
**[08:24] Nazukihiko**
I wouldn't call that "spying."
It was reconnaissance.
**[08:28] Yukiya**
Yeah, yeah. Sure it was.
**[08:30] Yukiya**
But I still don't quite trust that guy.
**[08:36] Nazukihiko**
Kazumi is a good man.
**[08:39] Yukiya**
But what's he doing here? I swear I've seen
him working for the Northern House.
**[08:44] Nazukihiko**
Of course you have.
**[08:46] Nazukihiko**
He's a Northern spy, but he started out
gardening at their main house.
**[08:50] Yukiya**
Oh, no wonder.
**[08:52] Nazukihiko**
He did such good work
that I invited him to join us,
**[08:58] Nazukihiko**
on the condition that I grant his wish.
**[09:04] Yukiya**
Have a safe trip!
**[09:10] Yukiya**
He makes this stuff sound like no big deal.
**[09:12] Kazumi**
Sir Yukiya.
**[09:15] Kazumi**
I'm ready whenever you are.
**[09:17] Yukiya**
R-Right. Let's get going, then.
**[09:25] Kazumi**
This would be hard going
if we didn't know the way.
**[09:30] Yukiya**
Cherry Blossom Palace stands on
a steep cliff to keep out intruders.
**[09:35] Yukiya**
You could fly to it, but the Wisteria
Guard constantly patrols the skies.
**[09:39] Kazumi**
I see.
**[09:41] Kazumi**
Oh, keyflower orchids.
**[09:45] Kazumi**
They're blooming awfully late.
**[09:47] Yukiya**
Why do you want to see
Cherry Blossom Palace, Kazumi?
**[09:51] Yukiya**
Forgive me for prying.
**[09:53] Yukiya**
I thought maybe you knew someone there.
**[09:57] Kazumi**
I'm not sure I can claim I know her.
**[10:00] Yukiya**
I thought so. One of the
Northern ladies-in-waiting?
**[10:04] Yukiya**
Oh, don't tell me if you don't want to.
**[10:06] Kazumi**
Well, something like that.
**[10:10] Kazumi**
I'm hoping to see her, just for a moment.
**[10:12] Yukiya**
Oh, so *that's* what this is about.
**[10:15] Yukiya**
Still, the Prince sure plays dirty, using
your romantic troubles to win you over.
**[10:36] Kazumi**
Shiratama!
**[10:37] Yukiya**
Wait, Shiratama?
**[10:39] Yukiya**
Hold it, Kazumi!
**[10:50] Yukiya**
*You mean you came to see...*
***SIGN*** Winter Hall, Cherry Blossom Palace
**[11:29] Elderly Lady-in-waiting**
Thank you so much for coming all this way.
**[11:31] Elderly Lady-in-waiting**
When you return to the Center, please tell
His Highness we appreciate his concern.
**[11:38] Nazukihiko**
Certainly. I promise to inform His Highness.
**[11:43] Maidservant 1**
Who's that handsome fellow?
**[11:45] Manservant 2**
A messenger from the Center.
Said he knows her ladyship.
**[11:49] Maidservant 2**
Her ladyship? From the main house?
**[11:51] Maidservant 2**
But she has those hideous
pockmarks all over her face.
**[11:53] Manservant 1**
How would he know
with a screen between them?
**[11:57] Manservant 1**
Hey, Kasuke!
**[11:59] Manservant 1**
I told you to carry this stuff!
**[12:00] Kasuke**
R-Right.
**[12:01] Manservant 1**
Get a move on!
***SIGN*** Southern Palace
**[12:06] Toru**
The Prince vanished?
**[12:08] Atsufusa**
I haven't seen him at all lately.
**[12:12] Toru**
He's probably holed up with
his favorite courtesan. Let him be.
**[12:18] Atsufusa**
Lord Toru, you mustn't
underestimate the Prince.
**[12:23] Atsufusa**
After Tanabata, there can be no doubt
he harbors grave suspicions of the South.
**[12:29] Atsufusa**
I worry.
**[12:33] Atsufusa**
Could he be guiding events indirectly
while he's out of our sight?
**[12:38] Toru**
You think a fool could
outwit the Southern House?
**[12:42] Atsufusa**
Perhaps.
**[12:46] Toru**
Don't presume.
**[12:47] Toru**
Atsufusa.
**[12:49] Toru**
By all rights, your lowly birth
shouldn't even entitle you to speak to me.
**[12:54] Atsufusa**
I was merely thinking
of the Southern House's—
**[12:56] Toru**
I'm telling you to know your place.
**[13:07] Nazukihiko**
You have my sincere gratitude
for granting me this audience.
**[13:14] Nazukihiko**
How have you fared since last we spoke?
**[13:17] Nazukihiko**
I'm told an illness scarred
your face early this year.
**[13:24] Nazukihiko**
Withdrawing from the Rite of Ascension
on such short notice must have pained you.
**[13:29] Nazukihiko**
His Highness still thinks
of you with concern.
**[13:43] Lady-in-waiting**
M-My lady.
**[13:45] Futaba**
Clear the room.
**[13:46] Lady-in-waiting**
But...
**[13:54] Futaba**
I never had any pockmarks.
**[13:57] Futaba**
I meant to take this secret to my grave,
**[14:01] Futaba**
but I wish His Highness to know the truth.
**[14:06] Futaba**
To know the real reason
I withdrew from the rite.
**[15:15] Masuho**
Kikuno?
**[15:19] Masuho**
Who's there?!
**[15:21] Kikuno**
I-Intruder!
**[15:23] Kikuno**
Intruder!
**[15:25] Shout**
Intruder!
**[15:36] Takimoto**
We will see to this at once.
**[15:38] Takimoto**
Your Highness need not trouble herself.
**[15:43] Fujinami**
Takimoto.
**[15:45] Lady-in-waiting**
What's going on?
**[15:46] Wisteria Guard**
Please turn back. It's not safe.
**[15:48] Wisteria Guards**
Where is he?
**[15:49] Wisteria Guards**
He's not here!
**[15:50] Wisteria Guards**
Find him before dawn breaks!
**[16:00] Wisteria Guards**
Dawn's here!
**[16:03] Wisteria Guards**
There he is! I found him!
**[16:05] Takimoto**
Don't let him escape! Use arrows!
**[16:07] Wisteria Guards**
Fire!
**[16:11] Wisteria Guards**
Don't let him escape!
**[16:12] Wisteria Guards**
Surround him!
**[16:12] Wisteria Guards**
Hold him down!
**[16:13] Wisteria Guard 3**
Take him alive!
**[16:15] Wisteria Guard 3**
Bring rope! Rope!
**[16:16] Takimoto**
Move! Stand aside!
**[16:20] Wisteria Guard 3**
Huh?
**[16:49] Hamayu**
Are you hurt, Shiratama?
**[16:57] Shiratama**
It can't be. Not that filthy corpse.
**[17:01] Shiratama**
Not that...
**[17:02] Hamayu**
Shiratama, are you...
**[17:05] Cha-no-Hana**
My lady!
**[17:06] Cha-no-Hana**
What happened to you?
**[17:09] Cha-no-Hana**
Takimoto! What is all this commotion?
**[17:13] Takimoto**
We had an intruder.
**[17:15] Cha-no-Hana**
An intruder?
**[17:18] Takimoto**
I had no choice but to take his head.
**[17:23] Takimoto**
Lady Shiratama had the misfortune
of witnessing the act.
**[17:27] Cha-no-Hana**
What?
**[17:28] Cha-no-Hana**
First, Samomo, and now, an intruder.
What has palace security come to?
**[17:33] Shiratama**
You coward.
**[17:34] Cha-no-Hana**
What?
**[17:37] Shiratama**
You never came. I knew you wouldn't.
**[17:41] Cha-no-Hana**
My lady?
**[17:43] Cha-no-Hana**
In any case, let us return to Winter Hall.
**[17:43] Lady-in-waiting**
What happened?
**[17:44] Lady-in-waiting**
Look at all that blood!
**[17:45] Shiratama**
I'm telling you, it's not true!
**[17:49] Shiratama**
What an awful smell.
**[17:50] Shiratama**
What shall I do?
His Highness will find me repulsive.
**[17:54] Shiratama**
Cha-no-Hana, bring incense.
I must scent my kimono.
**[17:56] Cha-no-Hana**
Lady Shiratama.
**[18:06] Ukogi**
Takimoto, would you kindly
explain what happened here?
**[18:11] Takimoto**
A scoundrel slipped into the Autumn Hall.
**[18:13] Lady-in-waiting**
Autumn Hall?
**[18:15] Takimoto**
Fortunately, he was soon discovered
and took to his wings.
**[18:19] Kikuno**
He didn't lay a finger
on Lady Masuho-no-Susuki.
**[18:22] Ukogi**
And who was this ruffian?
**[18:24] Takimoto**
A member of a robber band, I presume.
**[18:27] Takimoto**
As a matter of fact, items that
belong in Cherry Blossom Palace
**[18:31] Takimoto**
have been appearing on the market
for a little while now.
**[18:35] Takimoto**
We believe the late Samomo
had ties to this man.
**[18:41] Lady-in-waiting**
Samomo?
**[18:43] Takimoto**
I had planned to tell you all
this formally at a later date,
**[18:48] Takimoto**
but we discovered this on Samomo's body.
**[18:52] Takimoto**
This comb is clearly
far beyond her station.
**[18:56] Ukogi**
You mean to tell us
Samomo was engaged in theft?
**[18:59] Takimoto**
Indeed I do.
**[19:01] Takimoto**
The man received the goods
she took and sold them.
**[19:06] Takimoto**
But they fell out, and he killed her.
**[19:08] Takimoto**
So this time, he tried to
infiltrate the palace himself.
**[19:13] Takimoto**
That must be the truth
of this affair, more or less.
**[19:16] Lady-in-waiting 2**
I thought it would be something like that.
**[19:19] Lady-in-waiting 3**
They did say Samomo was a hill raven.
**[19:22] Lady-in-waiting 3**
Breeding always shows through in the end.
**[19:25] Asebi**
Samomo wasn't like that.
**[19:28] Asebi**
You should all know
what a nice girl she was.
**[19:32] Takimoto**
In that case, Lady Asebi, how do you
explain Samomo having this comb?
**[19:39] Asebi**
I don't...
**[19:43] Hamayu**
Try using your heads, dimwits.
**[19:48] Masuho**
Hamayu.
**[19:55] Asebi**
Lady Hamayu!
**[19:59] Asebi**
Lady Hamayu! Lady Hamayu!
**[20:02] Asebi**
Where are you going?
**[20:10] Cha-no-Hana**
What's all this racket?
**[20:12] Lady-in-waiting 4**
Cha-no-Hana, ma'am!
It's the lady of Summer Hall!
**[20:16] Cha-no-Hana**
Lady Hamayu. And Lady Asebi, too.
**[20:20] Cha-no-Hana**
To what do we owe the honor?
**[20:23] Hamayu**
We want to see your mistress. Show us in.
**[20:25] Cha-no-Hana**
I respectfully decline.
My lady is indisposed.
**[20:30] Hamayu**
I can guess what state she's in.
**[20:34] Cha-no-Hana**
You mustn't!
**[20:37] Hamayu**
Clear out the ladies-in-waiting.
Yourself included.
**[21:01] Hamayu**
Hey.
**[21:02] Hamayu**
I see it hit you hard, Shiratama.
**[21:06] Shiratama**
My, Lady Hamayu. When did you get here?
**[21:10] Shiratama**
Do forgive me for neglecting you.
**[21:13] Shiratama**
Did you wish to see me about something?
**[21:20] Hamayu**
You must be at your breaking point.
**[21:29] Hamayu**
Why not excuse yourself
and go home to the North?
**[21:33] Shiratama**
I can't do that.
**[21:36] Shiratama**
I *must* make an imperial marriage.
**[21:39] Shiratama**
Perhaps *you* should
take your leave instead.
**[21:46] Hamayu**
Yeah, maybe I should.
**[21:49] Hamayu**
But you'll snap if you keep on like this.
**[21:55] Shiratama**
I already have.
**[22:00] Hamayu**
You knew that intruder.
**[22:03] Hamayu**
And pretty well, too. Am I wrong?
**[22:11] Hamayu**
You should never have come here.
**[22:14] Hamayu**
You should never have
taken part in the rite.
**[22:18] Hamayu**
Not if you were in love with another man.
**[22:24] Shiratama**
You say such amusing things.
Me? Carrying on an affair?
**[22:38] Shiratama**
I hate to disappoint you.
**[22:39] Shiratama**
There was nothing between
Kazumi and me! Nothing!
**[22:43] Shiratama**
How could you think I'd ever be so foolish?
**[22:46] Shiratama**
I was born solely to marry a prince!
**[22:51] Shiratama**
My heart doesn't belong to me!
**[24:31] Narrator**
* Sweet yet cruel memories*
* wear away Shiratama's mind.*
**[24:37] Narrator**
* A lowly raven has entered the palace*
* in the guise of a dazzling lady.*
**[24:43] Narrator**
* A false noblewoman*
* starts telling the truth.*
**[24:50] Narrator**
*Next time: "Lady Raven."*
***SIGN*** Lady
***SIGN*** Raven
***SIGN*** YATAGARASU:
The Raven
Does Not
Choose
Its Master
***SIGN*** Illustration: Natsuki