Link to previous chapter: http://archive-of-dreams.blogspot.com/2009/08/saiunkoku-monogatari-lineage.html
Disclaimer: I do not own Saiunkoku Monogatari.
Just then, Ri Kouyuu, a flower of the Emperor, came rushing in angrily with a casual Ran Shuuei by his side. "Your Majesty! You haven't finished you work yet!"
"Oops! Ah, well, sorry, Aniue, you heard him, I'll see you tonight if I can, and tomorrow if I can't!"
"It is alright, your Majesty, I would not like to have a dead husband." Shuuei stole a quick, wary glance at Seien before leaving the room with the two.
THAT NIGHT, IN AN UNKNOWN PLACE
"Your Highness?" "Yes, Ou Ki?" "The exiled Prince Seien is back in the palace." "What? It must have been that filthy Ryuuki who took him in, right?"
Ou Ki smiled sardonically. As he had expected, the first prince, Prince Hotaru, was furious on hearing the news. "Fear not, your Highness, for he is a mere consort now, and has no business in court unless the Emperor decides to clear his name and reinstate his position as the second prince, which is not likely to happen as it would hinder Seien from becoming his concubine and we know about their relationship.”
"Yes, of course, it is a fact that Seien was Ryuuki's first love. However, is there not a Kou princess you told me about who has captured his heart?"
"Ah, but you know what they say, your Highness, first love never truly goes away, and I have heard from Hyou Rio how the Emperor looked at his consort."
"True, but it is possible, is it not, for him to reinstate Seien's status and at the same time retain him as a consort?"
"There are rules, your Highness." "You forget that rules can be changed, Ou Ki."
"Then, there is only one way for us. Your Highness, I have already found your old supporters, and they have agreed. Advisor Shou has given his cooperation provided that you will take the throne peacefully and choose a suitable consort."
"So, I can finally take my rightful place?" "Yes, but you have to find an appropriate consort."
"Seien... has he been given a potion so that he will be able to continue the royal line?" "According to the Hyou clan, yes." "Good, good. Then, I suppose he would make quite a faithful consort, would he not?"
"Your Highness... you are not thinking of him as a choice, are you? You know firsthand how like his mother he is, how manipulative and cunning he is."
"His mother was subdued by my father, was she not?" "He was the Emperor." "And I am going to be one."
NEXT MORNING, IN THE PALACE
"Your Majesty, I have something to report." "Yes, Ou Ki?" "Pardon me, your Majesty, but I have recently found out that the first prince is still alive, and that would make your claim to the throne invalid, your Majesty." "But was he not given the capital punishment?" "Apparently he escaped, your Majesty."
"If what you say is true, Ou Ki, then Prince Hotaru is the Emperor. However, you know the rules, Ou Ki. He cannot be the Emperor without permission from me." Advisor Shou spoke up. "And I believe I told you the condition. He has to find a consort which I approve of."
"I have talked with him, Advisor, and he has chosen. Should he become the Emperor, all of his Majesty's consorts will belong to him, as they are the royal consorts. Therefore, his Majesty's current consort, Shi Seien, would become his. Moreover, he has said that he will take Consort Shi as his. He also says that-
"Is he here, Ou Ki?"
"He is outside, Advisor." "Summon him in."
A few minutes later, the first prince walked into the hall. "Prince Hotaru here, your Majesty."
Ryuuki's eyes flashed with shock as he felt a familiar feeling of fear. It had been so long...
"Prince Hotaru. What makes you think that I will accept your choice of a consort?"
"Advisor, almost everyone here knows that Consort Shi was the flower of the princes, partly due to his intellect. He would also have been the most likely choice for Emperor had he not been exiled. Now, I suppose he knows his duties as a consort and will play his part as well as he did as a prince. If so, do you not agree that he would be a good choice?"
"He would also be a good choice for Emperor Ryuuki." "That is true. However, as you know, I am the legitimate choice for the Emperor. My late father did not choose me as he was led to believe that I was dead." "Very well then. Your Majesty, have you anything to say?"
"Advisor, since it appears that my esteemed elder brother is still alive, it appears that I, as the youngest, should give up the throne to him. However, as the current spouse of Shi Seien, may I request that I may have him?"
"Your Majesty, you heard your brother's words just now. He chose Consort Shi as his. As the rightful Emperor, he has the right to choose. Besides, I will personally make sure that Consort Shi is treated well. Do you have anything more?"
"No, Advisor. Now, brother, you may claim your throne, as after all, it belongs to your Majesty. I am sorry to not have looked for you, but I was deceived. I beg your pardon, your Majesty."
Ryuuki stood up, letting Prince Hotaru take his place. Then he performed the honours.
LATER, IN THE CONSORTS' HEADQUARTERS
"Arrival of the Emperor!" The servants must have been dismissed, for Seien heard only a pair of footsteps. "Ryuuki? Why are you here?" He looked up from his book. "Hotaru? Did you not die that time?"
Hotaru's POV
He was the same as before. "Ah, Seien, so the rumours have not reached you?" "What do you mean?"
Just then, a maid burst in. "My lord, they say that Prince Hotaru has become the Emperor and that he has chosen you as his consort!" Such impudence. "My, my, is that how you treat your masters?" Her eyes widened upon seeing me.
"Now, before I change my mind about not punishing you, leave this room." "Yes, your Majesty!" She quickly left.
"You have heard it now; I suppose you have your answer, Seien."
"Well then, I hope that you will be able to pardon me for being so rude, your Majesty. Your consort does hereby apologise."
He bowed in the formal way, just as he used to do to Father. And for some time, Ryuuki, I suppose. Not that Ryuuki would ever find fault with him.
"Forgiven, Seien, forgiven. After all, who wouldn't forgive you?"
"Thank you, your Majesty." So he knew his part, after all. "How old are you?"
"13, your Majesty." "Youth potion, I presume?" "Yes, your Majesty." He was tense and rather angry, I could see. "Would you like a cup of tea?" "It's fine either way."
Who would have ever thought that Seien, favourite for the throne, would ever have poured me tea? I watched him mockingly. "Seien, Seien... who would ever have thought that the proud second prince would ever have poured tea for his elder brother? Hmm?"
"Both of us know that pride comes before a fall, your Majesty." "True enough." I lifted his chin so that I could look into his eyes. Nothing had changed, as expected. He retained those features, which had made him the prettiest in the royal family, outdoing even the consorts in the palace and on the same level as his mother.
"Drink the tea quickly, for it will get cold and that will not be good." "Such a caring consort you are, no? Were you like this with Ryuuki? I heard that both of you were very close even when you were young." "Those were rumours, your Majesty." "Ah, but there is no smoke without fire, Seien. There must have been something. First love, perhaps?"
"It may be possible that his Royal Highness does have feelings. But, I, for one, know that there is nothing between us going on that is more serious than puppy love."
"Perhaps, Seien, perhaps." I drank the cup of tea. It was still hot, so I sipped it slowly. I could feel him scrutinise me, trying to find out my intentions.
"I had not realised that there was a new type of tea around. What did you add?" "Well, this was supposed to be for his Royal Highness Prince Ryuuki, so it should be foreign to your Majesty."
