Chapter 5
“… I heard the sixth concubine passed away…”
Seien stared in amazement to the words his mother muttered. It was spring, and the sixth concubine died months ago.
Seien smiled innocently.
“What is wrong, mother?”
“Prince Ryuuki visited me the other day…”
Seien was surprised even more. Sure, he told him the location of this place, but did he really come here alone?
… Maybe he was simply seeking a mother. Even though he lost his memory about it, the manner of her death was horrifying, and it was tormenting Ryuuki every night. During the day, he did not cry, but sometimes his eyes lost focus suddenly and he started to shake violently.
Since mysteriously he could sleep when he had “Bakuya” close by, Seien gave him “Bakuya” to Ryuuki as the substitute of himself.
“It must be very hard…”
“Yes…, I have been trying to be with him, but I don’t have time…”
He wanted to be with Ryuuki all the time, but there were too many things that requireed his attention.
There were changes in the other concubines since the death of the sixth concubine. They were sending sparks each other and were self-centered until then, but now they were strangely unified. Yet, they did not seem conspiring. It was like they were acting on their own intentions but ended up working together. It was like a skillful puppeteer was controlling them without them noticing they were puppets.
It was a disturbing feeling. Like an encircling net was gradually built without being noticed.
Besides, assassins from the Hyou family that had been visible from time to time since a year ago were a cause for concern as well.
They conduct divine matter, but on the other hand, using their unusual ability and superior physical ability, the Hyou family contracted assassinations for generations. It was said that only the ones who could offer the acceptable reward could use their assassins.
‘… Who commissioned the Hyou family?”
He played with the red bean bag that his father gave him in his hand unconsciously. He was carrying it around as a good-luck charm and it became a habit, but her mother saw it.
“Oh, well, it was given by my father…”
Without thinking, Seien made an unnecessary excuse. As a realist, he did not want to admit that he even carried a good-luck charm with him.
‘It’s not like I am cornered or anything.’
He shook his head and shoved the bean bag in his bosom. Then he asked the other concern to his mother.
“Mother, how is grandfather?”
She shook her head sideways quietly.
He was strange to begin with, but since Seien was given the twin swords, his grandfather became stranger like he was possessed by something.
He had him confined in this villa before anyone noticed it, but he was unpredictable…
His mother had a quiet look which was akin to resignation. Like she knew what was going to happen and accepted it already.
The sound of collapse could be heard. Something was getting thrown out of kilter gradually. Despite his best attempt, one gear slipped after another, and it felt like everything was falling toward the worst. But Seien couldn’t even see his opponent.
‘Who is it?’
There weren't many who could cast an encircling net this thoroughly. But he still had no idea who.
To begin with, it was too early.
His father was not even 50. Sure he did not go out of Kiyou any longer, but he was still healthy and feuds over the next throne were far in the future. Everyone is busy building factions at this point, and he could not understand the intention to target him only.
Everything was beyond his understanding and Seien clenched his teeth. Restlessness was creeping gradually. He felt like a mere child.
‘You must be kidding.’
He was not allowed to be a child.
He would be defeated. Even though his father have given him the swords.
“… Excuse me.”
Seien turned his face away so his mother could not see it, and took a leave of the villa noisily. His mother’s tired sigh was left faintly in his ears.
I might lose --- Seien thought for the first time. It was true.
The footsteps of the end were near.
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