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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.



--- Only the season passed without incidents, and it was the chilly end of fall.

When Seien visited Ryuuki, he could hear Ryuuki’s happy laughing voice from the garden.

Seien was surprised.

After the death of the sixth concubine, no one offered to become the guardian for Ryuuki, who had no relatives among aristocrats. His existence was almost forgotten, and only Seien visited Ryuuki to ease his tense nerve and have a brief period of quiet time.

‘Who is with Ryuuki?’

He hoped it was their father, but the man who was playing bean bags with Ryuuki with serious expression was…

“Director Ou?”

It was Ou Ki, the director of Administrative Inspection.

--- At that moment, Seien realized why Ou Ki was there.

“Prince Seien, I CAME TO ESCORT YOU.”

Ou Ki retured the red bean bags held in his hands to Ryuuki, and stood up quietly.

“Prince Ryuuki, this is it as we promised, since Prince Seien is here.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

Ryuuki did not know anything, and bowed deeply to Ou Ki. Ou Ki reached his hand to Seien.

“Please give me your sword.”

Seien closed his eyes slowly. He inhaled, then exhaled. Dry autumn wind swept Seien’s hair.

Seien handed “Kanshou” that was put to his side to Ou Ki. It was the only weapon, and Ou Ki didn’t ask about the twin, “Bakuya.”

Ou Ki shifted his body.

Seien understood his intention, and picked up Ryuuki.

“Ryuuki, did you enjoy playing bean bags?”

“Yes. Very. We drew together, too. I drew lilies of the valley.”

Director Ou did drawing? He would have laughed normally, but even he could not do it at that moment. Seien inhaled intentionally. Lilies of the valley. Yes, his mother is also….

“I see. It was nice of him to play with you.”

Seien thought it was nice he could see Ryuuki’s smile for the last time.

Of course, if the Ran triplets made a move, there would be a possibility. But he did not think it would happen.

Director of Administrative Inspection Ou Ki did not deliver showy acts like Advisor Shou and Kai Yu do, but his measure to build up evidences certainly and quietly, could not be overturned. The chance that the Ran family makes a move to save Seien with the knowledge of Ou Ki’s involvement was extremely low.

“Ryuuki, it will get cold in winter, so do not catch cold. Be careful not to burn yourself with the brazier. And…”

Seien told him one thing after another. Ryuuki had higher body temperature as always, but he was much heavier than he was when he met him first.

He did not say goodbye. He would have if there is a slight possibility, but it’s better not to say anything if it would be the capital punishment. If he had to feel sad, it would be better to delay it even a bit. Ryuuki’s heart could not bear any more sadness.

“It’s time, Prince Seien.”

Ou Ki interrupted when he had a chance. 

Seien put Ryuuki down gently.

“I’ll see you, Brother. Good luck with your duty.”

Ryuuki waved his hand lively.

Seien laughed despite the situation at Ryuuki’s oddly suited words.

While waving his hand to Ryuuki, Seien thanked Ou Ki briefly.

“… I appreciate it.”

No military officials or administrative inspectors were present. It was really Ou Ki alone, and even though “Kanshou” was taken away, he wasn’t even bound. To bystanders, it would look like they were just strolling.

Ryuuki could not even imagine he saw his brother arrested. Thanks to it, he did not have to see Ryuuki cry.

--- On that day, Seien was imprisoned by the Administrative Inspection responding to his grandfather’s treason.



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