kscans

Chapter 29 - The Emperor's Feelings

Still, he was aware that failing to bring him into the fold would not end well. He couldn't afford to make an enemy of someone as powerful as Shintaro. Besides, every human has desires. If he was too picky, he'd never find a partner for Shion, and sometimes, a man who isn't swayed by status or wealth is harder to handle. From a ruler's perspective, the most terrifying person is one who cannot be moved by money or position. In his heart, the Emperor was prepared to give Shintaro anything, as long as he could swear to never betray Shion. Once they were married, he would have to give it to him anyway, whether he liked it or not. The only thing that mattered was how faithful the man was to one woman.

"Now then... will he harbor extreme ambitions, or will he stop at common worldly desires?" the Emperor murmured, tapping his shoulder with his closed fan as he stared into space.

*

One day after the initial match, Shintaro was invited by Shion to tour the gardens in the morning. There, she told him that the remaining nine days of matches had been canceled, and he was disappointed.

"And I was looking forward to finally letting loose."

Shion frowned. "Are you not happy?"

"Opportunities to wield my sword to my heart's content are rare."

"So you aren't happy."

"Ah, sorry. It's not that I'm dissatisfied with the current situation." From Shion's perspective, she was relieved that Shintaro wouldn't be injured, and she felt her father's attitude had softened, so she couldn't understand his frustration. Her anticipation for this peaceful time made it all the more so. A quiet moment for just the two of them. They had such times in the Western Capital, but they weren't lovers then, so it was different. Shion walked with her arm linked through Shintaro's. Having an arm she could lean on in complete trust made her so giddy that she paid little attention to explaining the garden. All she could think about was Shintaro. Nothing else mattered. When they came to a pond where koi were swimming and Shintaro asked something, Shion replied,

"I don't really know much about fish."

A little while later, Shintaro asked again, "I've seen quite a few gazebos around. How many are there?"

To which she replied, "I've never counted." It was not a very fruitful tour. However, simply walking close to Shion was a happy experience for Shintaro, so it wasn't a major issue.

Still, when it came to more practical matters, things were different.

"What is your father saying about me?"

Shion's happy expression vanished, her eyes filling with sorrow. "Father won't say. I think he's trying to avoid having it passed on through my words."

"He's being quite cautious, isn't he?"

"It can't be helped. Because..."

"...Because?"

"Because Father is—" She couldn't bring herself to say the ruler of the country, and she looked down. What worried her was the wound Shintaro must still carry. The fact that he was here with her now meant he liked her regardless of it. But she was deeply anxious about whether he would feel the same after he knew the truth.

"Do you really enjoy fighting so much, Shintaro-sama?" Shion abruptly changed the subject back, avoiding his question. Shintaro, not finding it particularly strange, went along with it easily.

"No, it's not that I like fighting, more that I like moving my body. Well, I guess that ends up being directly connected to fighting."

"Were you really confident you could fight for ten days?"

"Hmm, well... I figured the last day would be pretty tough. Especially if Miyake-dono joined in. It's harder to deal with one person who has the strength of a hundred than a hundred separate people." Hearing this, Shion chuckled softly.

"So even you have opponents you struggle with, Shintaro-sama." Shintaro gave a wry smile and looked away. But he knew this was just the playful banter of lovers, so he didn't feel the slightest bit annoyed.

*

A week later, a visitor arrived at the estate located ten blocks west of Kyo-yojo-den—the one equipped with an audience chamber directly ahead of the main gate. It was Saneyuki and Nana. They had come to report their marriage.

"We have successfully held our wedding ceremony and are now husband and wife. This was only possible thanks to the warm support of Your Majesty and everyone else. We are truly grateful," Saneyuki said, and he and Nana bowed their heads. The Emperor, seated on a raised platform, opened his fan in good spirits.

"Not at all. It is the fruit of your own efforts. My sincerest congratulations."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Are you happy, Nana?" the Emperor asked. Nana looked up in surprise, her face turning red, then bowed her head again.

"Y-Yes!"

"Hmph. That is good to hear." The Emperor spoke from the heart and smiled with satisfaction.

"Take good care of her, you hear? Saneyuki."

"Yes! Of course." They both lifted their faces at the same time, exchanged a look, and smiled. Just then, the Emperor spoke up.

"By the way, about that swordsman, Shintaro."

Saneyuki tore his gaze from Nana and turned back to the Emperor. "Yes?"

"The fact that you sent him here, does that mean he passed your inspection?"

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty."

"However, from what I hear, he doesn't seem to understand our circumstances in the slightest."

"Th-That is..." Saneyuki's gaze darted around, sweat beading on his forehead.

"I thought it would be better for him not to know, so he could face Shion-sama with a pure heart."

"Oh? So you were being considerate?"

"Y-Yes, well..."

"But it seems his mind is already made up. There should be no problem in revealing it now."

"—!" Saneyuki stiffened, straightening his back. The Emperor did not miss that momentary action.

"...You're hiding something. Speak." Saneyuki remained still, his clenched fists on his knees, not meeting the Emperor's eyes. His tightly sealed lips showed no sign of opening. As a result, the Emperor was filled with an unexpected suspicion. Shintaro was a man women would surely flock to. He imagined that perhaps Shintaro was a notorious womanizer or spent money lavishly. But it didn't take long for him to realize he was completely off the mark.

"If you do not speak, I will call off that arrangement. Are you fine with that?" At that, Saneyuki's eyes suddenly flew open. The color returned to his pale face.

"If you will not keep Shintaro-dono in Kyo, then the West will take him." The Emperor was so taken aback he dropped his fan.

"What did you say?"

"The reconstruction of the Masaki family can be achieved with either Your Majesty's power or Shintaro-dono's."

"Oh? So you're saying that no matter how things turn out now, it's to your advantage?"

"Yes." At the frank reply, the Emperor sighed and picked up his fan.

"Then let me change the question. Does Shion know what you are hiding?"

"...Yes."

"Hmph. I see. So you're saying he is worth keeping in our grasp, even setting aside some unsavory matter you can't tell me about?"

"Unsavory is not the word. Shintaro-dono is not at fault."

'The Emperor frowned. A matter that couldn't be spoken of was nothing but an unsavory matter. To be told otherwise made no sense.

"What is it, then? I can't make sense of this at all. Sooner or later, my position must be revealed, you know?" At the Emperor's words, Saneyuki fell silent again. It was true, he couldn't hide it forever. The time would come when he would know. Then shouldn't he tell him now? It would be cruel to inform him after he'd reached the point of no return. Now—no, whether he turned back or pushed forward, they were the ones who had dragged this out. They should take responsibility for Shintaro's fate from here on, he thought. Saneyuki lifted his chin and looked at the Emperor, his resolve firm.

"I will be the one to tell him. Whatever the outcome, I will see to it that matters are settled properly, so please rest assured." The Emperor burned the image of the bowing Saneyuki into his memory. If this man was worth making the next Tower Master take responsibility for, then he would undoubtedly be facing him here tomorrow, he thought.