Sunshine and a Blue Castle Prince

Chapter 18: Sakusa Family History

A few days after Osamu and Shouyou meet, Sakusa teleports from a garden in Hidden Light Castle to a small cliff just outside one of the Elder Valleys.

He bows to the mage taking him from place to place. "Thank you. I will not need another teleport until sunset at the earliest."

"Yes, Your Highness. Are you sure here is fine?"

"Of course. The elders prefer to not have their day to day business interrupted by random teleporting. Does your family not visit your elders?"

"That is a job usually done by the eldest son in the family."

Sakusa frowns. "You should make time to do so."

"Yes, sir."

An hour or so later, Sakusa walks into the valley proper. He shifts the collar of his sweater to cover the lower half of his face.

All around him, fae elders greet him with bright smiles.

"Good morning, Sakusa-kun," one old lady calls out. "Are you looking for your grandparents?"

"Good morning, Maeda-san. Is Grandma Sakusa around?"

"Sakusa-san... Yes. She should be getting back from tormenting Old Kato soon. If you want to wait, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you."

"No need," a dry voice calls from behind Sakusa. "You should have sent a bird ahead, Kiyoomi. I would have made a point to finish your sweater."

Sakusa turns and bows to his grandmother. "Pardon me, grandmother. I did not have time to do so."

Sakusa Michi sighs, not liking the dark tone in her grandson's voice. "Come. Let's go in. I'm glad to see you wearing one of the sweaters I knit for you, for once. Oh don't give me that look. Motoya-kun visits me too and comments frequently on your dour wardrobe."

Michi and Kiyoomi walk back to Michi's residence, not once breaking the comfortable silence.

When the pair has settled into their seats with a pot on the tea resting between them, Michi clears her throat. "Tell me what is bothering you, child."

"Motoya has drug us into conflict with the outside world."

"You don't believe that statement, do you? As much as you wish you did."

Sakusa groans but nods. "Motoya has done nothing but follow the Law. War was not of his making."

"Go on."

"Nohebi has made its move against Fukurodani and Nekoma. Aoba Johsai and Karasuno are involved as well."

Michi nods slowly. "Did you ever meet my parents?"

Kiyoomi shakes his head.

"No, you wouldn't have. You wouldn't have and our family has done little to make sure you children know the story of your family. Mother and Father agreed that it was a secret best kept to the mated members of the family. Your cousin Miki would have known, but she eloped with that painter. I suppose someone had to take after my parents. But I digress. Let me ask, how much do you know?"

"Only that Great-grandma and Great-grandpa were from Nohebi and Nekoma, respectively and eloped, causing strife between the two nations."

"That's the basic story, yes, if you want an over-generalization that wouldn't satisfy a boulder."

Kiyoomi shifts in his seat, leaning forward. "What happened? What was Miki supposed to be told?"

"My mother was Daishou Yasu, youngest daughter of Daishou Sadao, the king of Nohebi at that time. Father was Kozume Kiyoshi, youngest nephew of Nekoma's Queen Chieko."