The Tale Continues (Saiunkoku Monogatari Fanfiction: Ryuuki x Shuurei lemon)

Chapter 1: Ryuuki Collapses

It had been months ever since Ryuuki and Shuurei had agreed to play that gamble that if Ryuuki would not be able to make Shuurei agree to his proposal after the set time, which is when the sakura blooms; he would stop asking for her hand in marriage. But as the emperor of Saiunkoku, Ryuuki had been so busy for several months that he was not able to even just have a little chat with Shuurei since a lot had been happening.

Shuurei, being the first woman to be an official had been busy in her own work too. She is quiet impressed that Ryuuki had not visited her for the several months. He never sent a gift or letter too. She sighed in relief at the thought that he must have given up on the bet they had agreed upon since up until now he had not done any moves.

After months of straight work, Shuurei was rewarded with a little vacation so she was able to go home and have peaceful meals with her family. She cleaned the whole house and prepared lunch for her father Shouka and Seiran who are both suspiciously home for lunch. Shouka is supposed to be in the archives and Seiran is supposed to be guarding Yuushun.

Ensei is there too and he is currently having a debate with Seiran. Those two had known each other longer than Shuurei had thought.

Shuurei is about to drink a cup of tea when it suddenly slipped from her hand as she suddenly felt nervous when she had a bad feeling as she saw someone in her mind. The tea cup fell on the table with a loud clang and the tea was spilled. No one was able to catch it before it fell since this had never happened before. Shuurei is trained in this kind of things. Something must be wrong.

''Are you all right?'' the three men dining with her asked in unison. Worry is written all over their faces as they saw the expression on her face.

''Ryuuki,'' she said more to herself than to them. ''Something's happened to Ryuuki.''

''What do you mean princess?'' Ensei asked.

''I just had a bad premonition. I'm sorry but I have to go to the palace now,'' Shuurei informed them as she stood up.

''I'll go too,'' Seiran said. He is already holding his sword. He suddenly felt worried about his brother's wellbeing.

''Please calm down,'' Shouka announced despite he himself being worried. ''Even if something did happen, let us at least trust Shuuei and the others. Finish your meal before leaving.''

''I agree,'' Ensei said as he ate another sweet bean bun that the princess had prepared. Seiran hit him on the head.

Shuurei looked reluctant but decided her father is right. Seiran settled down again too and finished his meal quietly.

In the palace, Shuuei had just laid the emperor down to his bed and the one with the title as best doctor in the country immediately tended to him.

Adviser Shou came too. Shuuei knew he did not have to hide himself from Adviser Shou since that old man is so cunning and probably he already knew that Kouyuu and Shuuei are hanging around Ryuuki despite them being in low rank right now.

Shuuei gave up his position as general when he returned the iris sword to Ryuuki. When Ryuuki took him back from the Ran Clan, he cannot put back Shuuei to his original position as general since that would show favoritism. Shuuei having vowed loyalty to him, always stayed nearby to protect him.

Kouyuu was also demoted into a supernumerary official. There was a problem in the Civil Ministry due to Reishin stopping to work and Kouyuu was prisoned for investigation. Thanks to Shuurei's efforts, Kouyuu is now back. Kouyuu finally understood that Reishin did this for him since with Reishin around, Kouyuu cannot really achieve anything. Shuurei proved Kouyuu's innocence and together with Kouyuu filed a petition to remove Reishin from position as Secretary of the Civil Ministry.

''What happened?'' Adviser Shou asked when he saw the two.

''He suddenly collapsed. He had been working so hard lately. He must be exhausted,'' Shuuei explained. Shuuei knew though that Ryuuki is very depressed. It was a relief though that through Shuurei's help, Kouyuu was finally freed after getting jailed (due Reishin not doing his job but is actually done for Kouyu and Ryuuki – Reishin's last way of helping is to resign but he made it in a dramatic way) but he was now a supernumerary official like Shuuei. That at least removed one of Ryuuki's worries. However, it triggered another disaster that Ryuuki was overworked.

''How reckless, we cannot have an emperor who kills himself out of exhaustion.'' Adviser Shou waited as the doctor finished his task. And indeed, the doctor confirmed that the emperor collapsed due to lack of sleep and exhaustion. He has a very high fever too and he is close to convulsion.

The doctor instructed Jyuusan-hime (she is currently chief court lady) of what to do. They will be busy the whole time to at least lessen the body temperature of the emperor. He is burning up.

Adviser Shou and the doctor had just left the emperor's room when Shuurei, Seiran, and Ensei arrived. Shuurei and Seiran immediately ran to Ryuuki's side.

Shuurei stared at the unconscious Ryuuki. He is sweating a lot. She checked his temperature. ''This is a bad fever,'' she mumbled. (During this time, fevers could kill so easily.)

''He suddenly collapsed due to exhaustion. The doctor had checked him for any signs of poisoning but it really was just due to lack of rest,'' Jyuusan said as she kneeled beside Shuurei. ''But I'm rest assured that he will be fine now since you're here.''

As if on cue, the emperor whispered Shuurei's name in his sleep and held Shuurei's hand tightly. Everyone in the room smiled at that, but worry is still on their faces. It is a great fuss when the emperor gets sick. Things might get even worse.

Shuurei held Ryuuki's hand too. ''I hope he'll recover soon.''

''Something like this sure flies fast that despite the fact that you are home you immediately knew something happened to His Majesty,'' Shuuei said to Seiran and Ensei.

''Well, actually it is – '' Seiran and Ensei looked at Shuurei's direction.

''Princess suddenly dropped her tea and said something had happened to the emperor. She had such a worried look that we were alarmed. And so we rushed here,'' Ensei explained for him.

''I see. A woman's intuition is really amazing,'' Shuuei appraised, even in times like this he can say lots of things which are related to him being a womanizer.

''Of course, especially if it is someone really important to you. That's how love goes. Right Shuurei-chan,'' Jyuusan said with a smile.

''Eh?'' Shuurei looked at her innocently. Then she realized she is holding Ryuuki's hand with both of hers. She immediately pulled her hand away. She succeeded on the other. But the one Ryuuki is holding remained. ''Why won't he let my hand go?'' she pulled her hand away several times but cannot. He gripped her hand tightly. ''Ryuuki are you awake?'' she tried to check but he really is sound asleep. They laughed at her futile efforts of separating their hands.

''Well, we should let His Majesty rest,'' Jyuusan announced and everyone went out. ''You have no choice but to stay here Shuurei-chan. You can always lie beside His Majesty if you get uncomfortable kneeling there,'' she said with a smile and closed the door.

Shuurei sighed. What will she do all this time? Watch Ryuuki sleep? Shuurei with nothing to do fell asleep with her hand still tightly held by Ryuuki. She did not know how long it was but when she opened her eyes, she instantly knew it is already late in the afternoon. That's when she realized that she is sleeping on a bed. She did not remember going to bed.

She realized that Ryuuki is still holding her hand. His hands felt so hot. That's it! She is in Ryuuki's room and she is . . . she is sleeping on his bed. And Ryuuki is beside her! It all rang to her and she's eyes widened but she dared not scream nor hit him as she often does.

Next Chapter: Loneliness