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

Chapter 7: Before Shuurei Woke Up

Thirty (30) minutes before Shuurei woke up . . . .

Someone opened the door of the emperor's room. It was the doctor. ''I think the emperor would be fine even without my help. A better cure is in his arms,'' the doctor said. Adviser Shou and Adviser Sou who are just behind the doctor was surprised at what they saw but they nodded their heads in agreement. Prime Minister Yuushun is there too.

''I see. A woman in the emperor's bed. And not just any woman, it is Shouka's daughter,'' Adviser Shou said in an amused manner. Hearing his name, Shouka who came to see how the king is; entered too. He was surprised to see Shuurei hugging the emperor tightly. And both of them are sleeping soundly. If it wasn't Shuurei hugging the emperor, he would have separated them quickly.

Seeing his master's reaction, Seiran entered too. He was followed by Ensei, Shuuei, Jyuusan, and Kouyuu. Seiran watched his master's reaction. Shouka looked surprised but said nothing. Seiran instantly knew why it was alright for Shouka.

''What a lovely couple if I dare say,'' Ensei mentioned and a fan was thrown in his direction but he was able to catch it. He looked back and saw Reishin hiding behind the doors. Someone is stopping him from attacking the Emperor.

''That snotty nosed brat! How dare he sleep that way with Shuurei!'' Reishin muttered in anger. He looked at Shouka. ''Brother! Why are you so calm about this? You should have dragged that brat away from her.''

''I cannot do that. This is Shuurei's choice. Can't you see how tight she held him? I'd say this is the first time I saw her hold him that way,'' Shouka said with a smile.

''That brat! I just hate how he is smiling in his sleep right now,'' Reishin muttered and stomped away.

''Something is rather different in the way she held him,'' Adviser Sou observed. ''It is not possessive but rather protective, like a mother's embrace.''

''I would only allow a woman who could hold the emperor that way to be the first wife. Choosing a good wife is necessary for the emperor. We cannot let him marry just anyone who could lead him astray. It has to be someone who would support him to be a good king,'' Adviser Shou purposefully said out loud. They only glared at him.

''Now, now. We'd better continue this outside or we'll wake the lovebirds. I'll check the emperor when they are both awake,'' the doctor said.

''Indeed, this is the first time for months that the emperor was able to sleep for five hours straight,'' Shuuei said as they walked out of the room. ''His majesty had been working even at night. Most especially this past two weeks since his nightmares had comeback. He avoided sleeping if possible since when he does he would wake up from hideous dreams. But he won't tell me what his dreams are.''

''Yeah, me neither. I tried prying it from his majesty but he really wouldn't say it. But I knew it was about Shuurei-chan,'' Princess Jyuusan said as she closed the doors. ''He has to say it to someone or he'll suffer from it all alone. It would make matters worse it that is the case.''

''Perhaps Shuurei-dono could do something about it,'' Kouyou mentioned.

''Right. But what if he wouldn't tell her either,'' Ensei said.

''Then only one person could make a difference,'' Seiran said and looked at Shouka. Everyone else did.

''Why are all of you looking at me like that?'' Shouka asked; pretending to be innocent.

''Well, you are the only father figure to the emperor. Even as a child you are the one whom he goes to for guidance,'' Adviser Shou said. ''Moreover, that boy surely hates me for meddling in all his affairs.''

''Indeed,'' Shuuei agreed.

''We cannot let the emperor drown in loneliness before he could even fix this country,'' Adviser Shou said amusedly. ''Most especially he is far too young and had not taken any wives yet.''

''It's good to see that the emperor is sleeping with women now. The people are already worried of an heir. The different clans had kept on sending portraits but he never picked one. He sure did get Princess Jyuusan but gave her a different task. If Shuurei is the only woman he desires then we have no choice,'' the doctor mentioned with smile like that of Adviser Shou. They are saying things just to see what the reactions of this people would be.

'Indeed, we have to support him. Maybe I should start helping a little,' Adviser Shou added.

''But Shuurei is really hard to convince. I cannot predict how long it would take until she would say yes to any marriage proposal,'' Shouka intercepted.

''The emperor is more determined now. I'm sure he will find a way,'' Shuuei commented.

''Says the one who only thinks of women,'' Kouyou interrupted him.

''Perhaps you are jealous of his majesty Kouyou. I knew you hate women but Shuurei-dono is different right. I heard you were asked to propose to her,'' Shuei whispered to him.

''Why you! How do you know such things?'' Kouyou said with a clenched fist. ''I'm rather happy for his majesty. I've decided he can have her. I am less competent in such matters.''

''All of you, be quite. I think they have awaken,'' Adviser Shou ordered. Everyone fell silent and listened as keen as they could. They are rather curious of the two lovebird's early morning conversations. They enjoyed listening to the two.

''The emperor had really grown up,'' Adviser Shou appraised when he heard the emperor worrying of his duties and hating his uselessness. After several more minutes they saw Shuurei come out of the room. Some of them wanted to laugh at the surprised expression on her face when she saw that everyone is there.

Next Chapter: Misunderstanding