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

Chapter 17: The Emperor's Seduction

Ryuuki is feeling dizzy. The officials in the banquet held that night had tricked him into drinking a lot of wine before asking him to choose a portrait. However, he reasoned he has to go to the bathroom and ran out. Seeing that he is tipsy, the officials smiled and asked a beautiful woman to follow him.

The woman is one of the daughters of a noble family. She is beautiful and trained princess. She had been given strict orders to seduced Ryuuki and sleep with him. The officials who did not want Ryuuki to marry Shuurei (since she is an outstanding official and would have to give up her career if she would join the harem) conspired with a noble to make the king marry someone else. He had declared to be monogamous so he cannot just take it back. However, as the woman started to flirt with him, he pretended to have forgotten something and run off.

Shuurei who was in the palace that night heard some officials saying that they added something to all the wines they served to the emperor. She heard them say that it will be the end of his dreams. In worry, she rushed to the inner palace. She was surprised when she nearly bumped into Ryuuki if she had not noticed him running fast straight towards her direction. She side-stepped to avoid him and he just passed by her. Then realizing he really saw Shuurei there, Ryuuki turned back.

''Shuurei? You're here?'' He is still tipsy and nearly lost balance and she managed to hold him.

''Are you alright?'' Shuurei said in a worried tone. ''Who are you running from? She noticed that Ryuuki's eyes are not so focused and his cheeks are a little pink. He smelled of sake.

Before Ryuuki could answer they heard the voice of a woman sweetly saying, ''Your Majesty, you should not wander alone when you are drunk. Please let me assist you.''

There was a look of panic and dismay in Ryuuki's eyes as he suddenly grabbed Shuurei's hands and hid. He covered her mouth when she was about to speak. He waited until he was sure that the princess was gone before he let go of Shuurei. When he stood up to walk, he became tipsier as the wine they had served him is taking effect.

''You're drunk. Let me walk you to your room,'' Shuurei said as she carefully observed if there is something different about him. ''Why did you drink so much alcohol if you cannot handle it? Did something wrong happen?''

''I had no choice. It is a banquet. I cannot decline and so they offered a lot of wine. And those are very strong ones. They wanted me get drunk and then make me choose a woman's portrait. When I found a reason to excuse myself, they sent that princess to seduce me. Why are they so obsessed with my sex life?'' he said in exasperation.

''That's because you are the king. They cannot allow rumors like before to spread again. And of course they want an heir.'' After what he said she got a hint of what might have been added to his drinks.

''I know. But they are overdoing it,'' Ryuuki exclaimed. They reached his room and she made him sit on his bed. He looked up to her. ''What are you doing outside in this time of night?''

''Nothing. Just taking a walk.''

Ryuuki examined her and noticed that she is in normal clothes and she is wearing makeup. He suddenly pulled her down and sat her on his lap. ''Could it be that you are to meet someone?'' he asked with one arm on her back while the other held her chin up so he could look directly at her eyes. ''Are you about to have a date with someone?'' he asked with a stern gaze as his face drew closer.