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

Chapter 40: Men in Love

Ryuuki, Shuurei, and Shuuei are having tea as Shusui talked to Seiran. Kouyuu was not able to come since he had an important errand to attend to. None of them knew what really happened but they heard from the soldiers. Seiran and Jyuusan were having their rematch when the accident happened.

Shusui said that she came to heal Jyuusan when she saw it since if Jyuusan's arm was treated the wrong way, Jyuusan might not be able to use that arm again. She assured that it is alright now but to be sure that it is safe, the doctors were asked to check her. Jyuusan was prohibited from using the sword for a week to ensure that her arm was healed fully.

''I'm going to check on them,'' Shuuei volunteered and brought tea to serve to Seiran and Shusui.

''They sure are weird,'' Shuurei commented.

''I kind of got used to them fighting about every little thing. Only Jyuusan can insult brother like that without shivering,'' Ryuuki said referring to what Jyuusan said that provoked Seiran.

''I'm glad though that Seiran can banter with someone like that though,'' Shuurei thought out loud. She wondered when Seiran would get married; if he ever would. 'He's getting old. He should get married,' she thought with a smile. ''I hope Jyuusan's arm will be alright. Seiran would really blame himself if something worst happened.''

A lady in waiting was about to pass by the room when she spotted Ryuuki inside, ''Your Majesty,'' she called and Ryuuki turned his head. ''Your son had been looking for you,'' she continued.

Shuurei's eyes widened at what he heard. 'I see, so the rumors are true. This man already has a son. I wonder how many consorts he have. No one ever mentioned about it. Maybe they avoided telling me.'

''Perfect timing. Tell him to come here,'' Ryuuki replied and the court lady bowed to leave. Then he smiled at Shuurei. ''I'll introduce you to my son,'' Ryuuki said happily. He was amused at the expression on Shuurei's face.

''S-sure,'' Shuurei did not know what else to say. 'Why do I have to meet his son? I hope it's a cute boy though.''

''Father I've finished what you've told me to do. I left it in your room as you instructed,'' Shuurei heard a familiar voice say.

''I see. Sit down and have some tea with us,'' Ryuuki said to his son. ''Shuurei meet my son –''

Shuurei cut him when she saw who Ryuuki is calling as his son. ''Riou-kun?!''

Ryuuki nodded. ''He is my son.''

''W-what??! How dare you, get your paws of Riou-kun,'' Shuurei said as she hugged Riou and turning him away from Ryuuki, as if protecting him from getting hurt. Riou blushed. ''Are you planning do something with Riou-kun?'' she asked again.

''Stop treating me like a villain. He is my beloved son so don't turn him away from me. I won't do anything bad to my son,'' Ryuuki protested. Riou further blushed when he heard that. He was never called as a 'beloved son'. He was never called as 'my son' by his biological father too. And he had never tried to be enveloped in a warm and loving hug like Shuurei's. She hugged him protectively like a mother. Riou had never felt that feeling before. He had seen her mother but both of them had been so busy then in helping stop the locust plague.

''He adopted me,'' Riou managed to say.

''I-I see,'' Shuurei said and she slowly unwrapped him and served him tea. ''I thought he was planning to do something fishy.''

Shuuei and Shusui came out from the room where Jyuusan is sleeping. Seiran remained to wait until she wakes up. Shusui and Shuuei smiled at each other when they saw Ryuuki, Riou, and Shuurei having tea together and eating sweet bean buns. Shuurei and Riou seemed to be teasing Ryuuki and Ryuuki is making a face but smiled as he saw the two laughing. The three looked like a happy family that Shuuei and Shusui did not want to intrude so they just passed by them and went outside.

Shusui realized she had smiled at Shuuei. She blushed when she realized that his arm is wrapped around her shoulder. ''Get your filthy hands off of me,'' she spat.

''You are still dizzy. I don't want you to collapse,'' Shuuei said in a romantic tone. He brought Shusui to a gazebo in the garden since she said she wanted fresh air. ''Thank you for healing my sister. I can't imagine how sad she would be if she would not be able to use her other arm.''

''I did not want Jyuusan-hime to be sad either. And for your information I healed her for my sake and hers. I did not do it for you.''

''I know. I'm still grateful.'' Shuuei sincerely said.

''I'm going back to the Hyou clan now,'' Shusui bade goodbye. Before she could go, Shuuei kissed her cheek.

''I love you,'' he said and smiled at the blush on her face.

''I already told you I cannot be with you. Go look for someone else. I know you will find one or two quickly.''

''I had been looking for someone else for more than a decade now and yet I cannot find anyone who could compare to you. I got tired of looking for someone else. I gave up on that idea since it's useless. You got me smitten,'' Shuuei honestly said.

''Stop using your practiced lines on me. It will not work.''

''I did not practice it. It came from my heart,'' Shuuei replied and Shusui blushed. ''My heart keeps on yelling you are my number one.''

Hearing what Shuuei just said, made Shusui's heart flutter. He just said something she had always been wanting to hear. She stared at him for a long time. Shuuei realized that he just said something that she liked. He gazed deep into her eyes as she stared at him. And the next instant, he kissed her lips for the first time. Shusui did not push him nor did she pull away. Shuuei let his lips linger on hers and listened to her heart.

Next Chapter: Jyuusan's Trick