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

Chapter 82: Shouka's Children

Shuurei lifted her head when she heard that Ryuuki finished singing the song. She cannot face Ryuuki after hearing him sing like that. It would also be noticeable that she cried. She knew that person is observant. He would know what she is feeling right now.

''Please give this to him,'' she handed the reports to Seiran and he just nodded knowing fully well why Shuurei asked him to be the one to give the reports instead. He sighed as Shuurei quickly left before Ryuuki would see her.

Jyuusan saw Shuurei leaving and walked beside her. She invited Shuurei to have tea with her and comfort her. She understands how Shuurei felt. She looked back and saw Seiran handing the reports to the Emperor.

''Your Majesty, Oujo-sama – I mean Censor Kou dropped by to give this documents,'' Seiran handed Ryuuki the documents.

''What?! When did she come by? Why didn't you call me?'' Ryuuki pouted as he walked back inside his office, not knowing that Shuurei listened to his singing.

''She said she'd be just for a while and just handed me those and left,'' Seiran looked away. He didn't need to see the look of disappointment in Ryuuki's face that he wasn't able to see Shuurei.

''Why did she have to come when I went out of my office just for a bit?'' He complained as he opened her reports and started reading. Seiran sighed in relief that Ryuuki did not pursue the matter. He hated lying to his brother.

That day, Shouka saw a melancholic Shuurei. She did not even cook dinner and let the servants take charge. She was silent at dinner and refused to tell her father what is bothering her. She said it was nothing but Shouka knew better.

She stayed in her room after that and started reading books but she stopped after a while. It is obvious that she cannot concentrate. She went to sit by the window and stared at the Sakura tree that Ryuuki had given her a decade ago.

Shouka sighed as she watched Shuurei stare at the Sakura tree. He instantly knew that what is bothering her is related to her relationship with Ryuuki. Only that man could make her like this.

Shouka did not expect that the child he had always been with in the archives would fall head-over-heels for his daughter. He had seen how Ryuuki avoided women due to what he had seen as a child that he even destroyed his own image just to prevent it. He loved Ryuuki just as he loved Seiran. He had loathed the father of those two siblings but he cannot hate the two.

Seiran and Ryuuki are mere victims of their own father Senka's mistakes. Seeing how the two grew up, Shouka cannot help but care for them. He loved the two as his own sons that he felt like he had three children. Two sons and a daughter. The path that these three had taken were all different, but all the paths they took are connected.

He was the one who pushed Ryuuki to be the Emperor, knowing fully well that someone like Seiran, as the person he is before was too capable yet lacking at the same time. Ryuuki who is far gentler and trusting is more suited for the throne since a king who trusts his subjects wins loyalty.

If it was Seiran, he would demand loyalty differently, through fear perhaps. He would have not trusted any of his subjects the way Ryuuki does. He is far too suspicious and sometimes even reckless. His ruthlessness could have been feared through the land, since if Seiran was Emperor, he would not have tolerated how the officials are behaving towards Ryuuki. He would have demanded total obedience but without really giving his trusts.

Shouka gazed at his daughter whom he had allowed to take this path. He knew it is a difficult one, but he had allowed her even so since it is what she wanted. This daughter of his had become even more attached to the Ryuuki than he is. Shuurei does not only love Ryuuki. She respected him as the only Emperor she would ever serve and give her whole life for. She had chosen him despite his misgivings.

He knew Seiran is the same too, but he is a little different. Seiran does not care about the throne. He only cared for Ryuuki. He is serving the Emperor since it is Ryuuki. If it was someone else, Seiran would not bother becoming a General and being in the Imperial Army of the Emperor. He only wanted Ryuuki's safety and wellbeing. Since Ryuuki had chosen to continue the path of being the King, Seiran is ready to support and serve him.

And Ryuuki on the other hand who easily loves and trusts, always ends up hurt in his choices. The way he decides is the one thing that he has in common with Seiran. They always choose the people they love before their own self. They both sacrifice their happiness for the ones they love.

'Aren't you like that too?' an inner voice whispered to Shouka. 'I'm not. I only do what makes me happy,' Shouka thought. 'These children had grown too fast.' He wondered if Ryuuki would ever have what he wanted. As he watched his daughter, he knew Ryuuki still has hope.

Shuurei fell asleep by the window and Shouka covered her with a blanket. He hoped 'his children' would find their happiness before it's too late.

Next Chapter: Distressed Lover