Secrets

Chapter 1

Kouen is 10 in this chapter. Kouen's singing will be in italics. ~Midnight Fox

Koutoku was walking the halls of the palace when he heard singing, curious of who could be singing so softly he followed it to the private garden where he saw Kouen sitting with his younger siblings in the grass. Koutoku immediately saw that Kouen was singing and it was a song that Koutoku himself hummed under his breath so often while he worked it was an old lullaby that he sang to Kouen when he was young after his mother died, so he went and sat down by his children and listened.

Lay down your head and I'll sing you a lullaby

Back to the years of loo-li lai-ay

And I'll sing you to sleep and I'll sing you tomorrow

Bless you with love for the road that you go

May you sail fair to the far fields of fortune

With diamonds and pearls at your head and your feet

And my you need never to banish misfortune

May you find kindness in all that you meet

May there always be angels to watch over you

To guide you each step of the way

To guard you and keep you safe from all harm

Loo-li loo-li lai-lay

After Kouen finished singing he saw his dad sitting by him smiling, embarrassed by seeing his dad and knowing he probably heard him singing. Koutoku was so proud of his son and by the way his younger children were exclaiming how amazing Kouens voice is and that he should sing for them just made him more proud. Unknown to them Gyokuen was standing in the shadows watching them with a wicked smile on her face, planning something vile and her smile grew more when her plan started to grow.

*Next Day*

Koutoku was sitting in his office working on reports and reading complaints that the people had, he worked while Kouen watched his siblings in the garden. Koutoku was reading a report on some land disputes, and he was interrupted by a knock on his door after calling for whoever it was to come in he saw that it was a dear friend. Kael was Koutoku's friend growing up and he had become a guard for the royal family. (Kael is gaelic and the meaning is mighty warrior of what I found but if I'm wrong let me know. Also he is my own character.) "I need to tell you something old friend." Kael had said after closing the door, Koutoku immediately set his paper down and put his full attention on Kael. "What is it?" Koutoku asked, "I saw Gyokuen talking to some people in black cloaks just outside the palace, I believe she is planning something." Kael replied. Koutoku immediately became alert as he trusted Kael's judgement before and it has always been correct, carefully planning what he should do he told Kael to keep his eyes open and report anything suspicious to him immediately.

(Couple Hours Later)

Koutoku stood and left his office having finished everything for today, setting off to find his children he runs into Kael. "Do you know where my kids are?" Koutoku asks Kael, "They were in the courtyard last I saw." he replied. After thanking Kael for his help Koutoku starts to head to the courtyard to see his children playing around with each other, smiling softly Koutoku calls for them to come inside for dinner. Kouen helps round the little ones up and walks to his dad so they can walk together.