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THE emperor had started visiting Sekirei Palace at night blatantly as if he wanted everyone to notice. It was evidence that I was no longer his “nightly companion” but his lawful wife to be.
The tradition in Orient was to hold the official induction ceremony in spring. I would see my parents again and meet my sister for the first time then.
“You look like you’re in a good mood, Sai,” the emperor noted.
“I never thought that I might have a younger sister—and one who was given an even more thorough education as the Wagtail Priestess than myself, no less… I can’t begin to express my joy.”
The moonlight was almost blinding in the bedroom. Like every other night of late, we had each other to ourselves, snug under a blanket. The emperor’s wings were wrapped around me, and I felt incredibly warm and safe.
Talking about my sister reminded me of a day that seemed decades past—the date of my execution in Centoria. In little intervals between my daily work in Orient, I had slowly but surely transcribed the archive of knowledge that had burned along with my house back then. I wanted to hand all my efforts to my sister—to help her in any way I could. I was so happy.
The emperor’s tender voice whispered into my ears. “Sai, come closer.”
I was trembling as I tucked myself into his embrace. He threw his arms around me, then shifted his wings. In the blink of an eye, I was enveloped in a warm, fluffy world. It was so warm that I almost couldn’t believe it was midautumn. Soaking in his pleasant body heat, I thought I might doze off at any time.
In a sleepy voice, I mumbled, “Earlier, Lord Hiaki said something along the lines of, um, it might be hard to sleep with you in the same bed.”
“…Oh?”
“But you’re very warm. The blanket is big too, so we don’t have to worry about chilly air sneaking through the gaps either.”
There was no reply. He hugged me suffocatingly tight in his arms, and all my drowsiness disappeared in an instant. “Emperor Haruka?” I whispered.
He held me so tight that it was almost painful. He lightly pushed my head into the crook of his neck, and his hair brushed against my skin, his fragrance tickling my nostrils. “You know, finally, after all this time, I understand what my father was thinking and why he did what he did. Ugh, I hate this.”
“You mean…establishing the harem?”
“No. I just realized what it means when people say that the more precious someone is to you, the more you want to hide them away from the prying eyes of others.”
“Please don’t worry; I will never leave you.”
“…I’m not worried about that.”
Then what are you worried about? I wondered. His voice had shaken slightly, sounding almost mournful as he embraced me. His nightwear had come loose, and my cheek pressed against his bare chest. His sweet scent and soothing warmth were a siren’s song stealing my thoughts away.
He kissed my forehead, and the tiny sound made by his lips was like a melody tugging at my heart. To me, those quiet moments together were happiness.
Such sweet, wonderful days passed by.
Until finally…it was time to deliver on our promise to aid Centoria in the dispossession of their Saint.
The clock was ticking. Winter was just around the corner.
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Chapter One Hundred Eight: Sekirei Palace, the Fox, and the First Court Lady
A month went by in the blink of an eye. The first snow arrived.
“It’s finally winter,” Emperor Haruka murmured.
“…Yes.”
We were alone in Sekirei Palace, gazing up at a sky heavy with clouds. I shivered at the cold, and without turning to look at me, the emperor enveloped me in his large wings. I leaned into him and closed my eyes, basking in his warmth.
To stay beside that tender note of spring was my reason for existence. But before that, I had a mission to complete.
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DURING the banquet with Lord Kuze, the emperor had informed us of the ceasefire and peace treaty between Meridiona and Centoria to be mediated by Orient. Preparations had continued behind closed doors, and at last, Centoria and Orient were to hold a highly confidential meeting to make final adjustments.
Beforehand, the imperial court convened for countless assemblies as well, which I attended as the Wagtail Priestess. Sitting among the distinguished bureaucrats and influential members of the empire made me feel humbled and somewhat unworthy, yet that hadn’t been the end of it: for some reason, I was assigned the second-most preeminent seat in the room—right next to the emperor himself.
I had felt so out of place that I feared I wouldn’t be able to say anything, and the emperor had said with a thin smile, “This also serves the purpose of showing them that you’re my empress.”
During one such conference, Emperor Haruka dictated the venue for the final, secret meeting. “It will be held in the Cutrettola lands,” he said. “We select Sekirei Prefecture, a land that used to be Ours.”
I whipped my head around with a start, studying his face through his veil. Heat welled up in my chest. The emotions washing over me almost knocked off my feet.
The Cutrettola lands. My beloved homeland, a place of destruction and despair, and…the place where I had reunited with Emperor Haruka, my savior. My heart was jumbled, messy, alternately warmed by nostalgia then chilled by the recollection of a frosty year of agony. The sorrow of witnessing my house in flames and the relief and joy when Emperor Haruka hugged me to him in our escape. As my memories surfaced, my powerful feelings for Emperor Haruka poured into my heart and filled it to the brim. I couldn’t even put the sensation into words.
The Cutrettola demesne was currently under the direct jurisdiction of the royal family. Apparently, they had built a new government complex somewhere near the site of my family’s destroyed estate. The confidential meeting would be held in that facility.
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“I’LL take care of Sekirei Palace while you’re away, so rest assured.”
“Thank you very much, Lord Raiya.”
Before my departure, I asked Lord Raiya to manage Sekirei Palace in my absence. He couldn’t show his face in public as “Raiya” for political reasons, but his presence wouldn’t be a problem if Lord Yukinari was the official stand-in on record and Lord Raiya only acted as the servant boy the Wagtail Priestess had selected. In fact, his entry into Sekirei Palace would cause much less controversy compared to that of a grown man like Lord Yukinari.
He shrugged. “Well, I’m used to managing places filled with women.”
“Ah, right. You were in charge of the harem’s Inner Palace during the rule of the previous emperor…”
“Who would’ve thought that I’d end up coming back here in broad daylight one day?” He wore a wry smile as he looked up at the building, which retained almost none of the features of the Inner Palace.
Like everywhere else in the capital, Sekirei Palace was prepared for snow. Straw mats surrounded the main structure and bamboo poles were installed around the scattered tall trees for extra support. The red leaves of autumn had completely overtaken the green of the garden.
“Thanks, Sai,” he suddenly said.
“Huh…?”
“This used to be a place that brought me only bitterness. But to be able to return with my head held high makes me happy, no matter my status.” A smile softened his face, and he caught the tip of his white silk ribbon fluttering in the wind.
As I stared at the scrap of fabric, my thoughts went to Emperor Harunire, who had bequeathed it to the boy before me. “Lord Raiya…”
“Mm?”
“Please…watch over me so that I can support Emperor Haruka properly. Please watch over me in the stead of the previous emperor.”
“You sure you’re asking the right person? I’m the Wicked Fox, you know.”
“And I am the Witch of Centoria.”
“Pfft!” He burst into laughter. “Great point. Sheesh, the emperors of this empire keep dragging people with the most absurd titles into their imperial courts. Haaah…” Though he shrugged in exasperation, a hand on his hip, he seemed somewhat happy. “Hey, Sai.”
“…Yes.”
“You’re already a vital person to this nation. To me, you’re also my precious pupil.” His solemn gaze drilled into me. I straightened and listened attentively as he warned, “Don’t mess up in Centoria. Achieve success and make sure to come back in perfect health. Do that for the girls in Sekirei Palace, for Orient, and…for that lonely man on our throne.”
A howling, chilly wind blew between us. The gale tugged mischievously at the ribbon that tied his hair, making it curl around his head as it was flung in all directions.
Loneliness and sorrow aged his face as he smiled and said, “Being left behind, after all, is the most painful thing in the world.”