Free The Twelve Kingdoms: Dreaming of Paradise by Fuyumi Ono

himself and bowed to the emissary instead.
    "I apologize for my abrupt manner earlier."
    "Don't worry about it. I doubtless spoke out of turn myself, not knowing the true state of affairs here."
    "Then Shoukei-sama is residing in Kei?" Gekkei looked back and forth between the two men.
    Shouyuu handed him a letter. "It is from Shoukei-sama."
    Gekkei waved his hand, signaling his reluctance to accept it. He was even more determined than the Chousai to have nothing to do with it. He turned to the general from Kei. "The Princess Royal was given over to the custody of the Kingdom of Kyou. Though I did hear that she had absconded."
    "Yes. She lives in Kei, where she works as a royal scribe."
    "Royal scribe," Gekkei murmured. The royal scribe worked in the Imperial Palace, in the proximity of the Empress, and helped her carry out her official duties—the lowest rank of civil servant who worked in that capacity.
    "Yes," Sei confirmed, his voice equally soft. "Her Highness appointed her a royal scribe. Yet Shoukei is not a citizen of Kei. Her koseki still resides in Hou. We would like to request that her koseki be transferred to Kei."
    Hearing Shoukei referred to in such a familiar manner, Gekkei turned to Sei. "General Sei, do you know Shoukei-sama?"
    "Yes," Sei said, again with that knowing smile. "I hate to have to admit it, but not much time has passed since the coronation of the Royal Kei. The countryside has not been entirely pacified. During one particular incident, Shoukei proved herself quite useful."
    "Shoukei helped the general?"
    "Yes. Equally aware of the meritorious nature of her service, Her Highness strongly recommended that she be appointed a royal scribe. Shoukei is already listed upon the Registry of Wizards in Kei. However, because of the importance of maintaining cordial relations with Hou and Kyou, and the uncertain location of her permanent records, Shoukei's position cannot be made official, nor can she be promoted."
    Gekkei took a deep breath. This girl had once been Chuutatsu's jewel in the crown, the only object of his love and affection. Protected in the depths of the Imperial Palace, insulated from the smell of the slaughter and the cries of the people, she was given everything she wanted on a silver platter.
    After Chuutatsu was assassinated, her name was purged from the Registry of Wizards and she was exiled to a bleak village in Kei Province.
    But her parentage was subsequently uncovered. The anger and bitterness of the villagers towards Chuutatsu could be quelled only by revenge. Gekkei sent to Kyou in order to keep her from being torn limb from limb. Resenting her treatment there, Shoukei had run away. That was the last he'd heard of her.
    "After she fled Kyou, we heard rumors of jewelry being stolen from the Imperial Repository. Perhaps the general is better informed about the truth of the situation."
    "What you have been told is true. Unless and until we are granted a pardon by the Royal Kyou, Shoukei cannot officially become a civil servant of Kei."
    "And knowing all this, the Royal Kei nevertheless invited Shoukei-sama into the Imperial Palace?"
    When the news came that Shoukei had gone on the lam, Gekkei had been deeply disappointed. He had to conclude that—regardless of whether she'd even been cognizant of the privileged life she'd been born to—in the end, she hadn't grasped the true nature of the duty that she carried on her shoulders.
    The general smiled, seemingly able to divine the reason for Gekkei's consternation. "People can change. Thankfully."
    "But of course," Gekkei answered shortly. Next to him, Shouyou was still holding out the letter. Gekkei went to take it, then reconsidered. "If that letter is intended for the ruler of Hou, then I cannot accept it."
    "But—" Shouyou started to say.
    Instead, Sei said, "Perhaps you should hang on to it for the time being. It was my decision to give to you in the first place."
    Shouyou answered with a dejected nod and lowered his arm. Gekkei