Naseru could precisely date his understanding of the term 'politically expendable'. He rode in a palanquin, surrounded on all side by Seppun guards packed so tightly around him that he could not see the surrounding countryside.
Father, the Son of Heaven, often called the 'Black Lion' by friends and enemies both, rode, of course.
Rapidly silencing street sounds were the only indication that they had entered the city that was their destination. Naseru, while observant for an 11 year old boy, was used to people falling silent wherever father was. To be Emperor was to be surrounded by silence.
It could have been any city in any part of Rokugan. The stone road was grimy from the day, though it would be swept clean each night by eta. The surrounding houses were large and luxurious.
Only one man wasn't bowing when Naseru stepped out of the palanquin and stood next to his father. As he noted the man's cold sneer, Naseru realized this could only be his father's greatest enemy, the so-called "Steel Chrysanthemum".
"This is the boy?" The man drawled before father could speak. "A stupid, unlikely creature."
Naseru drew himself up, offended, but dared not speak before father gave him leave. The man's lip curled with disdain. "And as proud as his usurping father," Hantei XVI continued.
"I have upheld my part of the bargain," Father said, his voice calm. "You will do the same."
Without a word to Naseru, father mounted his horse once again. All of the Seppun formed up around him and rode away without a backward glance. Naseru swallowed hard and turned to face the man who had demanded he wait attendance upon him. A mad smile crossed the Hantei's face.
"Come and kneel before your new master, boy..."
...
Remembering that father- hated by his own family for his scholastic nature- had been banished to a monastery as a child and forced to live amongst the Phoenix as a hostage did not sweeten Naseru's current position. Daily, Naseru hoped that mama would find him in the Void- until he remembered that mama was a Phoenix and a pacifist. Even if she knew of Naseru's new life, she would never tell father. Father would start the Spirit War all over again with the Steel Chrysanthemum, and mother wouldn't allow that.
He both respected and resented mama's decision. After all, there was Tsudao for first-born and Sezaru for eldest male. Either way, he would one day be only Otomo Naseru and, if he was lucky, only an adviser to the Emperor. He never spoke in his letters home of his suffering, and they soon became nothing more than form letters.
To Toturi-ten'nou, Divine Son of Heaven, Champion of the Realm of Blessed Ancestors, Thunder of the Lion, and Favored Son of Our Lady Amaterasu from Hantei Naseru;
Honored Father, Greeting.
I hope that this letter finds you in the best of health. The summer heat is punishing at this time of year, but the servants predict the harvest will be rich despite it. The shugenja have been imploring for the rain for the past week. Enclosed is a note from my tutor-I hope that my progress is satisfactory. Please give my regards to mother.
Your Obedient,
Hantei Naseru
Identical to thousands of letters home from fostered samurai children, it made no mention of the brutal beatings, of that if he was permitted to eat, it was with eta, or the abuse the Steel Chrysanthemum's fiancée suffered while he was forced to watch.
Second son or not, he'd obey his mother's wishes.
His tutors walked as thin a line as he did. Returned spirits all, they were outspoken supporters of the old dynasty, which Naseru found hard to swallow at first. However, both the tutors and the boy learned very quickly that they were all arrayed against the Mad Hantei together. If he didn't 'make enough progress', he was stupid- and therefore beaten- and they were incompetent, and thereby dismissed- if they were lucky. If he made too much progress, they were conspiring against the Steel Chrysanthemum, and disappeared quickly.
Still, the Steel Chrysanthemum always said that the only men one could trust were those who admitted they were dishonest. Not wishing 'the boy' to become a strong bushi who could fight back against him, Hantei XVI only hired the Scorpion to teach him their tricks of courtly behavior. And the first thing that any of his tutors taught him was that everyone has weaknesses. Everyone. It merely took observation to learn them- and to use them.
A bully who has the advantage of you is your weakness- but his overconfidence that he will always be your weakness is his. If he expects fear, give him fear until he ceases to see you as a threat. Let him beat you. Be subservient while he beats a woman. When he takes your eye- sting with all of your poison. You will never get a second chance.
With the Steel Chrysanthemum dead- neither he nor Hoketuhime, the unfortunate fiancée, ever explained how- they both returned to their fathers to be bestowed away again.
Politically expendable.
...
Hantei Naseru looked carefully at his options. He needed speed- ideally, someone who wouldn't look amiss mounted. He needed discretion, someone who would not be out of place anywhere in the Empire and loyal only to the throne. Only one Imperial family habitually rode. That Imperial must be unknown, to avoid questions about his loyalties and duties. Too enthusiastic to ask any questions- a young man, ready to prove himself at gempukku.
Yes, this "Miya Shoin" should be perfect.
Expendable.
Just like him.