Disclaimer: I do not own Gakuen Alice and all its downright adorable characters.
The emperor walked in the middle of the pavilion towards his throne beside the empress and sat, also signaling the others to take their seats. Once all were seated, the musicians started playing to mark the opening of the celebration. Performers danced to the music, entertaining the visitors.
"kaa-chan, will I have a party like this on my birthday?" princess Sayuri asked the empress.
"We will see, Sayuri-hime." Her mother answered.
"It's only fair if I also have it, right?" the little girl said, making those around her smile.
"We will definitely have it for your birthday, hime." The emperor said, softening at his daughter's wide smile.
"Really, tou-chan? I can have musicians and performers at my party too?" Sayuri asked, excited at the thought of her birthday.
"Of course, nothing but the best for my children." Natsume answered, pleased at his princess' enthusiasm.
"Thank you, tou-chan!" the girl chirped.
Mikan laughed, "Sweetheart, don't get too excited yet. Your birthday is still five months away." She said, making her four year old pout. The mother turned to her son, "Are you enjoying the party, son?"
The boy looked at his mother, "Yes, the musicians and artists are very skilled, I'm thankful that they readied themselves for this occasion."
"Naturally, because it's for their prince." Mikan said. After she turned to the consorts, "Are you comfortable, Nobara, Luna?"
"Yes, Mikan-sama. The performance is excellent." Luna answered while Nobara simply nodded. "It would have been great if my son, Akio-sama was here to watch it too." She added.
Mikan turned to stare at the other woman. "Yes, it would have been wonderful. Why did you not bring him along?"
"Unfortunately, the prince is not feeling well, Your Majesty."
"Did you already have him checked by the royal physicians? Make sure the prince will be able to recover; it will be his first birthday soon. Speaking of which visit my palace today, we will discuss the arrangement for the prince's first year." Mikan asked.
"Yes, thank you, Mikan-sama." Luna said.
"I will come by your palace later, Luna. Visit the queen tomorrow. That is fine with you, isn't it, my empress?" Natsume asked, referring to Mikan.
Mikan looked at her husband, the smile on her lips threatening to waver at the question. The Yukiharas who were positioned near the seat of the royals heard the question and subtly twitched. Yuka turned to her daughter, who was obviously discomposed by the blatant dismissal of her words. "Of course, your majesty. It is fine, visit me tomorrow, Luna." She blurted out.
The gong sounded, signaling the end of the dance. Just in time for Mikan who bit her lip, trying to stop it from trembling. Michiko subtly looked at her mistress and saw the woman's visible distress. The emperor stood and all noises stopped.
"Today is a special occasion for the royal family and also for the people of this nation. Today is the seventh birthday of my and the empress's first born son. This day will also mark the day that he will be officially crowned as the crown prince, who will succeed me in the future." Natsume announced before beckoning his son to stand beside him. "Hyuuga Ryuunosuke, your crown prince and your future emperor."
The people all stood and bowed low to show their respect for the prince. Mikan smiled as she looked at her son. "Finally, my son. Make me proud."
After the celebration, an attendant approached Michiko. "Michiko-san, please tell the empress that Yuka-sama will be waiting at Mikan-sama's palace." Michiko nodded before relaying the message to her mistress. Mikan searched the pavilion but her mother was no longer there. After a few moments of waiting, the royal family finally left the pavilion.
"Mikan-sama," Nobara's gentle voice made Mikan turn towards the girl who called her attention, "please congratulate Ryuu-sama for me, I was not able to give him my greetings as I was seated too far from him."
"Of course, thank you very much." Mikan simply said before she smiled and started to walk away.
Her mother was waiting in front of her palace with the attendants when Mikan finally arrived. "Mikan-sama," Yuka began, "If I may have a few moments."
"Please come in." Mikan answered before turning to Michiko, "Have the servants prepare tea for us."
Inside, Mikan took her place while her mother sat in front of her. "I see you still don't have the emperor's affection." Her mother finally spoke after a moment of silence.
Mikan sighed, 'this again?' "You know it's not that easy, love does not come naturally for everyone." She answered.
"Yes, it does not. Your father and I were married through an arrangement made by our parents. But after a year, we fell in love and had you and your brother. Why is it that you have been married for-" Yuka was cut off when Michiko spoke.
"Your Majesty, may I come in?" the attendant asked.
"Yes, come in Michiko." The woman entered bringing with her a tray with a teapot and two ceramic cups. Michiko knelt was about to pour tea when Yuka spoke.
"You may go now; I will pour tea for the empress." Michiko stood and bowed before heading for the door.
The older woman picked up the kettle and poured tea for her and her daughter. "As I was saying, why is it that it has already been eight years and your relationship has not progressed even a bit?" Yuka questioned. "Mikan-sama, I'm speaking to you as your mother, so please do not be offended. Why does he favor Kouzumi Luna over you?"
"Does he really have to love me back?" Mikan asked in return.
Yuka stopped stirring her tea and looked at her daughter before putting the teaspoon down. "Did you just ask me that, Mikan-sama? Then let me ask you, did you really have to fall in love with him?"
It was Mikan's turn to stop, the two was quiet before Mikan finally answered. "The first time I met His Majesty was when I was just six years old. That day was just like this one, it was his seventh birthday, his official coronation as crown prince." Mikan stopped to take a sip from her tea.
"I didn't like him then because he has cold and arrogant eyes. But mother, you spoke to me then. 'Mikan, one day, the crown prince will have to look for a wife, a woman who will be his crown princess. When that day comes who definitely have to go and participate in the selection. It has to be you.' That's what you told me. After that, I started to see him in a new light and fell in love. It's you who wanted me to take this position, you never said he has to fall in love with me." Mikan added.
"Yes, but then, I never told you to fall in love with him as well, did I?" Yuka said back. "And even when I told you that, you almost failed didn't you? To that girl-"
"Mother," Mikan cut off, "Please do not speak of her in front of me."
Yuka sighed. "Alright, I'm sorry. Answer my other question then, why does he favor Kouzumi Luna over you, that woman who did not even come from a wealthy family. I can accept Hijiri Nobara, at least she came from one of the prestigious clans. But that Kouzumi, where did she come from?"
"Please do not speak of her like that, she is still Natsume- sama's consort."
"How can you still defend her? She is going to steal your position as empress if someone does not put her in her right place and who else will be able to do that but you?" Yuka said. "The emperor is in her palace which is located at the far end of this court and yet he does not even make time to see you while your palace is right beside his."
"Mother," Mikan sighed, "It's fine. And I do see him, you know."
"Really? When? Every time he comes here to sleep with you? And how many times is that? Once a week?" Yuka asked incredulously.
"You are overstepping your limits." Mikan said in a dark tone, before she sighed. "It is getting dark, please go home now. I want to rest."
"Alright, but remember this Mikan-sama, if he continue to act like this towards you, the clan won't take it sitting down." Yuka warned before she stood up and left the room.
Mikan sighed, "Michiko." She called.
The shouji door slid open to reveal her attendant. "Yes Mikan-sama?"
"Let's take a walk, I want to feel the fresh air." She informed, " But first, help me take off this junihitoe. Mother was already waiting so I did not even have time to take this off, I feel like I've sweat off buckets."
Both women laughed as Michiko helped Mikan remove the layers of her junihitoe leaving only the kosode, nabagakama and the hitoe. After folding the other garments, Michiko led her mistress outside where Mikan spends most of her time. Outside empress's palace, there is a flower garden and a stone bench facing a koi pond, all built for her when she was still carrying the crown prince.
"Is there something wrong with me, Michiko?" Mikan spoke.
Michiko turned to look at the woman, "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
Mikan just smiled sadly. "Why does he not love me back?" The empress sat on the bench. The moon is already high in the night sky. Cherry blossoms are falling from the Sakura tree right beside the bench.
"How long must I compete with a memory of a dead person?"