A month passed, and still there was no change in the Emperor's condition.
"His wound is healing," the physician, Dr. Tou, explained to the small group of confidants that surrounded Ryuuki, and now Seien, at the center of the government. Tai Yuushun and Kou Shouka stood to one side wearing matching expressions of concern. Li Kouyuu and Ran Shuuei stood the doctor's other side. Shuuei's face was impassive, but Kouyuu could see the underling tension there. His own exhaustion was much more evident in his mussed attire and ashen, lined features.
The newly re-instated Shi Seien was tense; his white-knuckled grip on Kanshou the only thing grounding him to the here and now. Wearing the armor of a Shogun of Uringun, embellished in royal purple, Seien looked every bit the prince he was. He had taken the title only at the insistence of Sou-taifu and Tai Yuushun under the pretext that he should have his own rank at court outside of his birthright as a Prince of Saiunkoku. In a way it was a relief to be known primarily as a soldier, even if he knew the role was ceremonial now.
"Has there been word from Doctor You?" Yuushun asked gently.
The old physician shook his head, "It appears he vanished when Shou-taishi did."
"When will he wake up?" Seien interrupted.
The doctor gave a sympathetic look to the silver haired man, "I am afraid I cannot say Seien-sama. His injuries are not such to have left him in such a state for this length of time – I can only imagine there is something else at work here, something that I have yet to identify…"
The prince's eyes turned cold, a look that was becoming increasingly familiar to those close to him, "And why is that Doctor? Why can you not find what is wrong with your Emperor?" The threat was implicit. Doctor Tou knew that his position, possibly his life, depended on him saving his ruler's life. Shi Seien was not a man to be crossed lightly after all.
"Seiran," Shouka spoke softly, resting a gentle but heavy hand on his ward's shoulder. "The doctor is a trusted member of the palace staff. Please show some faith in his abilities. I know he will not rest until Ryuuki is recovered." While the tone of voice was light and reassuring, the well hidden edge was enough to make the old doctor gulp unconsciously. An implied threat from the kind archivist Kou Shouka was somehow more fearsome than that of the armed and short-tempered Seien. He was determined not to find out why this was – something told him it wasn't worth his life.
"Dann- ah, Shouka-sama…" The two men held a wordless conversation for a moment before Seiran nodded. "I understand, Shouka-sama."
"Seien-shogun," The Prime Minister stepped forward, gripping his feathered fan tightly, "I understand your reluctance to act considering the Emperor's condition… But something must be done or the country will descend into chaos."
No one could argue with this statement. Since Ryuuki's injury the court had come to a practical stand still. Laws could not be passed without royal approval, and there were none with the authority to supersede this authority with Shou-taishi missing. Seiran wanted to demand the army find the wayward advisor and drag him back to Kiyou by any means necessary. But another part of him was glad to be rid of the wily old man's machinations.
Something had to be done, however. The Prime Minister was only able to do so much to keep the country stable. When the full impact of Ryuuki's absence hit the populace there was sure to be major upheavals.
"What do you suggest Prime Minister?" Seien asked, even though he knew the answer already.
"Regency," the man replied evenly. The slight sound of a gasp (Shuuei? Or the doctor? Seien couldn't tell) was all the reaction anyone in the room gave at the word. Seien had known this was coming.
Less than a week before, Ran Ryuuren had blown through the palace. He brought the disturbing tidings of the disappearance of his 'Soul Friend #2' from Sa Provence, to his 'Soul Friend #1' and the Emperor's inner circle. Before leaving, he managed to find Seiran alone – quite a feat as the man was perched on a roof of one of the viewing pavilions deep in the Imperial Gardens – and deliver a much more ominous message. Ran Setsuna would support him were he to act as regent for his brother. Kou Reishin had implied the same the last time he had been blessed with the disgraced official's presence, though with many more veiled words. Ryuuren was good for one thing at least – he was more straightforward then most of the court, even when he did speak in riddles and walk in circles.
Having the support of the two most powerful of the Eight Colored Families was a daunting fact though. Many of the other families would take offense to the once exiled prince running the court in the Emperor's absence, and others would use Seien's acceptance of the role to claim he was seizing power unjustly. Though that group would likely pale in comparison to the group who would try to install the obviously politically naïve regent as a puppet Emperor. Becoming regent could place Ryuuki's life in danger… but his brother had begged him to protect everyone.
He looked over at the worn faces of Kouyuu, Shuuei, Shouka and Yuushun. All of them were trying their hardest to protect Saiunkoku for Ryuuki until he awoke. Could Seien truly deny his brother's wish? Was this what he had been asking Seien to do all along? The silver haired man didn't know, but he owed it to his brother to try if he could.
Closing his eyes he asked, "What do you need me to do?"
AN: Saiunkoku Monogatari and all characters and situations do not belong to me but to the associated writers, publishers and distributers of the work. No profit is made from this fan work, and no copyright infringement is intended.
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