Disclaimer: I do not own Saiunkoku Monogatari. It belongs to its creator, Sai Yukino. I just borrow the characters for entertainment. I make no profit from these stories.
Kouyuu pulled his robes tighter about him to ward off the pre-dawn chill. His heart was heavy as he sat on the edge of the bed watching his new wife sleep peacefully.
In one short month after taking control of the Kou clan everything was falling into place. Every contact and alliance Kuro had developed while leading accepted Kouyuu's succession without question. Shouka and Reshin both offered to fight anyone opposed to the change, but no one spoke against him. Thanks to Kuro's attention to details the transition was going smoothly.
The first night Shuurei took to Kouyuu's bed they spent the night talking. He learned that she was afraid of storms and that she worried about leaving her father alone. He confessed to her about growing up trying to please Reshin and worrying that he was not worthy of the Kou name. Night after night they shared their childhood stories, adulthood fears, and their dreams for the future. It was a comfortable routine, and Kouyuu looked forward to their nightly chats.
Last night Shuurei was strangely quiet, turning her back to him immediately when he lay beside her. Touching her shoulder, he asked if she were okay. He was not prepared for the floodgates that opened. Helpless, he held her tightly to his chest while she sobbed. Her voice hitching in her throat, she admitted to him that she was unable to have children.
"Oh Kouyuu," she sputtered, "I'm so sorry."
Irrational guilt constricted his chest as he recalled her words. Why had she apologized? They had never discussed children. What had he done to make her think he'd be disappointed? All he wanted was for her to be happy. The sun peeked over the horizon and Kouyuu made a decision. When she was ready, they would adopt.