What happened between the future empress and the emperor's foster son naturally become the main talk. After all, this was extreme treason. However, the thing that people was the most curious about was the role that Shiraishi played: was he the innocent victim, or was he a partner of the crime?
There was no clear hostility between the two young people but most people failed to see any romantic attachment as there wasn't even that much times when the two of them were seen together in occasions other then public banquets or when the emperor was there.
However, Ashita's family was brought up again. Was it that surprising that she did this when her mother degraded herself by abandoning her lawful wedded husband along with their three children? In addition, Aizuki was also rumoured to be mad.
Besides, it wouldn't be the first time when there were power struggles between an empress and her husband's other children, either through previous marriages or illegitimacy.
As the adultery or crime happened in the house of Ashita's grandparents, her maids were not blamed, and it was argued that Ashita didn't take any of them with her because she was already planning her crime.
Her maids choose to remain in their mistress' now empty quarter to prevent any chances of having to answer questions. Likewise, her two guards were still there because there were no new duties given to them.
Shiraishi was in his room most of the time and not only did he rarely venture out- his room was locked most of the time. This was not a surprise because what he did wronged the man he loved as a father and people said that no matter what, he ought to be ashamed- even if he was the victim he still slept with her.
The fact that he was going to leave made him both guilty and innocent. Some say that this was because he already had unnatural feelings in regard to Ashita. Others say that it was the very opposite- he sensed Ashita's hostility and was afraid that Ashita might to do something.
Ashita certainly had to be punished, as an adulterous empress could not escape death, and the young girl stated that she did everything out of her free will, that it was not rape. What the officials debated was the method of death, and whether they should allow some mercy.
Watanabe thought that it could not get any worse, but it turned out that he was more then a little wrong.
"What?!" the desire to grab the ink stone and hurled it at the speaker was really strong, and he would have done so if he was anyone but the emperor.
"Your majesty, why is it that you are so surprised at this?" that official asked steadily.
"He is still a boy! He was trained as a solider, not as an executioner!" Watanabe snapped. "Besides, you are talking about a child who saw his own father being killed by an executioner. What happened scarred him so much that he lost that memory! And now you are asking him to…"
"To punish the woman who ruined his life." That same official continued. "Your majesty, from what you have said, Ashita of Tanako did exactly that. After this he has to leave and we all know that this would be like an exile for him."
"But to ask him to kill…"
"To execute." Another corrected. "To kill would be if he actually cared for her. In that case, he would be punished as well."
"What is demanded," Sakaki finally said, having been unusually quiet at the meeting, "Is not unreasonable. The law demand punishment for such a crime."
"Therefore…" someone began but stopped due to the strange expression on the emperor's face. "Your majesty?"
"How many mistakes did I make that year?" Watanabe whispered softly. "Are they all irredeemable?"
"Your majesty?"
"If I agree…" Watanabe began slowly "If I agree, then would everything be final?"
"If you agree and issue this verdict then everyone would know that it was Ashita of Tanako that caused Shiraishi to commit this crime, which makes him the victim. However, him executing Ashita of Tanako would erase his crime, although he certainly must still leave court."
"Would everyone then be satisfied?" Watanabe asked.
Upon all the men in the room nodding, he did so too.
Watanabe could still recall the expression in Shiraishi's eyes ten years ago when he learnt of what would happen to his father: he was afraid at what would happen as his source of security was gone. Frail as it was, it was there.
When the boy took his hand, there was a trust in his eyes as he believed in this stranger.
"I should have left him there- no, better that he died with his birth father and never have me as a foster father." He muttered bitterly as he made his way to Shiraishi's room. "What father would tell his own son that he must use his own hands to kill the woman he loves?"
Because people did suspect Shiraishi, a guard was issued to make sure that he didn't do something drastic like breaking into the prison. It naturally couldn't be a friend of his, so they elected someone that not only was not his friend, did not seem to like him.
"Your majesty." Kite said as he performed the required gestures. "You are late."
"So Sakaki already came?" upon the nod, Watanabe actually became very worried due to the possibility that occurred. "Is Shiraishi…"
"Shiraishi is fine although I am not sure whether you can call him fine with that mental status. But he is alive." Kite said simply. "Lord Sasaki did not order, he merely gave me some facts. I do agree with many of them, but that is all. I am your servant, not his, so it is your order that I follow."
"Is that so? But who is it that you are actually loyal to? The empire or the emperor? I have dealt with you for many times, for more times then I would like, as I have dealt you on behalf of my father. Despite whatever I phrase my words, what I asked of you were always orders. But this time, you have a choice." Watanabe then told Kite the whole story. He knew that they would not be overheard as he had given Kintarou a very detailed instruction.
"Your position exists because laws are not ultimate." Watanabe said flatly. "Yet the title is 'assassin' because the ultimate aim is not justice, but security. That is why we give you the power to carry out your tasks in any way and pardon you for the death of those who are unfortunate enough to see you. Our ultimate aim is to eliminate those we think are dangerous, not those who escape the law's punishment.
"Therefore, each order must be justified by being done for the good of the kingdom. However, this order has nothing to do with the wellbeing of the kingdom. At least not yet. However, I want Hanamura dead for what she had dared to do to my son." Watanabe said and there was something very chilling about the way he said her name.
"Yet she is the one less guilty under the eyes of the law." Kite said with a dry chuckle. "It is not that big a crime to do what she did and even if this is exposed, which it won't be, I have no doubt that she could find an excuse. It would be Shiraishi who suffers even more."
"I think she probably knew about the position that you hold and she guessed that if I demand her death, I must also make you kill Shiraishi." Watanabe said. "But she made a very important miscalculation. She has not fully grasp your character."
"It is true that I personally don't really care as much as what one in my position should. I admit that I am not as loyal to the empire as I should." Kite admitted. "But it is not in my nature to be sentimental. The plea of a loving father is not something that I can understand. And despite my title, I do not enjoy killing- it is merely a job.
"However," upon this Kite actually knelt down. "I will be loyal to the emperor. But do not think that this is due to any sentimental reason. The only reason that I do this is because I am loyal to you."
"And why is that?"
"Because you know the truth. The truth of what I am like."
There was a time when Watanabe had to give out an order to Kite on behalf of his father and unlike his father, Watanabe did not have Sakaki and his personal bodyguard with him. The first thing that surprised Kite was the absence of the young boy that was usually by the crown prince.
"You are surprisingly bold, your highness." Kite had commented out.
"What danger would I be in?" Watanabe asked calmly. He wasn't even wearing a sword as it lay some distance away. "Are you not a very good swordsman? Has my father hired an unsuitable man for the job?"
"That is why you are in danger."
Instead of being insulted in anyway, Watanabe actually began to laugh.
"Assassins survive because they are not fools. You know that you would get caught if you try to attack me. Besides, I don't see why you would want to."
"What about being a people of the country your father destroyed?"
"I do not think that you are very patriotic. As I said, you are not a fool. You have no reason to seek revenge." Watanabe said bluntly. "But it is an useful act, is it not? My own mother used that as an excuse when she wished to escape some duty."
"I want Hanamura dead." Watanabe repeated again. "I don't care how you do it, but I want it done tonight."
"Consider it done." Kite promised as he finally got up.
As a guard was needed, Watanabe stood at that position himself. This was also because he was waiting for his helper.
"Your majesty." Chitose said with a bow and Watanabe saw that his reaction was very different from Shiraishi's other friends.
Resignation has replaced uncertainty.
"Chitose." Watanabe greeted him with a slight nod. "I am beginning to wonder how much you have already seen."
"The young woman that would be the future empress would end up dying due to her act of adultery and treason. Her partner in crime would leave here and never return because he would be tormented by guilt, being the cause of the death of the woman that he loves. He would fulfil her desire by continuing to live, but he would spend the rest of his life in isolation." Chitose said all this with his eyes fixed on the stars, although he would like to be able to wipe away the scores of the night sky.
"And when did you realise this?" Watanabe demanded, his voice rather hard.
"I have warned Shiraishi in a way that almost breaks the rules I have to follow as an astrologer. However, it is all useless." Chitose muttered, turning to look at Watanabe. "This all still happened. But I think I secretly hoped that it would not happen as I have been wrong before. It is ironic that I was so concerned about that trivial matter."
"So it is all decided?" Watanabe commented. "But I am sill uncertain about the outcome. I am going to tell Shiraishi something and I need your help to restrain him in case he is pushed too far."
"Why me? Why not Kintarou or Kenya?"
"I need your help because you are the only one who probably foresees this outcome. It is the cruellest thing that they could do to him…"
"How could…" Chitose suddenly stopped speaking and he raised his head to stare at the stars again. "Shiraishi would continue to live no matter what but in some paths he merely has not died."
"Yes, it is the cruellest path." Watanabe repeated once more. "That is why I need help."
