Chapter1: Escapade

16 years later…

"Your Majesty, an emissary is here with an urgent message from the Ryonan Kingdom!"

"Send him in…" Came the booming voice.

"King Akagi, greetings from the Ryonan Kingdom… Our Highness King Uozumi has sent a complaint against one of your subjects for causing unsolicited havoc to the recent jousting tournament that would have decide the fate of Princess Fiji. The said tournament, as to put it bluntly, was ruined which left the princess in one of her worst mood! The King was concerned that the invited gentlemen and guests might think that the whole fiasco was staged so as to embarrass them. Also, King Uozumi has ordered that the said transgressor be prohibited from setting foot at the Ryonan grounds!"

"I surmise the transgressor you were talking about is no other than Lord Sakuragi?"

A little bit uneasy, the messenger nods in confirmation.

"O Kogure! What shall I do with that child?" said the King with resignation, as he turned to his adviser.

"May we know good Sir--?" the King's adviser Kogure spoken.

"Hikoichi Aida. Gomen, I am Sir Hikoichi…"

"Sir Hikoichi, really, what did Lord Sakuragi do this time?" a little smile played on the adviser's lips.

"Very well, good Sir… As you may have well known, King Uozumi has invited eligible gentlemen from different lands to participate in a jousting match wherein the hand of Princess Fiji is the ultimate prize. Be it known that ONLY invited gentlemen are allowed to participate. In the last match, the deciding match, Sir Yasuda from Kingdom Yasu, ordered the cessation of the match, which obviously, enraged the King who ordered an explanation. Sir Yasuda argued that one of the knights fighting in the deciding match is an impostor, who had stolen his invitation card to participate. And that he was knocked down hard on the head and had just came around when his squire found him. And so by the Royal order, the two horsemen were brought before the King and were divested of their helmet. And true enough your nephew Lord Sakuragi was one of them. He is not even apologetic to His Majesty, instead attacked Sir Yasuda! Our Royal Guards were not able to capture him for at that very moment, four knights wearing your colors surrounded the redhead. And amidst the chaos and confusion, they were gone… As for the tournament, it was already ruined. The princess stormed out and has not left her bedroom since then, 5 days to be exact…."

"Hmm… Tell me Sir Hikoichi, have you witnessed the joust yourself?" asked Kogure.

"Yes, yes… I was there from the very start for I was the scribe for the event!" came the proud response.

"So, enlighten us please, how did Lord Sakuragi fare?"

"Oh, in defense of the young lord, his performance is really outstanding. He plays fair and is full of courage! In fact, were Sir Yasuda had arrived a little later, the match would have been finished with Lord Sakuragi as victor! I have never seen such valiant fighter," grins the young emissary.

"Though I am not surprised with his performance, I still am gladdened by your account…" beams the King.

"Your Highness, pardon me, but is Lord Sakuragi and his guntam to be punished?" squeaked the emissary.

"O yes! (turning to Sir Kogure) Please bring in Duke Mitsui… (turning back to Hikoichi) Tell King Uozumi that his complaint is seriously been taken cared of. And to show our deep regret for the trouble caused, please accept this gift…" claps his hands and out came 2 servants carrying with them a golden sphere with a skewer in the middle set in a bronze flat surface. The King of Shohoku is well known for his prized collection of unique crafts!

The messenger left with a satisfied smile. He has fulfilled his purpose, and much more… (glancing at the gift).

Princess Haruko and Prince Miyagi have been listening behind a decorative vase all that narration and now made their presence known…

"Father, is Hana-kun alright?" softly cried out by the princess.

"Hi Hi Hi… I wished I had also witnessed what happened there… Father, how come we were not invited?" distractedly asked the short boy with curly hair, the prince.

"Are you implying that you have lost interest to Lady Ayako?" teasingly asked the King. This silenced the young prince with her sister snickering behind him. At the right side door enters Duke Mitsui….

"O, most favored King, what ill wind hath you summoned my presence?" Duke Mitsui cried jestingly! The Duke is famous for his constant cracking of jokes, be it in formal gatherings or not!

Growling, "Hmp! Hisashi, formalities amongst family are not tolerated…(turning to his adviser) Right Kogure?"

The young adviser blushed.

"(chuckling) Now brother, I do not believe you called me just to exchange little niceties, right?

And so, King Akagi recounts the narration made earlier by the messenger. With a little exaggeration and underestimation made by the royal children.

The Duke become suddenly serious, "Though we may not be blood related, I have always looked up to you as my elder brother and that whatever judgment you may have considered on the fate of Lord Hana, I know you have your reasons. Have you reached your decision?"

"Yes I have"

"Then the decision of the King is infallible," the duke answered a little shakily.

tbc

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erm, the Lady Fiji here is no other than Fujima, sori if I have to make him HER… I just couldn't think of any character that will look kawaii as a princess… *cheeky grin* … reviews please! =)