Chapter3: Breaking The News
At the Shohoku Kingdom, a sudden commotion brought the king and those present at the court stir out of their respective affairs. In rushed a young guard with an announcement...
"Your Majesty, the young Lord Sakuragi with his guntam is back! They are already at the gates Your Highness!"
"So, that's the commotion, then!" dismissing the young guard, he turned to his personal servant.
"Please call in Duke Mitsui and the rest of the royal family. And order the royal chef to furnish the most sumptuous feast. The Lord Sakuragi's return is a cause for celebration..." and turning to his loyal adviser with a look of finality, "Sir Kogure?" the adviser only nods his understanding...
So, enters Princess Haruko, her hands all wrung out, eyes wide with unshed tears and a look of panic. She is followed by Prince Miyagi, with head bowed, being consoled by Lady Ayako. And, finally Duke Mitsui with his proud mien that failed to hide his growing anxiety. All members of the court could feel the growing distress while waiting for the anticipated young lord.
Finally...
"Your Majesty, King Akagi, I present to you the return of Lord Sakuragi," speaks a heavy short man with thick lips, bowing respectfully.
The rest of the returning group also bowed with respect.... Silence is the only thing heard in the court...
The king stood up and approached the strapping young man with red-flame hair that just reached past his shoulders. With the unconventional display of affection, the king raised the youth to his feet and embraced him with eyes closed. Feelings of pure love and deep concern is etched on the king's profile.
"Child, how have I failed you!" exclaimed the King full of emotions.
With these words the royal children also breach convention. They rushed to the redhead and hugged him tight. By now, the Princess Haruko is crying openly. Duke Mitsui is standing away with uncertain manner, his eyes full of tenderness only for his sole heir.
Watching the scene before him, Sir Yohei couldn't help a foreboding feeling.
"Oi, oi, such warm reception for the tensai, NYAHAHAHA... you missed me that much, huh?! I should be away more oftener then...." playfully replied the young lord. It is common knowledge even outside Shohoku of Hanamichi's self-proclaimed Tensai-ness.
"Hana-kun, please swear on your mother's grave you wont leave us again!" pleads the princess still with the unshed tears.
"Hey, as far as I know I haven't planned my vacation yet!... Are you having the cramps again?" answers Hanamichi while peering through the princess' eyes.
"Oi baka, you still owe me a round of sword fight! Or are you trying to run away from my exceptional talent, again?" growls Prince Miyagi, tapping the redhead's shoulder.
Patting the prince's head, "Ryochin, can't you accept the fact that you are much shorter than me? I am just trying to spare my life from Lady Ayako... If I am to give you even a small cut, she will surely kill me with that formidable fan of hers! I wouldn't want the ladies of the kingdom to grieve the passing of such a dashing catch like me!" Hanamichi grins mischievously.
Duke Mitsui suddenly burst forth from where he's standing. "Enough of this talk of passing and going away! (calmly, opens his arms) Son, welcome home... (father embraced son) I missed you so! (voice quivering)."
With each scenario becoming more emotional, the King interrupts. "Ehem, greetings done... let us proceed to the family chamber. (turning to the guntam) You are dismissed now, you may proceed to whatever business you may like..."
"If it's no disrespect Your Majesty, we would like to hear from Lord Sakuragi for his last orders...." Sir Yohei asks.
Shocked by such brash and honest request, the king turned to Hanamichi...
'Yohei, Ookusa, Noma, Takamiya, you have been loyal and have served me well, you may leave me now with the rest of the royal family, I am positive no harm shall befall upon me while inside palace! (smiles affectionately to them)"
Yohei approach the redhead, kneeled before him and kissed his right hand, then with a final dip towards the King, he left. The rest of the guntam also followed suit... The King watching them couldn't help but be delighted. His nephew is surely loved by many!
Private Dining Room...
"…And so, this Sir Yasuda pretends that she, the lady in waiting of Lady Ami, had accidentally entered his tent... HAHAHA, accident my a$$! We have watched them accidentally grope at e-each other before.. before we announced our p-presence... HAHAHA....". As always when Lord Hanamichi is around, the room is filled with laughter.
"O yeah? That's common knowledge already!" Rolling his eyes and feigning disinterest, the prince couldn't help the buoyant feeling he has whenever his cousin is present.
With the turn of topic, the princess was getting embarrassed. "You did not excused yourselves, Hana-kun? U have obviously caught them in a compromising situation, you know.... (blush some more)."
"HAHAHA... i wouldn't mind a little entertainment though... if it were not for the match, we would have seen the rest.... HAHAHA..."
The match. The table suddenly becomes silent, Duke Mitsui has his fork in mid-air....
The King addressing the group, "Has everyone finished their meal? (without waiting for answers) Let us proceed to the Saloon... Sir Kogure, please bring The Book...."
The Saloon….
After the King has spoken his decision, the group becomes silent. Even Sir Kogure was a little shocked by the King's final words. As the Royal Adviser, they have talked about it, but he did not ask the King for any details. Watching the gloomy faces around, Sir Kogure mourns with them. The King was sitting on his favorite chair, a little uncertain. Princess Haruko was again clutching a handkerchief, dabbing her eyes every now and then. Prince Miyagi was at window with his back turned from the assembly, his stance speaks of unbridled tension; Duke Mitsui was standing behind Lord Hana, gripping his shoulder, obviously trying to contain the hurt his son might be feeling. And Lord Hanamichi…. His head bowed, hair hiding his eyes…
It was a long time before Lord Hanamichi slowly lifts his head and speaks…
"My King, my foolish adventures have indeed caused you troubles that might have mean war. I am most unworthy of your love and I therefore deserve to be punished. Shocked as I might have been a while ago, I will most certainly accept my penalty", the young lord bowed before the king without losing composure.
The king couldn't help but admire the carriage of his nephew. "So be it. You will leave together with your guntam on the forthnight. Your provisions shall be ready upon your leaving….".
"Can I request one thing though?"
"Yes?"
"I would like to do it alone. There is no reason to dragged along the whole guntam as if they were to blame for my actions…"
"That is not for me to decide, my dear… (turning to Kogure) Please send the guntam in…"
No sooner than the guntam arrived. Sir Yohei has that expression of something akin to confirmation of his fears.
"Sirs, known as the guntam of Lord Hanamichi… as was already written in the Book of Laws, be it known that Lord Hanamichi is to be exiled to Forest Tierra as punishment for breaching the diplomatic agreement with Kingdom Ryonan. It is the request of Lord Hanamichi that you may not accompany him, what have you to say?" Sir Kogure expounds with his authoritative voice.
Sir Yohei came forward, bowed respectfully to Hanamichi and then turned back to the adviser.
"As was already written in my heart, I've sworn my complete loyalty to Lord Hanamichi, he be on exile or not."
"It is no fun to be left behind with them two gone! I, too, will go with Lord Hanamichi"
"Yeah, Noma and I will surely tag along, too!"
"So, it is resolved! Your exile starts on the forth night and ends after a year. After 4 days, as the estimated travel days you will reach the forest, every man and woman who have heard the decree will not hesitate to bring death unto you. So there is no use in not going into the forest, as that is the only safe place you will have!"
"So it shall be done…"
On the forth night, the group left the Kingdom once more, but not for some adventure. The people who watched the retreating figures couldn't help but make the sign as this day marks the death of their beloved Lord Hanamichi.
tbc
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Yosh, I did it!.. it was longer than I thought, though! Gomen, gomen … hey, u might ask, why that day marks the death of Hana?… answer will be on the next chapter.. . hehehe… tnx for the reviews… ^_^