Chapter One: Prince
I'm not going to try to be cute and come up with a clever little disclaimer. To put it simply I don't own Princess Monoke. This chapter is dedicated to Kamll, pest that she is.
I used to think Prince Astyasu was the most terrible creature in all of Japan, maybe even the world. He was a scheming, spoiled younger prince that spent his entire life trying to accomplish some sort of presence and position in a court where he was considered a whore's son and a bit of an embarrassment. His father, the emperor had his fill of wives and concubines but when he took the Empresses little sister as one, most of the court was shocked. Their union produced Astyasu.
Astyasu was doted on by his mother and by the emperor himself. In his early years the ladies of the court found him to be the most charming child they had ever encountered. And though he was a younger son and a scandal he was left with a large feeling of entitlement. I think when he finally realized how his life would be he was like a fruit rotting. All his charisma and charm was spoiled and he became a seeker of glory, an adversary of his friends and brothers. He became a person I would consider evil with no regard for the people he hurt along the way.
Eboshi spent half of her life afraid of him and the rest of her life trying to defy him. It wasn't until years after he died that I was able to reflect on his life and judge him unbiasedly and understand what he did those years our life was peaceful with him away.
~~~
Astyasu was stalking the halls of the outer palace as he did most nights. Thoughts drifted through his head as dizzying speeds. Ideas where considered and rejected. For a moment he thought of his late wife. He had thought she would bring him power but unfortunately her father didn't think his son-in-law needed any extra perks. 'I'll have to be more selective next time' was the only concrete plan as his thoughts drifted towards brides.
Astyasu was still a young man. He had married as early as possible. Fathers would still consider him worthy because of his wealth and daughters could be hastened to agree to a match because he wasn't a disgusting old leacher. His black hair was shiny and many considered him handsome. Astyasu smirked to himself as he considered the crown prince's attributes. His elder brother had let himself go. The country would have a thirty year old pot-bellied emperor. Not a being that emanated power and demanded respect. In contrast Astyasu still had a fit and powerful body. He deserved control. He deserved to be emperor, or at least he thought so.
He stopped his pacing suddenly and laughed. He had the perfect candidate and only had to wait till morning.
As things go night passed swiftly when he finally fell into the lull of sleep. When the sun began to creep over the paper screens Astyasu jumped up and began to dress himself, eager for the day to begin. He considered 'Should I send a note or just appear to his quarters.' Then he smirked to himself, his uncle could do with a surprise.
Thus Astyasu arrived bright, early and freshly scrubbed at his uncle's apartments. The sun was neither high in the sky nor even past the buildings of the city but he looked alert and awake. His Uncle didn't. When Astyasu finally passed through the servants and formalities he stood in his uncle's study. The uncle was another scorned younger brother. Younger than Astyasu's father by several years. He would help his ambitious nephew.
"Uncle, I would like to marry your daughter," said Astyasu bluntly.
"Which one?" the uncle inquired slyly.
"The eldest." Astysu spoke now grasping for straws. He had no idea of the birth arrangements and ages of his female cousins. He had little contact with most and had not even met some.
"Ahh Teishi. Are you aware she is four years your senior and already married with two sons. Were you thinking of assassinating her husband? I don't think I could allow that."
" Yes Teishi, I had forgotten about her. I was thinking of the next one."
"She is also married," Uncle grinned.
"The next?" Astyasu inquired weakly, this was not going as planned.
"Engaged"
"How about your youngest"
"Little Kiko just had her eighth birthday." Uncle decided to have mercy on his disgruntled nephew. " You must mean Senshi"
"Yes Senshi, her face has been plaguing my heart. She must be my bride."
Astyasu's uncle's grinning face abruptly turned serious as he stared down at his scheming nephew. After deliberation and what seemed an eternity for Astyasu he remarked, " Have you forgotten your late wife so soon nephew. It was so tragic the way she died giving birth to your first child. I heard in court that it was a complete surprise...that the delivery had gone off without a hitch...yet she died days later...I've often wondered about that..."
Astyasu's handsome face went white but he casually responded, "Yes it was terrible, my lovely wife dying when our life together had barely started. But Uncle, my daughter's third birthday is fast approaching. She needs a mother of noble bearing. I have left her far to long in the care of her wet nurse who has no idea how to raise a princess. If you don't want Senshi to be my wife because of me, allow her to be for the sake of your lovely niece that has never known a mother. Do it for my daughter." A neat little speech Astyasu thought to himself.
"First I want to do what is right for my daughter nephew. I am very attached to my children, perhaps to attached. I want to insure that Senshi will have a healthy life. What do you have to offer?"
"Uncle, I would treat Senshi as I would the Sun Goddess herself. She will have all I can offer. If you would like I will woo her with haiku about her loveliness for sure she is the loveliest thing in the Imperial City. I swear she will have a good life."
"I have little doubt she would Astyasu," he spoke sarcastically, "but I'm a practical man. I want to know what you have to offer me."
"A man near to my own heart," snickered Astyasu, "let's get down to business."
I'm not going to try to be cute and come up with a clever little disclaimer. To put it simply I don't own Princess Monoke. This chapter is dedicated to Kamll, pest that she is.
I used to think Prince Astyasu was the most terrible creature in all of Japan, maybe even the world. He was a scheming, spoiled younger prince that spent his entire life trying to accomplish some sort of presence and position in a court where he was considered a whore's son and a bit of an embarrassment. His father, the emperor had his fill of wives and concubines but when he took the Empresses little sister as one, most of the court was shocked. Their union produced Astyasu.
Astyasu was doted on by his mother and by the emperor himself. In his early years the ladies of the court found him to be the most charming child they had ever encountered. And though he was a younger son and a scandal he was left with a large feeling of entitlement. I think when he finally realized how his life would be he was like a fruit rotting. All his charisma and charm was spoiled and he became a seeker of glory, an adversary of his friends and brothers. He became a person I would consider evil with no regard for the people he hurt along the way.
Eboshi spent half of her life afraid of him and the rest of her life trying to defy him. It wasn't until years after he died that I was able to reflect on his life and judge him unbiasedly and understand what he did those years our life was peaceful with him away.
~~~
Astyasu was stalking the halls of the outer palace as he did most nights. Thoughts drifted through his head as dizzying speeds. Ideas where considered and rejected. For a moment he thought of his late wife. He had thought she would bring him power but unfortunately her father didn't think his son-in-law needed any extra perks. 'I'll have to be more selective next time' was the only concrete plan as his thoughts drifted towards brides.
Astyasu was still a young man. He had married as early as possible. Fathers would still consider him worthy because of his wealth and daughters could be hastened to agree to a match because he wasn't a disgusting old leacher. His black hair was shiny and many considered him handsome. Astyasu smirked to himself as he considered the crown prince's attributes. His elder brother had let himself go. The country would have a thirty year old pot-bellied emperor. Not a being that emanated power and demanded respect. In contrast Astyasu still had a fit and powerful body. He deserved control. He deserved to be emperor, or at least he thought so.
He stopped his pacing suddenly and laughed. He had the perfect candidate and only had to wait till morning.
As things go night passed swiftly when he finally fell into the lull of sleep. When the sun began to creep over the paper screens Astyasu jumped up and began to dress himself, eager for the day to begin. He considered 'Should I send a note or just appear to his quarters.' Then he smirked to himself, his uncle could do with a surprise.
Thus Astyasu arrived bright, early and freshly scrubbed at his uncle's apartments. The sun was neither high in the sky nor even past the buildings of the city but he looked alert and awake. His Uncle didn't. When Astyasu finally passed through the servants and formalities he stood in his uncle's study. The uncle was another scorned younger brother. Younger than Astyasu's father by several years. He would help his ambitious nephew.
"Uncle, I would like to marry your daughter," said Astyasu bluntly.
"Which one?" the uncle inquired slyly.
"The eldest." Astysu spoke now grasping for straws. He had no idea of the birth arrangements and ages of his female cousins. He had little contact with most and had not even met some.
"Ahh Teishi. Are you aware she is four years your senior and already married with two sons. Were you thinking of assassinating her husband? I don't think I could allow that."
" Yes Teishi, I had forgotten about her. I was thinking of the next one."
"She is also married," Uncle grinned.
"The next?" Astyasu inquired weakly, this was not going as planned.
"Engaged"
"How about your youngest"
"Little Kiko just had her eighth birthday." Uncle decided to have mercy on his disgruntled nephew. " You must mean Senshi"
"Yes Senshi, her face has been plaguing my heart. She must be my bride."
Astyasu's uncle's grinning face abruptly turned serious as he stared down at his scheming nephew. After deliberation and what seemed an eternity for Astyasu he remarked, " Have you forgotten your late wife so soon nephew. It was so tragic the way she died giving birth to your first child. I heard in court that it was a complete surprise...that the delivery had gone off without a hitch...yet she died days later...I've often wondered about that..."
Astyasu's handsome face went white but he casually responded, "Yes it was terrible, my lovely wife dying when our life together had barely started. But Uncle, my daughter's third birthday is fast approaching. She needs a mother of noble bearing. I have left her far to long in the care of her wet nurse who has no idea how to raise a princess. If you don't want Senshi to be my wife because of me, allow her to be for the sake of your lovely niece that has never known a mother. Do it for my daughter." A neat little speech Astyasu thought to himself.
"First I want to do what is right for my daughter nephew. I am very attached to my children, perhaps to attached. I want to insure that Senshi will have a healthy life. What do you have to offer?"
"Uncle, I would treat Senshi as I would the Sun Goddess herself. She will have all I can offer. If you would like I will woo her with haiku about her loveliness for sure she is the loveliest thing in the Imperial City. I swear she will have a good life."
"I have little doubt she would Astyasu," he spoke sarcastically, "but I'm a practical man. I want to know what you have to offer me."
"A man near to my own heart," snickered Astyasu, "let's get down to business."