Chapter 8: Emperor and Heir
2 months later
Sakaki stood outside a room and he leaned against a wall.
" Don't worry Taiyou-sama, the lady Miho will be well," Miyako said
" I know," he said
" Morning sickness could only explain one thing," he thought
Nari came out and looked at the patient yet eager husband.
" Highness, I wish to speak to you alone," she said
Sakaki nodded and walked over to Nari and Nari looked at him.
" The lady Miho, is with child," Nari said
" She is?" he questioned
" Are you not happy?" Nari asked
" I'm thrilled," Sakaki replied
Nari smiled and said, " Then this is a joyous day, should I let your mother know?"
" No, I will tell her, may I see my wife now," Sakaki replied
Nari nodded and Sakaki walked into the room and shut the door. Karasuma looked at Sakaki and smiled a little.
" Am I alright?" she asked
Sakaki nodded and sat beside her, he took her hands into his own, then kissed her.
" Your with child Miho," Sakaki he said
" I'm pregnant," she whispered
Sakaki nodded and Karasuma smiled and tears fell from her eyes. Sakaki leaned his head against hers.
" An heir," Sakaki said, " The first."
Karasuma kissed him again and he stayed with her until she fell asleep. He then went in search of Rinako and Miyako looked at him.
" Is she well Highness?" Miyako asked
" She is very well," Sakaki replied
Sakaki walked down the corridor to the outside and looked out into the courtyard.
" An heir after two months…I'm going to be a father," Sakaki thought
He walked to the throne room, where Rinako was.
" Leave," he said to the courtesans
They bowed and Rinako looked at Sakaki.
" Tis very rude for you to shoe them off, what ails you Taiyou?" Rinako asked
She looked at her son and rose.
" What ails me mother? Nothing does…but behold this day marks the next 7 months of waiting," Sakaki said
She looked at him and said, " The lady Miho is with child?"
" Yes," he said
" Oh what wonderful news," Rinako said, " My son a father and his wife a mother already just after two months. The gods are smiling down on you two."
Sakaki smiled and kissed his mother's cheek and then went off. He walked around the court, his thoughts were thrilled…a future was on the way. Another generation of emperors.
Miyako watched him and sighed and then walked off and her father grabbed her by her hair.
" Ow!" she cried
" Why aren't you the one baring his children?" her father growled
" Because I'm not his wife," Miyako said, " Let go of me."
" Try harder," he said
" You should be more careful after that little stunt you pulled two months ago," Miyako said, " I'm sure you didn't mean too right father?"
" Shut up, now try harder," he said
Miyako slapped his hand off her and walked off fixing her hair. She walked down the courtyard and caught up with Sakaki.
" Highness," she said, " I have heard the news on lady Miho."
" News travels fast," he said
" Forgive me my ears hear everything," Miyako said
Sakaki smiled and Miyako walked with him and Captain Izo watched her from afar. He smiled knowing Miyako would not fail him, for is she did, she would be punished severely.
That evening Sakaki had dinner brought to Miho, something light for her to eat. She sat up and looked at him as he opened the door for the servant.
" This is much to much for me to eat," she said
" That's why I am eating with you," Sakaki said
He helped her out of bed and walked her to the table set for them. She sat down and Sakaki sat beside her. The were served the light meal and they fed each other and Sakaki poured her a specially made herbal drink to fend of the sickness. He poured himself some sake to calm his nerves from worrying.
" Drinking this early?" she said
" Best time," Sakaki said
" Your to much," she said
After dinner Sakaki stayed with her until she rested peacefully in bed. He too fell asleep, but woke up. He walked out her room and walked down the hall, he felt the windows open to let the cool air circulate.
" Spring," he whispered
He looked out the window and watched the palace guards take their shits and watch from their post. He sighed and walked down to his room and decided to take a bath. Servants made sure the water was hot for him and prepared . He headed down there, but to his surprise Miyako was down there.
" Highness!" she exclaimed covering her upper body
" I'm sorry," he reacted quickly
He turned around and Miyako looked at him.
" I was just getting out," she said
Sakaki shook his head and Miyako washed her body partially off. She looked at Sakaki and then wrung her hair out. Sakaki watched from the corner of his eye, knowing she was doing that on purpose.
" Taiyou-sama," she said
" Yes," he asked
" Can you hand me my robe by your feet?" she asked
Sakaki knelt down and picked up and Miyako walked out.
" Right here highness," she said
She was turned around and dried off, Sakaki looked at her delicate skin. She pinned her hair up and then reached for the robe without turning to face him.
" Allow me," he said
" It's alright I can get it, your highness needs to bathe, I do not want to keep you from that," she said
Sakaki shook his head and slipped it gently over her nude body. He slightly touched her soft skin as he helped her slip her robe on. She looked up and then grabbed her sash. She turned around and looked at Sakaki, she gave a bow holding her robe shut.
" Good-night your highness," she said
" Good night," she replied
Sakaki watched walk off, then undressed and stepped into the open air bath. He sighed and let the hot water tend to his sore muscles and relax his body. He washed up after relaxing and headed back to his room. His bed seemed empty with out Karasuma laying next to him, but though they knew what was wrong they wished to keep them separated incase she was really sick. Sakaki laid awake and sighed, he could only think of so many things, but they kept him awake.
" Am I that attracted to her that I would have thoughts like that?" Sakaki thought, " Miho is my wife and I can never go against her."
He sat up and lit a candle and read some of the scrolls. He after an hour or so he fell asleep and let the candle burn out on its on. He opened his eyes and sat up, then started his day. He heard talking all through out the palace about an heir. Sakaki walked to the veranda and just stared out.
" My young emperor was it a late night from celebrating?" Rinako asked
" No, just couldn't sleep, I believe it's the excitement," Sakaki said
" You should take care of yourself," she said, " Come and have something to eat, your wife is still sleeps."
Sakaki nodded and escorted his mother to the breakfast room and they sat down and enjoyed a rather light, but large breakfast. Sakaki was still not use to the endless amounts of food.
After breakfast Sakaki walked to the stables and saw the stable boy brushing the horse.
" Your doing a good job," Sakaki siad
The boy bowed and Sakaki walked over and picked up a brush.
" They like this very much," the stable boy said
Sakaki brushed the horse lightly and said, " I'm sure they do, it calms them."
" Are you going to ride today Highness?" the boy asked
" Yes, I'm thinking about going for a ride out into the country," Sakaki said
" I'll have your horse ready Highness," he said
"Thank you," Sakaki said
Sakaki lifted the bridal and the stable boy put it on as well as the saddle. Sakaki got up and the stable boy handed him the reigns. He nodded and then took off and the guards opened the gate. Two guards followed as they usually did, they didn't want anything to happen, but someone else did.
Sakaki enjoyed the peaceful ride and looked at the countrymen as he rode through the country side. Sakaki looked at the farmers as they bowed to him and he looked at the endless miles of land that was in his rule.
He returned hours later and then headed up to see Karasuma. He spent the rest of his time with her. They planned the babies arrival in the 7 months they had and Karasuma smiled every minuet.
" This baby will live its life in happiness," he whispered
" We'll see about that," Captain Izo thought, " Once my daughter bares your other child I will fight for the throne."
He walked off and head away from the couples room….head full of ideas on how to ruin Sakaki's life.