Chapter 12: Empress and Mistress
Rinako looked over at Miho.
" You will make a wonderful mother Miho, and your child will reflect that, you should feel honored to bare the child of my son," Rinako said
" I am very happy Empress," Karasuma said
" You are so respectful to an old woman as me," Rinako said
" And why should I not be?" Karasuma questioned
" My title is no longer Empress, you have earned the title by marrying my son. I am but an Dowager Empress and mother to a great emperor," Rinako said
Karasuma smiled and Rinako looked up towards the veranda, to see Miyako standing there.
" She's so distant from the others and stares down upon those who stand beside the emperor," Rinako said
Karasuma looked up at Miyako and then lowered her head.
" Dowager Empress, who is her child's father?" Karasuma asked
" I do not know, she will not speak his name, it could be one of the guards'," Rinako said
She looked at Karasuma and stopped and Karasuma looked ahead.
" Who do you think it is?" Rinako said
" I only can have my suspicions, but my guess would be that his majesty has taken on a mistress," Karasuma said
Rinako sighed and said, " He is just like his father, though I do believe that he only has one…compared to his father. His father had 10, I was his wife, but his ten other mistresses pleaded for attention. Taiyou is the eldest of 19 children, two in which were his age."
" How did he get chosen for the thrown?" Karasuma said
" I am of noble blood, the 10 others were that of peasants taken from their villages. By royal decree, the son of pure royal blood is to be emperor," Rinako said, " He was my only son that I could bare for his father…I lost two, three years after he was born. I told his father I would not bare him any other children, that it was to painful to lose another. Taiyou almost did not make it, but he did, the gods had truly blessed him."
" Truly," Karasuma said
" I don't think Taiyou is all like his father, if you bare him one heir he will be pleased, two will over joy him, but he will not ignore you because you could not bare another pure royal blood child," Rinako said, " Taiyou is not losing interest in you, he is finding away to relieve stress."
" And to spread his seed," Karasuma thought
" Your child will be heir to the throne," Rinako said, " I will make sure that it does."
" Thank you," Karasuma said
Later, Sakaki walked to the study and his mother stood there. He shut the door and slightly ignored her.
" Is there something the matter mother?" he asked
" Miyako is two months with child, another 7 months she will bare you another child. Do you deny this my son?" Rinako asked
Sakaki stopped and turned around and looked his mother. She looked at him and he shook his head.
" No, I don't deny it," Sakaki said, " Who told you?"
" Your wife," Rinako said
" How does she know?" Sakaki asked
" A woman knows her husband," Rinako said
Rinako looked at Sakaki and walked over to him, then hugged him.
" You are the emperor do not tell me that you will turn to others to bare you children," Rinako said
" Mother, I did not expect her to become with child," Sakaki said
" I know Taiyou, you only slept with her for pleasure, but you must be careful, know this Taiyou that, Miho's child is your first and was intended, giving it the throne once you are prepared to stand down," Rinako said
" Royal decree I know and Miho's child is the one I will only treasure. It was not a bastard," Sakaki said
" Do not deny your other child Taiyou, it too needs to be nurtured, but it is not the true heir. And know this Taiyou, if you do tend to sleep with your other 30 courtesans I suggest you don't falter in your attitude," Rinako said
" Am I to get this right that you are telling me it is alright to sleep with others," Sakaki said in anger
" Yes, Taiyou…you are not different from your father in your night life. Your wife understands that you will, and she will not be enrage if you do," Rinako said
" Are you done mother?" Sakaki growled
Rinako nodded and Sakaki turned away from and she left. He slammed his fist against the desk in the study and breathed deep.
Karasuma walked with some of the courtesans and sighed, one looked at her in a curious matter.
" Are you alright Empress?" one asked
" I am," Karasuma said, " I'm just concerned that's all."
" I see, may I ask what?" she asked
" Nothing really just trying to help his highness with problems within the kingdom ," Karasuma replied
Miyako stood before Rinako and bowed and then Rinako stopped her. Miyako turned and bowed to her again.
" Who's the father of your child young Miyako?" Rinako said
" I am not to speak his name, I promised," Miyako said
" You are being ordered to," Rinako said
Miyako looked at Rinako and nodded, then said, " His majesty's child…the second child."
" This child, was it through lust or love?" Rinako asked
" Neither, it happened when his majesty and I just fell upon one another's intentions of avoiding one another," Miyako said
" Then it is was by chance?" Rinako inquired
Miyako nodded and Rinako sighed seeing that there was a lie…though not love, lust and something else lingered in Miyako's eyes.
" You are to speak of this to no one, the child's father is not to be spoken of…know this Miyako…if you speak of my son's name with in the same sentence of speaking of your child, you will be banished from this palace. Your child will be raised here, but you will be far from it," Rinako said
Miyako nodded and then left and shook her head.
" It's not my doing," she whispered
Sakaki walked to his room and saw Karasuma standing by the window.
" It's your child Haruto, why didn't you tell me that she was pregnant?" Karasuma stated
" I didn't want us to fall apart," he said
Karasuma walked to him and kissed him and Sakaki kissed her back. He took her in his arms and both fell into the softness of his bed. He looked at her and she laid beside him.
" Haruto, I wanted to be the only one you made love too," Karasuma said
" I'm sorry, I didn't want to," he said
" So why did you?" Karasuma asked
Sakaki turned to his side and said, " Because…I saw you instead of her…like I was under some sort of spell. Apart of me knew it wasn't you, but another part didn't."
Karasuma looked at him and kissed his neck.
" After the child is born, I'll be ready to lay with you again, I want to bare all your children Haruto…please don't let your mind wonder to another," Karasuma said
" I want you to bare my children," Sakaki whispered, " And even pregnant there are other ways to enjoy each other's company…I was not searching for someone else I just falter…I want your forgiveness as my wife."
Karasuma wrapped her arms around Sakaki and then kissed his cheek.
" I won't leave you Miho," Sakaki whispered
" I know," Karasuma whispered
That evening Sakaki and Karasuma bathed together, for the first time since they got married. Sakaki gently washed her and rinsed her off, he kissed her passionately and Karasuma gently washed him. Her delicate touch made him think about the past, the first time they made love. Still innocent in touch, Sakaki looked at her. He knelt down and wrapped his arms around her hips, he pulled her to him, then kissed her stomach.
" My beautiful wife, and future heir," he whispered
Karasuma gently stroked his head and knelt down and embraced him.
" My dear brave husband," she whispered, " How I have grown to fall more in love with you."
" Ow!" Miyako cried as she fell to the hard wooden floor.
" How dare you let them be that close," Captain Izo said
" I am baring his child," Miyako growled
She looked up at her father and narrowed her eyes.
" Your stupid rebellion failed," Miyako said
Captain Izo nodded and looked in the mirror and then smiled.
" It fail, but it did not parish," Captain Izo said, " You see there are 9 others that will take the place of those who are to be hung."
Miyako looked at her father and got up and Captain Izo turned to his daughter.
" You are royalty in the purist form," Captain Izo said, " So, your child will be heir to the throne…yes that's good…once the emperor is killed. His successor is his nearest relative…why that's me."
A devilish smile and Miyako's eyes filled with terror as she stepped back. She turned and ran out the room and knew there was no more playing gofer for her father. Miyako she ran and Captain Izo watched his daughter try to escape her destiny.
" I won't let him do this," Miyako said
She came to her room and reached for her dagger and looked at her.
" Dagger please taste my flesh, I am sorry Majesty, but you are one less child," she cried
She thrust the dagger toward her heart, but suddenly a chained scythe knocked her dagger. She gasped and saw someone in her window, his face was covered, his pulled back black matched his black outfit. He looked at the dagger and sheathed his scythe.
" Pretty nice dagger to stain with blood," he said
" Who are you?" she asked
" Darkness," he whispered
He jumped down and approached her and grabbed her by the wrist.
" Let go of me you bastard," she said slapping him
" Damn it woman that hurts," he growled
" Let me go," she said
Miyako struggled and he grabbed both her hands.
" Who are you?" she growled
" A humble assassin just as your father is, but unlike your father, I kill the assassins that are after the emperor," he said
He pushed her back and she drew a blade and he pulled his. She came at him and he blocked her attack. She managed to rip his sleeve and he looked at her, then dodged her attack. He drew his scythe and threw it at her ,snagging her blade. He pulled it and she stumbled, he grabbed her in his arms.
" I am not here to hurt you," he said
" Liar," she said
She nailed him in the stomach and grabbed a candle opera, then came at him. He drew both blades and headed for the door. Smashing things became a side objective, but it wasn't on purpose.
" Come on, is that all you got?" he taunted
She swung it and nailed him in the stomach.
" I do think you have lost assassin," she said
" Yes, perhaps," he said
He stood up and held his hands up and Miyako looked at him. He sighed and she came close him and checked him.
" Can I put my arms down?" he asked
Miyako set the candle opera down and he reached for a pouch.
" What are you reaching for?" she growled
" Nothing just a small token for the lady," he said, " I lost, so it is my custom to give my opponent a good-bye gift."
She walked to him and smiled under his face mask and threw it at her. Dust flew everywhere and she began to cough. She grabbed a paper fan and made her way outside. She looked around finding the assassin was gone.
" Damn," she thought
Miyako sighed and leaned against the wall of the palace.
" An assassin, who is he after?" she thought
Karasuma stood on the veranda with Sakaki and admired the stars, when Sakaki was called away.
" Excuse me," he said
He walked off and looked at the assassin. Sakaki looked around and the assassin removed his face mask.
" I'm sorry to disturb you Highness, but your Captain speaks of seeking the throne and he is using the Miyako to get to you," he said
" Very good, continue to track and listen to him," Sakaki said, " He is the one I want caught in the act."
" Aye," he said
" You may go," he said
The assassin bowed and took to the roof of the palace to report to Rinako. Sakaki walked over to Karasuma and kissed her cheek.
" Come my empress let us rest," he said
He guided her to the room and looked at her. He laid beside her and took her in his arms, both fell asleep, but Sakaki found himself awake.
" Izo, what is your first move?" he thought