Author's Note: Well, once again, I have neglected to update. Unfortunately, this fic doesn't hold the appeal to me that it did when I started writing it, so the creative juices are pretty darn sluggish. I'll say this up front: the chapters are probably all going to be updated pretty irregularly from now on unless I somehow become /really/ inspired. I'm all out of the chapters I had written a while ago, so all these new ones will be updated as I write them. Sorry to anyone who's been waiting for an update. I hope this chapter's ok (I think it's actually pretty long ). R.A.
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it /again/?
Review Thanks:
Keket: I'm so sorry I didn't thank you when I posted ch 8. Thank you for reading!
Cassper: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
Yuber in Black: Wheee!! I'm glad you like my lil' ficcie! (I'm always happy to be put on someone's fave author list! )
Anime lover for life: alright, alright, I'll try to make longer chapters...however, severe cases of writer's block seem to plague me, so updating may be a bit slow
Chapter 9: Operation: Matchmaker
Recap:
One of the older Harem women stood up, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I think Houki should be the one. She's been here the longest, and I know she loves Hotohori deeply."
"LINA!" Houki exclaimed, blushing.
Lina just grinned at her, "It's true. So, what about it, ladies?"
This time on "Slight Intervention":
The Harem ladies cheered enthusiastically.
"Well, that settles it, I guess," said Nuriko, grinning.
Houki spoke up, blushing fiercely, but still the voice of reason, "That's all well and good, but how is this going to work?"
Nuriko shrugged with a wink, "That's what I have a gaggle of scheming Harem women for, ne?"
The ladies giggled, and one of the younger girls spoke up, "What if Houki 'accidentally' met Hotohori in the gardens? I mean, I really don't think he knows us."
"Actually......that's a good idea! Hotohori's so much of a gentleman, he's probably never set eyes of most of you guys. That'd be /perfect/!" Nuriko exclaimed excitedly.
The girl blushed.
Lina clapped her hands. "Ok! Let's get started. We need to get Houki ready so Nuriko can put her in place in the gardens. Chop, chop!!"
After 30 minutes of hurried preparation, Houki was dolled up like a princess, and ready to run into her (hopefully) future husband.
The Harem ladies waved goodbye as Nuriko and Houki left to put their plan into action.
"Um, Nuriko? Have you thought of a plan yet?" asked Houki.
"Well," said Nuriko, "I happen to know that Hotohori likes to take long walks in the Sakura Garden to escape his advisors, so I figure that's as good a place to start as any."
Houki raised an eyebrow, "And why are you privy to that knowledge, may I ask?"
Nuriko blushed, "Um....well, you know how I used to be infatuated with him....I um....sorta followed him sometimes...."
"I thought as much," laughed Houki.
"Hmph. Then why'd you ask?" grumbled Nuriko.
"Well," said Houki impishly, "I just like making you flustered. It's so much fun!"
"Yeah, yeah. You just watch it missy."
Nuriko and Houki walked through the gardens and finally stopped at a stone bench. Houki sat down gracefully and pulled out a book (she always had one with her). She gave Nuriko a slightly nervous smile as he winked and ducked behind some bushes.
Luck was on their side, for it was late in the afternoon and Hotohori was getting frustrated by his advisors. Both Houki and Nuriko surreptitiously watched as Hotohori tried to look inconspicuous as he snuck out to the path. When he deemed it a safe distance, Hotohori straightened and continued on his way in a leisurely manner.
Nuriko gave Houki a thumbs up just before the emperor finally came into view.
Hotohori strolled through the Garden, admiring the beautiful Sakura blossoms. He could practically feel the stress leave his body now that he was away from his advisors. They were certainly competent, but the traveling he had done with the seishi severely shortened his attention span for such matters, not to mention his temper. Luckily, his advisors seemed to understand this and pretended not to notice when he snuck away for a bit. They figured he would get it out of his system eventually.
When Hotohori rounded the bend in the path, he fully intended on sitting on his favorite bench (it had the best view of the lake with the Sakura trees surrounding it and adding their petals to the glistening water); however, for the first time ever, it was already occupied.
The emperor grumbled silently to himself when he saw the woman sitting on /his/ bench, but he remembered his manners and stopped in front of her to say hi, not to mention find out who she was.
The woman looked up from her book as his shadow was cast over the pages. She smiled up at him.
Hotohori noticed how eerily she resembled Nuriko, but shook the thought away as he smiled politely back. "Hello, Miss."
"Hello," the woman said, then she seemed to realize something. She abruptly stood up and curtsied, "Forgive me for not recognizing you, Emperor."
Hotohori looked puzzled, "Excuse me, Miss, but do we know you? They are not many who would recognize us."
The woman blushed and ducked her head, "No, Your Imperialness, but I am in the Harem. My name is Houki."
The emperor nodded, "Ah, yes. We do not frequently visit the harem. Do you like it there?"
Houki nodded, "Yes, Your Imperialness. The women are very kind. If it is not too impertinent, may I inquire as to why Your Highness does not come often?"
Quite apparently to the woman's surprise, Hotohori laughed. He sat on the bench and gestured for Houki to join him. "No, I don't mind you asking. I would actually not have the Harem, save for my advisors would throw a fit and it gives the Ladies families good standing in society. I would not deprive my subjects of that tradition even if I myself don't hold to it."
Houki snuck a glance at Hotohori from under her lashes, "Why don't you, Your Highness?"
He sighed, "One might say that I'm something of a romantic. I can't bear the thought of marrying someone simply to appease the need for an heir. I want the relationship to have more depth. I sincerely dislike the thought of using the Ladies in the Harem as glorified prostitutes." Hotohori looked at Houki, "Is there anything you or the others want for? I don't wish for the Harem to be a prison."
Houki shook her head, "No, Your Highness. We are given everything. They have even provided tutors for us, by your decree, I believe. We are well cared for."
"Oh, good. I'm glad." Hotohori smiled.
Houki ducked her head to hide a chuckle. Hotohori looked at her quizzically, which just made her laugh more.
"What's so funny?" he asked in a sulky manner.
"S-sorry," Houki gasped, trying to catch her breath. "It's just that, you're such a gentleman. It's so easy to forget that you're only 18. And I was thinking about how the 18 year-olds /I/ know act, and I realized how truly odd it is that you don't like the idea of a Harem. Forgive me, but I just couldn't help it."
Hotohori pouted, no mean feat for the regal emperor. "I can't help how I feel. Would you rather I was some horny, pock-faced teenager with an insatiable libido?"
Houki just stared at him and blinked. After a moment, he blinked, too. Then, suddenly, they both dissolved into laughter.
It took a while for the two to get themselves under control, since whenever they looked at each other; the laughter would start up again. However, they finally did calm down and sat there looking at each other.
After a bit, Hotohori finally broke the silence, though regretfully. "I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard. Not to mention at myself. I never realized how seriously I took myself." He looked at Houki with respect and she blushed.
Hotohori sighed when he saw one of his advisors off in the distance. He gave Houki a one-sided smile. "I'm afraid I have to leave lest I incur the wrath of my advisors."
He stood and Houki followed. He took her hand and gave it a little kiss, "Would you care to join me for dinner? I would be very grateful for your company...."
Houki blushed and nodded, "I would be delighted."
Hotohori's face lit up, "Wonderful! Shall I come get you at 7?"
"Oh, yes. That would be perfect. So, I'll see you then, Your Highness?" she said.
"No, no," Hotohori insisted, "please, call me Hotohori. I'd like this to be a dinner between friends."
She nodded, "Very well....Hotohori."
Hotohori reluctantly pulled himself away and went back down the path towards the palace. It took a lot of willpower to keep himself from skipping. There was just something about Houki that left him feeling happy, and he couldn't keep the huge grin off his face.
Houki was in a similar condition.
When Nuriko came out from behind the bushes, he had to snap in front of Houki's face a few times to get her attention.
"Yoo-hoo. Anybody home in there?" he asked.
"Wha-huh?"
"Ah yes, I can certainly see what kept Hotohori /so/ enthralled. That blank stare is positively /adorable/," the seishi teased.
Houki glared at him, "You big bully!"
Nuriko laughed and help up his hands, "Kidding, kidding! But seriously, I think you've caught the dear emperor's fancy. I haven't seen that look on his face since he first saw Miaka." He winked, "Lucky for us, Hotohori is a firm believer in love at first sight. He's about as romantic as they come and he always goes with his instinct. Judging by the dinner invite, I'd say he /really/ likes you."
Houki blushed. "You think so?"
The seishi smiled, "I do indeed. Come on, let's go backâyou need to start getting ready!"
Note:
Sakura Garden=I don't actually know what any of the Palace Gardens are named, so I'm calling it this.
Sakura blossoms=Yet again, my ignorance shows: I really don't know when the Sakura trees bloom, but it's probably sometime in spring, and since I never specified a season, spring's as good as any.
Your Imperialness=Any suggestions on what the correct title would be?
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say it /again/?
Review Thanks:
Keket: I'm so sorry I didn't thank you when I posted ch 8. Thank you for reading!
Cassper: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
Yuber in Black: Wheee!! I'm glad you like my lil' ficcie! (I'm always happy to be put on someone's fave author list! )
Anime lover for life: alright, alright, I'll try to make longer chapters...however, severe cases of writer's block seem to plague me, so updating may be a bit slow
Chapter 9: Operation: Matchmaker
Recap:
One of the older Harem women stood up, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I think Houki should be the one. She's been here the longest, and I know she loves Hotohori deeply."
"LINA!" Houki exclaimed, blushing.
Lina just grinned at her, "It's true. So, what about it, ladies?"
This time on "Slight Intervention":
The Harem ladies cheered enthusiastically.
"Well, that settles it, I guess," said Nuriko, grinning.
Houki spoke up, blushing fiercely, but still the voice of reason, "That's all well and good, but how is this going to work?"
Nuriko shrugged with a wink, "That's what I have a gaggle of scheming Harem women for, ne?"
The ladies giggled, and one of the younger girls spoke up, "What if Houki 'accidentally' met Hotohori in the gardens? I mean, I really don't think he knows us."
"Actually......that's a good idea! Hotohori's so much of a gentleman, he's probably never set eyes of most of you guys. That'd be /perfect/!" Nuriko exclaimed excitedly.
The girl blushed.
Lina clapped her hands. "Ok! Let's get started. We need to get Houki ready so Nuriko can put her in place in the gardens. Chop, chop!!"
After 30 minutes of hurried preparation, Houki was dolled up like a princess, and ready to run into her (hopefully) future husband.
The Harem ladies waved goodbye as Nuriko and Houki left to put their plan into action.
"Um, Nuriko? Have you thought of a plan yet?" asked Houki.
"Well," said Nuriko, "I happen to know that Hotohori likes to take long walks in the Sakura Garden to escape his advisors, so I figure that's as good a place to start as any."
Houki raised an eyebrow, "And why are you privy to that knowledge, may I ask?"
Nuriko blushed, "Um....well, you know how I used to be infatuated with him....I um....sorta followed him sometimes...."
"I thought as much," laughed Houki.
"Hmph. Then why'd you ask?" grumbled Nuriko.
"Well," said Houki impishly, "I just like making you flustered. It's so much fun!"
"Yeah, yeah. You just watch it missy."
Nuriko and Houki walked through the gardens and finally stopped at a stone bench. Houki sat down gracefully and pulled out a book (she always had one with her). She gave Nuriko a slightly nervous smile as he winked and ducked behind some bushes.
Luck was on their side, for it was late in the afternoon and Hotohori was getting frustrated by his advisors. Both Houki and Nuriko surreptitiously watched as Hotohori tried to look inconspicuous as he snuck out to the path. When he deemed it a safe distance, Hotohori straightened and continued on his way in a leisurely manner.
Nuriko gave Houki a thumbs up just before the emperor finally came into view.
Hotohori strolled through the Garden, admiring the beautiful Sakura blossoms. He could practically feel the stress leave his body now that he was away from his advisors. They were certainly competent, but the traveling he had done with the seishi severely shortened his attention span for such matters, not to mention his temper. Luckily, his advisors seemed to understand this and pretended not to notice when he snuck away for a bit. They figured he would get it out of his system eventually.
When Hotohori rounded the bend in the path, he fully intended on sitting on his favorite bench (it had the best view of the lake with the Sakura trees surrounding it and adding their petals to the glistening water); however, for the first time ever, it was already occupied.
The emperor grumbled silently to himself when he saw the woman sitting on /his/ bench, but he remembered his manners and stopped in front of her to say hi, not to mention find out who she was.
The woman looked up from her book as his shadow was cast over the pages. She smiled up at him.
Hotohori noticed how eerily she resembled Nuriko, but shook the thought away as he smiled politely back. "Hello, Miss."
"Hello," the woman said, then she seemed to realize something. She abruptly stood up and curtsied, "Forgive me for not recognizing you, Emperor."
Hotohori looked puzzled, "Excuse me, Miss, but do we know you? They are not many who would recognize us."
The woman blushed and ducked her head, "No, Your Imperialness, but I am in the Harem. My name is Houki."
The emperor nodded, "Ah, yes. We do not frequently visit the harem. Do you like it there?"
Houki nodded, "Yes, Your Imperialness. The women are very kind. If it is not too impertinent, may I inquire as to why Your Highness does not come often?"
Quite apparently to the woman's surprise, Hotohori laughed. He sat on the bench and gestured for Houki to join him. "No, I don't mind you asking. I would actually not have the Harem, save for my advisors would throw a fit and it gives the Ladies families good standing in society. I would not deprive my subjects of that tradition even if I myself don't hold to it."
Houki snuck a glance at Hotohori from under her lashes, "Why don't you, Your Highness?"
He sighed, "One might say that I'm something of a romantic. I can't bear the thought of marrying someone simply to appease the need for an heir. I want the relationship to have more depth. I sincerely dislike the thought of using the Ladies in the Harem as glorified prostitutes." Hotohori looked at Houki, "Is there anything you or the others want for? I don't wish for the Harem to be a prison."
Houki shook her head, "No, Your Highness. We are given everything. They have even provided tutors for us, by your decree, I believe. We are well cared for."
"Oh, good. I'm glad." Hotohori smiled.
Houki ducked her head to hide a chuckle. Hotohori looked at her quizzically, which just made her laugh more.
"What's so funny?" he asked in a sulky manner.
"S-sorry," Houki gasped, trying to catch her breath. "It's just that, you're such a gentleman. It's so easy to forget that you're only 18. And I was thinking about how the 18 year-olds /I/ know act, and I realized how truly odd it is that you don't like the idea of a Harem. Forgive me, but I just couldn't help it."
Hotohori pouted, no mean feat for the regal emperor. "I can't help how I feel. Would you rather I was some horny, pock-faced teenager with an insatiable libido?"
Houki just stared at him and blinked. After a moment, he blinked, too. Then, suddenly, they both dissolved into laughter.
It took a while for the two to get themselves under control, since whenever they looked at each other; the laughter would start up again. However, they finally did calm down and sat there looking at each other.
After a bit, Hotohori finally broke the silence, though regretfully. "I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard. Not to mention at myself. I never realized how seriously I took myself." He looked at Houki with respect and she blushed.
Hotohori sighed when he saw one of his advisors off in the distance. He gave Houki a one-sided smile. "I'm afraid I have to leave lest I incur the wrath of my advisors."
He stood and Houki followed. He took her hand and gave it a little kiss, "Would you care to join me for dinner? I would be very grateful for your company...."
Houki blushed and nodded, "I would be delighted."
Hotohori's face lit up, "Wonderful! Shall I come get you at 7?"
"Oh, yes. That would be perfect. So, I'll see you then, Your Highness?" she said.
"No, no," Hotohori insisted, "please, call me Hotohori. I'd like this to be a dinner between friends."
She nodded, "Very well....Hotohori."
Hotohori reluctantly pulled himself away and went back down the path towards the palace. It took a lot of willpower to keep himself from skipping. There was just something about Houki that left him feeling happy, and he couldn't keep the huge grin off his face.
Houki was in a similar condition.
When Nuriko came out from behind the bushes, he had to snap in front of Houki's face a few times to get her attention.
"Yoo-hoo. Anybody home in there?" he asked.
"Wha-huh?"
"Ah yes, I can certainly see what kept Hotohori /so/ enthralled. That blank stare is positively /adorable/," the seishi teased.
Houki glared at him, "You big bully!"
Nuriko laughed and help up his hands, "Kidding, kidding! But seriously, I think you've caught the dear emperor's fancy. I haven't seen that look on his face since he first saw Miaka." He winked, "Lucky for us, Hotohori is a firm believer in love at first sight. He's about as romantic as they come and he always goes with his instinct. Judging by the dinner invite, I'd say he /really/ likes you."
Houki blushed. "You think so?"
The seishi smiled, "I do indeed. Come on, let's go backâyou need to start getting ready!"
Note:
Sakura Garden=I don't actually know what any of the Palace Gardens are named, so I'm calling it this.
Sakura blossoms=Yet again, my ignorance shows: I really don't know when the Sakura trees bloom, but it's probably sometime in spring, and since I never specified a season, spring's as good as any.
Your Imperialness=Any suggestions on what the correct title would be?