Disclaimer: I do not own Ai Yori Aoshi and Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi. This is the property of Kou Fumizuki, Pioneer/Geneon, and JC Staff.

Blue Monarch
Act 4, Scene 3

Miyabi was surprised when Aoi-sama asked for her company. It had been weeks since she last saw her, and she hoped that her charge was doing well. If anything, Miyabi hated to break a good mood by informing her that the tenants were in the process of being moved out of the house. She picked up her cell phone and dialed a number.

"Sakuraba Group Holdings," was the answer.

"Seiji-san, this is Miyabi. I assume you're at work now. I can also assume that Aoi-sama is alone at home, then."

"Ah... yes... Gomen, Miyabi-san."

"How has she been?"

From what he told her, her hopes were confirmed: Aoi-sama's mood was steadily improving. She was more outgoing, more cheerful. There were her moments of melancholy, but they were becoming rarer, or at least, to his knowledge they were becoming rarer. She was also spending more time with her parents, when they were able to. It appeared that she was reconnecting with her home and was bringing herself to readiness, to move on and start again.

"Ah... she's going into the city more often, too? That's good to hear. Hm? She's also visited Sakata-san? What would she ever want to see him for?"

Sakata-san was the family's lawyer, the executor of the estate and other affairs of Sakuraba. It was a little unsettling as to ponder what Aoi-sama would need to see him for.

She stepped on the gas and threw the stick, speeding down the road.

He must have heard the roar of the engine grow louder. "Miyabi-san, I don't know what they are, but I assume that maybe they have to do with protecting herself for her next marriage arrangement... Whatever preparations Aoi-hime has made, she will tell you what you need to know."

Her eyes narrowed skeptically. "Hmm... it does sound very sensible... But she should have come to me first."

"Maybe she didn't want to bother you; she is doing well to take matters into her own hands."

The rest of the conversation went well and was mostly vague on Seiji's part. It didn't sound like he was hiding anything. There was no cause for concern; no other outbursts, aside from the slight relapses and unknown preparations.

The car slowed as it followed the road leading to the main house. Parking before the large gate, Miyabi found Aoi running up to meet her.

"Miyabi-san!"

It appeared that everything she had been told was true. Aoi's cheeks, flush from running, were pulled back by her smile, and her eyes were wide upon greeting.

"Aoi-sama. It is good to see you."

Still beaming, she bowed and beckoned her to follow. "Please, come inside. I made some tea and onigiri. It has umeboshi, though... You do not mind, do you?"

"It's fine, it's fine..." she said as they walked side by side.

Falling in step, the wine haired woman surmised that the change was more than superficial. It was in the way Aoi-sama held her head a bit higher, the way her eyes shone a little brighter, and in the small bounce of each step. She appeared child-like, a reminder of the little girl who waited and worked for a little boy she loved for so long.

Even when she was ushered into a private tea room, with but a small, low table between them, this appearance did not drop. Maybe she was trying a little harder. She served diligently, taking care to each step.

At this transformation, Miyabi couldn't help but soften her usually stern appearance.

They exchanged pleasantries, talking of lighter things as to the sights Aoi saw on her outings and how exasperating Miyabi's workload was, drifting closer and closer to what they had hoped to avoid as they got more comfortable.

Miyabi made some small comment about how she missed her cooking, to which Aoi-sama replied that she missed doing such, then led to a mention of how Taeko's cooking wasn't up to par and the chores were lagging, Aoi-sama pondered if the sheets and dusting were still done, and soon after, a tumbling of all the little nuances of the house without her.

"Ano... Aoi-sama... the eviction notices have been given out and the tenants are in the process of packing." She toyed with her cup, looking down into the bottom before adding, "Miyuki-san has offered to let them move in with her and Saionji-san... Just for a little while."

"So it is ending."

Then she became very quiet.

Aoi-sama looked away, and her features were smooth, contemplative. For a moment, Miyabi was worried it would completely melt away into that unnerving blankness she saw many nights ago in that ruined room. But no, her eyes remained fixed on a point in the wall, which a quick glimpse from the corner of her eye followed.

She noted that it was trained on a small flag with the Sakuraba crest.

Turning her eyes away, she left her mistress to her thoughts, not prompting her but wanting to.

"Miyabi."

"Yes, Aoi-sama?"

"I realized something recently. I am a very selfish person."

This revelation caught Miyabi off guard. "Aoi-sama?"

Her blue-haired charge looked content with this statement. "I said that I am a selfish person. Am I not?"

"Of course you're not!" Miyabi frowned. "You are not selfish. You are the most selfless person that I know. You are far from selfish."

"I am selfless." The phrase was rolled slowly from her lips, as if she were tasting it, feeling how it suited her. "Selfless." She turned her head so fluidly to face her governess. "To a fault." She looked back at the family symbol.

"Over two hundred years of strong Sakuraba tradition. I have a reputation to uphold, do I not? I think it would have continued, regardless of whom I married, and it would most likely go on even without me... with or without a husband for me either.

"I have lived for no one else but him; to make him happy. And now he is gone. The unthinkable has happened. What shall I do now? Start living for myself? Do you think it possible that I should become selfish so suddenly?" A calm sip of her tea. "No, I do not think so. Perhaps I have been selfish all along. Apart from my intense and naive feelings for him, I felt I had to honour this arrangement, even when it was annulled. I refused to let go of this... this need to be the perfect wife, even if I were to have no husband. I had to pursue and make him mine, regardless of whether or not he wanted to take me and all that I entailed. I had forced tradition on him, and that was what he wanted to escape from all his life." She laughed curtly, almost bitterly. "I have been selfish all along, and I am paying for it. I feel like my entire being was never good enough."

Miyabi did not like this outspokenness from her. It was too... too philosophical, too introspective. "Aoi-sama..."

Just as quickly, a smile bloomed on her face. "Maybe I should truly live for others now that I am free of this. I have thought a lot about this. I am the heiress to the Sakuraba corporation. I was taught very little on how to run the company; there was the assumption that my husband would run it on my behalf. Nevertheless, I will become rich. I should put such wealth to good use, instead of being some idle housewife." The smile widened. "I should donate it to charity. Maybe even start a charity. Or begin a scholarship. There is so much possibility, Miyabi, so much good that can come from me."

"Is... is that why you've made appointments with Sakata-san?"

"So Seiji-kun told you? Hai, that is why. I want to make sure that I can help others."

The governess was relieved at such the sudden change of heart. Maybe she was worrying herself over nothing. This renewal... this was what she had hoped for Aoi-sama. This was the generous and kind young woman she had helped to raise. Idealistic and willing to help.

She was distracted from her reflection when Aoi-sama had gotten up from the table and left the room.

"Aoi-sama?"

Shuffling feet only answered her.

She called again.

Her former charge had returned, gently cradling a blue vase filled with a lush arrangement of flowers and placed the vase on the flowers on the table, right in front of her.

"It... it's very beautiful Aoi-sama..." Her hands moved up to turn the vase, to admire the entire bouquet.

"It is for Kaoru-sama."

She recoiled, pulling her hands back. "Nani?!"

Unfazed by the anger and incredulousness, she explained herself. "I made Kaoru-sama a flower arrangement. I am telling him something important to me by giving him something that I made, through a medium that I have adored... I know that it is something he would never understand, nor would he most likely want to understand it, but nonetheless, I made it just for him. I can only hope that he knows how I feel and that I made this because of him.

"I am a coward for not facing him, but I cannot... I cannot..." She faltered, almost shattering that newfound strength she displayed. Blue eyes snapped to almost black ones. "Miyabi-san, please bring this to him."

She would not refuse the girl- no, woman. She could not refuse her even when she would rather smash the vase over Hanabishi-san's head- no, not Kaoru-dono for he had lost that privilege, that last shred of respect from her, when he betrayed Aoi-sama.

"H-hai."

The older woman caught her mistress staring expectantly at her.

"Thank you, Miyabi."

Unexpectedly, Aoi hugged her. She hugged her tightly and buried her head into her shoulder. There was a slight squeeze and an unexplained warmth filled her, as if she could feel all the gratitude and love that Aoi-sama held for her. Unsure at such a display, Miyabi returned the hug. Hugged her stoically, respectfully.

"Thank you, Miyabi. Thank you for everything."

"You're... You're very welcome, Aoi-sama."

When they pulled back from each other, Miyabi saw a large smile on her face. It was as if the clouds had parted and she was seeing the brightest ray of sunlight and the bluest, calmest sky.

"Thank you for taking care of me, for teaching me, for helping me. I know I have not been the most appreciative person, but I wanted you to know. I want you to be happy, and please, please do not let your loyalty to me, to Sakuraba, keep you from finding your happiness."

"You never kept me from happiness, Aoi-sama. You are like a daughter to me. To protect you is a duty that I will gladly undertake, and it has satisfied me."

"Ah... I know. But please, even if you resigned as my guardian, do not feel obligated to sacrifice your happiness for me. Promise me that you will find your own life and family."

"I... I don't think that is necessary... but, I promise you this."

Their arms were still around each other, the familial bond apparent and comforting. Reluctantly, Aoi pulled away.

"Ano... if you do not mind... Could you please deliver it now?"

"Now?" A bit flustered, she composed herself. "Of course, Aoi-sama."

Confidently, Miyabi took the flower arrangement and left for her car. She barely made it out of the room before she spoke again.

"I do not think you have noticed, but Saionji-san sometimes glances above his sunglasses at you when he thinks you are not looking."

Miyabi blushed. "R-really?"

"I think so." A smile punctuated the suggestion.

The blush resided. "Ah... then... I shall see you later, Aoi-sama."

Aoi, still beaming and bright, bowed. "Sa... Ja ne, Miyabi!"

She still kept herself bent over, still bowing even when she heard the far off engine roar away.

"Sayonara, Miyabi."