The Nightingale

Chapter 53: Resolutions 1

Autumn — x492 / November 1

From the window of the room that had been assigned to Jetaiya's guests, they could see the outer gardens that were on the castle grounds, they could also see the white path that had led them to the entrance of the castle and, in the distance, the great entrance door.

Koga had gotten up very early, had breakfast together with Toshiro and they had been talking about what could happen that day. Although they had talked about it in Verihan Palace together with his father, Koga felt the need to talk about it again, and Toshiro didn't seem happy about it.

That was not strange, Toshiro never seemed happy with anything other than his studies and training; he was almost 18 years old and had never taken a concubine. The third prince, which was even a year younger than him, already had a small princess, and Koga could say that he had two small daughters as beautiful as the king's mother.

Even Hisana, who was recently married, already had a little son.

— You should take a walk around the garden, see the castle ... I do not know, meet the princesses, maybe. — Koga commented when he saw that Toshiro had been looking out the window.

— I already told you, I'm not interested in princesses. — Toshiro replied turning on his heel to look at Koga. — I'll go see the cliff.

— Just don't jump from there. — Koga's smile made Toshiro roll his eyes. — I need you alive during these days, after we fix this problem you can do whatever you want.

— I know, I know. — Toshiro adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. — I'll just wander around, I'll see you at lunch. Do not provoke an unnecessary war, we are still recovering from Kuvar's attack and there are not enough soldiers to defend us in case of a war.

Toshiro reminded him, and this time it was Koga's turn to roll his eyes.

— Yeah… I'll be careful with the tongue. — Koga made a gesture for Toshiro to leave, and he waited for the guard who would take him to see the king.

A long time passed between Toshiro's departure and the guard's arrival, and as he walked up the stairs to the king's quarters, escorted by the guard, Koga kept thinking of what he had to say to King Isshin.

His father sent him to Adelaar with a mission to protect Hisana and the little prince, and if they had to make an alliance to avoid a war and Hisana getting hurt, then he would sign whatever was necessary.

When he reached the door of the King's Private Office, the guard guarding the entrance had informed him that King Isshin was at meeting with Prince Ichigo, so when Ichigo left that office with the quiet step, he was not surprised.

The guard who escorted Koga made the presentations of both and Ichigo immediately approached Koga, with his usual serious expression on his face, and both shook his hand twice. That was an informal greeting for two people of a status like theirs, but Koga immediately understood what that greeting meant.

The Triad.

— See you later. — It was the only thing Ichigo said before walking down the hall to leave the king's private floor.

Koga nodded, knowing that Ichigo would be waiting for him to speak at the end of his meeting with King Isshin, and wondered why Ichigo had greeted him that way. After thinking about it for a while, Koga came to the conclusion that Ichigo had told King Isshin about the Triad.

"Did you threaten your father with the Triad, Ichigo?" Koga questioned himself before the door to the king's office opened.

Ichigo was a manipulator, and Koga had no doubt that Ichigo would say whatever he had to say to get what he wanted. Koga wondered what Ichigo wanted at that moment, or what he intended to achieve by threatening his father with the Triad.

Koga was maybe thinking about it too much, maybe Ichigo hadn't said anything to the king but even so, when he entered the king's private office, he was alert for any possible mention of the Triad.

The accompanying guard introduced him to King Isshin, then left them alone.

Koga had not seen King Isshin in person before, and everything he knew about him was what people used to say from kingdom to kingdom and what Soujun had told him in Maranni. But Soujun spoke out of hatred and resentment towards the king, and Koga knew from his own experience that rumors tended to be wild and strange.

— Thank you for coming, Prince Koga. — Isshin spoke, pointing to a large sofa for him to sit on. — I would like us to start this conversation with the main topic: your relationship with the Kuchiki.

Koga was surprised and gently shook his head, he knew that this talk was going to be difficult but he didn't imagine that the king would address this matter so soon.

—

Kaien was among the first to arrive at the Dome that afternoon, and was not surprised to find the Councilors of Money and War waiting outside the Dome; they were the trusted men of his father, so it was natural that they were present at that moment. Of all the members of the King's Council, only they were aware of the situation with Rukia's family.

Moments later the Kuchiki Family arrived, and Kaien was surprised to see that Councilor Kuchiki, his son and Rukia were there; Ichigo arrived accompanied by the Prince of Jetaiya with whom he seemed to be talking about something too casual, and in the end the king arrived, accompanied by a couple of his personal guards.

Definitely, there were many people there as to witness the verdict for the execution of the Councilor Kuchiki, besides that Jetaiya's guest did not have to be there.

Ichigo approached Rukia, kissed her hand and dedicated a few words to her that Kaien didn't hear, and immediately after, the prince of Jetaiya approached Rukia, greeting her with a too big smile and a very animated tone of voice. Kaien had the impression that they knew about a long time ago and that made him question the confession that Councilor Kuchiki had given.

— Well, we are all gathered, so it's time to enter the dome. — The king ordered after having exchanged a couple of words with his Councilors.

The guards opened the doors of the Dome at the same time.

They all sat down and Kaien noticed that there was no scribe, he also realized that it was the Money Councilor who prepared things to write.

"Is this so secret that they won't call the scribe?" Kaien wondered as the War Councilor pulled a couple of documents from a leather binder.

— As this situation involves the in—laws of the Second Prince, it has been handled as discreetly as possible to avoid unnecessary harm. — Councilor Ukitake spoke, with that calmness and smile that characterized him.

Kaien looked at Ichigo and Rukia, who were sitting together, and noticed that Ichigo was too relaxed and absentmindedly playing with Rukia's fingers; then he fixed his gaze on the king and noticed that he was tense and that he kept looking at Ichigo from time to time. Councilor Kuchiki seemed to accept the punishment he deserved and the Prince of Jetaiya seemed curious.

It was as if Jetaiya's guest was alone in mere spectator.

The king had kept Kaien informed about the situation with Councilor Kuchiki, and Kaien knew what Councilor Kuchiki had said because he had been there; so he had no doubt that there would be an execution in the next few days.

The verdict was practically in, and the execution order needed only the king's signature.

Councilor Ukitake cleared his throat and began to read the report that covered from Neikel's rumors about the situation of the soldiers in Maranni to the second interrogation of Councilor Kuchiki. In that interrogation, Rukia's father had declared that he had not revealed Hisana's true status within the royalty of Jetaiya for fear of unleashing a conflict between kingdoms.

Kaien was surprised that Councilor Ukitake did not mention anything about the most recent interrogations of the Kuchiki Family, who were currently in the Dome, and that Councilor Kuchiki's confession of treason and conspiracy to the king was totally ignored. It seemed that only the fact that Princess Hisana's son would be Jetaiya's heir mattered.

— The fact that Lord Byakuya has married a princess, whose birth status is actually valued within her own kingdom, creates a conflict between both kingdoms. — Councilor Ukitake explained as he took a document that Councilor Kyoraku handed him.

— Which one? — Kaien asked, who had been silent for all this time.

Somehow, someone had manipulated what should have been a death sentence for a conspirator into a problem that affected two kingdoms.

None of it made sense to Kaien.

— Prince Kaien, I understand that the customs of your kingdom are different from the customs of mine, and although this may seem "nonsense" to you, for me and my people it's a very sensitive issue. — Koga explained. — In Jetaiya there are no "illegitimate children" because all children of the king are considered to be, in effect, children of the king. The king has one main wife and many concubines, but the children born to the main wife are usually really favored. My sister Hisana is the daughter of the main wife, if she had been born as a man, she would be the first heir to the throne and then the others; but the throne is not inherited to women, however, Hisana gave birth to a strong and healthy male, and according to the traditions of our kingdom, that child will inherit the throne at my death.

Kaien, who had been listening to what Prince Koga was saying, immediately turned to Byakuya and noticed that he was completely serious and without any expression that betrayed his mood; he was like a stone statue. Kaien knew that Byakuya was really aware of everything that marrying the princess of Jetaiya implied.

If that wasn't a sign of rebellion, then he didn't know what was.

— That is what creates a conflict with our kingdom. — Councilor Ukitake spoke again, taking the paper that the Councilor of Money had previously taken out.

Then, Councilor Ukitake started talking about The Accords of the Fall, about their age and about the clauses that were written there; he also talked about the fact that the established clauses had always been fulfilled and various other things that really didn't make sense at the time.

In fact, it seemed like they were just looking for excuses to clear Councilor Kuchiki of the blame and that was strange. Kaien wanted to speak, but he couldn't find the words to do so without seeming like he wanted Rukia's father executed.

— That's it? — The king asked Councilor Ukitake, and the latter answered affirmatively.

The king cleared his throat and leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes for a moment and when he opened them, he fixed his gaze on Ichigo again. Kaien couldn't stop thinking that maybe Ichigo had said or done something to make his father forgive Rukia's father.

Kaien didn't like that, because it meant that Ichigo had found something with which to pressure the king to get what he wanted. And he couldn't even think of something that was powerful enough to make the king completely ignore Councilor Kuchiki's confession of treason and instead bring up a topic of marriages and heirs.

— The rumors that came from Neikel turned out to be true, there were too many soldiers in Maranni, however it will be taken as a mishandling of the militia, since they were fired and it did not happen anymore. — The king explained calmly, although Kaien could tell that he was really just holding back his anger. — The presence of the Jetaiya soldiers, as well as the status of Princess Hisana and her son, we will not take as a sign of rebellion on the part of Lord Kuchiki, but as a sign of protection to someone from the royal family of Jetaiya. The birth status of Lord Byakuya's firstborn will be respected, however, any subsequent children he has will abide by The Accords of the Fall, or the non—compliance clause will be executed.

Byakuya nodded to the king's words, but did not speak or change his expression. Councilor Kuchiki, who had also remained silent, widened his eyes in surprise as he heard those words come out of the king's mouth; it was surreal what was happening at that moment.

Kaien couldn't believe what the king was saying either; he needed answers, and he needed them right now.

— Due to Councilor Kuchiki's actions, his seat on the council will be removed and his son will take his place. Lord Soujun Kuchiki, you are forbidden to return to the Capital. — The king explained, continuing with the resolution of all that. — Princess Hisana and her son will come to live in the castle as stipulated in The Accords of the Fall, and the princess can make use of her title if she wishes. Does anyone have any questions?

Everyone denied that question and the king ended that session in the Dome.

Kaien didn't understand what happened there, but he sat in his place watching as Rukia, her father and her brother left the Dome in silence. None of the Kuchiki smiled and it was obvious that none of them expected that resolution from the king; evidently everyone was aware of what they had done, and it seemed that Rukia was too, or at least she was informed enough to know that she should expect the worst from this meeting.

It took a few minutes for everyone except Kaien and the king to exit the Dome and the doors closed again. Kaien stayed in his place, next to the king who was silent, and for a moment he didn't know what to say. He had many doubts; all that seemed an absurd and ridiculous farce.

— Your Majesty… — Kaien began to speak, but the king turned to see him, preventing him from speaking and being able to express his anger and dissatisfaction with what had just happened.

The king was upset, and Kaien knew that if he asked the wrong question that anger would be directed at him; so Kaien rose from his seat and bowed to the king in farewell.

— Sit down. We need to talk.

Kaien immediately returned to his seat, patiently waiting for the king to explain everything that had happened. The king was supposed to be preparing him to succeed him on the throne, he had to be aware of the important things, and the "Kuchiki Case" was really important.

He needed to know why the king had condoned a betrayal of this magnitude and looked away.

—

The Non—Performance Clause were just two lines within The Accords of the Fall that obliged both parties to comply.

For the Kuchiki, if they did not comply with the Agreements, they would be considered traitors and would be executed. For the members of the royal family, if they did not comply with the Agreements, it would be understood that they returned Maranni's autonomy, therefore they would be a kingdom again, with all their lands included.

The Kuchiki case had been solved using technicalities, subtle threats, and empty promises.

Ichigo had done with his father the same thing he had done in Maranni's private office, he had said just enough to strike fear into his father's heart, and he used that fear to his advantage. He could have let it all run its course, but he had promised Rukia that he would protect her family; and deep down he didn't feel like leading a war, it wasn't the time yet.

Not while his father was still king.

As they left the Dome, they all made their way to the Kuchiki House in complete silence and it was only broken when Koga was glad that everything went well. Little by little, the mood began to relax, and in less than expected, the Councilors of Money and War arrived with several bottles of liquor.

The Money Counselor argued that they had to celebrate that no one died that day; so from one moment to another, everyone had a glass of liquor in hand and toasted to it.

Ichigo remained standing, in the company of Koga, while Rukia's family and Rukia, talked with the Councilors. Rukia wanted to fix things with her family and Ichigo was aware of that, he was glad that she had the chance to talk to them after the danger was completely over.

— How did you get the king not to kill Rukia's father? — Koga asked as they listened to the conversation between the Kuchiki in the distance.

— I used the king's affection for Kaien against him. — Ichigo replied simply. Koga seemed intrigued. — I told the king that if necessary I would abdicate my right to the throne, if that would give him the peace of mind he needed to make sure that I really did not want the throne; and that I only cared about making my wife happy and preventing her from seeing her father die. Words more, words less; now it doesn't matter.

— Did you abdicate? — Koga asked about to choke on the liquor.

— Nope. — Ichigo drank some. — The king decided to trust me after I told him a few things about the Triad.

— You could have used that to your advantage, had a war and had the Triad finish off Kaien. — Koga whispered with a sly smile.

— And then watch as each part of the Triad takes its pay? — Ichigo asked with irony. — No, it's good like that. Also, do you see that woman? — Ichigo pointed at Rukia, who was smiling at that moment in such a charming way that she seemed to glow. — There is no way I can deny her something, all I want is to make her happy.

— You know she's strong, don't you? — Koga asked, watching Rukia explain something to her father with her hands. — She, single—handedly, could bring down a kingdom.

— I know. — Ichigo turned to see Koga. — You know, I like you better now, Koga... so let's drink to that.

Is it a short chapter? Yes it is.

Lately I've been busier than usual, but here I bring you this beautiful chapter.

The next chapter will be on Friday.

Special regards to Nikkiebelles, Guest and jobananasan; and also to all those who continue reading this crazy story.