Chapter 33

The brothers were born on the first day of December. Legends has it that the day they were born the sky was painted red from the glorious sunset, and everything was covered with a gold hue. Peacocks flocked to the gates of the Forbidden Palace all waiting for the twins arrival, and the moment Itachi was born, he was destined to rule. It's within his divine right.

Years later there were many paintings and books dedicated to the birth of this great ruler, nobody in the kingdom dared to disobey him due to several facts.

First, Itachi has total control of the military, as well as various feudal lords who control large pieces of land. He gives them treasure and land, but never military power. Second, he slaughtered everyone who opposed him, and third, he has begin a severe curb of extravagant things, making an example of the palace, and everyone else followed (everyone except for the Prince and a few greedy individuals), and spread the wealth back to the people. Fourth, he has established a total open system in which everyone and anyone can file complaints, with a just and fair judicial system to govern it.

This isn't to say that the country itself doesn't have problems. There's problems with every country, and for this one it mainly lies within the fact that the Emperor is about to turn 25 and he isn't married. His younger brother is. This provides ample opportunity for lords and kings of other nations to look upon this land with greed and speculate. If anything happens to the Emperor himself with no survival heir, then the kingdom will fall.

Both the Emperor and the Dowager Empress is very aware of this, but the difference between them is that the Dowager Empress is trying everything to get the Empress or one of his concubines pregnant, and the the Emperor couldn't care less, so he refuses to touch any of them. Always using tendon to political work as the convenient excuse to not to bed any of the girls, and so all the concubines including the Empress are currently without children.

This matter was brought up so frequently that Itachi has developed a facade stare to anyone who dare to mention it. Some still do, but they do it with such caution and carefulness that they became causal hints and wishes instead of advice.

This year, the brothers are turning 25.

The eve before a large banquet that's about to be held in the palace, Sasuke held Sakura in his arms at night and kissed her until she giggled and pushed him away to finish her report for the day. "Many of your presents arrived early today, they're in the courtyard, I told Riku to cover it up with a sheet in case it rains. I don't think it will rain..."

Sasuke waved absentmindedly, "It won't. He won't allow the gods to let rain fall."

Sakura then said worriedly, "I was going to talk to you about this, how do I behave tomorrow? I mean all the men are going to sit on one side and you will most likely be above the steps and I'm supposed to mingle with the rest of the wives? I'm very worried, I still haven't gotten the hang of court etiquette..."

Sasuke snuggled her closer and buried his head inside the crook of her neck, "don't worry about it. You just be you."

"But what if I made a scene?"

"Pretend it wasn't you and walk away."

Sakura looked at him with a deadpan squint.

He laughed and pinched her cheeks, "just copy everyone else. That's how I learnt them when I was five or six. I always copied my older brother."

He didn't mention that by the time they were seven, he accidentally copied Itachi and wore his bright golden robe that's reserved for the Emperor, and he was severely punished for it. In fact he made it a point to do everything the opposite his brother does.

Sakura could sense his discomfort and quickly wrapped her arms around him and said, "What did you want for your birthday? I know it's tomorrow, and I got you that mirror, but is there anything else?"

Sasuke took the time to think about it, "Not that I can think of."

Sakura had an idea, "how about you go to sleep and I'll cook something tomorrow for breakfast? I'll cook something amazing, something you've never seen before!"

He laughed and agreed.

The next morning Sakura woke before the sun came up. Sasuke is supposed to be up extra early due to his appearance at the Palace to dine breakfast with his family, therefore Sakura woke literally in the middle of the night, and prepared a light milk desert. She tried to make a street food she used to love when she was back in modern world, it's made from steamed milk, gelatin, and sugar. It's similar to a pudding, creamy and sweet with a caramel topping. Sakura choose to use egg whites since there aren't any gelatin package for sale here. It was fairly easy to make and Sakura went over the recipe over and over again in her head, and when the first break of dawn came, she carried it all the way from the kitchen to their chambers and sat it down in front of Sasuke, who was already all washed and dressed, sitting quietly at the table waiting for her. When she came in all careful, he looked at her with tenderness and excitement. Suddenly realizing that he haven't felt this way for the longest time, he couldn't remember the last time he was this happy.

She sat the desert down in front of him, and waiting for him to take a bite. It was still a bit dark within the room, the sun is slowly coming up, and he only has limited amount of time before he has to go to the Palace. She watched eagerly as he took the first spoonful and was expressionless.

Sasuke was thinking that it's lucky she's the one who brought the desert over to him because if it was anybody else he would slaughter them right then and there. He dislike milk products, and he dislikes anything overly sweet. Still he kept a stoic expression.

Sakura was carefully observing him, and seeing he give no reaction, she sat down next to him in puzzlement and took another dainty silver spoon and tasted a bite herself. It was the most delicious creamy pudding ever. There's nothing wrong with it, she didn't mess up the recipe. She put the spoon down and pouted at Sasuke, thinking this man is way too hard to please.

Sasuke knew what she's thinking and chuckled. He hugged her and put her on his lap and ate the pudding spoon by spoon while she lay her head upon his shoulders humming a soft and happy tune.

The sun rose above the courts, it was going to be a good day.

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A/N: Do you guys prefer I write each chapter and post them immediately or do you prefer I release them in a more consistent basis?