Chapter 35
The carriage rode on.
Sakura has just had a revelation. The boy in her dreams looked exactly like Sasuke but it was actually the Emperor. Several facts didn't make sense though. First of all the the Emperor exists within this time line, why was her memory back in the modern timeline? Second of all, who is the girl lying in a comatose state? Is she alright? Thirdly, she was not the first one to travel here, proven by the fact the existence of refined chocolate.
She thought about them for the majority of the ride, and finally she raised her head to look at the Prince, who closed his eyes and was in deep ruminative state.
She snuck her arms around his neck and softly kissed his chin, then his lips.
Sasuke was surprised by her, usually he'd be the one that make the first move. He felt extremely happy though, and quickly kissed her back, placing his hands on her waist pulled her closer until the two bodies touched.
By the time they reached home. Sakura was way too tied to walk. She dozed off in his arms, and Sasuke carried her all the way from the carriage across the courtyards into their private chambers. All throughout the paths many servants came and knelt down, waiting for their arrival. None of them knew what to say, for it's inappropriate to carry the Princess Consort themselves, and it's even more frightening to imagine that the Prince is actually doing work for the sake of others.
Luckily no one spoke except to lit the lamps to light his way. Sasuke carried his bride safely back to bed, and took off her outer clothes himself. He didn't ask for help undressing either, he took care of everything himself and climbed into bed with her, wrapped her in his embrace and burying his head in the crook of her neck before falling into a deep slumber.
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Sasuke arrived in court with a big smile on his face. After the initial daily political debate, Sasuke stayed behind.
Itachi saw Sasuke was in a good mood and felt genuinely happy for him. It's wonderful that he has found something that made him so happy. He remembered Sasuke has built a reputation for himself to be drowning in eternal cruelty and moodiness. Everyone must tiptoe around him or suffer his wrath. He watched his younger brother sank deeper and deeper into violence and rage, and he couldn't help but feel if they're talking about blame and guilt, he might be shouldering the biggest part.
"What is it?" Itachi asked as they retired to his private chambers. He already ordered a exquisite tea that was harvest from the tender young leaves and brewed in morning dew. It's one of the rare delicacies one of the foreign ministers brought as a gift and Itachi has been saving it until Sasuke comes.
Sasuke was used to all these spoilt gifts his brother gave him and he too in no shame enjoying them. He always acted more childish in front of his brother, despite their actual age difference is less than two minutes.
"I was wondering if you wanted to host a hunting game during the New Years!" Sasuke said with enthusiasm.
Itachi fell silent for a few moments before looking back at Sasuke with a smile on his lips, "how did you know I was thinking exactly just that."
Sasuke laughed triumphantly.
In the few moments Itachi fell silent, he contemplated all the pros and cons of having a hunting party. This would mean organize a large parade of people, several hundred guards at least, various political officials will want to follow suit, many equipments and carriages, and to pick the perfect place that wouldn't freeze them to death and at the same time would be perfectly safe for royalty to visit. This would definitely take some planning, and with New Years around three months away, it's doable.
More than anything, Itachi wanted to make Sasuke happy. Also it's been a while since he went on a good tripm outside of the palace. As the ruler of the country it would be a shame to never visit the country itself.
"Where were you thinking?"
Sasuke thought about it and shrugged, "we could do the usual place, where Father took us."
Itachi asked him, "The south is quite unstable at the moment. What about further north? Edge of the Snow Country, by the time New Years comes the snow would have melted and it wouldn't be too cold, as well as wild game would've come out of hibernation."
"Good idea." Sasuke praised, "were you thinking about near the Towers the mountains?"
"Yes exactly. It's a fairly peaceful village." Itachi said, "am I wrong to assume your new princess will be joining us?"
Sasuke said shamelessly, "You would be wise to assume that."
Itachi smiled for the first time that day, and called in a few servants to pass on the message so they'd start their planning."
Sasuke stayed for a brief tea before standing to leave. He had achieved what he wanted. Itachi asked him to lunch, but Sasuke shook his head and said, "Sakura's waiting for me to have lunch. She'd be worried if I don't come home like I promised."
Itachi watched as his younger brother practically bounced off the steps of the court and out the golden gates, while he got ready to change attire for lunch within this elaborate Palace, with many people serving him, but he would be entirely alone.
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The previous Emperor also had many siblings. When he came to power, most of them died. Except for the brother who always stood by his side, The previous Royal Prince.
The Royal Prince back then was not the Emperor's true brother. They were born from different mothers, but due to his support of the Emperor during the rebellion he was given a large manor and some land. He stayed out of politics too, as well as lived his life like a normal feudal lord for years and years.
When the previous Emperor's health begin to fail, a smaller country begin to invade the citadel, and it turned out that the Royal Prince has been coercing with the enemy for many years, waiting for the right opportunity.
Of all the princes who were alive back then, Itachi and Sasuke were not their father's favorite ones due to their youth. They were the only ones who volunteered to fight against the rebels, and the Emperor permitted them. Itachi wasn't the eldest prince. It wasn't until the two came back victorious before the Emperor begin to see them in a more serious light, in addition the eldest prince was spoiled and incompetent, the Emperor declared Itachi to be the crowned prince destined for the role of future emperor. The boys were 13 at the time.
Of course when people tell the stories now they would begin with how our current Emperor was supposed to rule from the moment he was born, he was exceptional in every way and was loved by all, and all the gods sent their blessing down to earth... blah, blah, blah.
The road to power was often paved with many skeletons of loved ones.
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TBC
