Author Fangirling: Technically, this is the last chapter. I accomplished what I wanted to with this story, and this is what I feel to be a an appropriate conclusion. However, if prompted, I do have an omake written to add to it...
Another four months passed. Still no sign of the emperor. I heard rumors in the past few days that he was busy with the arrival of the Priestess of Suzaku. With an event as important as that, no one could blame him for not being in a hurry to have an heir. Kutou was also threatening to go to war with Konan, and he must have been very anxious about that. The impending war made me nervous as well. I would be safe in the palace, but my family was in a small, defenseless village. I had no way to protect them but to pray.
In my worry, I drew a small fever, and was trying to sleep it off. I woke up one morning to the sound of Kourin's excited voice. "Houki! Houki, wake up!" I opened my eyes and saw her shining face. "Today's the day. I can feel it- today I'm going to meet His Majesty."
I sat up in surprise. "How? Is he coming?"
"No," she opened the window and stretched in the sunshine. "What a wonderful day. I feel so empowered... I'm going to march up and introduce myself."
"But they would never allow you to do that," I cautioned.
"Today, I don't care what happens. Something deep inside of me is telling that come what may, I've got to try," she replied. She looked confident and relaxed, and somehow unlike her usual self. Perhaps her true self -not Kourin- was finally stepping through. I was happy for her, but also felt a twinge of loneliness.
"Good luck," I forced myself to smile, covering up that nagging feeling that I probably wouldn't see her as much as usual anymore.
I saw her off to the balcony that overlooked the courtyard, where armies were assembling to meet the priestess of Suzaku. With how distracted everyone was by her, it was Kourin's perfect chance to slip out unnoticed. However, that also meant it would be harder to get the emperor's attention, but I had no doubt that Kourin would give her herself a big entrance.
"Well, off I go," she said with a deep breath. "But before that…"
"Yes?"
Like always, she put her head against mine, and this time whispered in my ear, "No matter what may happen, keep at it, okay? For my sake."
I wasn't sure what she meant, but agreed, "I will."
"See you later, Houki!" she waved and turned away. I turned back to the usual harem quarters, wondering what would become of my dear friend, of my family, of my country, and of me. The future would have love and tragedy in store for all of us. It was a little frightening to look forward to.
I reminded myself once again why I was there. To love and serve the emperor as both the leader of my country and as a normal man. I would keep waiting for love and be ready when and if he wanted mine.