Getting Closer part 4

Natsuo scowled while Tatsumi smirked in front of him. They were in his office, and his head was already aching after just a few seconds of seeing the other man.

"His Majesty did what?"

"Snack out with the Fox Princess." Tatsumi answered cheerfully.

"And why," Natsuo asked, gritting his teeth in anger. "Did you not stop him? Or at least send guards."

"Uh… because he doesn't want to, and he is the Emperor." He shrugged.

"That's my point," the vane on Natsuo's forehead stood out as he shouted. "He. Is. The Emperor!"

"Whoa, whoa," Tatsumi backed away with raised hands. "Don't get mad at me; I am just the messenger."

"How do you suppose we deal with this mess?" he slammed his hand on the table with a glare. "His Majesty was galivanting with the Fox Princess on the festival, and he wants us to keep quiet about it? He should not have rode with her through the palace gates then, where everyone could see!"

"I know, right," Tatsumi soothed his friend. "What an idiot."

"Yes!"

"So, like the smart, talented, and wonderful friends we are, why don't we calm down for a moment and think about this rationally? He is the Emperor, and we are his loyal aids."

Natsuo dragged ink-stained fingers down his face. "I'm not paid enough for this."

"We can blackmail him later about it." Winked Tatsumi. "Let's think of a way to salvage the situation first."

"I'll make him suffer for this." Natsuo muttered as he angrily shuffled the papers on his table.

"Oops," Tatsumi grimaced. "I think I may have overdone it a bit."

As Shiori and Asahi cherished their moment in the chestnut festival, the Jade Palace was buzzing with gossip about them. Natsuo and Tatsumi, meanwhile, tried their best to think of a way to stem the rumors. While Shiori's made and cousins plotted to support it. The Emperor was the first man that Princess Shiori willingly went out with, and this may be their only chance for a better future.

"For the Fox Clan!" they shouted, bumping their fists together.