Meetings and Conversations part 3

The Imperial archives constitute a fourth of the Jade Palace. The Dragon Clan had been collectors of precious records, old documents, rare scrolls and various books. From outrageous legends, silly stories and boring scriptures, Asahi's ancestors collected them all. They brought that custom with them when they became the Imperial family.

The building was situated at the heart of the Emperor's residence. It was a large structure, vast as it was low. Its surface was a gleaming green, with dragon statues at its gates.

Asahi went inside, and the smell of old paper greeted him. Everywhere he turned, there was an endless shelf of books with different shades and various assortments. It was organized chaos.

As a child, Asahi loved it here. His mother taught him to read, letting him pick the books he wanted when she read with him. He would often show off to her. He would pronounce complicated words and flawlessly recite their meanings.

She would smile at him and ruffle his hair. Asahi gave her a shy smile in return. Then, they laughed and ate until nightfall.

Asahi wandered around with a sad smile on his face. Asahi's feet took him to his favorite spot, the sizeable cozy spot on the back balcony. His long fingers trailed the spines of old books as he walked and shared their history.

"How utterly absurd," Shiori exclaimed. "No, just… No!"

The scent of pines and roses reached Asahi, and he blinked in surprise. Sure enough, the Princess was there, glaring at a thick tome. She tossed her head and slammed her hands on the old book. She looked exasperated. Asahi heard her pearls chimed on her head and feared it might fall.

"What are you reading, Shiori?" Asahi asked.

She startled and quickly snapped the book shut. Shiori casually set it aside. Then, she turned to face him; her fingers stippled under her chin.

"Good day, Asahi."

He crossed his arms and quirked a brow. "I already saw you were reading something and want to know what it is."

"A lady has a right with her secrets."

"Is it dirty?"

Her eye twitched. "How could you think I'll read something like that?"

He shrugged and casually took a step forward. "You're curious; it's normal. I understand."

"I am not!" she snapped, her face red.

"Now, now, Shiori," he smirked and continued approaching. "You needn't be shy. I bet all nuns had glimpsed at least one inappropriate thing in their lives."

"I told you, it wasn't like that." 

"Let me see it then."

"What," Shiori grabbed the book as Asahi lunged for it. "No way!"

"Shiori."

"Asahi!"

Shiori ran, but Asahi caught her from behind. She hugged the book to her chest, and he wrapped his arms around her to break it apart. That was the situation that their attendants found them in.

"Oh," said Kuro. He couldn't stop squinting as if he couldn't believe what he saw. "I didn't see anything."

"Pardon us; we'll leave now." Smirked Tatsumi.

"This is a misunderstanding." Asahi quickly released Shiori and took a few steps away from her for good measure. However, no matter how hard he willed it, he couldn't make his reddening face vanish.

"Actually, it is not," she said and turned her back to them. "Asahi is being a brute."

"A brute?" Kuro echoed.

"Asahi?" Tatsumi raised a brow.

"I beg your pardon!" he whirled on her.

Shiori's arms were crossed tightly, but Asahi heard the smugness in her voice when she spoke. Though her face was hidden from view, her stance betrayed her. Feet slightly apart, her shoulders proud, and he'd imagine her eyes sparkling mischievously.

"I was just here, quietly minding my own business," she turned her head slightly in his direction and sent him a dark look under her long lashes. "Suddenly, Asahi came and insisted on taking the book I was reading first. Isn't that ill-mannered of him?"

"Only because when I asked you about it, you won't tell me what it is."

"Does that give you the right to grab me," she sniffed. "And here I thought that men from the capitol are gentlemen."

"Forgive him, princess," Tatsumi shook his head despairingly. "I don't know what came over him; he usually has manners."

Shiori turned to them, the tome nowhere in sight. She looked at Asahi, then at Tatsumi, and lowered her gaze demurely.

"I do not wish to discount you, sir, but a recent experience showed me otherwise." She said, her voice soft.

"I am ashamed," Tatsumi's shoulders lowered and he sighed despairingly. "To think that His Majesty will misbehave."

Asahi glared at Shiori and Tatsumi. "But really? All this drama is just because of that book you didn't even let me see! I didn't know that You have a petty streak Shiori."

She gasped. "Do you hear yourself, Asahi? You're being a brute again."

"I am not."

"Princess Shiori can be a bit childish," Kuro scratched his head. "Especially when you irritated or embarrassed her, Your Majesty."

Asahi smirked. "Is that so?"

"Kuro!"

"Forgive me, Princess, but I'm curious," he crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at them. "Since when did you call each other by your given names?"

Asahi and Shiori stilled. Then, they exchanged startled glances. Shiori tilted her head at Asahi; her pearls chimed at the movement.

"I was waiting to grill his majesty over that," Tatsumi nodded at Kuro. "Thank you for asking."

Kuro shrugged and stared at the two. "So?"

"Shiori was kind enough to inform me about the Saru clan," replied Asahi. "I thought it was only fitting to call one another by our names after that. Is there a problem?"

"Other than it's inappropriate," Tatsumi said sarcastically. "Nothing at all."

"Asahi told me he'll give me ANYTHING I wanted if I gave him information about the Monkey clan, so I did. Get over it and shut your mouths!" she snapped.

Three heads turned to Shiori; Kuro looked unsurprised, while the other two's eyes were wide as saucers. Shiori just placed her hand on her hips, her face made of stone.

"Well, you heard the lady," Asahi recovered. "Is there a problem with that?"

"No, your majesty, I was only curious."

"Your curiosity might kill you someday, you know." Shiori said to Kuro with a glare.

"I'll worry about that when it happens, Princess."

Shiori sighed and rolled her eyes. "Is there something you need? You know I hate to be disturbed when I'm reading."

"Again," asked Asahi. "What are you reading?"

"I won't tell."

Kuro smiled. "I just found out that Ryu City celebrates a harvest festival."

"Oh, the chestnut festival," Asahi nodded, a fond smile curving his lips. "That was fun. I always went when I was a boy."

"Did. You say, chestnuts?"

He turned, and Shiori was looking at him, her violet eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement. She stood still, but her body was turned to him, her hands clasped on her front.

"Do you want to go?" he blurted.

"Yes!" she grabbed his arm with a wide smile.

Now was the first time that Asahi saw her genuine smile. It was warm and welcoming, and it was directed at him. He wouldn't mind seeing it again, Asahi thought to himself.

When she noticed they were staring at her, Shiori hastily let go of Asahi. She straightened herself and cleared her throat before she spoke.

"I would love to go," she said with a shy yet genuine smile. "If it's not too much trouble."

Asahi flashed her a wide grin. How could he say no to that?

He offered her his hand. "Let's go, Shiori, to the festival."