Meetings and Conversations part 2

Asahi was on the training grounds with Tatsumi when Shiro found him. After his talk with Princess Shiori, he decided a much-needed exertion was in order. He learned a lot of things, and not all of them were good. If she held such information, Asahi couldn't help but wonder what other secrets her clan kept.

He and Tatsumi had just finished their third bout when Shiro came with a message. Asahi read it and hurried out of there. He didn't have the time to question Shiro on how they obtained such information.

"Shall we start then?"

Asahi arrived late in the blue hall. Traditionally, this was where the Emperor and the twelve noble clans discussed essential matters. It was a simple room with a long low table inside. Half a dozen cushions were carefully placed at each side, and a single luxurious velvet cushion at the head for the Emperor. The Lords attempted to have a meeting without him, but he found them out.

"It's about the fox clan," lord Saru started. "I couldn't help but think it was presumptuous of them just to send a daughter to greet Your Majesty. What is she to do here?"

"I disagree. Princess Shiori is a perfect lady, and I can't think of someone else to handle the matters in the palace," said Hebi Katsuya. He was the current Lord of the snake clan and the head of the Kingdom's medical department. "Why she's Intelligent, sweet, polite, and even-tempered."

Lord Saru glared. "You're only saying that because she's your niece."

He sniffed. "It doesn't make what I've said less true."

"I support lord Saru," said lord Inu. "Your Majesty should consider reducing the fox clan's status at the very least."

Inu Yuwichi was a short yet strong man. He was the head of the dog clan. They were the ones who handled guarding the Jade Palace. The Dog Clan were known to be loyal to their masters and stubborn.

"And why is that?" Asahi asked.

"We are now in an age of enlightenment, Your Majesty," lord Saru said. "Up till now, almost no one knows about the Fox Clan. Yet, they still have much power in our Kingdom."

"Doesn't that tell you something?" Katsuya retorted.

"Only that they hide behind myths and hearsays." Saru shot back.

The two glared at each other. If their looks could kill, their bodies would twitch instantly, undeniably dead. Asahi would not be surprised if he heard a growl any moment now.

"We are the twelve noble clans," lord Saru slammed his hand on the table. "we had been chosen by the first emperor, same as them, yet; they are considered royalty."

"Is that what all of this is about?" Asahi expelled a bitter laugh.

"Do not misunderstand, Your Majesty," lord Inu stepped in. "We merely wish that the foxes earned their keep."

Asahi raised a hand. "In that case, you will have your chance. Princess Shiori will stay here for three months. I'm certain you will determine her capabilities with that time?"

"If I may be so bold," lord Saru asked. "How have you possessed such information?"

"Through Minazuki Shiro, of course."

"That boy," growled Lord Inu. "How dare he make fools out of us!"

"Doesn't this fact show we cannot trust the fox clan? He is their spy." Said Saru.

"Maybe," Ushi Haruka agreed. "But we can't prove it."

The ox clan was full of sturdy and capable men. They oversaw all royal infrastructures. They were solid and steady, and they never wavered in their support of the Imperial family. They stayed with them through thick and thin.

"Minazuki is Councilor Shiro's middle name. It's not unusual for children to use their mother's surname." Said Tatsumi.

"So," Natsuo mused. "He can simply say we didn't ask."

"My niece has done nothing to be accused of such nefarious deeds," Katsuya stood in outrage. "She came here to congratulate Your Majesty, bring precious gifts, and settle clan affairs."

"You are right. Perhaps the heat has gotten to our brains?" Asahi placated the man.

"Your Majesty!"

"I aim to build a strong relationship with the twelve noble clans, including the fox clan. I shall hear no more of this topic; is that clear?"

Asahi fixed them with a silencing glare until his eyes landed on Lord Saru, who lowered his gaze.

"Yes, Your Majesty." They replied all at once.

"Great," Asahi straightened his robes. "This meeting is officially over."

"A moment, Your Majesty?"

"What is it, Lady Sayuri?"

Lady Sayuri leads the boar clan since her son is not of age yet. They control the food supply in the palace, what comes in and what comes out. She was more reasonable and, therefore, a far more effective head than her husband was.

Lady Sayuri was tall and a bit plump. She had a wrinkled yet pleasant face. She's usually the sole voice of reason in Asahi's counsel.

She spread her hands on the table. "We need to talk about Your Majesty finding a wife."

Asahi grimaced. "I will get to that eventually."

"You are not getting any younger," she insisted. "If the ladies here didn't catch your fancy, perhaps Princess Shiori did?"

Asahi surreptitiously shook his robes. Oh, she caught his attention, alright. She held it even now. But he couldn't tell them that.

"No!"

Asahi turned to lords Hebi and Saru, who had shouted. They glared at one another when they realized they had the same reaction. They even turned away at that exact moment.

"It's just that… Princess Shiori just finished her studies; this is her first time visiting here. I don't think she's ready for another huge step in her life." Lord Hebi explained.

More like never, Asahi thought to himself. He still could not believe that she aspired to be a nun. He had no heart to tell her then, but the thought offended him, and Asahi would rather not examine why.

"Why should you marry a princess from the mountains, Your Majesty," Saru said. "There are a lot of options here in the capitol. We already know their character, and the ladies here are highly trained to manage a large household."

Hebi laughed. "My little Princess can manage a large household without problems. Shame on you, Lord Saru, for implying otherwise."

"Why I did not, lord Hebi," he replied with a smirk. "But if that's what you thought, well… It says much about your confidence in your beloved niece, right?"

"I have full confidence in her," he glared. "You have done nothing but attack her since she came here. Is it because she hit a nerve?"

"To think that a brat would upset me," Saru sneered. "I am not as childish as you think."

"What do you call your attitude then?"

"I am raising intelligent questions here, unlike you."

"What do you mean," lord Hebi leaned forward. "Unlike me? Is it because you can't see me working and assume I'm doing nothing? You really are narrow-minded, aren't you?"

"When you're not dabbling in those herbs of yours," scoffed Saru. "You're here, doting on your darling niece, whom you know nothing about."

"Say. That, again?"

"Are you deaf now?"

Asahi slammed his hand on the table. "That's enough!"

The two were nearly face to face; only the table separated them from coming to blows. Asahi's voice snapped them back, and the lords beside them grabbed their sleeves until Hebi and Saru were seated again.

"You see, Lady Sayuri," Asahi addressed the only woman in the room. "This is why talking about my marriage is a bad idea."

"Those two are just idiots." She sniffed.

"Lady Sayuri is right," said lord Inu. "If his majesty won't lower the fox clan's status, she's a perfect candidate to be the Empress."

"But," Saru argued. "We don't know her accomplishments. Besides, what if she's already promised to another?"

"We'll just ask." Lord Ushi said.

"So," Lady Sayuri raised an eyebrow in Lord Hebi's direction. "Is the princess promised to another?"

Every head turned to him, including Asahi's. He held his breath to hear lord Hebi's answer.

Katsuya shifted in his seat, his gaze lowering. "No… She's not."

She smiled. "We don't have a problem then."

"And what are your thoughts about this?" lord Hebi addressed Tatsumi and Natsuo with a hint of desperation in his voice.

The two sat quietly on each of Asahi's sides. Natsuo discreetly took notes while observing the nobles. Tatsumi meanwhile drummed his fingers on the table, not bothering to hide his restlessness.

"I shall support whatever His Majesty's decision." Natsuo said solemnly.

"I'll reserve judgment until I've spoken to Her Highness," Tatsumi replied. "However, there's not enough information about the Fox Clan for my peace of mind, so if there's another candidate, I'd prefer that lady over the princess."

"I don't plan to get married anytime soon," said Asahi with a glare. "Give the lady a break, she just arrived, and you're already saying all kinds of rumors about her. I expected a few days at least."

"The fox clan thrives on hearsays, Your Majesty." Lord Saru sneered.

"Well, I do not," Asahi stood. "We will show the princess courtesy, and I will negotiate commers. Seize this talk about marriage and candidates; why don't you? I think I'm getting rashes."

Lady Sayuri snorted. "The only cure for that is m- "

"Not. A. Word, my lady." Asahi narrowed his eyes at her until she lowered her head.

Then, he strode from the room with his friends in tow. The meeting got out of hand, that was for sure. How did it go from doubting the Princess to her being the next Empress? Asahi's mind was still reeling.

"So," asked Tatsumi. "Where are we going?"

Asahi shook his head and walked faster. "To the archive."