The Fox Princes part 2

"How is the agriculture report?" Ryu Asahi, the twenty-eighth Emperor and ruler of the Yamato Lands asked.

The Yamato Lands was the largest Kingdom in the Far East. The Kingdom encompassed the dark forest, the raging seas and the great mountains of the north. It was ruled by the Dragon clan, said to be descendants of the great dragon himself. Legends told that he created them before he went back to rule the heavens.

As if attesting to their most ancient and noble lineage, the Ryu dynasty had never been broken. The dynasty had existed for three thousand years and the family had always been blessed with a healthy male heir to continue the line. And in this generation, it was Asahi.

The youngest of seven princes, no one had expected Asahi to sit on the dragon throne. His siblings were stronger, more capable and heavily favored than him. But they either perished from sickness, were involved in accidents or inexplicably left the palace and were never seen again. His father searched for the missing princes but not even their belongings were found and the Emperor did not have anyone to blame for their disappearance.

So, when their father died, Asahi took his place. His mother was the Empress and though he had few supporters, Asahi was still the crown prince and therefore, he was crowned.

"Nothing is amiss Your Majesty." Natsuo, one of his closest friends and loyal aid, answered.

"The army is in good spirits as well," his trusted General Tatsumi said with a wink. "I believe they are itching for a fight. Won't you give one of your enemies to them to be slaughtered? I will be certain to cover their tracks for you."

"A tempting thought but no. Thank you for the offer." Asahi grinned.

They were in his office, one of the only places in the Jade Palace Asahi could truly feel secure. This was where he and his friends could speak freely. He had been using this room since he was a prince and Asahi saw no reason to change that even though he is now the Emperor.

It was a large room, its furniture was worn with age yet, they still proved to be sturdy. The only luxuries here were the thick carpets from his mother's former residence. Asahi didn't want them to rot, that's why he made use of it.

Natsuo glowered while Tatsumi stuck out his tongue. Asahi laughed at his friend`s antics. Having silent arguments and endlessly teasing one another were their hobbies. Though it could be irritating, Asahi wouldn't have it any other way.

He still remembered how this room became theirs. When Asahi was still studying, one of his tutors noticed that Tatsumi and Natsuo always spent their time in this room with Asahi. He begrudgingly arranged for them their own desks and that had been their set up ever since. It had been ten years, but the room still stayed the same.

Natsuo and Tatsumi were Asahi's closest friends, since they were boys. Their mothers were the best of friends and that's how they met. The Empress was always lonely, and her friends visited her often to keep her company. When they all bore sons, the ladies brought their boys to the palace and let their children play.

Asahi's mother may have been the Empress, but the Emperor didn't like her and treated her as he would a barely tolerated distant relative. Their relationship was one with cold politeness and he often dismissed her as soon as he could.

His father did not have a drop of affection for her and only married her for her family's lineage and wealth. However, the Empress loved him dearly but never said a word about her feelings. She bore her husband's disdain with dignity and only showed her loneliness behind closed doors.

Because of the motivation for the marriage, his father rarely paid attention to their son. Asahi saw him twice a year, at the beginning and end. His siblings treated him the same. Since no one was close to Asahi's age, he was always alone except for his two friends.

"What's in my schedule for today?"

"You've just concluded the royal conference, so a meeting with the prime minister and his family at dinner." Natsuo replied, after checking his notes.

"His family?"

"Yes, his wife and three daughters."

Asahi sighed and rubbed his temple. When he noticed Tatsumi's smirk, he scowled.

"Wipe that irritating expression of yours before I do you the courtesy."

"Forgive me Your Majesty," Tatsumi adopted a solemn look. "It amuses me to see you being fawned over by ladies, both young and old. Why, even their mothers throw themselves at your feet."

Asahi shuttered. "Be quiet! Need I remind you, that to speak of that can be considered treason?"

"Unfortunately, I have more bad news."

"What, more?"

"Is someone's grandmother interested in being the next Empress?" asked Tatsumi, mischief dancing in his eyes.

Asahi turned pleading eyes to Natsuo. After he ascended to the dragon throne, ladies who previously never so much as breathed in his direction suddenly fawned over him like he was their favorite new pet. Though the comparison was insulting, it was also the truth.