The Fox Princes part 3

Just a month ago, a mother and her three daughters accosted him in the garden at one of the gatherings he deemed to attend. They were lying in wait, all four of them. Someone spread gossip that the new Emperor preferred to spend his time in there because it reminded him of his mother. Unlike most rumors, that was the truth.

So, when Asahi went there to enjoy the beauty of nature and to have a bit of peace and quiet, a different and unwelcomed sight greeted him. The younger women were barely clothed, their mother with them. They were in provocative poses, stationing themselves in corners of the garden, beckoning him. Their mother stood guard and she looked prepared to grab him if it was necessary.

It was a good thing that Tatsumi almost never left his side or Asahi would have been in serious trouble. He appeared behind Asahi and that caught the harpies off-guard. They took one look at the women and Tatsumi swiftly dragged him back to the festivities. He pleaded a headache and got out of the gathering like the devil was on his heels.

"What is it?" sighed Asahi.

"The Fox clan of the north is sending an emissary to greet you Your Majesty."

"I beg your pardon!" Tatsumi exclaimed.

"Let me guess," Asahi shook his head. "They're sending a lady."

"Yes, the Fox princess."

Asahi's brow rose. "Doesn't she have a name?"

"It's not written here," said Natsuo. "They just said that the current head is ill so his daughter will come in his stead. Oh, and we don't need to send an entourage, they will find their way. It is the duty of the Fox clan after all."

"An unusual comment, wouldn't you agree?"

"Is that a threat?" Frowned Tatsumi.

"It could be?" shrugged Natsuo.

"Aren't they the clan that…"

"An ancient clan to keep the Imperial family in check, how ridiculous," Asahi scoffed. "Have you ever heard such a thing?"

Natsuo and Tatsumi shook their heads. Asahi glared at the letter in his friend's hand. They were mentioned at one of the bedtime stories his nurse told him as a child. He figured she only did that because she wanted him to behave.

"Apparently," said Natsuo. "They aren't just myths."

"What a clever deduction little bunny, would you like a carrot?"

"What do we know about the Fox clan then?" Asahi stepped in before the two argued again.

"Like you said," Tatsumi answered this time and he looked serious. "They keep the royal family in check and only appear when a new Emperor ascends the dragon throne. They were the first Emperor's most loyal supporters and that is why they were given this important task."

"Don't forget the northern lands," added Natsuo. "They are the highest-ranking nobles in the whole kingdom except for Your Majesty."

"Besides that, we know nothing. All of the information surrounding them is based on legends and hearsays."

"Oh," Asahi leaned forward. "Even your spies have nothing?"

Tatsumi may have been a charmer and the most approachable of the three of them but he took his job as General seriously. The Tiger clan headed by Tatsumi had close Ties with the Rat clan.

The Rat clan were the kingdom's best spies. Their information network was formidable and it was rumored that they knew everything that happened in the Yamato Lands. Also, they held every noble family's secret, even the Imperial family was no exception.

Tatsumi shook his head. "No, we don't even know what the princess looks like."

"I heard she was tall and fair, with long lustrous hair and eyes the color of newly bloomed violets."

Asahi and Tatsumi both turned to Natsuo, who blushed. The identical smirks on their faces grew wide at the display.

"And where, pray tell, did you hear that?" asked Tatsumi.

Natsuo avoided their eyes and adjusted his kimono. "My grandfather was always telling me tails when I was a child and that was one of them."

Natsuo came from the Rabbit clan, men of knowledge and books. They were scholars, uninterested in petty politics and deceit. Unfortunately, those behaviors were commonplace in the Jade Palace. That is why the Rabbit clan avoided visiting when they could.

"Legends are based on truth." Asahi reminded him.

"It was said that the thirteenth head of the Fox clan slayed a monster with nothing but a flute, so forgive me if I doubt it, Your Majesty." Natsuo said dryly.

Asahi turned to Tatsumi. "Tell me what rumors they heard."

"One of them said that the lady possesses such an unremarkable countenance, you won't even realize that you're speaking to royalty."

"Is she too plain then?" Asahi asked.

"Actually, I have no idea," Tatsumi slouched in his seat. "Shin, my personal guard told me that the Fox Princess was half girl, half beast. She had fox ears and a tail. That was the real reason why the Fox clan never ventured down here."

The three of them went quiet. Asahi had known Shin all his life and the man had no sense of humor to speak of. If even he spouted such nonsense, then no one really knew anything. Having no concrete account of what the princess truly looks like was troublesome, Asahi thought.

How will he know who or what to watch out for if he didn't know his enemy? If Asahi loathed anything, it's the thought of not knowing. He had more than enough of that in his childhood.

Not knowing if his father would visit him. Uncertain if his brothers would remember his birthday. Waiting to see if his mother would get out of her room that day or not.

Asahi shook his head to vanish those thoughts of long ago. Remembering them would do him no good.

He clenched his fists under his table. He's not that lonely little boy anymore. Asahi is now on the throne and he is willing to do everything to stay. Having some pampered princess of the mountains visit won't change that.

"Very well then," he said. "Let us prepare for our esteemed guest. We will give her the best hospitality we can offer."

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Tatsumi and Natsuo said in unison.