“What a gorgeous garden!”
Taiki exclaimed, and the young man smiled brightly.
“You think so?”
“What are these red fruits?”
“They are called Koukashou (紅嘉祥, lit. Granted Crimson Fortune). Why not try one?”

Seitaku freely extended his arm, and picked one of the sparkling red fruits from a branch. He then threw the fruit into a water bucket right beside him, and wiped it clean with a handkerchief.

“So, Tai Taiho, please try one. There are seeds inside, so please be careful.”
“Thank you.”
Taiki said, and looked up at Seitaku.
“But... is it right for me to accept it? Doesn’t it belong to the emperor?”

“I grew it, so nobody else should be troubled by it.”
“But won’t the emperor scold you?”
Seitaku showed a slightly bewildered expression.
“I am the emperor, so I won’t get scolded.”

Taiki, with the red fruit in his hand, stared blankly at Seitaku.
“Are... are you Ren-ou, may I ask?”
“Yes, I am.”

Taiki turned back to Seirai, flustering for a response, but Seirai was only frozen there staring with widening eyes. Taiki then turned his confused glance back to Seitaku’s bright smiley face. Taiki had learnt about the decorum in front of an emperor at the Main Hall, but how should he respond in this condition?

Oblivious of Taiki’s confusion, Seitaku reached out to pick another fruit, and turned to Seirai.
“What about you? Try one!”
“... Thank you, but... No...”

“Oh, how rude of me to let everybody standing! There is a summerhouse nearby, so let’s move there!”
Taiki nodded tentatively.

***

<< PREV :: INDEX :: Page 6 :: NEXT >>