Volume 5 Chapter 15 Rouen and Yuuri Exchange Greetings
──The next day.
At the royal palace──
"I see... Kairyou is going to be the candidate for 'General of the Devoted Cavalry'..."
This is Crown Prince Rouen's office.
Rouen sat in his chair, going over the letter delivered by Kou Tenhou.
The letter states that Kou Kairyou has accepted the appointment as 'General of the Devoted Cavalry.'
A letter of thanks from 'General Skybear' Kou Eishin is also attached.
Soon, Kou Kairyou will likely return to Hokurin.
"...My friend accepted everything after knowing the full story."
He met with Kou Tenhou yesterday.
He said, "As Your Highness the Crown Prince wishes, I conveyed all the details to my brother."
It's classic Kou Tenhou.
He must have shared everything about the Chou Family and the incident with Toukaku of Eastern Town with Kairyou.
Kou Tenhou is someone who honestly expresses what he thinks.
It was the same when he first met him.
When Rouen challenged him to a 'ki' energy comparison, he simply said, "'Ki' energy comparison is a small matter in the grand scheme of things."
Unintimidated, straightforward, which is challenging to deal with.
But strangely trustworthy.
For Rouen, Kou Tenhou is that kind of person.
If possible, he'd like to give Kou Tenhou a good position.
However, that would be difficult for now.
If power becomes too centralized in the Kou family, envy will arise.
Conversely, there will also be those who seek to exploit the Kou family.
Especially now, since the Chou Family has just fallen from grace.
High-ranking bureaucrats are on edge.
Ryougen-kun warned him, "There might be people gunning for the Chou Family's legacy. Watch your back."
He had to watch his P's and Q's when it came to personnel.
"...Kairyou's gonna be a lifesaver from now on. I should just be happy with that, right?"
Rouen said, putting down the letter.
He took a sip of tea, then checked his schedule for the day.
He remembered he had to go to the morning ceremony in a few dozen minutes, and Rouen frowned.
He wanted to talk to Ryougen-kun about what was coming up, but their meeting wasn't for a few days.
Both Rouen and Ryougen-kun were swamped.
Still, it was good that he could visit Ryougen-kun's place.
As Rouen thought that──
"Your Highness. Someone is here to see you."
The voice of a civil servant, one of his attendants, came from outside the office.
"──See me? Who is it?"
"It's the daughter of His Highness the King's younger brother. Yuuri-sama."
The civil servant answered Rouen's question.
Rouen checked his schedule again, then said,
"Now, wait a minute, Yuuri-dono wasn't supposed to be here..."
"His Highness the King's younger brother requested the meeting. What should we do?"
"Let her in."
Rouen answered immediately.
"And you, get out of here for a bit."
"Understood."
The civil servant, who appeared at the doorway, bowed to Rouen.
The civil servant's footsteps faded away, and Yuuri entered the office in his place.
"I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy. Thank you for granting me an audience."
Yuuri clasped hand (Kyōshu) towards Rouen.
Rouen nodded in return.
It was a formal attitude, but that couldn't be helped.
This was the royal office, after all.
Yuuri is following the formal procedures to meet Crown Prince Rouen.
This means that this is a public setting.
"No problem. I was just thinking of taking a break."
Rouen took a moment to collect himself before responding.
Yuuri was dressed in formal attire befitting royalty.
Her hair was elegantly styled, adorned with a jeweled hairpiece.
"I have come to pay my respects today."
Yuuri bowed slightly,
"I will be leaving Hokurin for a while."
"Leaving Hokurin? You, Yuuri-dono?"
"I am going on a journey for sightseeing."
Yuuri smiled mischievously.
──It was... curious.
To Rouen, it seemed Yuuri was harboring some kind of determination.
"I have always been in Hokurin. However, if I only know this place, I may not be able to help those important to me in the future. So, I decided to embark on a journey to broaden my horizons."
"A journey to broaden your horizons... huh?"
"Yes."
"I don't see the need for that. You, Yuuri-dono, are always talking to many people at your uncle's estate."
"You can't truly understand things just by hearing them from others."
"That may be true, but... for you to go that far, Yuuri-dono..."
He started to say something but instinctively covered his mouth.
(...Am I trying to stop Yuuri-neesan? Why?)
Yuuri only said she was going on a sightseeing journey.
There was no reason to stop her.
It was──
(Why... am I feeling anxious?)
Suddenly, such thoughts crossed his mind.
(This is what it means to rely on someone. When you trust someone, you feel anxious when that person is absent. But... the one who will become the next king cannot show anxiety...)
If a king shows anxiety, it will lead to unease among his subjects... and ultimately the people.
That cannot happen.
Moreover, this is a public place.
Rouen needs to interact with Yuuri as the Crown Prince.
With this in mind, Rouen tightened his expression.
"I understand. I'm glad you came to greet me before departing."
After taking a deep breath, Rouen responded.
"The weather is getting nicer, so it would be good to set off on your journey."
"Thank you, Your Highness Rouen."
Yuuri lowered his eyes as if trying to hide his expression.
"I will be your eyes and ears, and keep an eye on the world."
"That's quite an exaggeration."
"Haha, perhaps it is."
"Yuuri-dono."
"Yes, Your Highness Rouen."
"...Will you have a guard accompany you?"
"One of the strongest female martial artists among my father's guests will be joining me."
"I see. That puts me at ease."
That was all Rouen could say.
(If we were in that garden, I could talk to him as family.)
Yuuri had merely come to greet him.
There was nothing to be anxious about.
Convincing himself of this, Rouen looked at Yuuri.
"Yuuri-dono, I hope you enjoy your trip without any reservations."
"Thank you."
"I'd love to hear all about your adventures later."
"Yes. I promise to share everything about my journey when I return."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Well then, I shall take my leave. Your Highness Rouen."
Yuuri slowly performed a bow.
It seemed as if he regretted leaving this place.
"I wish for Your Highness to enjoy peace of mind."
Saying this, Yuuri exited.
Soon, the attendant civil servant returned.
The civil servant conveyed the next schedule, and Rouen stood up to head to the morning court.
"......Did someone open a window?"
Suddenly, Rouen pressed his hand to his chest.
"I felt like a cold wind had swept in, but..."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, I must report that the windows in this room are closed."
"...I see."
Rouen suddenly tilted his head.
It was as if there was a gaping hole in his chest... that was the feeling he had.
Without realizing the true nature of it, Rouen stood up and started to walk.
He was heading to the place of state affairs to fulfill his duty.
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