Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Maze, Chapter 7

any case, Tai Kingdom is not extraordinarily wealthy."
    "The Spring Minister also says that it is the coronation of the king after all. The production standards  cannot be too low."
    The Shunkanchou, the Spring Minister, was one of the Six Ministers. He oversaw ritual and  ceremony.
    "If people feel that it's inadequate, then we will let them. They are only those who put on airs. The  previous king was wasteful. The treasury of the kingdom is empty. The warehouses are full of debt  contracts."
    "Yes..."
    Taiki was young and did not yet understand the infrastructure of government, much less the  arrangement of adult society. The current situation in Tai Kingdom was not very optimistic.
    Contrary to what was going on, in regard to the ins and outs of the high officials in the Inner Halls,
    Gyousou didn't actually require Taiki's suggestions--Taiki himself was very clear on this.
    "Do we need to find a completely new, suitable candidate for the position of Spring Minister?"
    Gyousou mumbled to himself as he glanced over official documents. Taiki watched him. "Because the  previous king liked extravagant ceremonies, I worry that the current Spring Minister also favors an excessive  style."
    "...But, I don't think we need to replace him so quickly..."
    Gyousou looked at Taiki and smiled. "You have a point. For the time being, we'll first observe the  Spring Minister's performance."
    Taiki lowered his head. Seeing Gyousou's smile, Taiki knew that it meant he had given in to Taiki.

    "...I'm sorry. I've said too much..."
    "There is no such thing. I should thank you for your questions, Taiki. They help me calm my mind."
    Taiki knew that Gyousou was just saying these things to comfort him. "...I'm sorry..."
    Seeing Taiki hanging his head, Gyousou stood up. "Kouri... What are you worrying about? Can you  tell me?"
    Hearing Gyousou ask this, Taiki hurriedly shook his head. "It's nothing."
    Gyousou put down the documents he had been glancing over and suddenly embraced Taiki. "Is it  that...you long for Mt. Hou?"
    "That's not it..."
    "If you miss the nyosen, just tell me. You are a little bit too polite."
    "I don't..."
    "Then...what is the reason you are so miserable? You do not have to say that it is nothing. You are  still young. It is not necessary to force yourself to do this."
    Taiki didn't know how to reply to this.
    "When the coronation ceremony is over, I will send you immediately to Kei Kingdom, so that you  can visit with Kei Taiho."
    "That's not the reason either..."
    "Or do you think that I am incompetent? That it makes you so uncomfortable to have given the  kingdom to me?"
    Taiki shook his head, even though that was not necessarily untrue. He felt as though it was his duty  to watch over Gyousou. He didn't let Gyousou out of his sight for even a moment. It wasn't because he didn't  trust in Gyousou's character; it was just that he was worried Gyousou might accidentally make an error in  judgement.
    --After all, there had been no revelation for Gyousou.
    Gyousou looked at the child in his arms and saw a severe look on his face. In his mind, he secretly  knit his brow.
    What was it that was bothering Taiki so much? It did not seem as simple as that he just missed the  nyosen. Or was it that he had suddenly taken on such a great responsibility? Or... When he thought back on  it, after he had met Taiki for the first time at Mt. Hou, he wasn't sure if he was just being overly suspicious,  but it seemed as if Taiki had become more and more anxious as the days passed by.
    Gyousou set Taiki back on the floor.
    "In conclusion, I would like you to rest thoroughly. There is no reason for you to accompany me until  late at night."
    "It's all right."
    "I do not think it is all right. Do you realize how unhealthy your color is?"
    "No... I..."

    Gyousou placed his hand on the apprehensive child's head. "This is a command. Today, you may go  back to your palace. For now, I am allowing that you do not need to leave your palace until the afternoon."
    "Your majesty..."
    "I promise you that before I make any sort of decision, I will discuss it with you first. Thus, for the  time being, rest up a bit. Your response?"
    Taiki looked at the floor. "Yes..."
    Besides assisting the king, the Saiho's responsibility included another duty, which was that of the  Shukou of Zui Province.
    Jinju Hall was were Taiki lived, but at the same time, it was the seat of government for Zui Province.
    Ordinarily, he would use the