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

short period of time in the afternoon to handle the affairs of government.
    Though this was the case, a kirin was part of the king's division, so in reality, the rule of Zui Province was  still under the control of the king.
    Now, after receiving the Tenchoku, he knew just the slightest bit about governing a kingdom, but  other than that, most of the time, he actually understood very little about what was said. In fact, his handling  of government affairs only involved him listening silently to the reports of the officials and asking questions  about things he didn't understand. He spent a majority of his time in study.
    When Gyousou had time, he would visit Jinju Hall. Occasionally, he would interrupt and say  something or he would watch Taiki from the side. Afterwards, when Gyousou returned to the Inner Halls in  order to continue his own work, he would steadfastly prevent Taiki from following him back. At this, having  no alternative, Taiki would then spend much of the afternoon in his own palace hall idling.
    At first, there were eight people here attending to Taiki. After the drastic reduction in personnel,  there were left only two. Considering that in the past, Taiki had spent most of his time with nyosen, the  remaining two were both court ladies. This point was probably Gyousou's meticulous arrangement. For  dinner, Gyousou did not forget to find Taiki to eat with, which also showed that Gyousou was thinking of  Taiki.
    Taiki took everything that Gyousou did to heart. On the other hand, Taiki felt even more like he  couldn't take it easy.
    The better Gyousou treated Taiki, the more Taiki felt like he was being forced into a corner.
    - - - - -
    On another afternoon of continuous sighing, Taiki was suddenly called on by Gyousou, who had  returned to the Inner Halls.
    Taiki rushed hurriedly to the Inner Halls--at this time, there were only a few days left before the  auspicious day of the coronation ceremony.
    "Taiho, you have a guest visiting." There was a visitor room that was used to receive guests from  other kingdoms. Gyousou stood in this room on the other side of the open door.
    It was rare for him to address Taiki as Taiho in a large crowd of people, and after Gyousou turned his  head back, Taiki could see a devious smirk on his face.
    "A guest...?" What sort of guest could it be? Taiki cocked his head and tried to figure it out.
    Suddenly, he sensed something around him.
    He felt like something was nearby in his periphery. He looked around carefully again and caught  sight of one faintly-glowing, golden bubble floating around. The bubble looked as if it was being pulled  along by a very light and thin sash, floating up and down.

    Taiki's heart began to race. Could it be the visitor he was thinking of...?
    He ran into the room. The person standing inside made Taiki's eyes light up. "...Kei Taiho!"
    Keiki smiled a little and then respectfully nodded to him. "I'm very happy to see that you have  descended the mountain and arrived at Tai Kingdom without any trouble."
    Taiki stopped running. He didn't dare to look directly at Keiki's face. "Th...thank you..."
    Keiki looked on with surprise at the child who was hiding his face. He couldn't help but be suspicious  of Taiki's change. He understood now why Gyousou had specifically asked for him to come.
    It was basic etiquette to avoid as much as possible a visit before his enthronement; furthermore,  rulers and kirin actually have very little involvement with other kingdoms. In reality, those who had a  friendship with Keiki were only those who had helped him when he went in search of his ruler. They were  King En and Enki from the neighboring kingdom.
    Gyousou was an important official of the previous king. There was no reason for him not to know  these customs. For him to break past conventions and especially invite Keiki for this meeting, it was not hard  to understand his reason.
    "You see? It's like I had said previously. I am the first to come and see you. Are you still doing  well?"
    "Yes."
    The expression on Taiki's lowered face was grave. Even when he raised his head, there wasn't even a  glimmer of joy in his eyes.
    "But I don't feel that you are... Did you encounter some situation that has made you worry?"
    "No..."
    Gyousou knitted his brow as he watched the two and suddenly interrupted, saying, "I think that the  two of you should have much to say to each other. I will ask to be excused for the time being."
    Keiki