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

nodded in respect. Taiki could only do as Keiki had done and nodded to Gyousou.
    Following this, Gyousou probably returned to all that complicated work that was waiting for him.
    Taiki knew very well in his mind that even had he asked to go with Gyousou, Gyousou would not have  permitted it. Moreover, today, a guest had arrived.
    Gyousou lowered his head lightly and immediately exited. After Keiki saw Gyousou leave, he turned  toward Taiki and said, "Would you like to take me to the garden for a walk?"
    "Okay... But...I don't really know where it is."
    "Are you telling me that you have been so busy that you haven't had a chance to stroll around?"
    Taiki stopped his hand as it was about to open the door to the garden. He didn't know how to respond  to Keiki.
    "The wind in Tai Kingdom is very cold." In the garden of the Inner Halls, there was an enormous  pond. Keiki stood at the water's edge. "Would you like to sit for a bit?"
    After he said this, he looked behind at the trembling Taiki.
    There was an magnificent pavilion nearby that amazed anyone who looked upon it. It was built by  the previous King Tai, and whether it was the floor or the pillars, it was all made of crystal. Around the  pond, there had been plans to create pavilions in the same design with smoke crystal, yellow crystal, red  crystal and purple crystal. The four pavilions were in the middle of building, when the previous king died  and construction was halted. It had been neglected up until the present time.
    "Gems are produced in Tai Kingdom... It's no wonder there hasn't been a way to stop the internal  turmoil." Keiki touched one of the giant pillars made out of crystals.
    The climate of Tai Kingdom is bad; no one is willing to plant crops. However, in Tai Kingdom there  are countless gem springs, and so the people can be considered fairly wealthy. As the name suggests, they  are springs that can produce precious gems. All one has to do is place into the spring a gem as if it were a  seed, and it will grow into a giant crystal. In Tai Kingdom, gold springs and silver springs are also quite  common.
    "For one this big, it probably took at least thirty year's time to produce."
    It is said that there is nothing left in the treasury of the kingdom.
    Even under the rule of such a king, the authority of the government was able to continue for over a  hundred years. It was probably due to the fact that he didn't muddle together his pleasure with the business of  government. The old king had a group of attendants and court ladies that he had fun with, but he didn't thusly  promote these people and give them official positions, nor did he allow them to participate in the governing  of the kingdom.
    "Are you lacking something?" Keiki looked at Taiki, who was silently standing at one side.
    "No..."
    "Tai Taiho, what's bothering you?"
    "Nothing..." Taiki's responses were as if he was thinking aloud. His expression was as severe as  before. Keiki got the feeling that Taiki was not telling him the truth.
    "I've heard King Tai say that you've subdued a shirei."
    "Yes."
    "And that you can transform."
    "...Yes."
    "It is regrettable."
    Taiki looked back at Keiki uncertainly. There was only a self-deprecating smile on Keiki's face.
    "I came to see you as we had agreed. I thought that you would be happy to see me."
    Taiki lowered his head.
    "It really is too bad."
    His calm voice stabbed Taiki in the heart.
    He was finally meeting with someone he had wanted to see, but he couldn't bring himself to be happy  about it. He felt miserable.
    Regardless of who it was, even if it was a court lady, he would feel ashamed and not be able to look  at them directly. He really didn't know when he would be able to sleep peacefully, or when his conscience  would stop torturing him, or when he would be able to hold a proper conversation with someone.
    --This is my punishment. Until my crime is exposed, I will suffer without end. Taiki knew that he  didn't have the right to cry, but the tears came flowing out anyway.

    "Taiki..." Keiki reached out and placed Taiki's hands on his knees, and then gently stroked his head.
    Taiki took the opportunity to rest his head on Keiki's knees.
    "What has happened?" Keiki's voice was without intonation; his words were full of calm.
    "...Taiho...have you ever regretted being a kirin?"
    "I haven't."
    "...Then...have you ever regretted the selection of your ruler?"
    "No."
    Taiki looked up. "But, I heard that things weren't the