The Twelve Kingdoms: Dreaming of Paradise

national dignity, right? I don't think they'd be pleased by the site of a big rat sauntering about the place. Take discrimination and prejudice out of the equation and there's still no denying Rakushun looks like a little kid. He's got to find it all a pain in the neck."
    "That well may be so."
    "But Rakushun hasn't said a thing about it. And I can't believe that's because it's not getting to him. No matter who you are, get treated irrationally and those feelings are going to accumulate. At the end of the day, we all wince when we're hit and laugh when we're tickled."
    When harsh and vexing things happened, the reaction was predictable. But Rakushun never wore his heart on his sleeve and went around groveling for sympathy.
    "I can't believe that everything's all hunky-dory. And that he's fitting in as easy as he implies. I don't think anybody really ever gets used to being given a hard time. If you asked him, he'd probably say it just means he's gotten used to his surroundings. But that's not the same thing. There's no way it can't hurt. I think what it comes down to is that he's figured out how to shrug it off."
    "Probably."
    Youko rested her chin on her hands. "It's really something." She smiled at Gyokuyou. "You too. It's got to be harsh to be kicked out of a country for totally illogical reasons. But you took it as a good opportunity to visit schools all over the place. You got beyond it. You kept moving forward. I'm totally impressed."
    "Well, I consider myself an optimist by nature."
    "Undoubtedly," Youko laughed. "But it's great the way you maintain a positive look on life. When I heard about how well Rakushun is doing, I figure that I've got to keep at it too. Knowing that it can't be all such smooth sailing and still not whining and holding your head high—when I see that, I figure I've got to buck up and try harder."
    Gyokuyou smiled. "A positive attitude can be contagious."
    "So it seems. That's what keeps you going. You can't do the ministerial job you're good at, but you don't go around with a chip on your shoulder. That makes me think that as bad as things are, we're a long ways from hitting rock bottom. It's not so bad that I can't say I'm getting by, that at least I've got my health and stuff. So when Rakushun says how he's doing okay, I feel I have to face my own demons as well."
    "I understand that feeling very well."
    "I know this is mere bravado. But bravado is better than nothing, don't you think? I'm not talking going overboard or anything. Just that I want to stand tall and put on a brave front and stay positive and all."
    "Of course," Gyokuyou answered with a smile. "Though I suspect Sir Rakushun sees through Your Highness's bravado."
    "Yeah, I know. I think that's true for both of us. But that's fine."
    "I see." Gyokuyou laughed again, and Youko joined in.
    Another of her court ladies hurried into the room. "I am sorry for barging in like this."
    "What's up?"
    "The Taiho has something he must see you about at once."
    Taking note of the bowing court lady, Gyokuyou got to her feet. "I'll get you a change of clothes."
    Youko nodded. She said to the still-kneeling court lady, "I'll see him right away."
    Something must have happened to bring Keiki to her quarters at this time of night. The pretender's dead-enders raising hell somewhere, or some discord among the ministers or province lords. But if it couldn't wait until morning and couldn't be handled by the regular bureaucracy, it must be something important. She knit her brows in concern.
    Gyokuyou interrupted her thoughts, holding up a cheongsum jacket for her approval. "No matter what it is, there's no sense worrying about before you find out what it is."
    "Yeah, you're right."
    "Times like this demand a straight back and a bit of that bravado."
    "Very true," said Youko, slipping her arms into the sleeves of her cheongsum jacket.
    Kei was a long ways off from achieved peace and prosperity. A mountain of problems awaited her every day. Hardly knowing her right hand from her left, she had no choice but to scramble after every problem as they came at her from all directions. Despite that, it shouldn't be too much for her to bear. There were so many people watching out for her.
    "Well, I'd better get going. Thanks for the tea."
    "I'll prepare some tasty for you upon your return."
    "Sure, if you wouldn't mind."
    From its perch, the bird watched as Youko left the room.

Dreaming of Paradise
    hishou lifted up the barely eight-year-old Sairin,