The Twelve Kingdoms: Dreaming of Paradise

chosen to return to Sai. If his intent had been to deprive Shishou of the throne, he surely would not have returned to Sai where a death sentence for treason awaited him.
    Surely not.

Chapter 20
    S huka fell into a restless sleep sometime around dawn. She was awoken by a commotion coming from the main hall. Seiki rushed in as she was getting out of bed to see what was going on.
    "Ah, you're awake."
    "What happened?"
    "His Highness is missing."
    "What?" she cried out. Her legs began to tremble. "Where to?"
    "Nobody knows. The ministers are looking for him. They say his kijuu is gone as well. They're all quite at loose ends. Some think he went to see the Taiho."
    "Why would he seek out her opinion now ? Seiki, has Shishou said anything about Junkou?"
    "The announcement was made during the Privy Council. Shishou-sama turned white as a ghost and collapsed. The room was quickly cleared. Shortly thereafter, he was nowhere to be found. Everybody is worried sick."
    "You don't say," Shuka said under her breath. She clasped her hands together, "And Eishuku—?"
    "He returned late last night. As usual, he sacked out in the study. And as could be expected, upon receiving this latest news, he got up and headed to Imperial Court to direct the search. He said not to wake you up, but I see that has become a moot instruction."
    "Yes," Shuka answered. She went to the main hall and there awaited further reports.
    But come nightfall, and still no more news was forthcoming. And then a clamor erupted outside the official residence.
    "What in the world is going on out there?"
    However much Shuka wanted to know, she didn't go and see for herself. She and Eishuku and Seiki were supposed to be under house arrest. Guards were posted at the gates. They turned a blind eye to Eishuku's repeated comings and goings, but that didn't mean she could just pop out for a look around.
    Seiki nodded knowingly and left the main hall. He returned a few minutes later and reported that it was nothing serious. "I offered the guards a little bribe and made my own inquiries."
    "Seiki—"
    "At critical times such as this, I think we can ignore the letter of the law. Word of His Highness's absence is spreading and the ministers are becoming unraveled. Some are fleeing the Imperial Palace while they can. Others are grabbing hold of any valuables they can. Hence the ruckus. It comes down to a lot of to-ing and fro-ing."
    "I see," Shuka muttered. She sank heavily into a chair. "Seiki, I understand that my worries may be completely misplaced, but do you think it's possible that Shishou has really fled the premises?"
    "Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Seiki answered crisply. "For the time being, we don't know anything for certain."

Chapter 21
    E ishuku didn't come home that night. Morning came and went, as did the next evening, and still he hadn't returned. The cacophony outside the manor calmed down, replaced by a strained silence.
    By the following morning, Shuka couldn't stand it any longer. "I'm going out," she said, getting to her feet.
    She had to see Eishuku. Her body trembled with anxiety. Sitting around doing nothing only made it worse. Where had Shishou gone off to? It'd be fine if he'd slipped away by himself somewhere. But if that in fact wasn't the case—
    Seiki sighed and retrieved a parcel from a nearby shelf. "You're under house arrest, so try not to stand out. I've borrowed some servant's garb for you to use."
    Shuka nodded and took the clothing. After changing in her room, she went back to the main hall to find that Seiki had donned a similar outfit.
    "Seiki, what's with that?"
    "I shall be accompanying you, of course. Somebody's bound to raise a ruckus if you're caught sneaking around. If we are, I'll create a diversion while you make your way back here. I've greased a few palms, so the guards shouldn't be a problem."
    "But Seiki—"
    "The matter isn't up for debate. Let's be on our way. It's best we go under cover of night."
    After a moment of hesitation, Shuka agreed. The guards looked the other way as they left the residence. In the hours before dawn, the Imperial Palace was still as death, with no sign of human life. But they kept their heads lowered in case they encountered anybody who knew them. They hurried down the paths Seiki had chosen toward the Gaiden and the Imperial Court.
    Alert to any prying eyes, they climbed the steps to the mezzanine. The guards were not posted at the doors. They stood a ways off. They knew Shuka well but did