The Twelve Kingdoms: Dreaming of Paradise

center of the palace complex was instead the Koukyuu—the "palace at the back"—and specifically Tenshou Manor in the Koukyuu.
    This had occurred shortly after the founding of the dynasty and for the past six hundred years had never changed.
    More that occupying the peak of a mountain, Seikan Palace looked like an atoll floating in the Sea of Clouds. Many of the buildings lower down on the "islands" jutted above the clear surface of the sea. Countless bridges suspended above the water connected one terrace to another.
    The Seishin was one such island and the Koukyuu another. Crossing the bridge from the Seishin and passing through the tower gate, one arrived at the foot of a small peak. Getting to Tenshou Manor, the main building in the Koukyuu, required passing through a tunnel and then climbing a stone staircase along the back of the peak a short ways to a high promontory.
    A small bay could was visible from Tenshou Manor. Cliffs surrounded the bay. To the right and left, bridges suspended in the air led deeper into the Koukyuu, to the North Palace and to the East Palace.

    Around sunset, the silhouette of a kijuu appeared above the clear, calm surface of the Sea of Clouds. Bathed in the glow of a waning moon, the fleeting shadow crossed the bay and headed for Tenshou Manor. It alighted on the balcony clinging to the side of the cliffs. The balcony made several switchbacks as it descended to the water's surface.
    The kijuu perched on the narrow ledge jutting out behind the rear windows. The expansive hall was visible through the glass. Situated squarely in the center of the hall was a large, round table. The table was cluttered with plates and utensils, so apparently dinner had just ended. Five people were scattered around the table, sipping at their teacups.
    "No surprise to find you all here," Rikou smiled, entering the room through the tall windows.
    The people around the table all turned at the same time with surprised exclamations. A plump, older woman paused and took a deep breath. "You can't seem to remember where the front door is."
    The woman was Queen Meiki. From the beginning, she had lived in the North Palace. Not only did she reside in the Koukyuu, but she would roll up the sleeves of her luxurious kimono with a tasuki sash and peel the peaches that flourished on the small peak. A sight surely no one would see anywhere else but in Sou.
    "Not to mention that there's no flying kijuu around the Imperial Palace. If I've told you once I've told you a thousand times. Does everything go in one ear and out the other, my cavalier young son?"
    "It must not have registered," Rikou said with a carefree smile. "Because of my advanced age, don't you see."
    Meiki sighed again and shook her head. "At least your mostly-empty head remembered that you have a family. Where have you been off to this time?"
    "Well—" said Rikou smiling. He took his place at the one empty seat at the table. "Here and there."
    "Meaning you made another one of your circumnavigations. You leave a person speechless."
    "Though you, dear mother, are not at a loss for words."
    "You can consider this a reprimand. And try to keep that it in mind for the next time."
    "I can't promise for sure that it'll stick in there."
    "Mother—" said Prince Eisei Ritatsu, Rikou's older brother, with an even bigger sigh. "Let fools do what fools do best. When you pay so much attention to him, it all goes to his head."
    "Hey, don't be mean," said the grinning Princess Bun, Rikou's kid sister (her official name was Bun Koushu). "Our dear brother came home in order to hear our dear mother's scoldings. He's such a mama's boy."
    "Hey, hey."
    "But Rikou, you're in such a jolly good mood right now. It's always like this. You should take a look in a mirror."
    "Hmm," said Rikou, stroking his jowls.
    "In any case," softly interjected a girl with golden hair, "it's good to see you home in one piece."
    The girl's name was Sourin. Her given name was Shoushou.
    Rikou said with an exaggerated nod, "As always, Shoushou alone is concerned for my well being."
    "That's because Shoushou is a kirin," said Bunki.
    Ritatsu agreed. "It's her natural benevolence rising to the fore."
    "Shoushou would be concerned for the worst villain in the world," said Meiki, piling on as well.
    Rikou smiled grimly and leaned back in his chair.
    "And then—" the head of the family, the Royal Sou Senshin, said encouragingly. He put his utensils down on the serving table and poured a cup of tea and