The Twelve Kingdoms: The Shore in Twilight

we're all cooped up at the Palace. I got a place of my own, but I hardly spend any time there these days."
    "And so you're staying here?"
    "That's what it boils down to. You know, I've got a kid brother."
    "A real brother?"
    "Yeah. Right now, he's attending the Provincial Academy in Ei Province. He's living in the dorms."
    "He must show a lot of promise."
    "Yeah, he does," Koshou said with a bright smile. "I was really glad he got to go, but after he got accepted, to be honest, things got a bit lonely. He's the only family I've got. Suzu's a good friend, but she deserves better than hanging around a bunch of ornery guys. So Youko asked me to look after Enho and Keikei."
    "Ah, that would make this the Taishi's place."
    "That would. I mean, me looking after Enho hardly means moving the Taishi into the Daiboku's flat. Anyway, Enho is practically glued to Youko's side from morning till night. She's a bit iffy when it comes to the workings of government and still has a lot of studying to do. So Enho lent me these rooms and pretty much gives me free rein to look after whatever needs looking after."
    Koshou laughed bashfully. "I grew up a poor innkeeper's kid. So a guy like me isn't going to get far either if he can't ask people what's good manners and what isn't. I even got to make Keikei mind his p's and q's. The kid's always had a good head on his shoulders. So I jumped at the chance to take care of Enho. Except without a woman's touch, things of late were grinding to a halt. Finally, Suzu and Shoukei pitched in. What you see here is mostly thanks to them."
    "They do keep things moving along at a merry clip."
    "That they do," Koshou agree with a laugh. "Youko's got a good nose for people. I think she understood that a big guy like me being Daiboku and all, I was still a sad sack on my own. Hard for me to settle down when there aren't people around. Not to mention that the Palace is more than I could ever imagine. I wouldn't have lasted long cooped in my own manse all by myself. Thanks to the hubbub around here, I manage to hold my own."
    "And to make matters worse, I came barging in."
    "Youko asked that we keep things down to a dull roar, so I'm sorry about the noise and commotion. And I'm happy you haven't taken offense at our lack of decorum along the way."
    "Oh, it's nothing," Risai smiled. She was happy as well to have been entrusted to such a trustworthy man. "The Royal Kei does seem to have the makings of a great Empress."
    "It pleases me to hear a general from another kingdom say so. And I hope so too. Unlike people like you and me, the Empress and kirin just can't quit and do something else when the going gets tough."
    "Very true," Risai agreed with a nod. The Empress could either improve herself and continue along that path, or walk the plank to destruction. No detours were allowed.
    "The Royal Tai's a splendid chap as well, I hear. Kantai of the Palace Guard says so. He's our General of the Army of the Left. He says the Royal Tai was really something even before he was made king. He's even known among officers from other kingdoms."
    "Yes, I think so too."
    "I sure hope they get back okay, the Royal Tai and the Tai Taiho. The Taiho first, I guess."
    Risai nodded again. At the very least, they must find Taiki. Otherwise, there'd be no hope for saving Tai.
    The room fell in to silence. She heard footsteps. Keikei had returned. He flung open the door, and flooded in sunlight, ran into the room with a bright smile, clutching a flower.
    "Some cotton roses were blooming in the gardens in the north courtyard," he said, holding out the stem of the flower.
    Risai glanced at the flower and then at Keikei. "How old are you, Keikei-dono?"
    Keikei giggled and said, "I just turned eleven."
    "I see. I see."
    Keikei's bashful smile dimmed in her vision, distorted by her veil of tears.
    "Risai-dono?"
    She could no longer see his smile. She reached out her hand and found his small, warm hand, the strength of his concern communicated through his fingers. "Are you happy?"
    "Me? Um, well, sure--"
    "I see."
    Risai, called out the carefree voice, seeking her out, running toward her at full tilt, his face beaming. And if Hien was there, asking to pet her--
    "The Taiho was about your age."
    Please, God, bring Taiki home, Risai prayed that day for the first time. It was painful seeing her expectations betrayed. Wishing for something from the bottom of her heart only deepened the despair when those dreams were dashed. To pray was to hope.