016　Hazy moon night

Hikaru seemed really happy that The Youngest Prince started walking. Hikaru takes his small hands and helps him stand up, and he smiles happily. I wanted to make time for just the father and son, but it's difficult. Father often called Hikaru to his room, which was a good opportunity to meet The Youngest Prince. Hikaru was pretending to be his older brother and playing with him.

In February, when Hikaru was 20 years old, the Festival of Cherry Blossoms was held in the South Hall of the Imperial Palace. Hikaru is already 20 years old... I think he has a life three times as busy as mine.

At the festival, we sat with Father in the center, Empress Fujitsubo on the left, and myself, the Crown Prince, on the right. Hotaru, other imperial princes, and senior bureaucrats are given a theme and compose a poem.

"I received the word spring."

Hikaru's voice sounded different from the others as he answered so nobly. He was also good at composing and reciting poetry, and I thought he was truly a genius with no weaknesses.

Has he been able to meet Empress Fujitsubo since the birth of the baby? It would be difficult since The Youngest Prince and the court ladies are always by her side while she is in the Imperial Palace... I wish she had a chance to return to her mansion. I wanted them to meet because they were lovers, but I also felt that I would be in trouble if someone found out their secrets.

The cherry blossoms at the Imperial Palace were in full bloom and it was a pleasant spring afternoon. The sound of gagaku music echoed slowly and elegantly, and the scents on everyone's clothes were fragrant, making me feel happy. It would be great if Father's reign continued, we raised the Youngest Prince well, and we could just abdicate the throne to him. I couldn't help but hate being the center of a storm. But my mother and grandfather are putting their lives on the line to make me Mikado. My existence is complicated and troublesome.

The festival was coming to an end, with a soft sunset illuminating the South Hall. As Hikaru approached me, I attached a cherry blossom branch decoration to his court cap and called out to him.

"Your performance is just brilliant."

"Thanks."

Hikaru smiles brighter than before and casually dances the last passage of Shunnoden*. I thought that Empress Fujitsubo would have seen him dance just now. If Hikaru and her secret relationship continues until Father and my mother pass away... the time may come when they can freely love each other without holding back from anyone.

春鶯囀: Shunnoden* is one of the names of gagaku songs.

As night fell and the festival ended, Empress Fujitsubo and I returned to our own residences. I thought everyone wouldn't be able to enjoy themselves to the fullest if we were there. Maybe people will still drink after we leave. I drank a little, but my memory was still very clear. The moon is in the sky, and it is a pleasant spring night, neither hot nor cold.

I tried to sleep, but I was thirsty, so I got up to get some water. A court lady noticed me and tried to ask me about my business, but I declined and took the light from my lamp and left. There may still be some left in the pot, but I wanted to drink freshly drawn water if possible. It was a mysterious night and I wanted to enjoy the night breeze.

"Sorry for being late at night. Could you please bring me some water?" 

After asking the servant, I stood idly by the door and waited for a while,

"A hazy moon is a perfect bride..." 

I heard a faint but lovely singing voice, so I casually looked over there. One of the doors to Kokiden was open, and it seemed like a tall person was waiting for a lady. The person whispered something to her, then immediately hugged her and went inside, closing the door. His skill was so vivid that I gasped and quietly looked away.

It was impolite that I peeked at, but was that person Hikaru? Is he in love with someone at Kokiden? It was like a scene from a story. Their shadows in the moonlight are beautiful, and the way their eyes look at each other makes me think of two destined lovers. I felt I saw something I shouldn't have seen.