030　Emperor's anger

The second New Year after Father passed away was also terrible. Lady Fujitsubo left the rank given to her by Father because she became a Buddhist nun. A sumptuous private dinner and a stamping-dance festival was held at the Imperial Palace, as if to celebrate her seclusion. There was a ceremony to appoint the aristocrats to the government position, but her promotion was stopped and her income was reduced because she had become a nun. This is too chaotic. It's an unprecedented tyranny.

In accordance with Father's last wishes, I repeatedly stopped him, but the Minister of the Left submitted his resignation. Both he and Hikaru had been holed up in their mansion. Around the summer of that year, Lady Oborozukiyo stayed at her parents' house and dated Hikaru there. Her father, the Minister of the Right, discovered them and was furious and told my mother.

My mother must have really hated the fact that the two of them secretly met at her parents' house. She accused Hikaru of "trying to abdicate Emperor Suzaku and make the Crown Prince on the throne." and plotted to have him exiled from the Imperial Capital. It wasn't until the new year that I learned about these matters. This new year too, appointments were made that were hopelessly biased towards the Minister of the Right. Naturally, Father's last wishes and my opinions were ignored. I called my mother, who was staying at the Imperial Palace, to my room. I did so knowing that it was rude to summon the Empress Dowager.

"Is it a crime that he was just lying down on a side in front of Grandfather?"

"It's not just that."

My mother replied with an angry expression.

"Are you saying he insulted you by acting like that around you?"

"That includes insulting you."

"I don't take that as an insult."

I was shocked and couldn't believe it. Even though he was a father, would he step into a young lady's room without hesitation? A man went to see his girlfriend and was unable to return home due to a thunderstorm. I think that's all.

"I think Lady Oborozukiyo has lost her face completely."

Such a cheerful lady was crying until her tears ran dry. I was angry. Why don't you protect your little sister? Is she being treated as a pawn to gain power like me? 

"Love between a man and a woman is treated as a crime of rebellion. I'm shocked to hear that."

"Are you talking back to me as soon as you become Mikado?"

"Why not?"

Maybe I look like my mother. I feel like I'm going to lose myself in anger.

"You are trying everything to get rid of him. Are you using your sister's unfortunate failure to threaten my vassal? Don't you follow Father's will?"

My mother didn't say anything. The room was silent, the only sound being my voice.

"I understand. Go back please."

She stood up in annoyance and left the room. I let out a big sigh and thought about the fate of this country.

◇◇◇

Hotaru says that news of the Emperor's anger spread throughout the Imperial Capital overnight like a wild fire, but I think that's an exaggeration. One day in March, I pulled a thin kimono over my head to veil my face, and rode with Hotaru in his oxcart to Hikaru's mansion. It was to talk to him.

"I will compensate for Lady Fujitsubo reduced income. If I give it to her through Reizei-san, they won't be able to complain."

I thought it was a despicable idea to reduce her income and embarrass her. I'm so ashamed that I can't face her.

"I apologize for treating your family so badly." 

Third Rank Chujo (Lady Aoi's brother) was here, so I used this opportunity to apologize.

"Such a blatant appointment is making a mockery of my late father and me. I will definitely hold them accountable."

"I'm honored by your thoughtfulness, sir." 

He had come to see Hikaru off as he left the Imperial Capital. My mother severely punished anyone who visited Hikaru's mansion, so only Hotaru and Third Rank Chujo came to see him off.

"See you again, Hikaru! Have a good time, Your Majesty."

Perhaps he felt a sense of danger at the fact that the Emperor was here, so he bowed to me and left. 

"Suza-ni, you're so scary..."

"Even Chujo ran away."

Hotaru and Hikaru are looking across at me.

"You're making Mikado angry. Can't believe it... Why were you found out?" 

"So... my bad." 

"It's not Hikaru's fault."

I said firmly.

"Because I said okay with their relationship. My mother is incorrigible for not only not protecting her crying sister but also using her to punish Hikaru." 

I can never forgive her. She uses her family too ruthlessly.

"Are you really going?"

"Yeah. There's nothing good about staying here. It's bad for her too."

Hikaru's face looked a little thinner and tired.

"It's my first time going to the beach, so it's sure to be a nice change of pace. I feel like a traveler."

He said it in a cheerful tone, trying to be considerate of me.

"I'll definitely bring you back here. Stay well."

I promised Hikaru that. There's no way this messed-up era can continue for a long time. I thought the country would be ruined.

"Take good care of Reizei-san."

"Sure. He will definitely become Mikado. Until then, I protect him."

It's a shame that I don't have a squad to defend him. I think the court ladies in charge of Reizei-san would be able to guard him to a great extent since they are smart. 

"Please don't start a war in this Capital while I'm away, right?"

"Don't worry."

I smiled bitterly as Hikaru looked at me worriedly.

"There won't be a war. I have no soldiers or popularity."

Have all the Emperors endured with such hopeless feelings? Does being the Emperor mean being patient? I was in so much pain. And I thought I would never forget this suffering.

"I think Father is angry too. I will end this era as soon as possible. The day will surely come when Reizei-san will become Mikado. Please stay alive until then."

I bowed deeply and looked at Hikaru. I must remove anyone who stands in the way of Reizei-san's reign. When I abdicate, that's when my ship sinks. My crew will be swept away by the waves with me.

"Thanks. I owe you one."

Hikaru looked at me.

"Come back soon!"

Hotaru looked at Hikaru. Then we placed our right hands on top of each other in a three-way stack and made a three hands fist bump.