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A new year has arrived, Hikaru is 34, and Reizei-san is 16. Yugiri-kun is 13. Hikaru has handed over his government duties, so he seems to be relaxing at home without having to rush to the Imperial Palace for New Year's greetings. I wonder if Yugiri-kun is doing well. Has he still studied in the east wing of Hikaru's mansion? I'm concerned that he said he wanted to change the future.
Knowing the future, is he purposely going to act differently from the prophecy? It was scary to think that my actions could change the fate of those around me, and I felt like I couldn't do that. However, it would also be boring to live my life as written in a book. How difficult it is to deal with books that contain our future!
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On February 20th, there was an event where Mikado visited Suzaku-in, where I live. In the beautiful spring weather, court nobles, imperial princes, and many other guests come.
Although it is a little early for the cherry blossoms to be in full bloom, Reizei-san seems to have avoided March, the month of the death of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. It is truly a shame that she passed away so young. Hikaru was shocked that she had become the Empress-regnant, but I think there was no one better than her to be the Empress Dowager to support the young Emperor.
"Good morning, Suzaku-san."
Reizei-san was relaxed and smiling, and still had the aura of a strong man. He is now taller than me, and he looks good no matter what he wears. I feel that he has become more and more dignified as a person with the highest authority. I was also happy that he was wearing light violet clothes. Looking at him reminds me of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager who lived in Fujitsubo. I think the violet and white color, which is exactly the noble atmosphere of wisteria flowers, is perfect for him.
"Hi! I’m here."
Hikaru also came to my house, and he looked very fashionable in his dark orange clothes and black accessories. He is very good at adopting black color into his outfit. Did Hikaru and Reizei-san intentionally not wear the same color clothes? When Mikado goes out, his official attire is usually a special orange color that only he can wear, but Reizei-san appeared in a different color, making him look even more stylish.
"I'll change my clothes later."
"It suits you well. Let's feel free."
When Reizei-san and Hikaru sat side by side, it looked like there were two Emperors, and I was overcome with emotion. I'm glad I was born in this era. It looks so nice to see them talking and occasionally looking into each other's eyes and smiling. They would be elegant, even if they were villains and had evil discussions to divide and conquer the world.
"Suza-ni, how’s it going?"
Hotaru also came to my house wearing formal attire. Green color really suits him. He has a freshness and strength no matter how old he is, and he gives me a deep green feeling. Yugiri-kun also came today, so I was happy. He was wearing a dull green formal attire like everyone else, but I think the indigo blue he has worn at the Harvest Festival suits him best.
Today, we invited students who are good at poetry to compose poems based on the theme, imitating the Ministry of Ceremonial exam. Is this the highlight of Yugiri-kun that Reizei-san was talking about? Yugiri-kun, similar to Hikaru, composed a poem very well on this occasion. I guess it's not a big deal to him, and it's cool to see him keep a calm face. Reizei-san is also smiling happily, and I think Hikaru is raising great brothers.
It was also very tasteful to have a boat floating in the large pond in the garden and have the musicians ride on it and perform. How skillful they are to be able to perform while on a boat. The pond is usually quiet and I just look at it, but I'm glad I can use it occasionally.
Watching the gagaku performance and dancing called Shunnoden in the garden reminded me of the Festival of Cherry Blossoms that my father held long ago, and I felt extremely nostalgic. Hikaru was probably 20 years old, and at that time I was the Crown Prince and Lady Aoi was still alive. I silently basked in the waves of memories flooding my mind. Seeing Reizei-san, who was a toddler at that time, and Yugiri-kun, who was not yet born, grow so big, I realized how old I was too.
"That dance are so nostalgic."
Hikaru must have felt the same way as me, as he murmured and poured me some sake.
"That's right. Thank you for coming today."
I thanked him kindly, finished the sake, and poured it back to him. Hotaru had become the Minister for Military Affairs, so he poured sake to Reizei-san as a thank you.
"May Your Majesty's reign continue forever!"
"I'm honored to hear you say that."
Reizei-san laughs lightly while holding his sake cup.
"Since the musicians are far away, let's play those ourselves."
I was nervous, thinking that the time had finally come.
"Yay! It's Biwa!"
Hotaru looked happy because he received the Biwa today. That's probably his favorite instrument. The Minister of the Interior received a 6-string koto, I received a 13-string koto that I had been secretly practicing on, and Hikaru received a 7-string koto. I need to be mentally prepared to join this group and perform... I played with light fingertips, keeping in mind only to harmonize with their sounds. It's very interesting to hear the instruments singing in a pleasant way when we are able to play as one. Eventually it got dark and the moon came out, so I had my servants make some bonfires on the island in the middle of the garden pond. The flames of the torches reflected on the water's surface, flickering like an illusion.
After this event was over and it was time for everyone to go home, Reizei-san went out of his way to visit my mother, who lived in the northeast wing of my house.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty."
My mother is elderly but in good health, and she straightens her posture and bows politely in front of Reizei-san.
"Your Majesty, good to see you again."
Hikaru had also come with Reizei-san, so he greeted my mother, but she only glanced up and didn't reply to him.
"Are you not feeling well?"
"I'm completely defeated you, so I have nothing to say."
My mother smiles slightly and seems to be enjoying seeing him a little.
"Get revenge on me until you're satisfied."
Hikaru answered with a smile, probably impressed by my mother's fair and honest attitude.
"I'll marry my daughter to His Highness the Crown Prince in the future. Let's leave our bloodline to the next generation."
My mother looked surprised for a moment,
"Are you going to be the maternal grandfather of the emperor?"
said that and turned away from him, looking very unpleasant. I apologized to Hikaru and Reizei-san over and over again for my mother's rudeness and saw them off. I was secretly worried that she might regain her old evil feelings.
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