"The emperor will always have the final say in religious matters," Kaname crossed his legs and leaned back on his chair a bit.

"Indeed, this responsibility has always been the royal family's but I was wondering what you thought," our guest said.

"To be honest, as long as the people will be happy then I'm fine with however it will progress," Kaname said after considering the situation for a while. "Besides, I won't be here on the day of the festival."

"You have other plans?" the crown prince was not expecting this. "And here I thought I could invite you and your wives to enjoy and celebrate with me."

"I'm afraid I have a more important matter to attend to," although Kaname looked genuinely sad on the surface, I noticed that his voice sounded flat.

"Is it really that important?" the prince pressed. "Could you not reschedule it the day after the festival?"

"Unfortunately, I can't. There is a promise I must fulfill," my husband said. "Maybe in the coming year."

"I see," the crown prince stood and straightened his robe. "Well, it seems like my visit just caused you to waste your valuable time on me."

"No, no," Kaname stood as well. "A visit from you is always welcome. I'm sorry that I couldn't be of further help this time."

Kaname and I escorted the prince out of the palace. I was in awe at what awaited us outside. There were countless servants in different uniforms by the omote's front yard. His guards were alert and ready, his maids were all distractingly beautiful. It seemed like he brought his entire household with him save for his wives.

"I'll see you again soon and thank you for your time," were the crown prince's last words. His eyes lingered on me for a few seconds before he boarded his palanquin.

As soon as the last of the royal servants left the castle grounds, Kaname went inside. I hurriedly walked to his side and matched his pace. He was silent, as if he was deep in thought. When we returned to his room I immediately went to get my bag. Although I was confident my makeup was still intact, I was still worried that it must have smeared during the rigorous activity we had in his study earlier.

When he heard me sigh in relief, he spoke. "Why the sigh?"

"I'm just relieved my makeup is still as perfect as ever," I smiled at him. "I was afraid it got ruined because of what we did earlier."

"Are you sure that's your reason?"

"Of course," I went to where he was standing and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I didn't want my disguise to be busted, thankfully I always buy the best brands."

Kaname brushed me off and grabbed something from a nearby table. I furrowed my brows at his response, I expected him to chuckle, pat me on the head or maybe even kiss me back… Not push me away. Disregarding the stinging rejection I was feeling, I followed him out of the room and back into his study.

He continued what he was doing when I first came there earlier. He wrote on the doc.u.ments and stamped the good ones. I stood beside him and kept my mouth shut, I was prepared to hold back. Based on his personality, he will tell me whatever caused his sudden mood s.h.i.+ft once he's ready. I decided to wait it out even if I know it had something to do with not telling him about my encounter with the prince.

"Hinata, what are you doing?" he said as he stamped his fourth doc.u.ment.

"Standing guard," I replied.

"Sit down. You don't need to guard me in my study."

"But—"

"This place is filled with shadow guards so you may relax."

"So you mean..." I felt my cheeks reddening. "That they…"

"Heard us earlier? Yes. My moan, your moan. They heard it all," he said matter-of-factly. "In fact, they're listening to us as we speak."

"No!" I hid my face in my hands. "It's one thing that Taneyuki-san knows, but your guards knowing as well is taking it on a different level!"

"Calm down, they just heard us. They wouldn't dare peak. Your body is for my eyes only."

I lowered my hands a bit and saw that he was working again. He was totally unaffected! Gah! This palace is the worst, privacy does not exist at all!

"Are you sure you're not sitting down?" he grabbed another stack of doc.u.ments and perused them. Not once did he look up when he spoke to me. "Aren't your legs tired?"

There was obviously a double meaning behind his words but I refused to acknowledge it. I remained standing by his left side. However, after what seemed like an hour, my legs started to ache. I rotated my ankles and flexed my legs to relieve the pain.

I heard Kaname clear his throat, I looked at him and saw that he was patting a sitting cus.h.i.+on. "Sit," he instructed. "I know you're tired."

I sat beside him, I really had no other choice. "Thank you."

"Mmm," was the only reply I got. He worked without saying any more while I tried to amuse myself by observing him as he did so.

As the minutes pa.s.sed, I started to get bored. I stood up and went to the windows. They were shut and looked like they have remained that way for quite some time now.

"Anata, the windows look like they have never been opened," I said. "Why do you keep them this way?"

"I prefer to work in a quiet environment. The windows open to a view of the nakoku's great garden. Several birds have made the nearby trees their home, their noise distracted me so much that I kept the windows shut for years."

"Oh," was all I could say. Kaname sounded like the grinch who hated Christmas. I was about to walk back to the table when he spoke again.

"But if you want to open them, go ahead. Just make sure that they're only slightly open as it's gotten colder recently."

"You won't mind?"

"I won't. Besides, the view is beautiful. I'm certain you will like it."

~~~

We were having lunch in his room when Taneyuki-san came to bring him a piece of paper. He opened it and gave it a quick scan.

"I see," he placed the note on the table and resumed eating.

I glanced at the paper and tried to decipher what was written on it. Although I could speak j.a.panese fluently now, I was still clueless when it comes to texts.

"Work?" I couldn't stop my curiosity.

"Sort of," he answered as I placed more pickled radish on his bowl.