"Paranoia will cause an exaggerated perception of danger ninety-nine times out of a hundred--but even the most overly suspicious of all are right on occasion." --Shiromori doctor, c. 620 AE
April 21, 1112 AE
Shiromori Castle, Ayumora, Shiromori
"So it's settled," Ustelian confirmed with a grin as Kohashi lowered the stylus to the desk. "Taios and Marusake shall wed on the ninth of June."Less than two months from now. It felt good to finally have a date in place, especially since Kohashi had been waiting two long years now for this marriage to occur. Ustelian had never threatened to call off the engagement, but by his lengthy refusal to set the date, Kohashi had begun to wonder if it was only a matter of time before he did--a valid concern, considering the questionable state of his daughter's virtue.
But now that the wedding date had been set, it was a done deal. Maru would marry Taios, and soon--and Kohashi would be, in effect, an emperor.
"Oh, not until I'm dead and gone, Kohashi."
Kohashi looked up; somehow, it didn't surprise him to muse that Ustelian could read minds. "Sorry?""You won't cease control of my nation until I have passed," Ustelian repeated, "and that is assuming that you outlive me in the first place."
How old was Ustelian? Older than Kohashi himself, he was sure of it; chances were that he would live to see the empire formed. "Of course."
Or would he? he couldn't help but wonder as he found himself frozen under Ustelian's icy gaze. Whether he was older or not, Ustelian was a little different from other men. Sharper, colder, more cunning. Perhaps he was of the sort who simply refused to die.No. That sounded ridiculous, even in Kohashi's head. Everybody died--even Ustelian. Everybody would die--even Ustelian. And Ustelian would probably die before he would. Most likely.
Ustelian tossed back his head, then shifted his eyes back to Kohashi's. "But as long as the marriage does take place, then rest assured that your precious empire will eventually be formed--and now that the date has been set, the marriage will take place. Are we clear, Kohashi?"
Why did Ustelian have to take that tone? Up until now, Kohashi had been damned sure he'd been the one who viewed the matter with more urgency; was there something he didn't know? Was it possible that Ustelian had bigger plans, plans that he could not begin to fathom?No. No, he was just getting paranoid in his old age--and even if he wasn't, he couldn't deny that this was in the best interests of his kingdom. "Yes, my lord. We are clear."
NEXT CHAPTER:
Van's Law: The length of the wait for any given chapter is inversely proportional to the length of the chapter itself.
ReplyDeleteKohashi seems to think that he's the only one with plans! He can be so dense sometimes! Well...all the time!:P Next chapter doesn't look as if Maru likes the news!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't like the news if I were Maru! ;)
ReplyDeleteKohashi is an idiot. Did he not notice that Ustelian clearly read his mind just there? And does that not bother him? Because it would definitely bother me!
Still, the clock's ticking. Shao's only got, what, six weeks to get Maru into Zhian and back int Aurius's arms, where she belongs?
Phoenix: Here's the thing that this chapter was sort of supposed to get across. Some part of Kohashi is becoming slightly aware that Ustelian is up to something (yes, even Kohashi has some degree of brain functioning), but that keeps getting squashed by his ambitious side. Whatever plans Ustelian might have, Kohashi also has plans, and Ustelian is crucial to said plans.
ReplyDeleteAs for Maru... well, we'll see.
Morgaine: Heheh... Maru might have a few different reactions :P
He realized it for a second, but I think he shoved down the thought soon after--dismissed it as him being paranoid. All he knows is that he needs Ustelian to accomplish his means.
Yep, about six weeks :S A tight time-frame indeed.
I think if your paranoia usually ends up being unfounded, then when you are hitting the nail on the head the way Kohashi is, you tend to overlook it. There are all kinds of warning bells going off here and his pride and ambition just can't seem to step aside.
ReplyDeleteBoth men are ambitious but the one with the power is Ustelian. Kohashi just isn't as well versed in deceit. Close though.
Poor Maru...I hope she bolts.
You hit the nail right on the head, Gayl. That's pretty much exactly what I had in mind when I wrote this post :)
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, Ustelian is the one with all the power, and I can't see that changing any time soon.
It has taken two years to get this marriage to take place? Wow. I guess when empires are in question, it does. And questionable virtue? *snort* Great paranoia inter-weaved here, and no doubt well placed. Ustelian was almost smug, another reason to be concerned~
ReplyDeleteAh, if only Kohashi would just listen to some of that paranoia :P
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen :)
Wait wait wait wait wait wait time out--
ReplyDeleteMaru marries Hatchetface, Shiromori absorbs Ustelian's dinky little butt crack of a kingdom? How does that work and why would anyone accept that arrangement without suspicion PARTICULARLY DURING A WAR? Am I forgetting things here? When did those two shake on this one? My brain is busted. I would rather have Roderick as my king.
It's definitely a shady deal, but after Kohashi heard the word 'empire', he was dead gone :S
ReplyDeleteHeehee... imagine if Kohashi and Roderick had a baby. And that baby became a king. *shudders*
No, no-- Emperor. :D
ReplyDeleteIndeed O_o
ReplyDeleteUm is it normal for a king to call anyone "My Lord"?
ReplyDeleteProbably not :S
ReplyDelete