Hiiro (55)
It takes about ten minutes to walk from the detached palace to the royal palace, at least at my pace along with Hitachimaru.
Naruhito, however, walks slowly and gets easily distracted, constantly looking around, which makes it hard to make progress. While it seems like he's having fun, I wish he'd hurry up already.
"Naruhito, you can’t be late for work. Can I carry you?"
He reluctantly nodded, and as soon as I picked him up, he leaned his full weight on me.
"If you're tired, just say so."
"Okay~”
Although he responded, he still seems to struggle with expressing when he's not feeling well.
As I carried him, he started to nod off. He had worked hard all morning, so it made sense for him to be sleepy after lunch. He had insisted on coming along, and since Murashige was with us, I thought it would be a good walk for him, figuring I could send him back soon after reaching the palace. I didn’t expect him to fall asleep on the way. The thought of having Murashige carry him back the whole way was unpleasant.
"He fell asleep.”
Hitachimaru said as he peeked at Naruhito’s face. By then, we were already in front of the palace.
"Well, nothing we can do. I'll have Mother look after him."
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Couldn’t you just have Murashige take him back?"
"... It’s been a while, so I’ll pay her a visit."
Holding the sleeping Naruhito, we entered the palace. With me wearing the red royal military uniform and Hitachimaru in his, no one stopped us. Naruhito was also wearing a red hat, symbolizing his status, so no one cast disrespectful looks our way either. At some point, Murashige had disappeared without us noticing.
It had been a while since I had set foot in the royal family’s residential quarters. I always liked the quiet, with few people around. Occasionally, we passed servants who bowed politely. I figured it might be my Mother’s naptime, but I knocked on the door anyway.
"Mother. It's Hiiro."
"Come in."
I left Hitachimaru by the door and entered.
My Mother rose from her rocking chair to greet me without any sign of surprise. She must have already been informed of my arrival by the servants. She glanced at Naruhito’s sleeping face and said, “Oh my,” with a soft expression.
"It’s been a while, Mother."
"It really has."
"I’d like you to look after this one."
"You’re always so sudden. What’s his name?"
"He’s called Naruhito. He’s, uh... very important to me."
"I see. Little Naru, is it?"
Mother had the servants prepare a futon right next to her rocking chair. She planned to let him sleep there.
As soon as I placed Naruhito on the futon, he shifted uncomfortably, but my Mother gently patted his back, soothing him. Seeing him breathe deeply in his sleep, I felt a sense of relief. Mother, smiling, lightly draped a cover over him.
"Well, off you go."
I was practically shooed out of the room. Taking Hitachimaru with me, we headed to the meeting room.
What do you think about this chapter?
