Hiiro (57)
“Hiiro."
"Huh?"
As soon as the meeting ended, and I stood to leave, my father called out to me. Startled, I gave a dumb reply. Come to think of it, he hadn’t said a word during the meeting. He had indicated his agreement with a raise of his hand...
"Ah, umm, Father. It's been a while."
"It’s been far too long. You should show your face more often."
"Erm. yes, you're right."
It was true. I had greeted him upon returning to the country and apologized for the destruction of the research facility, but that was all. In reality, it was Akemi who was running the country. Father was more of a helper. Knowing that, I had work discussions with Akemi but had little to talk about with Father, so I would immediately return home. I didn’t mind living in the royal palace, but after receiving my own residence, I found it so comfortable that I had no desire to return...
"You still haven't let me meet your beloved child."
His slightly sulking tone made me exasperated.
He’s a kind, ordinary father. Not the kind of man fit to be an emperor.
Originally, it was supposed to be my uncle who would inherit the throne, so my father wasn’t raised to carry the dignity of running a nation. He was brought up with the intention of assisting under the name of Ichijou, along with my mother, who had been the wife of the second son. The story goes that when my brother died suddenly from illness, no one cried more than my father. Since my uncle and his wife had no children and Akemi had already been born to my father, he became the emperor’s bloodline. My uncle’s wife, who had been slated to become the empress, returned to her family and remarried a relative. My mother, who was suddenly made empress, worked hard and harder until her heart became weary. By the time I was old enough to remember, she would tremble and freeze in front of large crowds and couldn’t perform public duties. Depressed by her inability to contribute, she had once even wished for death.
There were plenty of hands to raise us children, so we weren’t troubled despite my mother's condition, but when I was young, I saw her as someone I shouldn’t approach casually. It was more like Lady Himiko and Aoba were the ones who raised me as mothers. When Akemi, who had been raised to become emperor, and Akari, who had been determined to become his betrothed, were able to take on the public duties, my father and mother visibly calmed down.
By the time I was in high school, family gatherings had become a little embarrassing, but it was then that I realized they were just ordinary parents. Looking back, I understand why I couldn't possibly become emperor. I was only ever raised with the intention of assisting my brother, who would be emperor. My parents' confusion stemmed from the same situation. Even so, they’ve done a remarkable job. After realizing that, I was able to interact with my parents as just a normal family. This time, it was fortunate that my mother was able to take care of Naruhito.
"I’ve left him with Mother. I’ll go pick him up; would you like to join me?"
"Yes, I’ll come."
When I knocked on my mother’s door, she responded immediately. Opening the door, I saw Naruhito sitting on her lap in a rocking chair, his mouth hanging open as he stared intently at the fish tank. A large ryukin goldfish swam leisurely in the one-meter diameter circular tank. It was placed on a stand, so it might have been at eye level with him as he sat in the chair. My mother was smiling gently, watching Naruhito closely. Every so often, she would stroke his left arm, which ended at his elbow, as if she were hoping it might somehow grow back...
"Thank you for taking care of him."
I spoke, and Naruhito finally turned to look at me.
What do you think about this chapter?
