[so. there is to be mercy. her shoulders almost wilt with the relief of it, orchids in a sun three degrees too hot for their survival. through sheer force of will does the lady maintain herself. she will not be relegated to the desires of a man she does not know, birthing princes and princesses that may well not survive the jealousy of a harem. if the emperor has no eye for her, tatsuhime and kyoami might be left alone to thrive. she has educated them, she and layre and lady fujiwara. her daughter is already elegant, her son already a promising hunter. they can be of rank in any place now, she believes. kaede is not ready to be touched. she has not invited it. she has not welcomed it. and yet this simple act of intimacy possesses the ability to almost unravel her again, almost break the carefully maintained dam between the lady and her unshed tears. she cannot let her children weather winter alone, not when an empire offers potential beyond any she might. to remain is tempting, but kaede will not see hunger pinch the bellies of her children, nor starvation set the bones of their small faces in stark relief. we will accompany your court, téng yuè, says the lady ichimonji. she thinks it has already been decided, adding a slight emphasis to show that if she must be possession, she would rather be in this lady's paw. lady rio fujiwara is my lady and mentor to my children. layre is our guardian and teacher to my son. i ask that she be given a place beside me and that he serve the emperor, long may he live. rio was beautiful. in a place such as this, that would not serve her. as long as kaede was able to keep her close, perhaps the head of this unseen and powerful man might not be turned toward the small clan.]

so. there is to be mercy.

her shoulders almost wilt with the relief of it, orchids in a sun three degrees too hot for their survival. through sheer force of will does the lady maintain herself. she will not be relegated to the desires of a man she does not know, birthing princes and princesses that may well not survive the jealousy of a harem. if the emperor has no eye for her, tatsuhime and kyoami might be left alone to thrive. she has educated them, she and layre and lady fujiwara. her daughter is already elegant, her son already a promising hunter. they can be of rank in any place now, she believes.

kaede is not ready to be touched. she has not invited it. she has not welcomed it. and yet this simple act of intimacy possesses the ability to almost unravel her again, almost break the carefully maintained dam between the lady and her unshed tears.

she cannot let her children weather winter alone, not when an empire offers potential beyond any she might.

to remain is tempting, but kaede will not see hunger pinch the bellies of her children, nor starvation set the bones of their small faces in stark relief.

we will accompany your court, téng yuè, says the lady ichimonji. she thinks it has already been decided, adding a slight emphasis to show that if she must be possession, she would rather be in this lady's paw. lady rio fujiwara is my lady and mentor to my children. layre is our guardian and teacher to my son. i ask that she be given a place beside me and that he serve the emperor, long may he live.

rio was beautiful. in a place such as this, that would not serve her. as long as kaede was able to keep her close, perhaps the head of this unseen and powerful man might not be turned toward the small clan.