The Brilliant Royal Divorce Plan Chapter 2
A.N. Hmmmm.... Updated! Thank you luna-chan for your comment... It gave me some motivation LOL
Thank the gods I remembered Ueda-ojisan’s death afterwards…… As if that’s going to make it any better!! Did they see through my façade?!?! Holy crap... what have I done?! I lied to His Majesty just to outdo Ryo?!?! But Tatsuya is indeed a boy though… What in the world am I supposed to do now? I’ve got two years to not be killed…..
This had to be the worst day in Tegoshi Yuya’s life.
“Welcome back General,” a guard greeted cheerfully at the entrance of the Tegoshi manor as his master grimly stalked past, picked up the pace of his footsteps, and crashed into a pillar. Tegoshi sat dumbly rubbing his forehead, in deep thought. It was quite a spectacle to see such a composed official being a complete klutz and the servants could not help but let a giggle escape their lips.
Tegoshi replied with a death glare that made one of the stewards drop the flowerpot he was holding.
“Rough day at work today?” came a sad smile from within the living quarters, “or have you finally been dumped by that Nishikido Ryo?” Ueda Tatsuya mused from behind his veil.
“Your tongue can be even harsher than his sometimes,” Tegoshi stood up, patting himself. “I need to talk to you.”
“As do I, Tegoshi-sama.”
“I’ll let you talk first,” Tegoshi sat down on Ueda’s futon after locking the door and dismissing all the servants.”
“I think it is time I stopped troubling everybody in the household,” Ueda bowed, “may I take my leave after the mourning period?”
“I knew this was coming,” Tegoshi lay down, “but must you really leave? You’ve grown up as my brother… And your father has just died too. Are you sure your uncle doesn’t want you dead?”
“He’s never tried to,” Ueda smiled, “You’ve protected my identity so well anyway, nobody else knows me as anything other than ‘bocchan’, I’ve been wearing this veil for my entire life and have never been anywhere near the city. I’m even registered as a woman on the royal census.”
“Have I been over-protective?”
“No, but I am indebted too much to your father and you. As far as I’m concerned, when my father fell ill and gave ruling power to my uncle, I was till a baby. It was your father who took up all of his medical needs and raised me secretly for 19 years. And you even kept it up despite the political side your father took. You could have just killed me or sent me back to Morioka- are you listening?”
“Do you have any idea how wretched I am feeling as of now?” Tegoshi buried his head in the pillow, “I have really good news, good news, bad news and really bad news. In which order would you like to hear them?”
“Just like that.”
“Good news: You do not have to live here anymore in the near future.”
“Really? What made you change your mind?”
“Good news: I have found you a wedding partner.”
“That is absurd. I never once said I wanted to get married….”
“Bad news: In a bid to outdo Nishikido Ryo at politics, I accidentally married you to Emperor Taguchi.”
Ueda Tatsuya leaned over Tegoshi and checked his forehead temperature, “Are you alright Tegoshi-sama? What good would a man like me do as the spouse of royalty?”
“The really bad news: I’ve married you as a woman.”
“YOU WHAT?!?!?! ARE YOU CRAZY?!?! THIS IS GOING TO GET US KILLED!!!” Ueda snapped and his pupils dilated, “DO I NEED TO REMIND YOU LYING TO THE EMPORER IS ILLGAL!?!?!”
“I know I know,” Tegoshi apologised, “I have a plan though.”
“Are you sure it will work?” Ueda narrowed his eyes, “I appreciate you for all you’ve done for me, but this is ridiculous!”
“Well, since you’re father just died, the emperor can’t touch you for another two years,” Tegoshi started, “And in that two years, I am very sure Hokkaido will try and wage war before our country has recovered form the civil war. All I have to do is try hard and win that war, then tell the emperor the truth when he’s happy. After that we might be able to fake your death and set you free. How was the plan?”
“Absolutely insane.” Ueda collapsed onto the futon, “but it’s the best shot we have. I can also try to get him to divorce me in that period of time.”
“I’m sorry Tat-chan.” If I don’t do this, Junno will be forced to sleep with someone he doesn’t even love… but if doesn’t at least get married, Ryo will be in a tight spot. You’re the only one he can legally and morally not touch for any given time. I promise this isn’t the end.
“You’re just lucky nobody else knows anything about my existence.”
One day later, Nishikido Ryo was still pacing in his office.
“Has Kamenashi arrived yet?” he ruffled his own hair in distress.
“He was at the city gate at last count sir,” a steward replied.
There’s something not right about Tegoshi and whoever that Ueda girl is… But what could be wrong? I can’t put my hand on it quite right but I can’t even sit down without something telling me I’m mistaken… Am I just paranoid of Tegoshi’s… everything?
“Kamenashi Kazuya of Sendai presents himself at the manor entrance sir!” the same steward yelled, “Grant him entrance sir?”
“Grant.”
A few seconds later, a limping man entered the sitting room. Remarkably dressed with a petite frame, the man was beautiful by all standards with a sleek jaw line and a cheeky, coy sort of face. But his walking looked like he worked at a brothel.
“What’s with your gait Kame?” Ryo raised an eyebrow, “Have you been playing around again?”
Kame’s eyes twitched, ‘Can you dismiss all the servants Nishikido-sama?”
“Of course,” Ryo waved his hand as the servants filed out.
Emotionless, Kame asked Ryo to repeat his last question.
“What’s with your gait Kame? Have you been playing around again?”
“STUFF YOU!!” Kame sprung back to life, “WHO WAS IT THAT HAD ME RIDE FROM SENDAI OVERNIGHT?!?! I KILLED THREE HORSES OUT OF EXHAUSTION AND NOW YO UTAKE THE PISS OUT OF MY LIMPING!?!?! AND IF ANYTHING, I WOULD BE TOPPING!!!!”
“Sorry,” Ryo shrugged, “I’ve been stressed lately.”
“What do you suddenly want?” Kame plonked himself casually onto the tatami, “I may be related to you but most Kamenashis aren’t you know.”
“I know. I actually tried to marry you to the emperor the other day but didn’t succeed. Instead, it has just been passed today in internal affairs that a girl called Ueda Tatsuya is to be empress soon.”
“Is that the one who lives in the Tegoshi manor under protection?”
“Suspicious, right?” Ryo got straight to the point.
“Not really. She was kept there purely because the Lord Ueda who fell ill gave up his title to his brother but feared for her safety. The late Tegoshi-sama took her in and remained her guardian for the past 18 years. It’s just that nobody has met her before. Apparently she’s stunningly beautiful because of her Tegoshi blood though.” Kame reported.
“It’s not her I’m worried about,” Ryo bit his fingernails, “There’s something about Tegoshi that’s not quite right. He was so against marriage then all of a sudden decided that the emperor needed to marry someone from his family. I think Ueda might be being used.”
“As far as the secret service is concerned, Tegoshi Yuya is of flawless honesty and nobility,” Kame chided, “I’ve always admired him.”
“I trust my gut instinct on this one,” Ryo argued, “I want you to be the empress’ personal bodyguard.”
“To do what? Spy?”
“Just to make sure she doesn’t try and assassinate His Majesty in bed.”
“If it’s that, you’re worrying about nothing,” Kame pointed out, “In the Ueda family, when a father dies, all daughters of that father must refrain from having their naked body seen by any living person for two years as a sign of chastity. This means that even if I were to be her bodyguard, if she wanted to change clothes or take a bath, everybody would have to leave the room. Including His Majesty the emperor. This is a waste of time so can I leave now?”
“No duh Kame!” Ryo grabbed him, “That makes Tegoshi even more strange. Who in the world who suggest a wife who can’t have children until a certain time? It’s almost as if he doesn’t want that to happen but must control the situation!”
“You’re paranoid Ryo,” Kame sighed, “you never used to agree with Tegoshi Yuya but at least you trusted him. You promised me when you left your father that you’d never be caught in these power struggles.”
Power struggle? Against who? Yuya? I just don’t want him to look down on me. That’s why I left my family.
“Are you refusing me Kame?”
“Yes.”
[One month later, at the royal wedding banquet]
Dammit, Kamenashi Kazuya cursed inwardly, and I ended up here anyway.
From what he could hear, future empress Ueda - no - Taguchi Tatsuya didn’t know a wedding kimono from a cockroach. He could definitely make out muttered curses, frantic single-footed hopping, falling and scrunching material. Kame was tempted to just go in there and dress the darn lady himself if it weren’t for the death penalty that would follow. Not that he had anything against the empress of course…. If she didn’t exist, I would be the one trying to squeeze into that kimono right now…. He shuddered. Without warning, a figure opened the sliding door. A very dishevelled lady stood there, but her slightly auburn hair (a definite Tegoshi trademark) was still perfectly done up. At first glance, she had a perfect face, but looking closer, one would truly doubt their own monogamy. She had, big, shiny doe eyes and a sleek jaw, with every feature delicately in place - a face born to be empress. Kame finally understood why it necessary to keep this girl out of a crowd.
“Err, Your Highness can I help you?” he tried to regain his normal breathing speed.
Taken aback by the unfamiliar male face, Ueda, no, Tatsuya faltered a bit and tripped over his train. Instincts taking over, Kame tried to reach out and stop the fall. However, before he had a chance to react any further, a strong hand grabbed his wrist and effortlessly thrashed him onto the hallway floorboards. The speed was unreal. Such an experienced infiltrator and assassin like Kame had absolutely no time to even yell and landed with a thump. A hand pressed over his mouth and he came within inches to Tatsuya’s face, hearing him breathe. The empress herself had just performed a flawlessly executed negative shoulder throw using Kame’s body weight to counter her own fall.
“Who are you?” Tatsuya hissed.
Kame pointed helplessly at the hand. Loosening his hand on Kame’s mouth and nothing more, Tatsuya waited.
“I was going to say that I am your appointed personal bodyguard but it looks like it’s time for me to retire early,” Kame sheepishly laughed, “His Majesty was worrying over nothing.”
”His Majesty sent you?” Tatsuya still didn’t let go.
“Of course, with a little persuasion from Nishikido Ryo-sama,” Kame winked, “I’m actually your wedding present. Kamenashi Kazuya of Sendai, ex-secret service infiltration/assassination specialist, presents himself before the empress as her property.”
Tatsuya was lost for words. Apparently he now owned this charming boy, but according to him, someone didn’t like him and wants to put him under surveillance so he can’t fire this Kamenashi kid.
“You’re quite straightforward aren’t you?” Tatsuya released Kame from the floor, “Do you know how to do a wedding obi knot?”
“I have no experience Your Highness,” Kame brushed himself off. The force of the impact had left splinters in his clothes. Obviously this empress had learnt a thing or two from the Tegoshi family in her time living with them.
“Then can you explain why there are no other people down this entire corridor?” Tatsuya squinted, “It’s why I thought you were suspicious.”
“Tegoshi Yuya-sama wanted you to have complete privacy as he understands you must be under a great deal of pressure Your Highness.”
“Get me a maid who can tie a knot Kamenashi,” Tatsuya feigned coldness while returning into the room, “And cut the keigo (polite language), I’m not that much of a prissy princess. You’ll be known as Kame from now on.”
“Whatever... Your Highness.”
Tatsuya’s hair was still perfectly in place as he closed the sliding door.
PS. Of course I am an absolute comment hoarder XD