"How is Your Highness resolved as to the matter?"
Youko was momentarily at a loss as how to answer. Both flood control and urban reconstruction were equally important. But which one should be given priority? Kei was not wealthy enough to take on both simultaneously. This was the decision she had been left to unsuccessfully wrestle with.
Moreover, in either case, she was completely incapable of fathoming which flood control measures and urban renewal programs were at issue. She'd read the reports prepared by the Summer Ministry, but she had no idea where these places were, what kind of places they were, or the nature of the relief required.
"I'm sorry, but I really don't know."
She spoke in a muted voice. Admitting her ignorance really grated.
Seikyou sighed to himself. "Your Highness, this is a decision that you must make."
"I'm sorry."
"I am aware that your Highness comes to us from Yamato. However, I trust that by now you have come to some understanding of the situation."
"I am educating myself, but my understanding is incomplete. I am sorry."
"At this point, we need only determine which of these programs shall be given priority."
"I'll talk it over with Keiki and come to a decision."
Seikyou again sighed deeply. "Forgive my forwardness, Your Highness. But is it your intent that the Taiho rule in your stead? The Taiho's first thoughts are always on the alleviation of the people's suffering. Given control of everything, the Taiho will always act out of pity, even to the ruin of the kingdom."
"I know." To a kirin, the suffering of the people took priority over everything else. "But I truly haven't come to a decision."
Seikyou briefly bowed his head. When he raised his head the look on his face was either that of scorn or discouragement. In any case, she knew that he was getting fed up with her. He said, and there was exasperation in his voice, "I am aware that I am being presumptuous, but could I perhaps request that you delegate the matter to one of your subordinates?"
When it came right down to it, time was of the essence and Youko had no choice but to agree. She said, "Sure. Fine. It's all your responsibility, Chousai."
Seikyou bowed low.
Youko watched Seikyou leave and groaned aloud.
Remarkably, the problem-plagued Imperial Ministries had been reorganized, the holes in the dike plugged for the time being. The harmful statutes enacted by the Late Empress Yo-ou had been repealed, the rule of law reestablished. A large part of the military budget had been diverted to assist the refugees, and the year's tax assessments cut.
Bit by bit the kingdom was starting to move forward. That's what everybody assured her.
Everybody was happy that a new monarch had acceded to the throne. Exactly what they were happy for, Youko wasn't sure. What she knew of this world didn't even rise to the level of common sense. Called upon to make a decision, she too often prevaricated. She found giving orders next to impossible.
Any proposal she made would just get laughed at, and, to make matter worse, except for Imperial Rescripts, would have to be approved first by the Sankou and then the Rikkan. Aside from the ceremonial formalities involved with the Inaugural Rescript itself, there was nothing to prevent her from issuing additional Imperial Rescripts. But she didn't have the courage to start issuing rescripts. In the final analysis, she was stuck with the Rikkan that the Late Empress Yo-ou had left to her, and did whatever they told her to.
Such is the lot of the Royal Kei.
Youko laughed derisively at herself. The rejoicing at her accession reached even to the palace. Who could begin to imagine the reality of what even Rakushun and the Royal En and Enki had congratulated her for?
"Your Highness."
Keiki came into the executive chambers, having completed his administrative duties. "It seems that Chousai was recently here."
"Yeah, he was. That business of workforce deployment. I left it all up to him."
"You left it all up to him?"
"Shouldn't I have?"
Keiki answered her question with a disappointed expression on his face.
"Look, I didn't know which one to give priority to. I didn't know because I don't know anything about the conditions of this country. So I handed it over to somebody who did. You disagree?"
"No, that would seem a satisfactory solution." But he sighed.
Youko sighed as well. Since her coronation, she'd heard that sigh any number of times. "If you think I shouldn't have, then go ahead and say so."
"It is always wise to listen to what your ministers have to say. If Your Highness then decided to delegate this responsibility, I see no reason to object."
So why the sour face? Youko thought, looking into his impassive countenance. All she could read in him was a vague sense of dissatisfaction. "If you're not happy with me for some reason, let me know. If there's something you think I should be doing, let's hear it."
A hard edge came to her voice. She was giving everybody reason to sigh, even him, and was getting sick and tired of it.
Keiki said, that same stoic expression on his face, "As you wish. It is the monarch who rules the kingdom. You rule the kingdom according to the council of your ministers. There is nothing wrong with listening with an open mind to what they have to say. But simply handing the entire matter over to Chousai is likely to make the others unhappy. When taking advice from the civil service, you must be sure to consider all contributions equally."
"I do."
Keiki's expression didn't change. "If, upon taking all points of view into consideration, you then decided to delegate the matter to Chousai, I don't believe anybody would complain."
"Are you unhappy with me, too, Keiki?"
Your Highness? the expression on her counselor's face asked, his eyes widening.
"Dissatisfied with another empress? Am I a disappointment to you?"
They all looked at her with suspicious, doubting eyes. Oh, for the good old days of King Tatsu, she could hear them saying. They simply couldn't accept another empress on the throne.
"Nothing of the sort."
Youko averted her gaze and rested her elbows on the table. "You're the one who put me on this throne. So don't look at me like that."
"Your Highness, I… . "
Youko interrupted him. "Go away."
3-2
Oh, so you were born in Japan as well?
"Yes," Suzu answered with a nod.
And you were swept onto the shores of this world. How unfortunate.
"It was awful," Suzu agreed.
I know, I know. Nobody in this world can truly understand how difficult a kaikyaku's life is. But I do.
"Yes, it is. It's really, really tough," Suzu said. "But I'm so happy to have met the Royal Kei."
I'm pleased as well. You have nothing to worry about anymore. You're a fellow kaikyaku like me. I'll do whatever I can to help you. If there's anything troubling you, let me know.
"I am indeed grateful, Your Highness. I… . "
Suzu turned over on her cot. Her imagination failed her. She couldn't think of what to say next.
Since hearing about the Royal Kei from Riyou, she'd had this conversation with herself night after night. The Royal Kei would be full of sympathy for her. They'd converse about Japan, about the trials of the past, their plans for the future. But Suzu had no power, no wealth, no freedom. Surely, the Royal Kei would come to her rescue.
How can I help you?
Could she demand that Suzu be sent to Kei to live in the palace? A luxurious palace, not at all like Suibi Grotto, with generous and kindhearted servants. There they would talk together and stroll through the gardens. And while she was at it, how about giving Riyou a taste of her own medicine?