Chapter 232: Peacock Brothers
Astri and Masayori are talking about his feelings, sitting at a bench under a cherry blossom tree. Talking to her made Masayori realize the wrong things he had been telling himself, and it was probably the main reason his father didn’t choose him.
"Do you think that my father didn’t choose me because I’m someone evil?" He asks her.
"No. You’re not evil. And believe me when I say that. I know. Nature can see things you’re even hiding from yourself." She says, and he sighs relieved. "Your father saw that your brother cared about his people and would handle the pressure of being the Emperor. That doesn’t mean you’re not good enough for the position. Your brother is very attentive to those around him and can sense others’ energy very well. And he has Lord Renzai as his most trustful counselor. Do you really think that your brother keeps you here to make you suffer?" She inquires.
He looks back at his own hands, wondering about the answer. She smiles, knowing that he knows the answer and he’s just proud to say out loud.
"Some members of the council believe that I can betray my brother. And I won’t lie that I thought of ways to show that he’s not more worthy than I am. But I have never found something to put against him." He softly says.
"You didn’t find, or you’re pretending to look in a bottle you know that is empty? You’re trying to read a book that has no letters." She makes him face the truth. "You have a spouse and can have royal heirs, and he still doesn’t have a spouse. Why don’t you use that against him?"
He doesn’t answer, still looking down.
"You two are cute." She chuckles, and he looks at her impressed. "You protect each other. You prove my point. You’re perfect to keep your brother protected, and that is a very noble position because you’re also carrying the nation on your back. Your brother protects you because he knows who you really are. And you don’t ’find’ anything against him, because you know he’s a great Emperor."
He sighs, smiling, then nods.
"Kangki, my spouse, is an ancient beast like me. He’s a Quimera. We’re like day and night, as beasts. His kind feels comfortable at night, in the dark. All before me felt they would never be compatible to live along with him. All of us need the night to rest, and the day to live. None are more important than the other." She says.
"That male with black eyes?" He asks, and she nods. "He’s scary indeed. But I’m judging him by the looks."