CHAPTER FIFTY

It was early in the morning when Sato walked into the Emperor's quarters.

It was totally dark inside except for the little light that penetrated the Emperor's windows which tried to fight the resisting darkness slowly and slowly.

"Your Majesty." Sato called but there was no response.

"Your Majesty." He called a second time but all that he could feel was absolute silence all over the place.

He was drawn to the Emperor's bedside and there touching his body he noticed that it was cold.

"Your Majesty " He tried shaking the Emperor but to no avail he eventually lifted his two left fingers and placed them over the nose but he couldn't feel even the slightest warm air coming from his body.

He moved his fingers to underneath his neck but he still couldn't feel a thing.

He hurriedly walked out of the room and stopped right in front of the guards that were outside.

"Call the Imperial physician." He said to one of them.

"Announce to the Imperial Wives and Consorts of the Emperor and tell them that they must gather at once." He added as he turned to the second.

"Yes." The two replied as they all went into different directions.

Empress Ishi Hime was seated at her dressing table when Sakae hurriedly walked in.

"Your Highness." She said.

"What is it?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"All the Emperor's wives and Concubines have been summoned outside his Chambers." Sakae replied.

"I'm on my way." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied as she bowed her head.

Consort Katashishime was seated inside her Chambers while Sara handed over some tea to her.

She smelled it.

"Fine Ginseng tea." She said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sara replied.

"I must say that it smells too good." Consort Katashishime said as she picked up the cup slowly.

It was too hot that she let go of it all of a sudden and the cup fell down onto the floor.

"Your Highness." Sara said quickly afraid that her mistress was hurt

"It's nothing." Consort Katashishime said.

"I hope so." Sara said, "I am so sorry." She said.

"It's fine, you can prepare me another cup." Consort Katashishime said.

"But the cup is broken and it was your favourite cup that the Emperor gifted you." Sara said.

"Perhaps I do not feel right, that is a bad Omen." Consort Katashishime said as she picked up one of the broken fragments of the Jade cup.

"Your Highness." One of Consort Katashishime's maids called so desperately to her as she rushed into her Chambers.

The two hurriedly looked up at her.

"What is it?" Sara asked.

"Your Highness, all the Emperor's Imperial wives and Concubines have been summoned outside his Chambers immediately." The maid replied.

"Why?" Consort Katashishime asked.

"I don't know." The maid replied.

"Your Highness." Sara said as she looked at the cup.

"No." Consort Katashishime said as she nodded her head.

"Could something bad have happened?" Sara asked.

"Impossible." Consort Katashishime said as she hurriedly got up and exited her chambers while her ladies in waiting joined her and Sara followed.

Empress Ishi Hime was walking from her end of the Shikishima no Kanazashi Palace when she came across Consort Katashishime who was rushing from her own.

The two halted and looked at each other for a while before Empress Ishi Hime reacted first.

"Your Highness." She said as she bowed her head.

"Your Highness." Consort Katashishime replied as she bowed her head as well.

"You have received the news." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"I was on my way." Consort Katashishime replied.

"So was I." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"I see." Consort Katashishime said.

"Shouldn't we go together?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Hmm." Consort Katashishime muttered as she nodded her head.

The Imperial physician was already inside the Emperor's Palace and he was tending to his body.

"How is he Sir?" Sato asked as the physician searched for a pulse.

"I can't detect his Palace and his body is already pale and cold, I believe that there is nothing more that we can do." The Imperial physician replied.

"What do you mean that there is nothing more that we can do?" Sato asked.

"His Majesty is no more." The Imperial Physician replied.

"I see." Sato said.

"Is there anything else that I can do for you?" the Imperial Physician asked.

"No." Sato replied.

"Have it known that the Emperor is dead, I have confirmed it that he passed out in his sleep due to old age." The Imperial Physician said.

"Yes." Sato replied, "I'll talk to the Empress and his Consorts." He added

"Yes." The Imperial physician replied as he gathered up all his equipment and he stood up and walked towards the doors of the Emperor's room.

The Imperial Wives and Concubines of the Late Emperor stood in the Courtyard underneath the palace as they looked up to the staircase that led to his Chambers.

The Imperial Physician walked out a while Later and he was joined by a rather sombre Eunuch Sato who wore a facial appearance of dismay all over him.

He had everyone's attention looking up at him.

"His Majesty our Emperor is dead." He said and all the Imperial wives and Concubines were surprised that Consort Katashishime gasped loudly while Empress Ishi Hime reserved her composure.

"He passed on in his sleep last night, Long Live the Emperor." Sato shouted out loudly as he burst into tears.

The Empress leading all the other women went down onto her knees along with the ladies in waiting that were present.

"Long Live Our Emperor." She said while the rest of the Imperial women repeated after her as they kowtowed three times with their heads touching the ground.

Eventually, Empress Ishi Hime offered her hand and Sakae took it up while she was helped to her feet.

She turned around and she looked at Consort Katashishime and all the others with a very fatal expression on her face.

At that moment, Mononobe no Moriya hurried into the Courtyard with a golden scroll in his hands.

"Your Highness." He said as he bowed his head while the Empress looked at him.

"What is it?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"I have a posthumous edict presented to me as the Imperial Chieftain by the Emperor before his death." Mononobe no Moriya said.

"Stand here with it and wait until all the Courtiers have gathered." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Yes Your Highness." Mononobe no Moriya replied as he bowed his head.

The Crown Prince Nunakakura was seated in his office of Finances with Consort Toyomike who was reviewing some of the Memorials with him.

"Your Highness, you got up quite early Today." Princess Toyomike said.

"I wish to present these memorials to father very early before the assembly." The Crown Prince replied.

"Your deadline was supposed to be next week." Princess Toyomike said.

"It doesn't hurt to be a little bit early and besides I wouldn't have done it without your help." The Crown Prince Nunakakura replied.

"You can do nothing without me." Princess Toyomike bragged.

It was at that moment that the doors of the office were flung open and Miwa no Sakau walked in enthusiastically with his eyes so teary and his entire self sweating profusely.

"What's the matter with you Miwa?" The Crown Prince asked as he placed down his ink brush and stood up with Princess Toyomike by his side while Miwa no Sakau went down on his knees.

"I am sorry for saying this but His Majesty the Emperor is dead." He replied.

The Crown Prince was shocked that his eyes widened while he staggered a little bit but was supported by his Consort who seemed rather strong enough for him to lean on her.

"What?" The Crown Prince asked.

"His Majesty passed on yesterday night in his sleep." Miwa no Sakau replied.

There was some silence that prevailed after his statement.

"Long Live the Emperor." Miwa no Sakau added while Princess Toyomike walked away from her husband's side and she positioned herself right onto her knees while she bowed her head down and then she raised her hands up to the sky.

"May the good grace of Heaven meet our best bidding and may the gods defend us we pray this very day, we have come so far in life but are still too young to reign." Princess Toyomike said.

"Father." The Crown Prince said.

"Depart for the Imperial Palace of Shikishima no Kanazashi at once." Miwa no Sakau said.

"Yes." The Crown Prince replied.

The two were about to march out of the room when General Fujiyaro walked in.

"Your Majesty." He said as he bowed his head.

"What is it?" The Crown Prince asked.

"The Imperial edict from His Majesty the Emperor, the last one he passed on to me before he perished and she told me to give it to you." General Fujiyaro replied as he stretched out the golden scroll and handed it over to the Crown Prince who took it into his possession.

"Thank you." The Crown Prince said as he handed the edict over to Princess Toyomike.

"Let's go and see off our father." Princess Toyomike said.

"Yes." The Crown Prince replied as they all walked out of the building.

The Courtiers had gathered in the Courtyard of Shikishima no Kanazashi Palace and there thry looked up at the Throne room that was not so far from the Emperor's Chambers.

It had been about an hour and the Imperial wives and Concubines were still standing there when the Crown Prince walked through the gates along with some other members of the Soga clan.

The Courtiers paved way for the Crown Prince and his Consort while they halted right behind the Empress.

"Is Everyone here?" Empress Ishi Hime asked from where she was kneeling.

"Yes Your Highness." Sakae replied as the Empress offered her hand and Sakae took it and helped her up.

Mononobe no Moriya walked up to the Empress' side.

"Your Highness." The Crown Prince said as he bowed his head to his mother who turned around and looked at him.

"We have been waiting for you Your Highness." Empress Ishi Hime said as she bowed her head to her son.

"Now that everyone is here I shall read out the Emperor's last Posthumous Edict." Mononobe no Moriya said as he opened the Golden scroll whole Everyone else who was present went onto their knees.

"BY THE GRACE OF HEAVEN I HAVE LED AS SUPREME SOVEREIGN OF THE NATION AND HAVE MADE THIS COUNTRY A STRONG AND STURDY ONE, IN MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN YOUR EMPEROR HEAVEN HAS PROTECTED ME AT LAST AS I LIVE I WISH TO LEAVE YOU IN VERY GOOD HANDS.

MY SON THE CROWN PRINCE NUNAKAKURA NO FUTOTAMASHIKI SHALL SUCCEED ME AS EMPEROR IN FRONT OF MY COFFIN AND MY BELOVED CONSORT KATASHISHIME SHALL BE SENT TO THE KII MOUNTAIN RANGES ALONG WITH HER SISTER ŌANE NO KIMI AND THERE THEY SHALL PRAY FOR MY SOUL ALL THE DAYS OF THEIR LIFE.

MY WIFE THE EMPRESS ISHI HIME IS TO BECOME THE DOWAGER EMPRESS AND SHE SHALL HOLD THE IMPERIAL SEAL OF THIS KINGDOM AND ASSIST THE NEW EMPEROR FOR ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE.

THESE ARE MY WORDS AND I HOPE THAT YOU SHALL HEAR THEM." Mononobe no Moriya said and he lifted the edict up and showed it to the world with the Imperial seal.

"As you have all heard." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Wait a minute Your Highness." The Crown Prince said as two of the maids that were following him presented two golden scrolls.

"I have Father's last wishes written here and I have received them this morning." The Crown Prince said.

Everyone was surprised as they were already on their knees they bowed their heads again.

Miwa no Sakau took the first one and Mononobe no Moriya walked up to them and took the second one.

"Your Highness, if both edicts say the same thing at the same time then we can both agree that they were made by His Majesty at the same time because one was here in the Palace and it was brought to us at the gates while we were entering and the other was entrusted to General Fujiyaro a month before the Emperor's passing." Princess Toyomike said.

"Go ahead and read it." Empress Ishi Hime said as she was helped by Sakae onto her knees while Consort Toyomike followed her and did the same while they both stared at each other.

"Mononobe no Moriya and Miwa no Sakau themselves shall read the contents at the same time so that no one has to listen to the other first and create a point of argument." The Crown Prince said.

"Yes Your Majesty." They all replied in unison.

"BY THE GRACE OF HEAVEN I HAVE LED AS SUPREME SOVEREIGN OF THE NATION AND HAVE MADE THIS COUNTRY A STRONG AND STURDY ONE, IN MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN YOUR EMPEROR HEAVEN HAS PROTECTED ME AT LAST AS I LIVE I WISH TO LEAVE YOU IN VERY GOOD HANDS.

MY SON THE CROWN PRINCE NUNAKAKURA NO FUTOTAMASHIKI SHALL SUCCEED ME AS EMPEROR IN FRONT OF MY COFFIN AND MY BELOVED CONSORT KATASHISHIME SHALL BE SENT TO THE KII MOUNTAIN RANGES ALONG WITH HER SISTER ŌANE NO KIMI AND THERE THEY SHALL PRAY FOR MY SOUL ALL THE DAYS OF THEIR LIFE.

MY WIFE THE EMPRESS ISHI HIME IS TO BECOME THE DOWAGER EMPRESS AND SHE SHALL HOLD THE IMPERIAL SEAL OF THIS KINGDOM AND ASSIST THE NEW EMPEROR FOR ALL THE DAYS OF HER LIFE.

THESE ARE MY WORDS AS ANY OTHER EDICT PRIOR TO THIS I REVOKE EXCEPT THAT WHICH IS IN THE HANDS OF MY HEIR HOPING THAT YOU SHALL HEAR THEM." the two read simultaneously and they shut the Edict.

"I hope that it all clears the air." Mononobe no Moriya said.

Everyone bowed their heads including Princess Toyomike while she raised her head and she looked at the Dowager Empress.

Everyone walked away from the scene while Empress Ishi Hime entered into her husband's Chambers.

The whole room was covered in white and the Emperor lay in a gilded casket.

Consort Toyomike walked into the room.

"It's about time that you arrived here." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Were you expecting me?" Consort Toyomike asked.

"Perhaps I was expecting much more than that." Empress Ishi Hime said as she turned around and looked at the young Princess who walked up to her.

Looking at father's body lying so lifeless here, you must feel a little bit too lonely." Consort Toyomike said.

"To be frank with you, I never loved him as much but nevertheless he was the father of my children." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"My mother and my aunt won't last more than three days in the palace and you shall become the holder of the Imperial seal and serve like a nominal regent to assist the New Emperor." Consort Toyomike said.

"He still has a lot more to learn " Empress Ishi Hime replied.

"You won this fight." Consort Toyomike said.

"But our battle isn't yet over." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Yes." Consort Toyomike affirmed.

"What more was it that you wanted?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"Your Power, your might, you might have taken my key figures but deep down you know that you haven't crumbled my foundation." Consort Toyomike said.

"You won too many times like I did before that you can not admit defeat that easily and of course the hour is not yet because you still have something that I loathe and I fear the most at the same time as well." Empress Ishi Hime remarked.

"What is it?" Consort Toyomike asked as she started walking closer to the Empress until they were face to face with one another.

"The Emperor's devotion, the unwavering grace of my son." Empress Ishi Hime replied as she halted right in front of her daughter in law.

"I understand." Consort Toyomike said, "But I don't understand how well you played your game." Consort Toyomike said.

"You were too cautious you needed to defend your son and see to it that it is born beyond the schemes of the Inner Palace, as a result I had the Palace all to myself and I slowly started planting all the people that I trusted throughout it even up to the lowest of places.

'The Emperor is the master of the Palace but the Empress rules it.' Have you never wondered why?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

"All I needed was to get the seal on print without having to move it and I would manipulated any Edict that I wanted so were all those that went out of the Palace." She added.

"How unfortunate, I never thought that I would lose out like this and the Palace that I tried so hard to protect my son from has summoned me again." Consort Toyomike said.

"Weep not my child, weep not my darling." Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Defeat is inevitable in battle but where you still have the will to fight then all is not yet completely lost." Consort Toyomike said.

"I'm soaring on wings but I am uncertain whether I can say the same for you " Empress Ishi Hime replied.

"There's more than one shot to call and a single string to pull." Consort Toyomike said.

"So what?" Empress Ishi Hime asked, "Do you still have the hopes of becoming our nation's Empress?" She added.

Consort Toyomike kept quiet.

"Listen to me Your Highness, give up because you shall never be our nation's Empress." Empress Ishi Hime assured.

"Why?" Consort Toyomike asked.

"With all due respect Your Highness, I am alive and if you thought that by writing a simple manual to the manner of Imperial wives and Concubines you'd elevate yourself to that position?" Empress Ishi Hime asked.

Consort Toyomike gulped.

"You wait and see for yourself everything that I am about to posses wholesomely, I have robbed you of your primary pillars in the inner court that I am now going to still it from the turbulence that was existing in it.

I shall lower you from the height that you had taken and you'll do nothing but watch sadly as The Crown Princess is made the Empress in your place." Empress Ishi Hime said as she smiled ghastly at the young woman.

"I'll look forward to that Your Highness." Consort Toyomike said as the Empress sashayed away with Sakae pleasantly following her mistress away.

Princess Toyomike turned to look at her father's coffin and as she drew closer she embraced it.

"I am defeated." She said to herself, "Perhaps right now her Highness has vanquished me." She added as she ran her hands around it while she positioned herself right by it's side.

"I burn with greed father, that woman has become more powerful than ever now that you who was the last barrier to her influence are gone.

It is my time Your Majesty, for my people and for the sake of this Nippon, our Wa that you loved and this nation that you cherished and United with the Great Emperor Senka.

I am going to possess this Nation and because you couldn't go against your wife I shall have to vanquish her for you, knowing that deep down in my heart, she was the very path that was bound to lead to some of my most ultimate victories." Consort Toyomike said.

Having spoken those words a tear ran down her cheek that she turned around and slowly, she walked away from the room.

The following day everyone was gathered at Kawachi no Shinaga no naka no o no misasagi for the Emperor's burial and his coffin was led into the tomb while everyone was watching.

Consort Katashishime and her sister had embraced each other and they watched as their husband was led inside.

Empress Ishi Hime who stood with the Crown Princess looked determined while Consort Toyomike stood right next to her husband as his father was led into the Tumulus.

A Shinto Priest who was presiding over the ceremony hand in hand with the High Priestess said the final prayers and after everyone who had gathered scattered.

Consort Katashishime was seated in her Chambers with her sister and there she was holding onto a fabric when Sara walked up to her.

"Your Highness." She said as she bowed her head.

"What is it?" Consort Dowager Katashishime asked.

"Her Highness Consort Toyomike us here to see you both." Sara replied.

"Let her in." Consort Dowager Katashishime said.

"Yes Your Highness." Sara replied as she walked out while Consort Toyomike walked in a while later.

"Mother." She said as she bowed her head, "Aunt." She added as she bowed down to Consort Dowager Ōane no Kimi as well.

"Sit down." Her aunt said as Consort Toyomike nodded her head before she moved on to the empty seat at the table and she sat down.

"It only feels as though it were yesterday that the both of us got married." Consort Dowager Katashishime said.

"Yes sister." Consort Dowager Ōane no Kimi agreed.

"I made for him this Montsuki and he wore it often when it was winter, he loved it so dearly that now when he is gone it is the thing that I hold most valuable to remind me of him." Consort Dowager Katashishime said.

"I am sorry mother." Consort Toyomike said.

"Sorry?" Consort Dowager Ōane no Kimi asked.

"Yes." Consort Toyomike replied.

"You did nothing." Consort Dowager Katashishime said.

"Rather we are the ones that should feel so sorry for you having to live in this cruel Palace all alone." Consort Dowager Ōane no Kimi said.

"It hadn't occurred to me that having been so powerful before Her Highness the Dowager Empress Ishi Hime would render me powerless as it is of now." Consort Toyomike said.

"I warned you before, against the Empress when you stake everything then should defeat come be prepared to lose it all." Consort Dowager Katashishime said.

"All is not lost for me mother and I believe that I haven't been defeated." Consort Toyomike said.

"You aren't." Consort Dowager Katashishime said. "And I'll keep on praying for you everyday that you are not." She added.

"Thank you mother." Consort Toyomike said.

"Don't worry." Consort Dowager Katashishime said.

"Yes." Consort Dowager Ōane no Kimi said.

"Just like the night is never eternal, even in the darkness where there is light there is hope that there's still survival." Consort Dowager Katashishime said.

"I shall survive mother, this I promise you, Whatever it is that may come way, I shall get even with the Dowager Empress for the sacrifice that the both of you have made and I shall punish her both with the will of Heaven and with the love of the people." Consort Toyomike promised.

"That's good my daughter, you have finally grown up." Consort Dowager Katashishime said.

"You and father taught me well." Consort Toyomike said.

"Hmm." Her mother and aunt muttered while the three of them stood up.

"Could you stay a little bit longer?" Consort Toyomike asked.

"It is High time that we left." Consort Dowager Katashishime said as Consort Toyomike walked around the table and she hugged them both.

"I'll miss you." Consort Toyomike said.

"Look after the New Emperor for me and also protect your children." Consort Dowager Ōane no Kimi said.

"I shall." Consort Toyomike replied as she eventually pulled away from the two and she looked at them one last time before she turned around and then she walked out of the room leaving the two of them inside alone.

As she slowly descended the stairs from her mother's Chambers, she was joined by Sina and Kabane.

"Your Highness." They said as they supported her.

"I feel so tired." Consort Toyomike said.

"You need some rest." The two said to her.

"Perhaps it is so." Consort Toyomike said.

"It was just recently that you gave birth to PRINCESS OHARITA and you had not yet fully recovered." Sina said.

"All I need is to be taken to my Chambers right now." Consort Toyomike said.

"Yes Your Highness." The two replied as they helped Consort Toyomike up to her room.

Dowager Empress Ishi Hime walked into the room of the Crown Princess.

"Mother." She said while she stood up and bowed her head.

"Congratulations." She added.

"Thank you." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Finally you are the Keeper of the Imperial Seal." The Crown Princess said.

"It is high time that I exercised my newfound legitimate power don't you think?" Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.

"With your influence I believe that a number of those Courtiers are going to abandoned her Highness and they shall follow you." The Crown Princess remarked.

"You'll never know what heaven has in stock for a person, Princess Toyomike was proud with her three children and the Crown Prince's heart but now she has lost to much power in an instant while I have consolidated my position in state affairs." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Yes Your Highness, in deed she doesn't stand that much of a chance against you." The Crown Princess said.

"And now that I have the power it is High time that you became the Empress." Dowager Empress Ishi Hime said.

"Thank you so much Your Highness." The Crown Princess said as the two of them smiled at themselves ghastly.

Consort Toyomike entered her room and there she found her husband who was seated inside while looking at a couple of memorials.

She walked up to her husband while he threw three there and massaged his forehead a bit frustrated from reading them.

"What's the problem Your Majesty?" Consort Toyomike asked.

"I have just buried my father and these are appeals that are urging me to name an Empress." He replied.

"Your Coronation is the day after tomorrow, I believe that you can seek the opinion of the Courtiers during the Assembly." Consort Toyomike said.

"I am worried that most of them could oppose you for my choice as an Empress." The Emperor said.

"Let them do as they please but you can give it a try and see without having to back down just yet, only if you remain true to yourself I am not asking to be your Empress but as long as I can be by your side and bear your burdens with you then it is enough for me." Consort Toyomike said.

"You are the best wife that a man could ever ask for?" The Emperor said.

"There is no need to thank me Your Majesty because as your wife all I ever possesed for a wish is my delight to remain in the duty and service of rendering all affairs to you as easy as possible." Consort Toyomike said as the Emperor looked at her and he smiled heartily.

"What would I have done without you, to think that I shall have to spend the rest of my life with you right here by my side, it's the most beautiful gift I could ever have and unlike all the other Emperors who came on before me, throughout my reign I wouldn't have to be so lonely." The Emperor said as he pulled her into a hug.

The Courtiers had gathered and the young Emperor walked through the aisle while they all bowed their heads.

He mounted the stairs that led to his father's throne and there in all his might, he sat down on it.

"Your Majesty." Everyone heralded him.

"All rise." The new Emperor said.

Mononobe no Moriya walked out.

"Your Majesty." He said as he bowed his head.

"What is it?" The young Emperor said.

"About your name." Moriya replied.

"What do you think?" The Emperor asked.

"Her Highness the Dowager Empress proposes that you take on a new name just as it was with your father and others before him.

"I already have one." The Young Emperor said, "From this day forth especially at my coronation tomorrow, I wish to be known as EMPEROR BIDATSU." He said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Everyone said as they bowed their heads.

Consort Toyomike was seated in the Emperor's Chambers when all of a sudden Sato walked in.

She stood up immediately when she noticed his presence.

"Sato." She called.

"Your Highness." Sato replied.

"What is it?" Consort Toyomike Asked.

"Pardon me Your Highness but I can not get to the Crown Prince however you know his best interests and it is you that I can trust." Sato replied.

"What's the problem?" Consort Toyomike asked.

"Before His Late Majesty the Emperor passed on, he left me a posthumous Edict, I knew that I could react and show it to anyone because the Dowager Empress had her own motives.

However Your Highness I give this Edict to you trusting that it is in safe hands." Sato replied as he handed over the golden scroll and Consort Toyomike held it in her arms.

"Please give it to the Emperor for me." Sato said.

"Don't worry, I will." Consort Toyomike replied as Sato bowed his head and he withdrew from the room.

"Any other request?" Emperor Bidatsu asked

Consort Toyomike started to open it.

"You could have succeeded as the Emperor but it is high time that you chose an Empress prior to your Coronation." Moriya replied

"Excuse me Your Majesty." Umako said.

"Please go on." The young Emperor said.

"Consort Toyomike is young and beautiful and she is exemplary, graceful and dignified, she composed THE MANNER OF THE WOMEN OF THE IMPERIAL COURT and not to mention she has stayed filial and faithful as a wife in giving you a son and two daughters so far.

She is beautiful and intelligent and she is steadfast in her judgement and beloved by many, I believe Your Majesty that she posseses the manner that is befitting of a true Empress." Umako said.

"I believe that what Umako has said is right.

"I second that Your Majesty." A few of the others said in Umako's favour.

"Pardon me Your Majesty." Mononobe no Moriya said as Mononobe no Suke presented a memorial.

"What is this?" The young Emperor asked.

"Tradition is what has sustained our beloved Country for centuries and Consort Toyomike may be gifted and graceful and she might be befitting in her conduct and exemplary as well to take on the role of Empress but there are other factors that must be put into consideration that Her Highness the Dowager Empress has pointed out." Mononobe no Suke replied.

"Yes Your Majesty." Moriya said, "Having been the head of the Inner Court for decades she is well versed with all the traditions she presents her good counsel on the idea." He added.

"Fine." The New Emperor said as he opened the memorial and read it out loud.

"CONSORT TOYOMIKE DOES BOAST THE MOST REMARKABLE ART BUT THE CROWN PRINCESS IN NATURE IS KIND AND DIGNIFIED, SHE WAS YOUR FIRST WIFE TO BE APPROVED BY THE LATE EMPEROR AND SHE IS ALSO THE ELDEST AMONGST ALL THAT ARE YOURS.

TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARD OF THE CROWN HER SON IN NAME SHALL BE YOUR SUCCESSOR AND SHOULD SHE BE OVERLOOKED THEN THE MASSES SHALL CRITICIZE YOUR MAJESTY.

CONSORT TOYOMIKE IS STILL YOUNG AND SHE IS GROWING UP, SUPREME IN THIS AFFAIR IS SENIORITY ALONG WITH A POPULARITY VOTE OF THE COURTIERS, IN MY HUMBLE ADVICE I URGE YOUR MAJESTY TO RECONSIDER, FOR IN MY SIGHT THE BEST CANDIDATE I HAVE DECIDED IS THE CROWN PRINCESS TO TAKE ON THAT RIGHT

SHE CAN NOT BE REPLACED UNLESS FAULTED WITH IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE TO BE DEPOSED OR DEAD." The Emperor said.

Consort Toyomike's eyes were perusing through the scroll that was in her possession.

"Please reconsider Your Majesty." The Courtiers said as they bowed their heads while the Young Emperor Bidatsu looked at them who overwhelmed the Sogas in a very large number.

"Please name the Crown Princess as your Empress." Mononobe no Suke and Mononobe no Moriya said.

"This is up to you Your Majesty." Umako pleaded.

"Do not disgrace her Highness and let the masses find fault in you." Mononobe no Suke opposed.

"You are the Emperor Your Majesty." Umako said.

"Heed the Dowager Empress' advice and do not disgrace Her." Mononobe no Moriya said.

"Alright, I have made up my mind." Emperor Bidatsu said.

"Tell us Your Majesty." The Courtiers said in Unison as they bowed their heads.

"In respect to the law of seniority and the vote of popularity from this day forward Her Highness the Crown Princess shall be crowned with me tomorrow as my new Empress." Emperor Bidatsu said hesitantly.

"Thank You Your Majesty." The Courtiers said in unison, "Long Live Our Emperor." They added while the New Emperor felt so disappointed in himself.

Consort Toyomike folded the scroll and she smiled at herself a part of her still in shock.

"You haven't won Your Highness, no not yet." she thought to herself, "Thank you Your Majesty. Thank you Father." She added.