Chapter Text
Sighing deeply the Emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth shifted back into his chair. While he loved his country, even he had to admit that politics could sometimes be one of the most tedious professions to exist. He had two ambassadors expecting responses from him directly, five different province representatives who had requested his opinion on a minor disagreement, and pages upon pages of documentation waiting for him to review. With a sigh he tapped the net screen in his desk to move to its vertical position, and started in on the work.
Just as he was getting to the bottom of a report, the door announced. "Crown Prince Kaito requests entrance to visit with His Imperial Majesty." Welcoming distraction gladly, Rikan quickly allowed access. His young son bustled into the office, quickly falling into a deep bow.
"I'm so sorry I missed this morning's delegation, Dad," said Kai a little breathlessly. "I lost track of time and when I finally remembered, it was too late. I came here as quick as I could." The rushed tone of his voice and the guilt he wore so clearly across his face made Rikan smile. While Kai was to one day inherit the throne, his royal obligations were few and far between. Most of the responsibilities on Kai's shoulders were ones he had chosen to take on himself.
He would be a good Emperor some day.
"It's nothing to worry about, I told you that you didn't even have to be there." Rikan paused. Kai was normally exceedingly diligent about his work and it was uncommon for him to lose track of the time.
“What had you so distracted that it could tempt you away from the stuffiest politicians in the country?” he teased. To his surprise, a sheepish smile slowly slid across Kai’s face, his upright posture unraveling as he shifted from foot to foot, eyes falling to the floor.
“I was just at the market in the city center...” Kai trailing off.
Rikan’s intrigue was piqued, his son was rarely so flustered.
“Because?” he prompted. Kai sighed deeply before peering surreptitiously up at his father.
“I was at the market because…there is a girl,” he mumbled as his increasingly flushed face broke into a grin. Rikan couldn’t help but smile back, eyebrows raising.
He hadn’t heard his son talk about a girl in a long time, in fact he was pretty sure the last time that Kai had expressed interest in anyone it was back when he had his first crush. She was an apprentice chef and about five years older than him. It was adorable to watch his child try to romance a grown woman, and though a fourteen year old Kai might have gotten his heart broken it was clear that his crush was both sheer infatuation and completely unrequited.
Rikan suspected that his son might have had some light hearted flings here and there, but wasn’t exactly sure. Kai had always struck him as a bit of a romantic, both in ideology and relationships. If Kai was so taken with one girl that he could focus on her enough to forget his responsibilities, then Rikan was fairly sure that Kai must have it pretty bad.
Rikan chuckled and shifted back in his chair.
“She must be very special to catch your eye.”
“She is.”
“Are you seeing her?” Kai let out a reluctant sigh.
“I wish. I really like this girl, but I’m not sure how she feels about me. At the moment, I am trying to win her over.”
“Noooo,” said Rikan with a smile in his voice. “There is a girl out there who can resist the charms of the crown prince? I don’t believe it.” Kai laughed lightly. “I wish I could meet her.” Kai hesitated.
“Do you mean that?” Rikan mulled it over for a moment before nodding.
“Absolutely.”
“I think that could actually be arranged." Kai said thoughtfully.
"Really? I cannot wait." His son’s eyes turned mischievous, his smile calculating.
"In that case, tell me the next time anything breaks. And don't let the royal mechanics fix it." Rikan raised his eyebrows in an unspoken question that Kai didn't answer. Kai smiled widely and turned to leave, before pausing.
"Hey Dad? Don't tell Mom just yet." It was Rikan’s turn to grin broadly.
"I promise."