Difference between revisions of "Saiunkoku Monogatari:Volume 1 Chapter2"
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| − | ==Chapter 2: The events in a country== |
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| − | In the midst of pitch darkness, cherry blossom petals continued to fall without end. |
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| − | A figure approached. When he realized I was there, he smiled. |
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| − | Like a small ripple, a warm feeling spread through my heart. So happy… |
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| − | When I tried to approach, that person went back the way they came. |
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| − | |||
| − | ---……brother…? |
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| − | Chasing after the figure that distances itself. But regardless of how much I run, the gap continues to widen. |
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| − | The hand that reaches out so desperately is so small, like a maple leaf. |
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| − | |||
| − | --Why…… |
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| − | I felt like crying. That was the only person there for me. |
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| − | Don’t go. Don’t go. |
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| − | Don’t leave me alone. |
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| − | The cherry blossoms blew away. They became wisterias, they became sweet osmanthus…… they became snowflakes. |
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| − | The figure blended in with the snow, and vanished. |
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| − | I kept waiting. Through spring, through summer, through autumn, through winter. Always. |
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| − | |||
| − | --Don’t go. |
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| − | I don’t even dare to say those words. |
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| − | |||
| − | --Don’t go. |
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| − | Just as I felt I was about to fall to my knees in despair, someone grabbed my hand firmly from behind. |
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| − | Surprised. ……I turned around slowly. |
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| − | --Waking with a start, the familiar face of a guard was right beside him. |
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| − | “……Sei-ran……?” |
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| − | “Forgive me for presuming to enter without our permission. You were crying out in your sleep……” |
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| − | The emperor slowly sat up on his bed. After taking the evening meal together with Shuurei and returning to his chambers, he’d apparently fell asleep. |
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| − | He was covered in cold sweat. When he thought to wipe the sweat from his bow, the emperor finally realized that he was holding Seiran’s hand. |
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| − | Raising his arm while still holding that hand, Seiran hurriedly explained, "Ahhh...... umm, you reached out your hand and I unthinkingly...... I beg your pardon. |
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| − | The Emperor still holding onto that hand, shook it up and down a couple of times. |
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| − | "......Y-your majesty?" |
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| − | Stopping his hands, the Emperor smiled. |
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| − | "How about sleeping with me tonight, Seiran." |
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| − | Seiran froze instantly. With an expression of having drunk pure vinegar on his face, it was obvious that he was trying, with all his might, to find some way out of his difficult situation. The Emperor cocked his head slightly. |
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| − | "You don't want to." |
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| − | "No...... Um, everyone has their own preferences. That is... |
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| − | "I'm kidding," the Emperor said simply to a flustered Seiran, and smiled. "I just decided. I won't sleep with you." |
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| − | "Whew......" |
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| − | "It'd be too much of a waste." |
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| − | |||
| − | "............" |
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| − | Seiran wisely stayed silent. |
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| − | The Emperor stared intently at Seiran. |
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| − | "......as I thought. Seiran, aren't you a bit too masculine? Even though we're of a fairly similar age." |
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| − | Having such a thing said so solemnly, Seiran was once again at a loss as to how to reply. |
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| − | "I've been thinking recently, that it seems that Shuurei relies on you more than on me." |
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| − | "............" |
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| − | "You're a good man, so I can understand that. Also, you've been living together a long time. But, as Shuurei's husband, there are times when it annoys me." |
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| − | "............" |
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| − | "So, I think I'll go and bridge the gap with my wife." |
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| − | The Emperor was very serious. Seiran trying to discern his intentions hesitantly asked, "And, i-in what way......?" |
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| − | The Emperor tilted his head and thought silently for a moment when he suddenly came up with a plan, "I know, I'll have her call me by name as well." |
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| − | And reluctantly letting go of Seiran's hand, he quickly jumped out of bed. |
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| − | "There's no need to guard my chambers tonight." |
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| − | The Emperor started walking away wearing only his nightwear, astonishing Seiran. |
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| − | |||
| − | "W-wait a moment!" |
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| − | "Hm?" |
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| − | "You'll catch a cold! For all that it's spring, it still gets cold at night, so you should wear something on top." |
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| − | The Emperor laughed, "While I like Shuurei, I also like you, Seiran." |
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| − | Leaving a beautifully shocked frozen Seiran behind, the Emperor ended up leaving his chambers wearing only his nightwear afterall. |
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| − | The moon shone brightly that night. |
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| − | The Emperor thought back over the past month as the cool breeze brushed his cheek. |
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| − | His heart was surprisingly calm. He thought that this was what it meant to be at peace. Even when being scolded by Shuurei too for some reason would make him very happy, his face would relax resulting in Shuurei getting even angrier with him. Wanting to experience that more, he'd lied about a number of things but, he figured it was fine. --because Shuurei's face when angry was very cute. |
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| − | Having someone be concerned about oneself. |
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| − | That it would bring such happiness. |
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| − | The Emperor dropped his gaze to both his palms --The many things he should be able to grasp in his hands. Was Shuurei's smile one of those things. He then realised that if he closed his hand, he could grasp it. But if he continued, as he had up until then, and left his hands open, it would fall through his fingers---. |
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| − | Up until then, he'd only had the barest of things in his hands. |
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| − | Shouka, his place in the archives, the time he spent there-- those sorts of things which *to him* were very important, but small things. But he'd thought that it was fine that way. He long since given up wanting very much. --Except for one thing. |
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| − | For that, he'd taken the throne he hadn't wanted. To him, it was only a temporary position. He wasn't the one who should be there. To protect the empty throne, being an Emperor in name, for when *that person* eventually returned. That's why while having taken the throne, he refused to be Emperor. |
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| − | But then he met Shuurei. |
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| − | He thought about if he could have her who had such unusual warmth. However, that was the same as letting go of the wish he'd so fervently hoped for up until then. She was a consort. Unless he were "Emperor" she couldn't be his. A breeze blew past. He looked at his palm-- and after a long moment slowly closed his fist. |
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| − | Shusui looked up at the moon from inside the room. |
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| − | "Time passed by so fast. --Has it been a month now?" |
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| − | Shuurei leaned back against the sofa and sighed. |
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| − | "How true. I wonder whether my coming here was worth it?" |
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| − | "Of course." |
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| − | Shusui squinted her eyes delightfully. |
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| − | "The emperor seems to have changed in such a short time, slowly showing the prestige of a emperor. Hold the court every morning, then studied in the afternoon with the teachers, didn't Sho-Tai Shi say too, the impression of the emperor to all officals are already changing." |
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| − | "Haha, you are right. The emperor has been hardworking, heard that he can voice out his opinions in the court now. Also, his majesty often voice out unexpected, sharp views in his lessons. Although he always is rebutted by Kouyuu-sama." |
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| − | But Kouyuu also will listen to Ryuuki's opinions. Shuei disclosed that Kouyuu willing to listen to Ryuuki's opinions is already rare. If it is some insignificant things, he will settled it before rebutting. |
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| − | "However, His majesty is still summoning |
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| − | “不过，陛下仍然是每晚召来侍官侍寝……” |
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| − | 只有这点一直无法矫正。话说回来，要是刘辉因此回过头来找秀丽也不妥。 |
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| − | 此时传来哒哒的的脚步声，秀丽随即迅速调整坐姿。来人正是香铃，手上端着一杯香气浓郁的睡前茶。 |
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| − | “说的也是，我们都觉得很纳闷。” |
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| − | 珠翠边望着香铃走进门来，边打趣地笑道： |
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| − | “您与陛下每天一同用膳，相处的时间那么长，感情又那么和睦，为什么一入夜就分房就寝呢？不过大家都认为这样应该是迟早的问题，对吧，香铃。” |
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| − | 香铃闻言便精神奕奕答了声“是！”，粉颊酡红。 |
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| − | “大家都说是陛下很珍惜红贵妃，两人都还年轻，可以慢慢培养感情，不过年岁较长的女官姊姊们都着急想早日见到小太子小公主的诞生。” |
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| − | （小姐！）秀丽只能在内心呐喊。 |
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| − | “奴婢们也已经安排好计画表了，红贵妃娘娘。” |
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| − | 听到香铃天真无邪的一番话，秀丽差点没接好茶杯。计画表？什么计画表！？ |
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| − | 秀丽将全副心神集中在脸部，努力维持表情不至于抽搐，勉强挤出笑容。 |
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| − | “……这、香铃，你的好意我心领了，这、这种事情需要顺其自然，不能操之过急，所以谢谢你的关心。” |
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| − | 香铃露出略显遗憾的表情，但随即又漾出惹人怜爱的娇笑。如此迷人的笑颜连秀丽都忍不住想趋前将她抱个满怀。 |
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| − | （……唉—唉、要是我也生得如她那般可爱就好了……） |
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| − | 一对照之下心情不禁跌入谷底，如此一来当然更是无法与美艳动人的珠翠较量。 |
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| − | “——那么请您好好安歇吧，红贵妃娘娘。” |
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| − | 香铃毕恭毕敬行礼告退。——下一刻，却又急急忙忙跑回来。见香铃涨红着小脸飞奔进来，秀丽与珠翠同时吓了一跳。几乎很少见到受过严格训练的后宫女官急忙奔跑的场面。 |
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| − | “不得了了！” |
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| − | 香铃激动地表示： |
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| − | “陛下驾到——！” |
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| − | “……这么晚了，找我有事吗？” |
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| − | 刘辉并未即刻回答秀丽开口的第一句话。 |
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| − | 解开发髻、长发披肩的秀丽看起来比平时更增添了几分娇媚，刘辉从上到下仔细端详片刻才低哝道： |
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| − | “呃……孤是来拉近彼此的距离。” |
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| − | “啊？距离？” |
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| − | 这个人总是不按牌理出牌，现在这个举动更是令人费解。秀丽愣怔了一下，很开便发觉刘辉右手握了一束蔷薇。 |
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| − | “……啊，这个是要送我的吗？” |
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| − | 刘辉像个小孩般颔首。 |
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| − | “真是、什么距离不距离的，要送花给我就直说嘛……啊，你该不会赤手去摘花吧！？你看看！手掌全是伤！” |
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| − | 秀丽直盯着刘辉握住蔷薇花茎的手，不禁挑眉。 |
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| − | “而且你怎么穿得这么单薄！瞧你冷得直打哆嗦，春天的夜晚仍然十分寒冷，怎么连件外衣也不披就四处溜达！” |
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| − | 秀丽二话不说就把刘辉拉进房内。 |
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| − | 见秀丽的反应跟静兰如出一辙，刘辉笑了。……果然穿得单薄是对的。 |
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| − | 头一次进入秀丽的闺房，刘辉好奇地四处张望。视线停留在一束已经装瓶的鲜花。摆在诺大花瓶里的是……？ |
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| − | “……粉红色的蔷薇……” |
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| − | 刘辉摘来的是接近白色的黄蔷薇，听见他的低喃，秀丽答道： |
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| − | “啊，那是白天静兰送来的，他说蔷薇开了。” |
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| − | 刘辉不悦地蹙眉。……没错，静兰的确是个很完美的男人，似乎无论任何方面总会被他抢先一步。 |
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| − | 不过秀丽误解了刘辉脸上突如其来的沮丧表情。 |
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| − | “啊，我还没向你道谢呢。真抱歉，我很喜欢这些花，谢谢你。” |
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| − | 秀丽的笑容令刘辉稍稍释怀。 |
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| − | 秀丽动作俐落地把蔷薇装瓶，并让刘辉坐在床角。 |
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| − | “来，伸出右手让我瞧瞧！” |
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| − | 刘辉乖乖打开手掌，上面满是棘刺与血迹，秀丽蹙眉道： |
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| − | “真是，怎么会赤着手摘花呢？你不觉得痛吗？” |
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| − | 是有点痛，刘辉心想。那时并没有顾虑这么多。 |
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| − | “等一下喔！” |
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| − | 秀丽取来药箱，拿出拔刺的镊子。 |
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| − | “我帮你把刺一根根拔掉，会花上一些时间。” |
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| − | 抓过刘辉的手，秀丽将眼睛睁大了些。 |
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| − | “……我说你……” |
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| − | “嗯？” |
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| − | “……你是不是在练剑？” |
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| − | 手掌粗厚，又有许多硬茧。——跟静兰的手很像。 |
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| − | 刘辉微微变了表情，态度略微踌躇。 |
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| − | “……这是王族的基本功课。” |
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| − | “哦？” |
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| − | 不懂武术的秀丽立刻接受这个答案。 |
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| − | 刘辉松了一口气，随即想起最初的目的。——对了，我是来拉近距离的！ |
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| − | “……秀丽。” |
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| − | “嗯？” |
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| − | “以后就直呼名讳吧。” |
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| − | “名讳？” |
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| − | “孤的名讳。” |
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| − | “哦。” |
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| − | 正专注于精密作业的秀丽含糊应答，一想清楚话中的含义蓦地停下动作。 |
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| − | “……什么？” |
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| − | “孤说，以后你可以直呼孤的名讳。” |
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| − | “……为、为什么突然这样说？” |
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| − | “你不喊孤的名字感觉有点不公平。” |
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| − | “这跟公不公平……” |
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| − | 完全没有关系吧！秀丽心想，但刘辉继续紧迫盯人。 |
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| − | “如果孤的名字一直处于无用武之地岂不太可怜了。” |
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| − | 这番话有些前言不搭后语，不过想想也有道理。 |
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| − | “就这么决定了，以后要直呼孤的名讳。” |
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| − | “……称呼你……刘辉吗？” |
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| − | 秀丽不自觉嘟囔着，刘辉徐徐眨了眨眼，神色显得十分雀跃，如此开怀的笑容反而令秀丽感到讶然。 |
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| − | 刘辉喜上眉梢的模样让秀丽甘拜下风。 |
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| − | “……好吧，不过只限私底下的时候哦。” |
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| − | 国王——刘辉猛力颔首，为了达成最初目的而感到心满意足之际，才开始察觉手心的刺痛感，一扎一扎的痛觉蛮不舒服的。 |
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| − | “为什么蔷薇会有刺呢？” |
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| − | 刘辉有点迁怒地发牢骚，秀丽边拨刺边随口答道： |
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| − | “因为蔷薇公主爱上了一个男子。” |
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| − | 刘辉双眼眨了眨。 |
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| − | “……什么意思？” |
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| − | 见他如此反应，反而是秀丽大为吃惊，抬起头神色认真地仰视刘辉。 |
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| − | “……你不知道这个故事吗？” |
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| − | 望着刘辉茫然的表情，秀丽面色转为暗淡。大家都知道这个故事，这是每个人在小时候一定会听过的童话故事之一，可是他的身旁却从来没有人可以为他说故事。 |
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| − | 秀丽的内心顿时泛起同情，边拔着刺边说起故事： |
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| − | “……很久很久以前，有一位非常美丽的公主，名叫蔷薇公主，她拥有一种神奇的力量可以治愈所有病痛与伤势，所以不断有人登门求婚……” |
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| − | 秀丽的声音宛如摇篮曲一般。 |
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| − | 与秀丽成功拉近距离以后，心头的负担减轻不少 |
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| − | ，加上方才的恶梦——虽然今晚有静兰的陪伴让他醒后感觉比较没有那么恶劣——使得他身心俱疲，开始昏昏欲睡。这次终于可以……睡个好觉了。 |
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| − | 当秀丽说完故事时，也刚好包扎完毕。 |
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| − | “好，大功告成。” |
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| − | 秀丽抬首，见到猛打瞌睡的刘辉不禁叹气。 |
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| − | “真拿你没办法。” |
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| − | 她扶着刘辉偌大的身躯往床铺躺下，并为他盖上棉被，接着秀丽开始伤脑筋。……那我现在要睡哪里？ |
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| − | 床铺可以容纳三名大人躺下，空间绰绰有余。见他睡得那么熟，不可能说醒就醒，而且他又好男色，也不会发生什么问题，于是秀丽很快做出结论。明天只要趁着女官们之前起床就好了。 |
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| − | 为了预防万一，秀丽还拿了个长枕摆在中间当作界限。 |
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| − | 就这样隔着长枕，分别躺在床铺两边的国王与贵妃安然入睡。 |
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| − | {| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;" |
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| − | |- |
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| − | | Back to [[Saiunkoku Monogatari:Volume_1_Chapter2|Chapter 2]] |
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| − | | Return to [[Saiunkoku Monogatari|Main Page]] |
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| − | | Forward to [[Saiunkoku Monogatari:Volume_1_Chapter3|Chapter 3]] |
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| − | |- |
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| − | |} |
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| − | </noinclude> |
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