Chapter 46
Sahima had been quickly ushered from the room followed by a weeping Sheiji. The other guests, unsure whether or not the feast was over, sat and waited. Most were, by now, too drunk to care and many were passed out with their faces in their supper.
Sheiji explained through his tears his suspicions of Vishou, which had proved to be true. Korin had caught a man putting poison in Sahima’s wine, but the guards did not catch him before he reached the throne room and gave Sahima the goblet.
Now Sahima wept too. She wept at the thought of dying and of the thought of leaving Sheiji alone to rule Imatsuro. She wept because her father had turned out to be evil, as she had feared and the only father she had ever known and loved—Yoson—was not here to be with her as she died. They sent for him, but Jihaad said he would not arrive in time.
The hours crawled by. It was agonizing for Sheiji, waiting and watching. They tried to talk, but eventually fell silent. They only sat side by side and held each other. Waiting…waiting…waiting…
Emperor Vishou sat on the floor retching into a bucket. His stomach felt as if it were on fire and his head felt light. His hands shook when he lifted them to his face and he was losing control of his limbs. His servant stood in the corner, waiting to dump the bucket when Vishou had finished throwing up for a few minutes.
“What’s happening to me?” he moaned. His heart thumped rapidly in his chest and he felt like he was going to be sick again.
“You are dying. I’d say you have about twenty minutes left,” the servant replied calmly.
“What did you do?” Vishou wailed.
“I must have mixed up the wine,” the servant shrugged. “I guess you got the poison instead of Sahima.”
“YOU!” Vishou roared. “WHY!”
“You had my father murdered so you could have his wife as your mistress. Then you killed my brothers and my sister and made me your slave. Don’t you think I have the right to hate you? I’ve been planning my revenge for years. Then, here you come along with a plan to poison your daughter. You put me in charge of poisoning the wine, practically writing your own death sentence,” the servant explained.
Vishou roared again and struggled to his feet. He advanced toward his servant, but his legs could no longer support him. He fell to the floor, striking his head on the bedpost and spilling the bucket of vomit.
The servant turned away from the disgusting sight and left the room.
The next morning, Sahima was still alive and well. Everyone considered it a miracle, until the news was brought that Vishou lay dead in his room. It did not take long to figure out that somehow a mistake had been made and Vishou had received the poison instead of Sahima. But no one suspected that it had been intentional.
Vishou’s entourage returned home, carrying the body of their dead emperor. Sahima was officially named Empress of Nakuchi, now that her father was dead. But neither Sahima nor Sheiji cared about her new title. They were wrapped up in each other; being recently married and Sahima coming back from the dead.
Soon, however, they turned their thoughts to their work. They had two countries to rule now and Nakuchi was in a state of disorder. It was hard work, but there was never a more rewarding job. Sheiji and Sahima were loved by the people and were already being called the greatest rulers in history…but so are many rulers.
Sheiji and Sahima did much to reform Imatsuro. They made laws, which benefited the people and raised the living standard. Under their rule, poverty decreased, new homes were built, and jobs created to support the population.
But every ruler has his shortcomings. While Sheiji worked to help the poor and the common people, he ignored the rich and the aristocrats. He taxed them on their wealth and made them provide better housing, pay and working conditions to their serfs. This of course, caused the upper class to look upon Sheiji with contempt. But it was impossible to please everyone. For the most part, Sheiji and Sahima’s rule was a glorious and peaceful one. And though one day there would again be strife in Imatsuro, Sheiji and Sahima would not live to see it, but leave the job of restoring peace to the children and grandchildren they would one day have.
Epilogue
One day in mid spring, Fa-Ying lay near death on the Death Bed. Jihaad stood beside him, listening to the last advice his father gave. Fa-Ying told of his days as advisor to two different kings. He described what he had learned and what he would have done differently. He would not tell everything, though, for he said, “Some things are better learned firsthand.” But he did his best to guide Jihaad in how to guide Sheiji.
Inon, too, stood nearby, thinking of all he had learned from the noble Fa-Ying. It was Fa-Ying, he realized, that he tried to pattern himself after. It was Fa-Ying who taught him loyalty and bravery and friendship, just by being who he was. He wished that he could have known Fa-Ying longer, but he was thankful for the time he had.
Fa-Ying was ready to die. He had lived a good life and now his mission was complete. He had guided Sheiji from a young and trusting child to the remarkable man he now was. From the very first, he was sure that Sheiji would make a noble king, and he had been right. He had never swayed from that belief. He was ready to go except for one thing.
The door opened and Sheiji walked in, proudly. In his arms he held a cloth-wrapped bundle, which moved very slightly when Sheiji shifted it in his arms. The crowd parted as Sheiji moved forward until he was beside Fa-Ying. He knelt, transferred the bundle into Fa-Ying’s waiting arms.
“Fa-Ying, meet my first child, Princess Aya-Amari.”
About the Author
Mera Delwiche is a freelance writer who grew up on a small farm, playing games of make-believe that became the basis for many of her stories. From 19th century pioneer journeys to medieval romances to adventures in a dozen different countries, she enjoys creating stories that will transport the reader to another world. When she is not writing, you could probably find her reading classics and historical fiction, spending time outside, or with her family. She has written several yet unpublished works, including romance novels Changes Love has Wrought and Memories Lost in Sleep.
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