Chapter 478 – A Small Tour

I get to follow Yurimi's funny-colored tails into a carriage. It's good that there are more ways to get around than just walking. I guess I could fly around if I'm not going with anyone. I'm sure Kou will be extremely happy with that plan; running after a flying dragon has to be an enjoyable activity. At least I wouldn't come crashing out of the sky this time.

"Empress Alzi," Yurimi starts.

"Alzi," I say. "We're meant to get close, and I'm barely used to my maids giving me nicknames. I don't need you to be overly formal, at least for today."

"I can do that in private," Yurimi says. "But in public, I won't be lowering your status. You may find it annoying, but people will look for any reason to complain about the powerful. And they won't let you hide as someone weak. Not anymore. That just gets them to want to tear you down even more. Not everyone is that terrible, but enough are to make it difficult."

"How fun," I say. "Things can never just be normal."

"You just have to be careful at the beginning, Alzi," Yurimi says. "They'll come to love you after a few of us have kids. We're always a bit slow to accept the new man. And you're an Empress as well, which makes things more complicated, and I may be coloring things from my experience with moving up through the ranks."

"You had issues with it?"

"Yes, I'm not from a noble family," Yurimi says. "Which probably made everyone feel I was crossing a boundary I shouldn't. You're clearly a royal dragon, and Goddesses love you now, which should make things easier for you. You're basically stepping into the space you were born to take. Not everyone will see that immediately, but we're mostly a smart group. And Kiyomi will take care of anyone too stupid to figure it out after a few months or pregnancies."

"I suppose," I say. "It sure doesn't feel like I was born for this role. I guess Dragon did want me to grow up that way, but some things just happened that hid me away instead."

"It doesn't take much to send a life spiraling downward," Yurimi says. "I'm happy you've made it to your rightful place. Here comes the city walls. We'll move right through this and stop shortly inside, unless you would rather take a carriage tour? I heard you walked around the palace and temples on your previous visit. That was probably quite empty, but the city has life in it again."

"I'm fine with walking, just don't walk too fast. My strides are hurting with this belly in front of me."

"A leisurely stroll sounds wonderful," Yurimi says. "You're probably tired of gardens from your house today, so I'll focus on architecture today."

"Whatever you think is best," I say.

"You have a say in things. That is why I'm telling you the plan."

"Something different would be nice," I say. I really have just been going along with her. It's going to take some time to get used to directing things, but I have my moments.

The carriage slips into a shadow for a moment as we pass the walls and enter the city, and I do see beautiful tails walking around outside now. My last trip really was a little off. And Yuki just had to make it worse.

But things worked out. Just remember that. It doesn't mean you forgive her right now, just don't get caught up in the stupid past.

A few streets pass before the carriage turns down a less populated road.

"Is this some noble area or something?" I ask. The few kitsunes in this street are wearing better clothing than the average person I've seen walking around.

"Yes," Yurimi says. "It makes it easier to keep you from getting mobbed. Geta is behind us in another carriage, armored up, and I'm pretty good in a fight, but it's better to be around guards as well. This section of the city is home to some of our oldest buildings. A crazy bathhouse, an opera house that you should get Yuki to perform in again soon, we all miss her voice there, and all sorts of other interesting places. A calm stream flows through the district as well, and the bridges are quite the sight—it's a relaxing place to wander around for a bit. And there are plenty of places just outside this district to rest and get something to eat while still being near the guards. A must-visit place, if I'm honest. I thought of letting Yuki show it to you, but I heard about her mistakes, and I doubt she'll be able to show you around for a while. Maybe Nanoka would've taken you, but I doubt we'll cover everything worth seeing today, which gives me a good reason to walk slowly and show you every detail."

Maybe I can let Yuki into that opera hall and wander around with Nanoka. That could be fun. I can let Nakuma take care of Yuki while I have fun with Nanoka. "Sounds good," I say. "It would be good to only see a portion of it. I can think of a few ways to let Yuki come down here to perform and have some fun myself. Thank you for telling me about this. I'm sure I'll have to drag Nanoka out instead of the other way around. She likes to hide."

"The old Queens are told to hide," Yurimi says. "The people don't even know how many queens are alive right now. I wouldn't be surprised if one from four generations back comes to help us if we get in a fight."

I wish my wives had put this much thought into my safety before. It would've saved us all a lot of trouble and heartache. I just have to remember how it led me to this point and gave me so many beautiful children.

"Here we are," Yurimi says. "Ready to explore a bit of the city?"

"Yes," I say.

A pair of guards opens the door to the carriage, and Yurimi walks out first. Then I see Geta come up to the door, but the guards keep me from moving out myself.

"All clear," Geta says.

So Geta can take my protection seriously. She just needs a reason to do so.

"Thanks," I say. I hope this doesn't become the norm. No, I'm hoping for safety. Until I'm a true dragon or a Goddess, I need to accept this for my protection. But after that, I'm not waiting in the carriage. Not unless Mommy is in there, then waiting won't be too bad a thing. Maybe I could brush Nanoka's tails? I guess there will be a few ways to make me sit in the carriage.

"Where to first?" I ask as the guards help me out of the carriage.

"There's a great bridge just inside the district that we can start with," Yurimi says. "It's one of the older ones, so it's a good place to start, and then we can cross it and follow the stream for a bit before stepping outside for a snack, and then we can walk back on the other side of the stream?"

"Practical," I say. "Sounds like a nice stroll. Please, lead the way."

"Happily, Empress Alzi," Yurimi says. She turns and walks through an archway. Her tail is low to the ground instead of being raised in the usual high and fanned out way I normally see kitsunes with. Is this how they show status? I'm glad she didn't put them away. They're pretty to look at.

The world looks older once I'm past the arches, and even the air feels older. Is that magic, or just a trick of the mind? That would likely be the same thing for Kitsunes, though. The buildings have an aged look to them, like the past has seeped into the frame. But none of the buildings look decrepit, so it must be some serious magic tricking my eyes for that to come through.

The buildings are intricate. Thought clearly went into every crevice and face of the building, with no feature considered unimportant or not required to impress the onlookers. The bridge that Yurimi must have been talking about seems simple compared to the buildings, just a stone arch over a calm, clear stream. Colorful fish can be easily spotted within the gently moving water.

The bridge has designs carved into it, but it was clearly first designed for function over style. I wonder if the Kitsune carved into the stone is meant to be one of the old Queens or the Goddess. Every stone has a different position, making it look like a series of steps to an old dance.

"Is that the Goddess or a Queen?" I ask.

"A Queen," Yurimi says. "To find out which one, you'll have to ask Kiyomi or Nanoka. I never learned the names of the Queens who are that old. If the painting is of our Goddess, it will take up the entire space and will be sure to show as many of her tails as the painter could fit into it."

"Interesting," I say. "Everything about this space feels old. Almost like it is a trick."

"It's made and maintained by kitsunes, so of course, a few tricks have been put into it. No pranks like with the pixies, but things are never quite as they seem here."

"I'm glad I'm starting to figure out when mana is involved," I say.

"You're more than just meets the eye," Yurimi says. "I didn't expect you to be able to think about the possibility of Skills and runes being used. Geta, you didn't help Empress Alzi, did you?"

"No," Geta says. "I didn't need to."

"You've truly earned your position, Empress Alzi," Yurimi says. "I'm happy to witness that. I hope this district is still impressive for you."

"Yes, it's still beautiful. There may be tricks in the feeling, but the detail and craftsmanship put into these buildings is still impressive and worth seeing."

"Great, there are more buildings to see," Yurimi says. "This way, Empress Alzi."

She starts giving me a brief history lesson about each building. I have to wonder how much history Kiyomi and Nanoka know, if they know more than Yurimi. Are there people dedicated to studying history here? They'll probably all join Past's temple if she ever gets born.

...

"So we saw about a hundred years of advancements in just that section," Yurimi says. "In total, the district has buildings spanning two thousand years. We started in the middle and moved towards the newer buildings."

She's taken me to what she calls a 'dessert place.' It has that cold cream. It's been a while since I last had that. Cake is just an easier dessert to make, I'm guessing, though cake is also really good.

"Are you enjoying the dessert, Empress Alzi?" Yurimi asks.

"Yes," I say. "Geta, can you block sounds?"

"Already doing that," Geta says. "Say whatever you wish to."

"Is there an old brothel here?" I ask. My old brothel didn't have many rooms for a couple to enjoy themselves in, but I know Ashryn would've made room for an Empress if asked, and worst case, I can just find a woman who wishes to leave the brothel to join us for the night. I could make her a maid or something. There would be no way she wouldn't come away pregnant after tonight, and I'm not taking the child from her arms, or saddling her with more debt, or forcing her child to take over her spot at the brothel when she's old enough.

"I thought I would need to at least take you out to dinner," Yurimi says.

"No, you've been kind, and it'll be fun," I say. "Be in some old brothel for the first child of being everyone's man."

"There is one close to here," Yurimi says. "It may not be open, but that just makes it better for us. They won't deny an Empress. Do you wish to have the Mistress join us, or use a private room?"

"I was thinking maybe one of the girls, but the Mistress could be fun. She doesn't keep slaves, right?"

"No, slaves are not allowed to work in brothels," Yurimi says. "There would be too much abuse, as you know."

"Then I'll see if there is a girl who wants to be a maid; otherwise, if I like the Mistress, she can join us. If neither works out, you'll have to handle my undivided attention for the night."

"Then we can have some fun once you've finished your dessert," Yurimi says. "My body will be yours tonight, no matter what happens. I hope I can please you."