Draconia Offline vol. 2

80.2. Heritage - Part 2

After that, I devote my full attention to the city below me. We have an hour and a half before our next diplomatic session, so we have to make the most out of it. Just like Prague, Osaka retained its traditional architecture, but it has a totally different vibe. This is no medieval Europe but an ancient Asian settlement.

The guards are casting shields all around us, so I don't have to be afraid to descend a bit more down to get a better view. I'm admiring the architecture as much as I'm absorbing the overall atmosphere of the city and its inhabitants. I don't even mind that people are gathering in crowds, staring and taking photos of our flock. Let them see us.

We cross the historical core several times before it's time for our official programme. We head to Osaka Castle, the first place the Prime Minister wanted to show me as a sort of introduction to my Japanese cultural heritage.

That this will be no ordinary tourist visit becomes clear when the castle's premises come into my view. The whole park is surrounded by a fence, countless police officers are guarding it, there are people all around, hoping to get a glimpse of us, and the ever-present media people.

We land on the central plaza right in front of the castle where the Japanese delegation is waiting for us. Erik is here already, still dressed in the kimono and so handsome. I hurry to him and take his hand. Japanese people generally aren't fond of publicly showing affection, but I don't care. I kiss Erik in front of the flashing cameras because I want the whole world to know that he's the person I love.

I'm by no means an exhibitionist, but I love you doing that, Erik purrs. I was a bit down before, but I'm proud to be the Celestial Emperor's Consort. Never doubt that, okay?

Okay, I answer and kiss Gotrid as well because I don't want him to feel left out. Besides, I enjoy shoving our polyamorous relationships into the faces of bigoted people.

"Your Majesty," Ichikawa coughs.

"Konnichiwa, Ichikawa-san," I finally greet the Prime Minister. "I've read about the Osaka Castle before, but it's even more magnificent than in the photos."

"We're honoured you think so, Your Majesty," Ichikawa bows. "We prepared a guided tour just for you and your entourage."

We're escorted inside and an elderly Japanese man, who's obviously nervous but otherwise overly enthusiastic, starts a tour. I soon forget that this is a diplomatic visit and that selected media companies are here to take photos and stream it live. I'm sucked into a fascinating history lecture about my homeland and become too busy studying beautiful artefacts all around me.

It turns out that our guide, Uchida-sensei, is a professor at a local university. He was picked by the Japanese government to deliver the best possible lecture to the Celestial Emperor. I'm not afraid to ask questions in Japanese which makes Uchida-sensei extremely happy and his fear disappears. In just a few minutes, we're engaged in a lively conversation about Japanese history. Gavreel is kind enough to quietly translate everything to Erik, Gotrid and Liana.

"Japanese Emperors in the past were kept protected in the palace and ordinary people couldn't meet them," Uchida-sensei explains when I ask him about the position of ancient rulers of Japan. "Yes, I'm aware that Celestial society was based on Ancient Chinese and Japanese culture, so I consider myself lucky that I can speak to Your Imperial Majesty."

"And I'm glad that I can hear your lecture, sensei," I smile. "Can you tell me more about the Heian period? I read some articles about it but I'm no expert."

"Oh yes," Uchida-sensei nods and continues his lecture. It takes three hours to finish the tour, but, to me, it went by in a blink of an eye.

After that, the Prime Minister presents me with gifts the Japanese prepared as tokens of their goodwill. I'm given a beautiful tea set, a decorated fan, a wall scroll and a writing set with several quality brushes and handmade paper for writing kanji. I'm happy that I'm not the only one who is being given presents. Liana gets a tea set and a decorated fan as well, Gotrid receives an exquisite matcha tea set and Erik...

"I can't wait to see you in this!" I grin because Erik received more kimonos, all of them evidently of the highest quality.

"Well," he smiles hesitantly. It's not exactly a suit he's so used to, but I'll force him to try them on at least once.

"If you're interested in our history, Uchida-sensei could visit the Celestial mansion, Your Majesty," Ichikawa offers amicably.

"Really? I don't want to impose," I bite my lip because I'm not sure the Prime Minister isn't pushing the professor into something he doesn't want to do. "I'm sure Uchida-sensei is busy with teaching at the university."

"Your Majesty, it would be an honour," Uchida-sensei blurts out and his genuine enthusiasm reveals that he doesn't feel pushed into it at all.

"If that's the case, I'll gladly accept," I nod. "I do need a few lectures about your history to catch up."

"We would be glad if you thought about it as your history as well, Majesty," Ichikawa says carefully because he's on thin ice here.

But I don't mind. I had a really good time and experienced part of my heritage in the best possible way. I might not have Japanese citizenship but I was born here. My roots are pulling me to Japan, I can't deny that.

"I'm a Celestial now, but I'll gladly learn about my heritage," I say diplomatically, but it's enough to make the Japanese delegates happy and hopeful.

"No, His Majesty isn't giving any interviews," I suddenly hear Liana raising her voice and getting irritated. I turn left and see her standing with several delegates and two media people who got permission to take photos up close.

I realise that I was never asked to do an interview ever since the Great Evolution started despite the media pursuing my every move. Did Liana send them away each time? Was there an embargo on interviews and I never noticed?

"Just ignore it, hon," Gotrid shrugs. "They are bolder just because they naively think we would make an exception for the Japanese press."

I take a moment to read the atmosphere. Always being the centre of attention is overwhelming, so I hardly have the capacity to notice everything that's going on. I never realised it could be much worse. For once, I appreciate that the access to me is limited.

"Could we see the park as well?" Erik says to divert my attention.

"Of course," Ichikawa allows us.

We go outside again and nothing has changed. There are still people desperately trying to take a photo of us even from a huge distance and the police guarding the premises. The guards put up the shield immediately but, fortunately, it doesn't get in the view that horribly.

I try not to let it spoil my tour and admire the zen style surrounding us. Prague parks are beautiful as well, but this place has an entirely different vibe. I want to say 'exotic,' but this is supposed to be my culture. Nostalgic maybe then?

I almost feel like a proper tourist if it wasn't for the Japanese delegation and their attempts to show everything in the best light and overexplain things. Nevertheless, I enjoy the tour. Even Liana is having a good time. I see her chatting with Soren and she's as relaxed as she can get. I'm glad to see that she's slowly warming up to him, considering they started as almost enemies.

Enemies to lovers, heh? Gotrid nudges me, grinning. What an overused trope.

I've never seen Liana romantically interested in anyone, Erik comments sceptically. She's a pro at keeping her guard.

I smile to myself. I don't want to spoil anything or jinx it too soon, but it seems my Viceroy is becoming quite fond of Soren. She's vehemently claiming that Soren is getting on her nerves, but, lately, she's mostly faking her annoyance.

"It's so romantic here, yet we can't do anything," Erik complains, piercing the media people with his gaze.

"We will make up for it in the evening," I wink at him and our tour reaches the end.

We get back to the castle's entrance where the governmental cars are parked and the Prime Minister assures me again that Erik will be guaranteed the best possible protection. I do believe him, but I order two of my guards to ride with them nonetheless.

It happens when the presidential limousine is leaving the premises. Frankly, I was expecting it sooner rather than later, but it still takes me by surprise.

WELCOME HOME, SON.

My father's voice resonates in my head and I get goosebumps under my feathers. I almost forgot. This isn't the only heritage I came here to explore.