For those who don't know me, I have re-started my petition to get the SaiMono light novels published in English. I think the Facebook group is also, from what I've seen, currently the most active SaiMono group online. So if you'd like to come hang out, or better yet sign the petition, join us by doing a search for "Please Publish the Saiunkoku Monogatari Light Novels in English" on Facebook.

Also, my friend beyondthemoor and I run an 18+ Saiunkoku Livejournal called "Saiunpornium". If you have a LJ account that puts your age at 18+, come check us out! (Your age on your account must be 18+ or else LJ will block you from being able to see the blog.) Find us at .com.

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Prompts: brave heart + the ultimate show of devotion

Pairing: None

Characters: Seiran & Shuurei

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When Seiran reminisced on their years together, he thought that Shuurei's resolve to live her own life had begun when she was a child. She had always been fierce and determined, with a streak of stubbornness that had occasionally made her slightly frustrating to deal with. But as she emerged from her childhood and blossomed into her adolescence more headstrong than ever, Seiran watched her forsake the company of youth her own age in favour of increased attention on her studies. He secretly admired both her drive and her focus, and knew that if she had been born a man she would have made a formidable opponent off the battlefield.

And then she had been lured into the deal with Sho Yosei, which allowed access to the Emperor, his beloved little brother, and in turn opened doors to her which had previously been sealed shut. Seiran wished he could have spent more time with Ryuuki after so many years apart, but he was consoled by Shuurei's presence in his brother's life. If life dictated that he must watch over his younger sibling from afar, at least Ryuuki had someone else close to him whom he could lean on if needed.

Seiran recalled how Shuurei had entered her twenties more determined than ever to achieve her dream of being a government official. She had gently removed herself from Ryuuki's everyday life and guided him towards Jyuusan-hime as her "replacement" so to speak; if the Emporer must have a wife, then Shuurei had figured that the feisty Ran sibling would be a good match. Seiran knew that Shuurei still visited Ryuuki at the Imperial Palace on occasion, and she liked to bring small trinkets to give to the Royal Grandchildren.

Sometimes Seiran wondered if Shuurei had ever had regrets about the path she'd chosen for her life. It took a brave heart to turn away from others, to marry herself to her work the way that she had. The two of them had discussed it between themselves many times, and such conversations usually ended with Shuurei flustered and encouraging him to find a suitable woman to marry. But no one had ever caught his eye, nor his attention, and as much as he didn't care to admit it (even to himself), once he'd turned forty he'd just... stopped looking. He had Shouka and his Ojou-sama, and that was enough.

Now he was well into his sixties, and his lady was several years behind. Seiran had retired from the Imperial Army more than a decade ago, however Shuurei was still working as a government official. Between his pension and her small salary, they found ways to make ends meet. But despite not living a life of luxury that other people in their noble family enjoyed, Seiran was happy. Shouka had passed away a few years before, leaving Seiran to protect Bara-hime's daughter. He thought that above all else, the choices he'd made throughout his life concerning Shuurei and her father were the best ways he could show his love and devotion for the two most important people in the world to him.