Life as a Royal’s Breeding Partner

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 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 won'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, for today at least."

"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 terrible, but enough to make it difficult."

"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. Then you're an empress as well. Makes things more complicated, and I may be coloring things from my experience moving through the ranks."

"You had issues with it?"

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

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

"It doesn't take much to send a life spiraling downward," Yurimi says. "I'm happy you made it to your rightful place. Here comes the city walls. Will we 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 empty. The city has life in it again."

"I'm fine to walk, just don't walk too fast. My strides are hurting with the 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. This is going to take some time getting used to directing things. I have my moments.

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

Things worked out. Just remember that. Doesn't mean you forgive her right now, just don't get caught in the stupid past.

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

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

"Yes," Yurimi says. "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 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—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 and still be around the guards. A must-visit place if I'm honest. I thought of letting Yuki show it, but I heard about her mistakes. I doubt she'll be in a position to show you around for a while. Maybe Nanoka would've taken you, but I doubt we'll cover everything worth seeing today. Gives me a good reason to walk slow and see every detail."

Maybe I can let Yuki into that opera hall and visit around with Nanoka. Could be fun. Let Nakuma take care of Yuki while I have fun with Nanoka. "Sounds good," I say. "It would be good only to see a portion of it. I see 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 safety before. It would've saved us all a lot of trouble and heartache. I just have to remember how it led me to hear and earn 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. Yurimi walks out first. 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 serious. Just needs a reason to do it.

"Thanks," I say. I hope this doesn't become the norm. No, I'm hoping for safety. Till I'm a true dragon or a Goddess, I need to accept this for my protection. After that, I'm not waiting in the carriage. Unless Mommy is in there, then waiting won't be too bad a thing. Maybe brushing 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. A good place to start, and then we can cross and follow the stream for a bit before stepping outside for a snack, and 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 the normal High and fanned out state I normally see the kitsunes have. 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, even the air feels older. Is that magic, or just a trick of the mind? That would likely be the same thing for Kitsunes. The buildings have an aged look to them. Like the past seeped into the frame. But none of the buildings look decrepit. 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. No feature is believed to be unimportant or not needing to impress the onlookers. The bridge that Yurimi must have been talking about seems simple compared to the buildings. A stone arching over a calm, clear stream. Colorful fish can be spotted easily within the clear stream.

The bridge has designs carved into it, but it was clearly designed with function over style first. 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. It looks like a series of steps to an old dance.

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

"Queen," Yurimi says. "To find out which one, you'll have to ask Kiyomi or Nanoka. I never learned the names of the Queens that 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. Of course, there are a few tricks put into it. No pranks like the pixies, but things are never quite as they seem here."

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

"You're more than 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 impressive and worth seeing still."

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

She starts going through a small history lesson on each building. I have to wonder how much history Kiyomi and Nanoka know, if they know more than Yurimi. Are there people dedicated to 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 newer buildings."

She took me to some dessert place she called it. It had that cold cream. It's been a while since I had it. Cake is just an easier dessert to make, I'm guessing. Cake is also really good.

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

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

"Already doing it," Geta says. "Say whatever you wish."

"Is there an old brothel here?" I ask. My old brothel didn't have many rooms for a couple to enjoy themselves, but I know Ashryn would've made room for an empress if asked, and worst case, I can find a woman who wishes to leave the brothel to join us for the night. Make her a maid or something. There would be no way she doesn't come away pregnant from this night, 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 dinner at least," 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," 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 bring the Mistress with us, or 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, we can take her. 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, no matter what happens, tonight. I hope I can please you."