Chapter 103: Introspection

"So, was that before or after they put the crown on her head?" Ryoko wanted to know.

"Before actually." Ena smiled re-materializing before her in the void.

"After the initial shock had subsided, the queen found in Funaho a desired stabilizing influence upon her maverick son."

She paused speculatively.

"Also, The girl took to politics like a fish to water!" Ena shrugged. "One could not help but sense Ayeka's regret at never having a daughter."

"Did, you and Azusa ever..." Ryoko began suddenly, then just as quickly paused, suddenly sorry she'd begun to ask.

"Have children?" Ena finished for her, staring directly into Ryoko's eyes. "No" she added, her expression turning a touch sad.

"Unfortunately Boralins ... aren't fertile with the people of Jurai."

"That sucks." Ryoko sighed.

"I have never regretted my decision to give my life to Azusa!" Ena returned proudly.

"I could not love him more!" She gestured, bringing yet another image born of her memories to life.

"I found more than contentment." she added, as Ryoko witnessed another version of Ena, now dressed in Jurian robes. Reading to several children of the Court. Including an older boy approximately twelve years of age sitting with a little girl perched on his lap. Both, listening with rapt attention. She of course recognized them instantly as Yosho and a very young princess Ayeka.

"For you see..." Ena concluded fondly. "They were all my children as well."

"Yeah." Ryoko mused pondering the image. "Been meaning to ask you about that."

"On the day of his coronation." Ena supplied as the image behind her shifted. This time to a view set within a mammoth, brightly-lit temple. "Azusa took Misaki to be his wife," she continued as Ryoko's found her eyes darting back and forth. There was so much to take in!

Thousands of people! Cheering beneath hundreds of banners! Multitudes of courtiers and well wishers cavorting in a display of Jurian pageantry!

"Even as Funaho was crowned his queen." Ena added, while the display centered directly on Azusa. Dressed in his best finery, standing between Misaki on his left and equally blushing and Funaho to his right.

Neither woman appeared to be wearing more than an elaborate, just short gaudy cloak over the most revealing of shrifts. Although Funaho's head was adorned elegantly in the most magnificent of crowns.

Ryoko had to admit, they made a happy looking 'triple' as Azusa lifted their joined hands before a thunderous roar of the assembly!

"It served to legitimize his rein due to 'Misaki' being of pure Jurian blood." Ena added, even as Ryoko noticed something curious in the details...

when the three had raised arms, the sleeves of their robes had slid back as was only normal. Her attention was drawn however to a series of odd bluish marks reveled. A strange tattoo, like a spider wed of veins, 'snaking' from Azusa's wrist to his elbows. A similar pattern adorned the opposing arms to midpoint on both women.

"Though I know his deeper, truer reason," Ena concluded mistily, apparently oblivious to Ryoko's attentions. "Was that he loved her as well."

"What about you?" Ryoko wanted to know, wondering at the same time if she should even ask? With all the raving the princess had gone on with over the years, Ryoko was certain she had never once heard any reference to something like those marks.

"My place," Ena smiled equally wistful. "Has always been behind the thrown."

"Yeah..." Ryoko huffed "Spread-eagled." Ena's remark effectively serving to 'derail' her former train of thought.

She was then instantly sorry, her eyes widening as she found herself copying one of Sasami's little gestures. Slapping a hand over her offending mouth while Ryoko waited for some kind of rebuttal. Mental, verbal or what passed for ether in her current circumstance. None however seemed to be forth coming.

It still required several seconds before she found the nerve to glance up directly into a pair of amused emerald eyes.

"What I mean is..." Ryoko stammered. "Well its just that ... your,"

"A royal whore?" Ena queried, clearly amused.

"I didn't say that!" Ryoko gaped.

"Then what did you mean?" Ena pressed, still smiling.

"I'm not really sure!"

"A courtesan perhaps?" Ena beamed, delighted at the scandal.

"A madam, procuress, slattern, slut, strumpet, tramp or trollop?"

"I didn't mean it that way!" Ryoko gaped.

"Floozy is another good term." Ena concluded, punctuating her oratory with a wink.

"Ooooohhh!" Ryoko deflated, now she knew how Ayeka had felt all these years. She had nothing on this broad when it came to the art of innuendo!

"Ryoko!" Ena sighed delightedly, leaning forward and taking her by the arms. "I am proud of who and WHAT I am!"

Ryoko was startled, having forgotten that things could be solid in this realm. Even as Ena's soft hand found and lifted her chin.

"Ena Ouoni." She continued, smile again becoming brilliant. "Royal consort of Azusa!"

"But..." Ryoko almost whispered. "You have to ... share..."

"I am the light in his eye!" Ena refuted passionately.

"The song in his heart! I am the balm that soothes his aching soul."

She paused, eyes poignantly glistening, before releasing Ryoko, whirling away. Her hands gesturing as she spun when all about her form, tarot cards and symbols of divination flew into being, Flying about her in rapid orbits.