Northstar Vale A new reason to smile.

Does he know? They haven't seen each other since that magical moment, the moment when she thought he, Yuudai, would be her mate, the Emperor to sit at her side and love her until the rest of their days. Why was he avoiding her? She avoided him for well... for avoiding the repercussions for what happened between Takeshi and her. But would she spill her secrets to him if he had come to her? She liked to believe she would! Because Takeshi and I are mates, to honour our parent's final wishes. He had successfully convinced her of such. 

And... I can't be certain of it, but I think he and Hiromi are together. Judging by Hiromi's own swelling belly, the scent of him upon her coat - even she wasn't that ignorant.

Everything Ibis said went against her mother's teachings. How a woman's body sacred and not something to give around for everyone to enjoy, that a mate, was the one individual who should appreciate all the little gifts she could bring. For if she would sleep around, who would respect her mateship with anyone? I'm supposed to be an example, steady, something they all look to for stability. Would they respect me if they knew? There was truth in Ibis's words, but Reiko's own hesitation was confusing. 

Curiously she turned her head to the Queen's final utterance, brows arching, asking for more. Did Ibis mean what Reiko thought she meant?