CHAPTER FORTY
Riley was awakened by a knock on his door.
“Yes?”
“Stuart-san,” the maidservant answered through the closed door, “the emperor has asked for you to join him in the garden.”
“Let the emperor know that I will be there shortly.” Sensing that the woman had not left, he asked, “Is there anything else?”
“Ah,” she hesitated, “the emperor has also asked to see the Lady Mitsuko and she is not in her quarters. If you should see her, perhaps you could tell her of this.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Stuart-san. I will relay your message to the emperor.” Riley heard the sound of her retreating footsteps.
“Good morning,” Riley smiled at Mitsuko. “Did you sleep well?”
“Very well,” she said as she snuggled closer. “I think I have never slept so well.”
He held her tighter in his arms. “
