An Audience (謁見, Ekken?) is the twentieth chapter of the My Happy Marriage manga adaptation.
Summary[]
Kiyoka meets with his superior, Major General Masashi Ookaito, before their visit to the imperial palace. Ookaito informs him that someone has opened the Burial Grounds, where the graves of Gift-users are located. Even in death, their spirits can't be put to rest with regular rites, so their graves are sealed in the Burial Grounds. Kiyoka, knowing how much damage the spirits can cause, asks how much of the seal has been undone. Ookaito had been informed by the imperial sorcerers that they have it mostly under control, but they did not tell him anything else. Kiyoka interprets that the sorcerers had not been able to contain all the damage and tells Ookaito that he will remain on alert.
The two men then get into the car that will take them to the palace. On the way there, Ookaito congratulates Kiyoka on his engagement and notes that their bond must be strong if they still decided to get married after the recent commotion. Kiyoka curtly says that it wasn't Miyo's fault. Ookaito apologizes and then jokes that the rumors about Kiyoka not caring for women must not be true then.
At the palace, they are joined by Kazushi Tatsuishi, the new head of the Tatsuishi family. Despite his flashy manner and looks, he has been surprisingly cooperative with the military. Kiyoka is annoyed by his flamboyant dress, but Kazushi reminds him that Gift-users aren't bound by any rules as long as they obey the Emperor. Then, the three meet with Prince Takaihito, the first in line to the throne and Kiyoka's childhood friend. First, Kazushi introduces himself and apologizes for his father's actions. Takaihito absolves the Tatsuishi family in the name of the Emperor and tells him to act at the Kudou family's behest to restore his honor and trust.
Takaihito then turns to Kiyoka and expresses his sadness at what happened to the Saimori family. To the empire, the departure of a Gifted family is a great loss. Normally, there would be an inquiry to find out who was ultimately responsible, but as all the parties involved have been punished, it has been left undecided. However, when Kiyoka blames himself for not being strong enough to prevent the situation, Takaihito cryptically comments that this is also the hands of fate at play. Kiyoka then brings up the main reason why they are here today: they were informed that Takaihito had a Divine Revelation. Divine Revelation is a Gift that is passed down the imperial bloodline and gives past emperors the ability to see impending disasters. The mandate of Gift-users is to follow Divine Revelations and battle against Grotesqueries. The current Emperor is in poor health and Takaihito, his second son, is the only one who inherited the Gift.
Takaihito informs them that his vision has something to do with the unsealing of the Burial Grounds and cautions them to be careful or else some people may lose their lives, though he didn't see who. Takaihito personally warning them meant that the danger is dire. Kiyoka resolves himself to fight with all he has and restore the seal. Suddenly, Takaihito congratulates him on his long-awaited engagement, but then ominously notes that Miyo has quite the hardship ahead of her. Kiyoka asks if that is also a Revelation, but Takaihito doesn't elaborate. Kiyoka is worried but knows that the prince won't tell him everything. He tells the prince that he will keep that in mind.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Kiyoka Kudou
- Masashi Ookaito
- Minoru Tatsuishi (pictured)
- Kazushi Tatsuishi
- Takaihito
- Kanoko Saimori (pictured)
- Shinichi Saimori (pictured)
- Kaya Saimori (pictured)
- Emperor (mentioned)
- Miyo Saimori (pictured)
Chapter Notes[]
- Godou telling Kiyoka about Ookaito's arrival is cut out.
- Kiyoka and Ookaito's conversation in the car is shortened slightly.
- The narration about Kazushi takes place at the palace instead of in the car.
- Takaihito is sitting behind a sliding screen, whereas in the novel he was already showed himself before Kiyoka and the others when they enter the room.
- The significance behind Takaihito's absolving of the Tatsuishi family is omitted.
- Takaihito explaining that his powers are still unstable because he hasn't yet ascended the throne is omitted.
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| Volume 1 | |
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| Volume 2 | |
| Volume 3 |
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| Volume 4 | |
| Volume 5 | |
| Non-tankōbon | |