Beastmen Love
Chapter 242: Renzai’s Brothers

Chapter 242: Renzai’s Brothers

Astri is standing on the white jade balcony that overlooks the sacred river, which crosses through the Mizuryuu Castle’s lands, while the sun is going down on the horizon. Astri’s family was spending their time together after one more day of training.

Claud sits next to Yuki, who is knitting a poncho like Astri taught her to do. He hugs her shoulders and kisses her head.

"Is everything all right?" She asks him in confusion.

"Everything is great. I just wanted to thank you for everything you have done all these years." He says, smiling at her.

"For what?"

"All these years, I never shared how much I was suffering alone. But you could feel it. Even if you didn’t hear my thoughts or say anything to me, you would always come and help me with a comforting hug. Raising me from the ground when I was at my lowest moments. I am sure that if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have handled all the pressure and suffering I was going through." He says.

"Father.." She says, impressed to hear that, but she also smiles thrilled. "We are family. And you had too much on your back. I was sure that mother would be sad to see you suffering like that."

"She got sad, indeed. That’s why she was a bit mad yesterday. But we all talked last night and we know what to do now forward. I felt I had to come thank you for everything. And also apologize. Once I’ve promised your mother that I would do everything to protect you and your brothers if something happened, and it wasn’t only about protecting physically. I have failed in keeping your hearts safe." Claud says, rubbing his hand on her shoulder slowly, in a show of loving father’s affection.

"Don’t say that, father. You did the best you could. I don’t have grudges against anyone. It was hard times, but we helped each other. I am happy now of what I have become. It was hard, sometimes very hard and unbearable, but mother always said that everything happens for a reason. It made us stronger. And now, we love our family even more than before."

"You always had the gift of seeing the best in others and soothing energies. Since you were a tiny baby. One day you will be Queen."

She giggles in response.

"I just want to keep on learning."

He kisses her head.

"I understand. Learn is something we will never stop doing. Believe me."

All of Astri’s spouses went to thank Yuki and the children for everything during the day. They felt they had to build a stronger relationship with their children, who also suffered with Astri’s absence. And they are children. As adults, they sometimes made wrong decisions and felt lonely; as children, they for sure went through the same and didn’t know what to do because they were not mature enough to understand.

Astri is looking at the beautiful effect the sunset has on the trees and the Sacred River. They hear a bell announcing someone’s arrival. Renzai’s brothers had arrived.

They are known throughout Tsukihana not only as nobles and sacred creatures but as emissaries of the river’s oldest wisdoms. Renzai had spoken of them to Astri and she could notice the mutual respect they have as brothers.

After the announcing bell, a hush fell across the castle to welcome Renzai’s brothers. Astri and her family left the balcony, walked through the corridor. Beside her, Zin and Dieg could get to her side first, and they walked in quiet harmony.

They reached the courtyard, and all eyes turned to the eastern gate, which opened with great anticipation for Renzai.

"You look excited to see your brothers again, Lord Renzai." Astri smiles to Renzai.

"I admit I am. The last time I saw them was when their last heirs were born." Renzai answers.

"It’s impressive that they can stay so long away from their spouses.." Lee mentions.

"We are trained to endure the abstinence of the body. Though, whenever they come here they try to conceive new heirs. The females prefer to stay here because it is safer and bigger than the Shrines they stay."

Two figures approached surrounded by guards. The one from the left walks with the grace of a falling petal. He was tall, draped in white and aquamarine silks that shimmered like moonlight on water. His hair was pale silver with a faint tint of lavender at the tips, tied loosely at the nape. His eyes were pale teal, the color of glacial water, and his expression was serene but unreadable.

The one from the right had a more commanding presence. His hair was raven-black, long and loosely braided with threads of jade. His robes were a deeper shade of blue, adorned with silver wave motifs, and his eyes, sharp and stormy gray, held an intensity that makes anyone bow in respect.

Renzai stepped forward and bowed his head.

"Brothers. You honor us with your presence as always." Renzai says, and then looks at them, smiling.

The brothers look at each other with mutual smiles of respect and, also love. The two brothers now looked at Astri and were amazed to see that the tales they had heard were true. They kneel and bow deeply.

"Goddess.. We are not worthy of your presence. It is our greatest honor to meet you in person." They say in unison.

"It is mine to meet Lord Renzai’s beloved brothers. I am pleased to know that a great generation of brothers works together to maintain the realm’s balance. Please, call me Astri. You are dear friends to me, too, just as Lord Renzai and Seiryuu." Astri says and bows to them, too.

Her spouses follow her suit, showing respect for them too. The two brothers deepen their bows after seeing that she bowed to them. After standing up, Renzai introduces Astri’s family to his brothers first. Then the brothers introduce themselves to everyone.

"I am Renhou, of the Misty Mountains." The silver-haired one gave a graceful bow.

The other stepped forward and gave a half-bow, more casual but not disrespectful.

"And I am Kaikuro of the Storm Coast.. I must admit I wasn’t expecting a young and beautiful female to be the image of Nature."

"Kaikuro." Renzai sharply says, but Astri lifts her hand.

"It’s all right." She says. "I understand the doubts of those who have lived long and seen much."

"Brother... Please forgive his tongue. It is sharp, but it is because he is the strongest of us and responsible for keeping the waters of the ocean around us safe." Renhou says.

"It is all right. I will sharpen mine with kindness, then. Both of you deserve it." She replies, offering a smile that disarms both.

All of them walk to the feast together. And after being delighted with the different food, Renhou brings the subject forward:

"I know you might be the older between us, brother Renzai, and that you love to remove us from our duties. However, there must be a reason for you to call us besides meeting the Goddess."

Renzai smiles and nods.

"You always see through my letters, brother." Renzai says and nods to a server, who brings a map of Tsukihina.

He opens the map on the table.

"Tsukihina and we have the honor to be the next location where the Goddess will build her home." Renzai says.

"That is.. Amazing news!" Kaikuro says, smiling.

"Together we can exchange our knowledge and sense the best place to build her palace." Renzai nods.

"Now I understand. I will gladly help." Renhou says.

Renhou stepped closer to the map.

"There is a confluence of rivers near the base of Mount Saryuu. The waters there are pure. Few live near it, but it is rich in life. It could be made sacred easily." Renhou points at the map.

"But it is isolated. The goddess needs to be close to the people. There is a valley near the Plains of Tenkai. It is open, fertile, and reachable by all major paths. And also near the ocean." Kaikuro countered.

Renzai rubbed his chin.

"Both are good options. But one offers sanctity, the other accessibility."

"I was thinking about the Tsuki Yama. It is further away from the sea, has a river nearby that will connect to our at some point, and is located near the Jade Palace." Seiryuu points at the map.

"We could go see the three places together, and then we can decide which location is better." Claud says.

"Yes, we should go together. I would love to see those places." Astri answers.

"Which one called your attention more?" Koa asks.

"The place Lord Kaikuro suggested would be nice. I like to have accessibility for the people to us. We can move anywhere with ease, so the other two places would be good, too."

She looks at Kenzou, who was deep in thought.

"Dad?" She calls for him.

"Dad?" Kaikuro asks, confused.

"He is like a father to me." Astri explains and then turns her eyes to Kenzou again. "Do you want to say something?"

"I believe that Mount Saryuu would be better for you, and in some ways will help with the balance of the realm, because it is located in an area where there are no shrines or sacred places. Building one there would be good for you and the realm." Kenzou says.

"That is a good point, Master Kenzou." Renzai smiles.