Twelve Kingdoms Drama CD: Sister Empresses (姉妹王)
went on a hunt and found the second track. it was long... (second half of translation updated)

second track download: http://www.mediafire.com/?gjjxbtfo1ij



Drama CD: Track 2
Sister Empresses

Rakushun: Well then, the next story will be on those two. Linked together by a strange fate, it’s a story about sisters. A long long time ago… but, a little earlier than that…In the kingdom of Kei, in a city close by Gyouten, there was a large kimono shop. There lived two sisters. The older sister is named Jokaku, courtesy name Onko, little sister is Joei, courtesy name Karei. Compared to the older sister who is very quiet and rarely leaves the store, the younger sister likes to show-off and play. Also, she is known as the most beautiful woman of the entire city and of the entire kingdom.

Joei: Hm? Something going on in the shop? Oh no. Not another youma incident.

Jokaku: Karei… Karei… what should we do?

Joei: Ah, Onko-nee-san (older sister), how rare! Don’t you hate this room because the smell of cosmetics is too strong?

Jokaku: Ne, what should we should…?

Joei: What is it? Did that annoying dog run away? If that’s it, serves it right. Just recently, it snuck in and peed here. What’s wrong? You’re all pale.

Jokaku: Did you hear?

Joei: About what?

Jokaku: Just now… in the store… a person with blond hair…

Joei: Blond hair?! Kirin?!

Jokaku: You mustn’t! We must refer to him as ‘Taiho’.

Joei: I’ve heard that the kirin has descended Mt. Hou but… such a thing!

Jokaku: What should we do?! Father and Mother have no idea how they should welcome Taiho. Just why would Taiho come to a place like our home?

Joei: That’s obvious!

Jokaku: Karei, where are you going?

Joei: To meet the kirin.

Joei: Oh, this won’t do! I can’t meet him with a plain kimono like this! So-Something prettier…umm…Ah! That’s it! The kimono embroidered with black and silver should do.

Jokaku: Karei… Hey, Karei!

Joei: You’re being a nuisance here. (literally, “being noisy”)

Jokaku: You…you know the reason for Taiho’s visit?

Joei: Of course! Did you think he’s here just to get a cup of water?

Jokaku: But…

Joei: It’s the aura of the ruler (ouki)! He felt the presence of the emperor at our home.

Jokaku: Ouki? Kei-ou’s?

Joei: Yes. Kirin senses the ouki and chooses a ruler. There is no reason other than that.

Jokaku: But our family are but commoners.

Joei: Commoners, peasant, they’ve all been chosen as rulers before. Besides, no one from our family ascended Mt. Hou (shouzan). Kirin has waited at Mt. Hou for the emperor to come for more than twenty years. He came down because he couldn’t bear it any longer. That means that the emperor is among those who did not ascend Mt. Hou.

Jokaku: But… that can’t be. Who among our family?

Joei: Who knows! Could be the salt boy. Anyways, I’m going! (*it said ‘shionin’. I took a guess since I couldn’t find it in the dictionary. Shio = salt)

Jokaku: Wait, Karei!

Joei (side): I said I didn’t know to my sister but of course, I was deeply convinced. In this family, there is but one person who is suitable to be empress. If you exclude I, whose beauty is known even to neighbouring villages, has good interpersonal skills and excels at everything that she attempts, including knowledge, music, business… there is no one else. If my parents hadn’t objected, I would have ascended Mt. Hou long ago.

*noise everywhere*

Random girl: Ah! Lady Karei! Please return to your room!

Joei: It’s fine. It appears that he has business with us.

Keiki: There is no mistake. I finally made it here.

Jokaku: So this person is taiho… he looks like a human.

Koei: Of course. He’s a kirin after all. Come, nee-san, move away.

Joei: So you are the Taiho.

Keiki: Ah.

Joei: I’m the daughter of Jou family, named ‘Ei’. This is my sister, “Kaku”. Why is it that you’ve come here?

Keiki: I’ve come in search of my master. Finally, I am able to meet her.

Joei: Did you hear that, onee-sama! He said master! I wonder what this is about.

Jokaku: *sigh*

Joei. Nee-san?

Jokaku: I’ve heard that kirins are beautiful creatures but… that hair… and those eyes and mouth… it’s like looking at a divine god.

Joei: Just what is she saying… eh?

Keiki: Forgive my rudeness.

Joei (side): And in that moment, I saw something that I could not believe. The kirin… Keiki, got down on his knees. As a child, I’ve heard that kirins are creatures that never bow their heads to anyone. Except for one. But the one who Keiki was facing was not me. He gradually lowered his head to my sister, Jokaku, then got down on one knee.

Joei: Eh?!

Jokaku: Um… what is it that you’re doing?

Joei (side): Then Keiki pressed his forehead hard against my sister’s feet.

Keiki: By the Will of the Heavens, I’ve come to welcome your Majesty.

Jokaku: Please wait.

Joei: This can’t be!!

*everyone shocked*

Keiki: I shall never leave thy side, I shall never disobey thee, my loyalty I pledge unto thee.

Joei (side): My sister just stood there without a word. That’s what I thought. She rarely leaves her room, only plays with animals, doesn’t have any hobbies, not even poetry, not to mention that she lacks charm, a sister who has never measured up to me. A sister like that can’t possibly be chosen by a kirin. And there is no way my sister would take up a heavy responsibility like that. So I said loudly to Keiki.

Joei: It is getting late, Taiho.

Jokaku: I accept.

Joei: Nee-sama!

Jokaku: I will go with you.

*shock everywhere*

Keiki: Please come with me to Kinpa Palace.

Keiki (to all): Her Majesty is present.

Keiki (to Joei): Her Majesty is present.

Joei: Ah! Yes, yes.

Joei (side): While I frantically got down on my knees and bowed my head, I stayed there not understanding what just happened.

*crowd rejoices*

Joei (side): Kei-ou ascended the throne. But it was said that commoners who have gathered were only able to see for a brief moment the veiled face of Kei-ou. I chose not to attend since the beginning.

Joei (side): But after a few months since then, I was summoned to Kinpa Palace. Because it was an order from the ruler, it couldn’t be disobeyed.

Joei: Excuse me, *Chosai-sama, is something the matter with my sister? (note: chosai is the chief of the six ministries)

Seikyou: Her Majesty appears to be exhausted.

Joei: I see

Seikyou: So, we’d like you to comfort her.

Joei: But I…

*Keiki knocking on door*

Keiki: Your Majesty, your majesty. There are urgent reports* that are awaiting your audience. You must also attend the morning assembly.

(**soujo: reports submitted specifically to the emperor by court officials)

Joei: Keiki… what are you doing?

Seikyou: Taiho, as Her Majesty wishes, I have brought Ei-dono. Please let her pass through.

Keiki: Chosai… I said not to bring her.

Seikyou: Taiho, that is what Her Majesty’s wishes.

Keiki: If we were to do so, Her Majesty will only lock herself deeper in and never come out. What about the morning assembly? The paperwork? The reports?

Seikyou: I’m afraid we’ve already conducted the Imperial Court without a ruler for more than twenty years. And somehow, the kingdom has managed to progress smoothly. Now, please let Her Majesty rest a little in peace.

Keiki: But…

Joei (side): Seeing a stubborn Keiki who wouldn’t let me pass, I felt dejected. The mysterious divine beast that appeared before us back then is now nothing but a cold ornament without a human heart. Because he chose my sister, he should suffer more. That was what I thought.

Joei: I’m going in.

Keiki: Please wait a moment.

Joei: Onee-sama! Onko-onee-sama! Karei has come! Your sister Karei has come! Please let me see your face.

Jokaku: Karei…

*door opens*

Jokaku. Come in, hurry.

Joei: Excuse me.

Keiki: Your Majesty!

*door slams shut*

Seikyou: Nothing we could do. We’ve done everything that could be done. Let it be, Taiho.

Keiki: Yes.

*inside*

Joei: It is an honour to see Your Majesty.

Jokaku: I beg you, please stop that. To me, you are always my cute sister, Karei.

Joei: Is that true?! nee-san, I’m so happy.

Jokaku: Why did I say ‘I accept’ to Taiho back then. When I looked into those eyes, the words just left my mouth. But it was foolish.

Joei: What a thing to say now.

Jokaku: But that’s the truth. I’m not suitable to be empress. Kei has lost her ruler for more than twenty years. The kingdom is in a state of ruins, youma are running wild. I… who’s just a daughter of a merchant… What can I do?

Joei: Nee-san.

Jokaku: If it were you, I’m sure you’ll be doing much better, right Karei?

Joei: Such a thing…

Jokaku: Even if I attend the morning assemblies, no one listens to me but they keep asking me “How this, how’s that?”. Chosai Seikyou comforted me but I can’t go to Taiho.

Joei: Why? Kirin is supposed to help the empress, right?

Jokaku: If I say anything, all he says is “That can’t be”, “No, you cannot”, “Conduct yourself like an empress”, “Please decide on your own”. He was the one who chose the empress and yet he forces me to do things that I’m unable to do. Just a while ago, he asked me to take control. He said I can’t hold power in name only and not use it.

Joei: Nee-san… but it’s too late to go back now. If there’s anything I could do, please tell me.

Jokaku: Ah! Karei! Thank you! I wish for you to stay here at Kinpa Palace.

Joei: Me? Here at the royal palace?

Jokaku: There are but strangers here. You don’t have to do anything. If you could just be someone I could talk to, and let me hear your wonderful singing at times…

Joei (side): As she said that, my sister embraced a puppy and pressed her cheek against it. I thought of myself as that puppy. But she’s someone who can't understands another's feelings. And just when I was about to coldly reject her…

Joei: Nee-san--

Jokaku: Of course, I’ll enter you into the Registry of sages.

Joei: Really!

Jokaku: Father and the others were too afraid and rejected the offer but I thought you’d be happy to. After all, once you’re registered as a sage, you’ll remain beautiful as you are now and we could be together forever.

Joei: I wasn’t able to say otherwise. Even I who am young and pampered understood that one day I’ll become old. Becoming a sage and attaining eternal youth was something that I worshipped and hoped for.

Jokaku: Kaei, I beg you. Please understand. Don’t leave me all alone.

Joei: *sigh* I understand, nee-san. Since you put it that way, I’ll stay.

Jokaku: Really?!

Joei: There’s no other way. After all, nee-san can’t make it be on her own.

Jokaku: Ah! Karei….

*laugher*


Joei (side): After that, my sister rarely got involved with the matters of the kingdom. No matter how much Keiki asked, she refused to attend morning assemblies. She just wanted to talk to me. But what she talked about were all childhood memories or her displeasure with Keiki and other court officials. The first person who got sick of this was me. I started to avoid my sister. Then one day…

*In the garden with the laughter of children*

Joei: Ah! What a tranquil place.

Jokaku: Karei, Karei! You look well. That’s good.

Joei: Nee-san… ah, no, Your Majesty. Taiho too. This is?

Jokaku: Wonderful place, isn’t it. It’s my garden. Right, Keiki?

Keiki: Yes.

Joei (side): I saw Keiki give a small smile. This was the first time I saw his smile. That place was a truly beautiful garden. A meadow blossoming with beautiful plants and flowers. Homes of children and the elderly. A forest with birds gathering about. It was like a treasure chest prepared just for my sister. But what surprised me the most was that my sister entwined her arm with Keiki’s, watching him with watery eyes.

Jokaku: This garden was from Ei province um…what as it again? A corporal from somewhere…

Keiki: It’s Hokui, Your Majesty. A tribute from Gahou of Hokui.

Jokaku: Right, right, that’s it. Keiki, even though Seikyou was against it, couldn’t we make Gahou the provincial lord of Wa since he gave me such a wonderful gift.

Keiki: Your Majesty.

Jokaku: Please, Keiki.

Keiki: If that is what Your Majesty desires.

Jokaku: Ah! Keiki!

Joei: Nee-san… seems like you’ve gotten quite close to Taiho.

Jokaku: Keiki went on a journey to somewhere a few days ago. And since he came back, he opened his heart to me.

Joei: Heart …?

Keiki: No, I was just… being considerate of Your Majesty.

Jokaku: He smiled at me… only for my sake. What a beautiful smile. I forgot that I was drawn in by this beauty and accepted the throne. It’s enough as long as Keiki stays by my side. I’m happy.

Joei: Nee-san…

Joei (side): Kirin is a beast, no matter how beautiful he is. Something inside my sister was beginning to break.

Keiki: Your majesty, we should be heading back soon.

Jokaku: No!

Keiki: Your majesty.

Jokaku: I’ve already promised to teach the children poetry. I’ll be staying here today.

Keiki: You’ve already been away for many days. The court is worried.

Jokaku: Seikyou will handle it.

Keiki: Your Majesty.

Jokaku: Karei, save me!

Joei: Nee-san.

Keiki: Your Majesty.

Joei: Taiho, you will scare Her Majesty with such a scary expression.

Keiki: Ha…

Jokaku: Yes, Keiki. Smile, I beg you. For me, please smile.

Joei (side): My sister’s happiness did not last long.

*things being shattered, screams of women*

Jokaku: Why did you get so close to Keiki?! What is it that you want?!

Maid: Your Majesty, please forgive me! I was just…

Keiki: Your Majesty… she was just preparing a change of clothing for me.

Jokaku: No!! You’re being deceived, Keiki! I won’t forgive a single person who comes near Keiki! No… soon…

Joei: Your Majesty! What is all this commotion?

Jokaku: You listen too, Joei. There is no need for women inside of Gyouten (capital city). Court ladies are all to be exiled!

Keiki: Your Majesty, please forgive them. These people here have nowhere else to go if you banish them.

*Jokaku beating some handmaiden*

Jokaku: Are you the ones who are deceiving Taiho? Huh?! Kirin is a beast of benevolence. If tears were to fall, he would be unable to say ‘no’. You all knew this and yet…! Keiki, order your shirei to exile these people!

Keiki: Your Majesty!

Jokaku: If their legs won’t move, then hack off the legs. If they cling onto the pillars, then cut off the arms. There’s no need to hesitate with those who carry the grave crime of going against imperial command.

Joei: Your Majesty…?!

Jokaku: Didn’t you not hear, Joei! You are to leave as well! I will also revoke your sage registry. No one… No one can come near my Keiki! *insane laughter*

Joei (side): My sister was too in love with Keiki and lost her heart. In order to horde Keiki’s love, she started to reject all that were called women. At first, she exiled women from the palace. But because Keiki showed compassion to these exiled women, my sister’s anger continued to deepen and finally, she even ordered all women to be exiled from Kei.

Keiki: Your Majesty, if Kei is without women, the kingdom will perish. Heaven won’t forgive you.

Jokaku: I’m fine with that… as along as you are with me.

Joei (side): But even then, there’s not way all women could escape from the kingdom. Most women hid in their homes with abated breaths. I depended on the Sei provincial lord, Lord Onseii, who showed interest in me from before and hid in the Sei Provincial Palace. Not long after, I heard the rumour of Keiki falling ill with Shitsudou. I resigned myself to punishment and returned to Kinpa Palace. The kirin dies if they are with shitsudou. If that happens, the ruler won’t be here for long once again.

*footsteps*

Joei: Nee-san!

Jokaku: Karei… what’s the matter? I haven’t seen your face in a long time.

Joei: Eh? B-but… nothing.

Jokaku: Look! My Keiki!

Joei: *gasp* That is… the taiho?!

Joei (side): Lying there was a living thing that resembled a withered old tree on the verge of death.

Jokaku: Don’t look!! Don’t come near Keiki!

Joei: What are you going to do? Punish me?

Jokaku: No… I should be the one punished. Because I was wrong… Why wasn’t I punished… why is it upon Keiki who is sinless

Joei: Pull yourself together! You are the empress of this kingdom.

Jokaku: No!! no, no, no!! Please save Keiki… Keiki… just Keiki. Please!! *cries*

Jokaku: I have to go.

Joei: Go? Where??

Jokaku: To Mt.Hou. Where the nyousen (female sage) are. I’m going to ask Heaven to let me resign.

Joei: Resign?! You mean you’re going to abandon the throne?

Jokaku: What will come out of me continuing to be empress? The kingdom worsens, natural disasters are everywhere, there are no competent officials who are of any aid to me. And… my dear Keiki is approaching death. I… must give Keiki his freedom.

Joei: Nee-san, don’t you understand!! If a ruler wants to resign*, that ruler will die! Rulers cannot become mortals again!

(**Zenjo: going to Mt. Hou to ask Heaven for permission to resign which requires one to end one’s life)

Jokaku: Eh. I know. If I do this, then Keiki can find a new ruler. He’ll be healthy. Why didn’t I think of this sooner? Karei… I’m going to Mt. Hou.

Joei: Nee-san…

Joei (side): My sister disappeared. A few days later, the hakuchi at Nisei Palace cried out the death of the empress and then died. That was the end of my sister’s short reign of 6 years. From that day on, Keiki began to show signs of slowly recovering. Not long after, he began to wander the kingdom in search of a new ruler. I kept thinking why my sister had to die… how come it became such a ridiculous thing. And then, I realized that it all began from that moment…

*flashback*
Jokaku: I accept

Joei(side): My sister did not have to become the empress. Keiki chose the wrong person to be empress. Then… I must correct this mistake. Yes! If he had chosen me back then, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. So I informed the Sei provincial lord like this…

Jokaku: I am Kei-ou. I will become Kei-ou. Can’t I?

Jokaku (side): Of course, the Sei provincial lord was well aware that I wasn’t chosen by Keiki. But the people were afraid that the absence of a ruler will continue and were all hoping for a new ruler. The people did as I thought.

Jokaku (side): Then an important person supported us. He gave me what I wanted.

Keiki: *groan*

Joei: You look good, Keiki. Now, come over here by my side. Then whoever sees me will know I am Kei’s new empress.

Keiki: *angry groan*

Joei: Hm? Feeling resentful? Then try saying it… say “this woman is a fake empress”. Can’t do it? What can a beast without speech do? This is all because you were wrong. I’m just returning the world to the way it should be. Understand?

Keiki: *really angry groan* (I suspect its constipation)

Joei (side): The one who assisted me was the emperor of Kou. Why would another kingdom’s emperor… there was no need for me to think about that. Day by day, the numbers of our army continued to increase, one after the other, provinces fell under my control. But… Kou-ou’s support suddenly ceased. An army that I’ve never seen before flew across the sky of Sei province.

Joei: Why would En’s imperial army?! Could it be an invasion?! They say that they’re with the new Kei-ou?! That’s impossible! Kei-ou is right here! I am Kei-ou. I am!

*door slamming*

Joei (side): I escaped… taking my small army to Kinpa Palace –The place where I was supposed to be.

*door opens*

Seikyou: This… Karei-dono.

Joei: Seikyou. Hurry and perform the coronation ceremony. Right now.

Seikyou: So you’re saying that you’re Her Majesty? But I do not seem to see Taiho.

Joei: The fake empress army took him at the Sei Province Palace.

Seikyou: A fake empress?

Joei: The fake empress brought the imperial army of En.

Seikyou: En?

Joei: Also… she seems to be a kaikyaku!

Seikyou: Oh…

Joei: If that fake empress enters Kinpa Palace, En-ou will definitely use it as an excuse to build an imperial court around a kaikyaku.

Seikyou: Is that so.

Joei: My desire is only the throne.

Seikyou: Yes.

Joei: Other than that, I give you everything else… you may call it an imperial command.

Seikyou: Then… I will call you “Your Majesty”.

Joei(side): Kinpa Palace became mine. But without time to ready the army, a new army in the name of the new Kei-ou drew near. Soldiers that became fearful when they saw the kirin’s shadow from above submitted to the enemy army one after the other until not even a single soldier was left at my side.

En-ou: Youko, you alright?

Youko: Thank you, En-ou. Is this the state chamber of Kinpa Palace?

En-ou: Seems so.

Joei: Such insolence. You plan to sully the throne with blood?

Youko: That person is?

En-ou: We finally meet. The fake empress. Are you Joei? Repent your sins!

Joei: Hahahaha! What are you saying? You, the commander, who supported the fake empress and invaded us.

En-ou: If this is an invasion, I would have been punished by Heaven already. The fact that I am standing here unharmed is the best proof that Youko here is Kei-ou.

Joei: You said Kei-ou.

En-ou: Don’t come any closer. If you do

Youko: Wait! Please wait.

En-ou: Kei-ou

Youko: This person… I want to try and talk to the fake empress.

Joei: Such foolishness! I am the real empress.

Youko: Please. Listen to me.

En-ou: I understand. It’s better to settle things with your own hands. Then it will be clear to all that the new empress defeated the fake empress. But Youko, the kingdom of Kei has two imperial treasures. First is the Suiguutou that can defeat all evil. The second is the Hekisouju that can cure all wounds. Both represent the power of the ruler. Do not mistake its usage.

Youko: Yes. I leave Sugimoto to you.

En-ou: Right. Everyone get out! No one is to come near here!

*door closes*

Youko: If it’s now, you can escape.

Joei: *laughs*

Youko: Do you have any hideouts somewhere? Please, run away!

Joei: You think I would be scared? I, who am, the empress!

Youko: You’re not… the empress.

*Joei attacks Youko*

Joei: My sister is dead. Heaven made a mistake. If that’s the case, I am here to correct it. I will become the empress!

Youko: Stop! Ah! Don’t!Jouyuu!

Joei: You’re trying to kill me… you trying to kill me?!

Youko: I’m sorry! I didn’t intend to. Sorry! If we use this jewel, you’ll be healed! You’ll be healed right away.

Youko: Let go! If we don’t hurry, your wound will…

Joei: Hekisoujuu. The only one who could use it is Kei-ou. Only I can… Only I!

Youko: Let go!

Joei: Fake empress! Prepare yourself!

Youko: Don’t come here, Joei!!

Joei: HAHAHAHAHA!

Joei (side): I pushed away that kaikyaku empress, turned towards the sword and plunged into it. I moved agilely, as if I was possessed by a youma. I realized I won’t be able to avoid it. In that moment… within the light of the sword, I saw a nostalgic face.

Jokaku: Kaei…. Kaei…

Joei (side): In that moment, I realized something: I hated my sister to such an extent … disliked her… and I also loved her. I wanted to prove that my sister wasn’t wrong, and that Heaven was the one who was at fault. Give the throne to that kaikyaku. I… What I want… I can never have forever.

Rakushun: Youko, Kei-ou defeated the fake empress and assumed the throne. Youko said nothing about that battle with the fake empress. That is why I never talk about it.