Chapter Text
Tsukasa woke to the sound of rain. For several seconds, he didn't open his eyes. He stayed underneath the unfamiliar blankets, listening to the soft tapping against the window while his mind slowly tried to decide where he was. It was a strangely gentle sound, almost soothing if he didn't stop to think about it. Back home, mornings in Shirayuri had always felt much more alive. He was used to waking to birds chirping somewhere in the gardens, the distant trickle of fountains, sunlight slipping through his curtains, and the muffled voices of servants already moving through the palace. Even on cloudy mornings, there was always some sort of brightness to the kingdom. Here, everything seemed tucked beneath a layer of gray.
The rain, the old castle settling somewhere beyond the walls, and the occasional footsteps passing through the hallway were the only things he could hear. When Tsukasa finally opened his eyes, he stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling for several seconds before yesterday came rushing back to him. Kurai. The castle. Saki's engagement. Rui. His face immediately twisted into a frown. “This is going to take some getting used to,” he muttered, pushing himself upright and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He didn't sound particularly convinced.
The room looked completely different in the morning light. The warm glow from the candles and lamps had disappeared overnight, leaving the dark wood and old stone looking even deeper against the pale gray coming through the curtains. Tsukasa slowly climbed out of bed and immediately recoiled when his bare feet touched the cold floor, staring down at it with quiet offense before forcing himself forward.
Whoever had prepared the guest room had clearly gone to great lengths to make him comfortable. His clothes were neatly arranged in the wardrobe, fresh water had been left on the washstand, and every surface had been polished so thoroughly that he couldn't find even the tiniest speck of dirt. That, at least, earned the room his approval. Still, it lacked the little things that made his bedroom in Shirayuri feel like his. There were no books he'd chosen himself, no flowers from the palace gardens sitting beside the window, no familiar portraits, and none of the small decorations he'd collected over the years. Everything was neat, expensive, and carefully arranged, but none of it carried any memory.
Tsukasa paused when he reached the window and drew the curtains apart, expecting the garden to look less impressive now that the darkness was gone. Instead, he found himself staring. The garden had become almost unrecognizable in the rain. The lanterns from the night before had been extinguished, the fireflies were nowhere to be seen, and the winding pathways were darkened beneath the water, but the flowers and greenery somehow looked even more striking against the dull morning.
Tiny droplets clung to the petals of the lilies, red spider lilies curved over the edges of the stone paths, and vines crawled carefully around old pillars and arches without completely swallowing them. Tsukasa rested one hand against the glass and followed the paths with his eyes until they disappeared behind clusters of trees and carefully overgrown flowerbeds. In Shirayuri, gardens were designed to be seen immediately. They were bright, open, and full of color, almost impossible to miss. Kurai's garden seemed to ask for patience instead. It didn't show everything at once, and strangely enough, Tsukasa found himself liking that. “It really is pretty,” he admitted under his breath, his eyes lingering on the far end of the garden before an unpleasant thought managed to creep into his mind.
Rui.
Tsukasa's expression immediately flattened. He could practically hear that irritating voice again, telling him he was naive, foolish, childish, and apparently incapable of understanding anything important. His fingers tightened slightly against the window before he pulled his hand away. “I am not childish,” he insisted to his own reflection, folding his arms across his chest. The reflection staring back at him looked unconvinced, which only made him frown harder. “And I'm not irresponsible either.”
He paused, eyes narrowing as he considered Rui's words despite himself. Maybe there was a little truth hidden somewhere in what he'd said. Maybe Tsukasa didn't understand Kurai as well as he thought he did. Maybe he had been too quick to assume that everything he'd been taught about the kingdom was the whole story. The thought irritated him enough that he turned away from the window with a quiet huff. He'd think about that later. Right now, he had a morning to get through.
Getting dressed helped put him back into his usual routine. Tsukasa took his time choosing his clothes, running his fingers over several fabrics before settling on something appropriate for breakfast and carefully smoothing every wrinkle once he had it on. His hair took even longer. The familiar motion of pulling it into his usual low side ponytail gave him something normal to focus on, and by the time he had finished, the strange room felt slightly less strange. He gave himself one final inspection in the mirror, adjusted his collar, and nodded approvingly. “Much better,” he decided before reaching for the door.
He walked out of his room and into the halls of the castle again, the view being much different than what he had seen the night before. I mean it was slightly brighter, and somehow it only made it more difficult for him to find his way around. So, Tsukasa sent out on a journey again to explore the castle. He took in a deep breath as he put on a smile and started to walk.
His first goal, find a way to the garden. His walk with Kaito yesterday didn’t exactly give him any hint as to where that could be.. For a while Tsukasa mindlessly moved around the castle, opening every door that he could find. He was beginning to wonder if the castle had been designed specifically to make people get lost. Every hallway seemed to lead into another hallway, every staircase seemed to split into two more directions, and several of the doors he had opened had led to rooms that looked almost identical to ones he had already seen. At one point, he opened a door expecting to find a way outside only to find a small storage room filled with folded linens. He stared at it for a few seconds before slowly closing the door again, deciding that he would simply pretend that had never happened.
He continued walking anyway, refusing to let the castle win against him. The rain had become heavier outside, and the sound of it followed him through the halls whenever he passed one of the tall windows. Tsukasa occasionally stopped to look through them, hoping to catch a glimpse of the garden, but most of the windows faced the front courtyard or the surrounding forest. He tried to remember the route Kaito had taken yesterday, but the butler had walked through so many different corridors that the prince couldn't remember more than a few turns. “I know I saw it from somewhere around here,” he muttered, looking down the hallway in front of him. “There was a staircase, and then a hallway, and then another hallway... unless that was before the staircase.” He frowned at himself before continuing forward, becoming more determined with every wrong turn.
After another few minutes, Tsukasa found himself standing in front of a large set of wooden doors. They were much taller than the other doors in the castle, with dark carvings along the edges and a faded crest in the center. He had no idea what was behind them, but at this point, curiosity was beginning to feel like a better reason to open a door than actually knowing where he was going. He placed one hand against the handle and pushed it open, expecting another empty room or perhaps another hallway, but instead found a long library stretching farther than he could see.
Tsukasa's expression immediately brightened. The room was enormous, with bookshelves reaching almost all the way to the ceiling and narrow balconies running along the upper levels. Tall windows lined one side of the room, their glass dimmed by the rain outside, while several lamps had been lit along the tables despite the morning light. There were old books stacked neatly on almost every shelf, some of them bound in leather and decorated with gold lettering that had faded over the years. Tsukasa stepped inside without even thinking about the garden anymore, his eyes moving from one shelf to another as he took everything in.
“This place is incredible,” he whispered, unable to stop himself from smiling. He had always liked libraries, especially the larger ones in Shirayuri, but this one felt completely different. There was something much older about it. Some of the books looked like they had been sitting untouched for decades, and the shelves themselves had clearly been built long before Tsukasa was born. He walked between them slowly, running his fingers along the spines without pulling any out. He wasn't entirely sure what he was looking for, but if there was one thing he had learned from yesterday, it was that Kurai seemed to have a lot of history that nobody was particularly interested in explaining. His hand stopping when he noticed a shelf filled with books about kingdoms and royal families.
He carried the book over to one of the tables near the windows and sat down, turning it open. The pages were old, but thankfully still readable, and Tsukasa began scanning through the first few chapters.The information was surprisingly vague. It talked about the kingdom's founding, its first rulers, and the construction of the castle, but large sections of its history were summarized in only a few sentences. Several years were mentioned without any explanation of what had happened during them, and one particular period had been described simply as a “time of great division.” Nothing seemed particularly unusual until he reached a section discussing the relationship between Kurai and Shirayuri.
Tsukasa slowed as he read.
The two kingdoms had apparently shared a much longer history than he had realized. There were mentions of old agreements, trade between the kingdoms, and several periods where the two royal families had worked closely together. It wasn't enough to explain why their relationship had become so hostile, but it was enough to make him pause.
“That's weird,” he murmured, flipping back a page to read it again.
He had always been taught that Shirayuri and Kurai had been rivals for generations. Their disagreements went back so far that nobody in his family seemed to know exactly where they had started. The idea that the two kingdoms had once worked together wasn't impossible, but it was certainly something Tsukasa had never heard about before.
He continued reading for a few more minutes, but the further he got into the book, the less useful it became. Several parts of the history were written so vaguely that Tsukasa found himself rereading entire paragraphs just to figure out what they were talking about. Eventually, he closed the book with a quiet sigh and leaned back in his chair. “This isn't helping.”
The sound of footsteps approaching from the other side of the library made him look up. Tsukasa immediately straightened when he saw Rui enter through one of the doors, apparently having come in without noticing him at first. He was carrying another book under one arm, and his hair was slightly messier than it had been the previous day. He looked like he had been awake for quite some time already. He stopped when he noticed Tsukasa sitting at one of the tables, his eyes briefly moving toward the book resting in front of him before returning to the blonde. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice rough and almost demanding an answer. As he approached the table, he straightened his posture, his expression remaining difficult to read.
Tsukasa glanced around the room before finally admitting, “I was looking for the garden.” He let out a small sigh as he looked back at Rui. “But I could not find my way... obviously.” He closed the book in front of him and stood, turning fully toward the other prince. The tension from the night before still lingered between them, and Tsukasa had certainly not forgotten all the rude things Rui had said to him or the insults he had thrown at him.
“One could figure,” the purple-haired prince muttered under his breath as he looked at Tsukasa. Tsukasa's eye twitched at the comment, his irritation with Rui's attitude immediately returning. “Are you going to apologize for what you said yesterday?” he asked, although the demanding tone of his voice made it clear that he expected an apology rather than politely asking for one.
Rui completely ignored the question and continued toward one of the bookshelves, the book in his hand already being forgotten by Tsukasa. The blonde watched him for a moment before his irritation finally got the better of him. He stepped directly into Rui's path, stopping between him and the bookshelf. Tsukasa glared up at him with an expression that made it obvious he was still waiting for an answer.
Rui looked him up and down, seemingly more amused than bothered by the confrontation. “Why would I apologize for speaking the truth?” he asked, his voice calm despite Tsukasa's obvious frustration. Tsukasa stared at Rui for a moment, almost unable to believe what he had just heard. “The truth?” he repeated, his voice rising slightly as his eyebrows pulled together. “You insulted me yesterday, called me childish and irresponsible, and now you're telling me that was the truth?”
Rui didn't seem particularly bothered by his reaction. He simply stood there, looking down at him with the same calm expression that somehow managed to make Tsukasa even more irritated. “If you are going to ask me whether I meant what I said, then yes. I did.”
Rui's expression barely changed as he looked down at the blonde, seemingly taking a moment to consider his words before answering. “You're right. I don't know you,” he admitted, causing Tsukasa to pause for a moment. “But I know enough about the way you carry yourself to make a few observations.”
Tsukasa stared at him in disbelief, his irritation only growing at the way Rui spoke as though he were discussing something completely unimportant. “Oh, forgive me. I didn't realize you could figure out someone's entire personality just by looking at them.”
“I never said I could figure out your entire personality. You're putting words in my mouth now.” Rui adjusted the book tucked beneath his arm, looking increasingly uninterested in continuing the conversation. “If you want people to take you seriously, perhaps you should stop taking every criticism as a personal attack.”
“It's a little difficult not to take it personally when you're insulting me to my face!” Tsukasa exclaimed, his voice echoing slightly through the library. He threw his hands up in frustration before letting them fall back to his sides. “You barely know me, Rui. How can you possibly decide that I'm childish or irresponsible after knowing me for less than a day?”
Rui watched him for a moment, his expression remaining almost completely unchanged. He seemed far less bothered by the argument than Tsukasa was, which only made the blonde more irritated. Instead of answering immediately, Rui turned his attention back toward the bookshelf and ran his fingers along the spines of the books as though Tsukasa hadn't just demanded an explanation from him.
“That isn't quite what I said,” Rui replied calmly. “I said you're acting like someone who doesn't understand the situation he's in. Whether you choose to take that personally is up to you.” Tsukasa stared at him, his frustration only growing at how easily Rui dismissed him. “Of course I'm going to take it personally when you're standing there telling me that I'm irresponsible and childish. You can't insult someone and then act surprised when they get upset about it.”
“I don't recall being surprised.” The answer made Tsukasa's expression tighten. Rui finally pulled a book from the shelf, looking down at its cover rather than at the blonde. There was something almost deliberate about the way he avoided meeting Tsukasa's eyes, as though he knew exactly how irritating his calmness was becoming.
“You know, this is exactly what I'm talking about,” Tsukasa continued, stepping closer. “You say something rude, then you act like I'm the one making a big deal out of it. If you're going to criticize me, at least have the decency to explain what you actually think I'm doing wrong.”
Rui slowly returned the book to its place before looking at him again. “You want an explanation? Fine. You're impulsive. You don't think very far ahead when something matters to you, and you become so focused on what you want that you forget other people might be dealing with things you don't understand. That's what I meant.” Tsukasa's jaw tightened. Some of the anger in his expression shifted into disbelief. “And you think you know that about me already?”
“I've seen enough.”
“That doesn't even make sense,” Tsukasa argued, shaking his head.
“You've barely spoken to me. You don't know what I'm like when I'm actually dealing with something important, and you certainly don't know what I've been through.”
Rui's eyes narrowed slightly at that, although his voice remained controlled. “And you don't know what I've been through either. Yet you've already decided what kind of person I am based on a handful of conversations.” Tsukasa opened his mouth, but the response caught him off guard enough that he paused. He quickly recovered, his arms folding tightly across his chest. “I'm not the one who started judging people.”
“No,” Rui said, his gaze remaining fixed on him.
“You simply seem to think you're entitled to an apology because you disliked what you heard.”
“I think I'm entitled to basic respect.” The words hung between them for a moment. Rui didn't answer, and Tsukasa could tell from his expression that he wasn't going to give him the apology he wanted. The silence only made the tension between them feel heavier, and eventually Tsukasa looked away with an irritated sigh. “Whatever,” he muttered, though the annoyance in his voice made it obvious that he didn't mean it.
The silence stretched between them, heavy enough that even the rain against the tall library windows seemed louder. He looked at Tsukasa for several seconds before finally turning away, but whatever he had been about to say never came. Instead, Rui reached for the book he had left on the table and tucked it beneath his arm. The blonde watched him, his frustration only growing as Rui seemed ready to simply end the conversation. “So that's it?” Tsukasa asked, his voice quieter but no less irritated. “You're just going to walk away after saying all of that?” For a moment, neither of them moved. The distance between them suddenly felt much smaller than it had before, and he could feel the anger he'd been trying to hold back rising again.
He stared at Rui for a moment before shaking his head. “You know what? Maybe I don't understand everything about this kingdom. Maybe I don't know everything about you. But at least I'm willing to admit that. You're the one acting like you've already figured me out.” Rui didn't answer. The look on his face was enough to tell Tsukasa that he wasn't going to take back anything he'd said.
The silence stretched between them, heavy enough that even the rain against the tall library windows seemed louder. Rui looked at Tsukasa for several seconds before turning away, whatever answer he might have given seemingly abandoned. He reached for the book on the table and tucked it beneath his arm, making it clear that he intended to leave the conversation there. Before Tsukasa could stop him, footsteps sounded from the hallway. Kaito appeared in the doorway, his expression remaining calm despite the obvious tension in the room. “Prince Rui, Her Majesty has been looking for you. She asked that you come to her chambers when you're finished here.”
Rui gave a small nod and started toward the door, but Kaito's attention shifted toward Tsukasa. The butler hummed before he cleared his throat. “Why don’t you take Prince Tenma to the garden?” He spoke with a faint, normal seeming, smile. Rui, on the other hand, seemed to hate that idea, scowling at Kaito. “Why don’t you show him? Or have a maid. Anyone but me will suffice." He grumbled. Kaito's smile didn't disappear, though there was something almost knowing about it as he leaned slightly against the doorway. “Because you're already going that way, and I doubt Her Majesty would appreciate you keeping her waiting.” Rui's expression darkened. “That doesn't explain why I have to take him.”
“It doesn't have to,” Kaito replied simply. “The garden is on your way, and Prince Tenma has been trying to find it all morning. It would be easier if you just showed him.” Rui stared at him for a moment, clearly trying to decide whether arguing was worth the effort. Eventually, he sighed and adjusted the book beneath his arm. “Fine. But don't expect me to entertain him.” Tsukasa frowned at that. “I wasn't asking you to.”
Kaito stepped aside, allowing Rui to pass through the doorway. Tsukasa followed after him, though he still wasn't entirely sure how he felt about spending more time with Rui after their argument. He had wanted to see the garden, but he hadn't exactly expected that seeing it would require Rui's company. As they entered the hallway, Kaito followed behind them for a few steps before turning down another corridor. “I'll let Her Majesty know you're on your way.” Rui gave a brief nod without stopping, while Tsukasa glanced back at Kaito before hurrying to catch up. Neither of them said anything for a while. The argument from the library was still sitting between them, neither prince seeming willing to bring it up again.
Tsukasa let his eyes wander over the paintings lining the walls as they walked. After a moment, he glanced toward Rui, who seemed completely comfortable navigating the winding hallways without needing to think about where he was going. “Does your mother handle most of the kingdom's affairs, or do you?” Rui answered without much hesitation. “Currently, both of us do.” Tsukasa's eyebrows lifted slightly at the word, and he looked toward him with renewed curiosity. “Currently?” Rui continued walking, his expression remaining calm as he explained, “My father handled most of it before he died.”
There was a brief shift in Rui's tone when he mentioned his father, so slight that Tsukasa almost wondered if he'd imagined it. Still, he noticed the way Rui's hand tightened around the book tucked beneath his arm before relaxing again. he nodded slowly, letting the information settle in his mind. That explained some of what he'd noticed since arriving. Rui seemed to know far more about the kingdom than someone their age normally would, and he had already spoken about court matters with a confidence Tsukasa wasn't used to seeing.
“So you've been doing this since he died?” he asked, watching Rui for a reaction. “More or less.” Tsukasa frowned slightly at how casually he said it. “That sounds like a lot.” Rui didn't deny it. For a moment, neither of them said anything, and Tsukasa found himself wondering just how much of that responsibility Rui had been expected to take on before he was actually ready for it.
Tsukasa was quiet for a moment before looking around the hallway again. The castle suddenly seemed much larger than it had earlier that morning, and he found himself wondering how many meetings, decisions, and arguments took place behind all of the closed doors they'd passed. “Are there many people who actually get to make decisions here, or does everything eventually go through you and your mother?” Rui gave him a sideways glance, clearly noticing how specific the question was. “That's a rather specific question.”
There was a faint edge to his voice now, not quite suspicion, but enough to make Tsukasa aware that Rui was paying attention to what he was asking. The other shrugged, trying to make it sound less important than it probably was. “I was just wondering how things work.” Rui looked ahead again before answering, “Most decisions go through the royal court. My mother and I have the final say on matters concerning the crown.” Tsukasa nodded, mentally filing the answer away as they continued down the hall. He glanced at Rui again before asking, “And the nobles agree with everything you do?” Rui actually gave a quiet laugh at that, catching him slightly off guard.
“Hardly.” Tsukasa's expression brightened with mild surprise at getting an actual laugh out of him. “Then how do you deal with them?” His amusement faded into his usual calm expression as he answered simply, “Carefully.” Tsukasa watched him for another second, noticing that Rui's answer had come too quickly to sound like something he needed to think about. It made him wonder how many times he'd already had to use that approach. There was clearly something underneath the answer, but he decided not to push the subject.
Instead, Tsukasa let his attention drift toward the tall windows at the end of the hall. Rain slid down the glass in thin streams, making the castle grounds outside appear slightly blurred. He watched it for a few seconds before the Moon Festival came back to mind. “Does Kurai have many festivals?” he asked, turning his attention back toward Rui. “The Moon Festival seems like a pretty big one.” Rui nodded slightly. “It's one of the larger celebrations.” Tsukasa tilted his head, studying him for a moment before asking, “Do you actually enjoy it?” The other’s answer came almost immediately. “Not particularly.” The blonde looked surprised, his eyebrows rising.
“You don't like festivals?” Rui glanced toward him before explaining, “I don't dislike them. I simply prefer quieter things.” Tsukasa considered that for a moment. It seemed strangely fitting for the purple haired prince, who always seemed more comfortable in quiet hallways and old libraries than surrounded by crowds. Still, something about the answer felt familiar in a way he couldn't explain, like Rui had gotten used to finding comfort in places where no one was asking anything from him. Tsukasa pushed the thought aside and turned his attention back toward the paintings.
After a moment, Tsukasa noticed another painting, this one showing what appeared to be a large gathering around a long table. Unlike the previous portraits, the people in it were wearing much brighter colors, and several unfamiliar symbols had been painted onto the walls behind them. Tsukasa slowed slightly as they passed it, studying the scene with interest. “This doesn't look like a royal portrait.” Rui followed his gaze toward the painting.
“It isn't.” Tsukasa looked at him, then back at the painting. “Then what's happening?” Rui's eyes remained on the painting for a moment before he answered, “A treaty ceremony.” Tsukasa's interest immediately grew. “A treaty?” Rui nodded. “Yes.” The other looked over the painting again before asking, “With who?” His eyes moved toward the painting before returning to the path ahead. “Another kingdom.” The answer was strangely deliberate, and Tsukasa noticed that the other hadn't looked at him when he'd said it. He glanced back at the painting, studying the people around the table again. The ceremony looked important, far more formal than the smaller agreements the blonde had seen referenced in his history books. Yet Rui had answered as though the identity of the other kingdom wasn't worth mentioning.
He stared at Rui's back for a moment before finally saying, “That's all you're going to tell me?” He glanced at him. “Do you need to know more?” Tsukasa frowned slightly but didn't back down. “I think it would be interesting to know who Kurai used to work with.” Rui was quiet for a moment, and this time the blonde noticed the pause. It wasn't long, but it was just enough to make the silence feel deliberate. “Kurai has had agreements with several kingdoms over the years.”
Tsukasa's curiosity immediately returned, and he looked toward the other. “Several?” Rui nodded, continuing before the other could say anything else. “Trade agreements, military agreements, political arrangements. They changed depending on the circumstances.” His explanation was calm, but Tsukasa caught the feeling that the purple haired prince was giving him exactly as much information as he wanted him to have and no more. That only made him more interested.
Tsukasa slowed slightly. That sounded strangely familiar. The history book he'd been reading had mentioned several periods of cooperation between kingdoms, though he'd only had time to skim the sections before Rui arrived. He frowned faintly as he tried to remember exactly what he'd read. “So things weren't always the way they are now?” he asked.
Rui looked at him, his expression difficult to read. “Things rarely stay the same.” This time, Tsukasa held his gaze for a second longer. There was something in Rui's expression that made the answer feel heavier than it should have, as though the words meant more than the simple fact that kingdoms changed over time. The blonde couldn't tell whether the other was avoiding the subject or simply refusing to discuss it with him, but either possibility made him more aware of the distance between them. Rui eventually looked ahead again, ending the moment without another word.
Tsukasa let the silence linger for a few moments before his curiosity got the better of him again. “Were you taught all of that?” Rui glanced toward him. “Of course.” Tsukasa nodded, then looked back toward the paintings. After a moment, he asked, “By your father?” His expression changed only slightly before he answered, “Among others.”
The response was quiet, but the blonde noticed that Rui's eyes remained fixed ahead this time. He didn't seem angry, exactly. If anything, he seemed determined not to let the conversation move any deeper. Tsukasa nodded again, though he wasn't completely satisfied. He had expected Rui to dismiss the question or tell him it wasn't important, but instead he had actually given him something useful. His eyes moved back toward the paintings lining the walls, and now that he knew what he was looking for, he began noticing more familiar symbols hidden among the older artwork.
Maybe there was more history between their kingdoms than he'd ever been taught. The thought should have only made him curious, but something about the way Rui avoided certain parts of the conversation made Tsukasa feel like he had accidentally stepped closer to something he wasn't supposed to notice. He didn't know what it was yet, and he wasn't about to accuse him of hiding anything, but he couldn't shake the feeling that some of these paintings were telling a story Rui had no intention of finishing.
The hallway finally began to change as they reached the older part of the castle. The dark wooden walls gave way to worn stone, and the sound of the rain became louder as they approached a set of tall glass doors at the end of the corridor. Tsukasa’s attention immediately shifted toward them, his curiosity returning as he noticed the faint outlines of greenery beyond the glass. Rui continued toward the doors without saying anything, and he followed a few steps behind until the other pushed one of them open.
The sound of rain filled the hallway almost immediately, accompanied by the cool smell of wet earth and flowers. Tsukasa stepped outside and stopped without meaning to, his eyes widening as he finally got a proper view of the garden. It was even larger than it had looked from his bedroom window. Winding stone paths stretched between flowerbeds, disappearing beneath arches covered in vines before reappearing farther into the garden.
Dark lilies grew beside clusters of lilies of the valley, their delicate flowers weighed down by rain, while red spider lilies curved around the edges of the paths. Small ponds were scattered throughout the grounds, their surfaces rippling beneath the falling water, with lotus leaves floating quietly among them.
Tsukasa slowly stepped farther onto the stone path, careful not to slip on the wet surface. “This is the garden?” he asked, though the answer was obvious. He looked around with an expression of genuine amazement, taking in every little detail as though he couldn't decide where to look first. Rui followed behind him, closing the door before answering, “Yes. It extends much farther than what can be seen from the eastern wing. Mother prefers for it to feel somewhat secluded, so most of the paths aren't immediately visible from the castle.”
Tsukasa turned toward him with a small smile. “You could've mentioned it was this big.” Rui adjusted the book beneath his arm and glanced toward the winding paths. “You seemed to be occupied with your exploration of the castle. I saw no reason to interrupt your efforts.”
He moved farther along the path, and Tsukasa followed him toward one of the flowerbeds. Tiny droplets of rain clung to the petals of the lilies, catching what little light managed to break through the clouds. The blonde crouched slightly to get a closer look before glancing back at the other. “Do you take care of all of this?” he asked. Rui looked over the flowers before answering, “Most of it, yes. The groundskeepers handle the general maintenance, but there are certain plants I prefer to care for myself. I've spent enough time studying them that it seems wasteful not to put that knowledge to use.”
Tsukasa's eyebrows rose as he looked around again. “You? I just wouldn't have guessed you were interested in gardening.” Rui gave him a mildly unimpressed look as he continued down the path. “I suppose it isn't the most obvious interest, but I've always enjoyed it. There's something satisfying about watching a plant grow properly when you've taken the time to understand what it needs.”
Tsukasa followed him, watching as Rui reached down and gently moved a fallen stem away from the path. “You really know a lot about this stuff, don't you?” he asked. The other glanced toward the flowers. “I've been studying botany for several years. Most of it began as a personal interest, although maintaining the garden has taught me quite a bit as well.
Plants are rather particular. If you neglect one small thing, they'll make certain you notice.” Tsukasa smiled faintly as he looked around the garden again. “I think it's pretty.” Rui's gaze moved across the garden before he answered, “It has been here for a very long time. My family has changed parts of it over the years, but we've tried to preserve what was already here. I think that's why it still feels somewhat different from the rest of the castle.”
Tsukasa glanced at him, realizing that Rui had already said considerably more than he had during their conversation in the library. He had expected another short answer, but instead Rui had actually explained himself. It made him hesitate for a moment before he continued walking beside him.
“So you actually like gardening?” he asked, and the purple haired prince gave a small nod. “I do. There are very few things in the castle that I can tend to without someone else eventually involving themselves. The garden is one of them. If something needs to be moved, planted, or repaired, I can simply take care of it myself.” Tsukasa looked toward the flowers, then back at Rui. “That sounds nice.” His expression softened slightly as he looked ahead.
Tsukasa continued along the path, taking in the quiet garden around them. The rain had made everything feel almost completely separated from the rest of the castle, and for the first time since arriving in Kurai, he understood why someone might actually prefer the quiet. Even the tension between them seemed less noticeable out here, although the blonde prince knew it hadn't disappeared. He still remembered their argument in the library, and Rui still hadn't taken back anything he'd said.
As they reached a small stone bench beneath an old archway, Tsukasa slowed and looked toward the pond beyond it. “Do you come out here often?” he asked. Rui stopped nearby, resting one hand against the back of the bench as he looked over the water. “Whenever I have the time. There are usually enough matters within the castle to keep me occupied, but I prefer coming here when I need some quiet. It's one of the few places where I can spend time without having to think about court or whatever decision is waiting for me.”
Tsukasa nodded, looking over the pond as rain disturbed its surface. “I can see why.” Rui remained quiet for a moment before adding, “It is considerably easier to think when no one is expecting an answer from you.” The blonde looked at him for a moment, then turned his attention back toward the pond. He wasn't sure why, but the conversation felt easier than it had in the library. Maybe it was the garden, or maybe Rui simply had more to say when the subject was something he actually cared about. Either way, Tsukasa decided not to question it.
For a moment, neither of them said anything. The rain continued falling around them, filling the spaces between the trees while the pond rippled beneath the drops. There was still too much left unsaid between them, and Tsukasa wasn't going to forget their argument just because the conversation had become easier.
Rui eventually glanced back toward the castle, his attention shifting to the book tucked beneath his arm. The rain had begun to fall a little harder, tapping against the leaves and stone around them. “I should probably go,” he said, straightening from the bench. “Mother's been waiting for me, and I've already kept her waiting longer than I meant to.” Tsukasa looked over at him, remembering why Rui had been walking this way in the first place. “Oh, right. You were supposed to be seeing your mother.”
Rui turned toward the path leading back to the castle. “Her chambers are just past the western hall, so I won't be gone long. If you're staying out here, I'd stick to the covered paths. The rain gets heavier on the eastern side.” Tsukasa glanced up at the dark clouds before nodding. “I'll be fine. I just want to look around for a little while.” Rui gave a small nod. “All right, then. I'll leave you to it.”
Tsukasa watched as Rui started back toward the castle, his footsteps slowly blending into the sound of the rain. After a few steps, the purple haired prince looked back over his shoulder. “And, Prince Tenma?” Tsukasa raised an eyebrow. “What?” Rui's expression remained calm. “Try to remember how you got here this time. I'd rather not have to guide you through the entire castle again tomorrow.” Tsukasa frowned. “I wasn't that lost.” He gave him a brief, knowing look before turning away. “If you say so.”
Tsukasa watched him disappear through the glass doors before turning back toward the garden. He let out a quiet breath and shook his head. Somehow, Rui had still managed to annoy him even after they had spent the last several minutes having an almost normal conversation. Still, as Tsukasa looked over the winding paths and rain-covered flowers, he found himself thinking about everything the other had told him.
There was clearly more to Rui than Tsukasa had initially assumed, even if he still wasn't sure what to make of him. For now, though, he decided to leave the questions alone. Rui had gone to see his mother, and Tsukasa had an entire garden to explore.
Yes — the issue is the dialogue is still structured like a Q&A. Even when the paragraphs are longer, the characters are taking turns with tiny responses. I’d make their conversation flow through longer pieces of dialogue, with Saki explaining what happened during her brief interaction with Rui without pretending she knows him well.
Tsukasa stayed in the garden longer than he had planned. The rain had started falling harder, but he barely noticed at first as he continued along the winding paths, taking in the different flowers and ponds scattered throughout the grounds. It wasn't until the rain began soaking through the shoulders of his coat that he finally decided it was probably time to head back inside. He made his way toward the castle, following the path he remembered from earlier, and hurried through the glass doors as soon as he reached them.
He brushed the rain from his sleeves and tried to smooth down the damp ends of his hair when he noticed Saki coming down the hallway. Her eyes immediately went to his damp clothes, and she gave him a concerned look. “You really went back outside? I thought you were only going to look around for a little while.” Tsukasa smiled sheepishly as he fell into step beside her. “I was, but then I kept finding more of the garden. It was much bigger than I expected, and by the time I decided to come back, the rain had gotten worse.” He glanced toward the glass doors behind them before adding, “Rui showed me around for a little while before he went to see the queen.”
Saki looked slightly surprised at that, though she didn't make much of it. “He showed you around? I didn't realize he'd been in the garden with you.” Tsukasa nodded, beginning to explain as they continued down the hallway. “Kaito told him to take me through it because it was on the way to the queen's chambers. Rui didn't exactly seem excited about it at first, but once we started talking about the plants, he actually had a lot to say. He knows all sorts of things about them, and apparently he takes care of some of them himself.” Tsukasa shook his head slightly. “It was probably the most normal conversation I've had with him since we got here.”
Saki listened, then gave a small smile. “That's kind of funny, considering the only time I've really spoken to him was earlier today. I was expecting the conversation to be uncomfortable because of the wedding, but he was actually very polite. I was nervous and kept feeling like I didn't know what I was supposed to say, but he never rushed me or acted annoyed. Whenever I stopped to think, he just waited, and when I asked something, he answered without making me feel like I should have already known.” She paused, seeming to consider how little that actually told her about him. “I don't know if that's just how he is, though. We haven't spoken enough for me to really know him.”
Tsukasa looked at her with clear disbelief. “That is absolutely not how he acts with me. Yesterday, he made me feel like I'd committed some horrible crime just by asking him where something was and he called me naive, childish, and irresponsible because I didn't understand something he thought was obvious.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his irritation returning as he remembered the argument. “And yet you barely know him, and he's already treating you like a completely different person.”
Saki thought about that for a moment before giving a small shrug. “Maybe it's because of the wedding. I don't know. He might have just been trying to make the conversation easier for me since neither of us really has a choice in the matter.” She looked toward the windows as they passed them, watching the rain continue outside. “I wouldn't assume too much from it. He could be completely different around everyone else. I really don't know what he's like yet.”
Tsukasa became quieter as he considered that. He had expected Saki to have some explanation for Rui, especially after hearing how differently he had behaved toward her, but she seemed just as uncertain about him as he was. “I suppose that makes sense,” he admitted. “Still, it's strange. He was different in the garden, too. He wasn't exactly friendly, but he wasn't constantly criticizing everything I said either. He seemed more relaxed when he was talking about something he actually cared about.”
Saki smiled faintly. “Maybe that's all it is. You happened to find something he likes talking about.” She glanced at Tsukasa's wet sleeves again and shook her head. “Although I think you should probably find something else to do now that you've found the garden. Preferably somewhere indoors.” Tsukasa looked down at himself and sighed, finally admitting that she had a point. As they continued toward their rooms, Tsukasa glanced once more toward the windows. The garden was almost completely hidden behind the rain now, but he could still make out the faint shapes of the trees and stone paths beyond the glass.
Tsukasa finally reached his room and stepped inside, immediately heading for the wardrobe to find something dry. He changed out of his damp clothes and carefully hung them up before sitting on the edge of the bed. For a moment, he simply listened to the rain outside. It was still falling steadily, covering the castle in the same quiet gray that had greeted him that morning.
His thoughts wandered back to the garden despite himself. He could still picture the flowers beneath the rain, the old stone paths disappearing beneath the vines, and the way Rui had talked about the plants as though he could have spent the entire afternoon explaining every little detail about them. It was strange. Tsukasa had spent most of his time with Rui feeling like he was constantly doing something wrong, yet somehow their conversation in the garden had been almost easy.
Almost.
He still hadn't forgotten their argument in the library, and he certainly wasn't ready to admit that Rui might have had a point about him being too quick to judge things he didn't understand. That thought alone was enough to make Tsukasa frown.
“I'm still not admitting he was right,” he muttered, reaching over to pull the curtains closed.
The room became dimmer as the curtains blocked out the gray afternoon light. Tsukasa climbed back onto the bed and pulled the blankets over himself, deciding that he had done enough exploring for one day. Tomorrow, he could find the rest of the castle. Maybe he would even figure out where the library connected to the eastern wing without getting lost again.
For now, though, he let himself relax.
Tomorrow was another day in Kurai, and Tsukasa had a feeling it was going to be a long one.