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“Tch. Your Highness , could you stop moving for just a second ? For god’s sake, even my eight year old daughter is more well behaved than you will ever be!”

Akito winced at the loud shout against his left ear.

“I’m trying- it’s just that you’re yanking on my hair too har-”

Akito was cut off when the maid, currently brushing his hair, tugged on his hair, again. “Stop complaining! God, you royals are so spoiled! Whining whenever they experience even the slightest pain. Tsk. It’s laughable, really.” 

Akito swallowed back a curse at the maid who was mocking him. Even though he was at a higher status than the maids, it didn’t seem like it from the way he was always made fun of and made a laughing stock of due to the fact that his father always treated them poorly. So, they decided to take it out on Akito and Ena instead, in secret. Ena had always been treated this way, yet she didn’t even make a fuss about it and chose to keep quiet, unlike Akito. He didn’t understand why she refused to argue with them. Did she just want to be controlled like a puppet her whole life by them? 

He could never understand her. 

Never really did. 

The other maid rolled her eyes when Akito started to fidget again, scoffing before saying, “If you want to look somewhat presentable at the ball, can you at least stop moving? It’s really annoying.” 

A remark was at the tip of Akito’s tongue, threatening to spill out at any moment, but he held back. He was the one being dressed up for the ball, after all. He didn’t want to look like a complete mess, especially in front of all the esteemed royalty that were going to attend the ball. He still had his pride. So, he stood as still as he could, biting on his tongue when the maids yanked at his hair, or accidentally-on-purpose pinched or poke him as they smoothed down his clothes. 

After what seemed like six trillion years, the two maids stepped back, and examined their work, whispering amongst themselves, “Eh, you look… decent , that’s the best we can make you of course. No matter how skilled we are, nothing looks good on you.”

The second maid didn’t even try to hide her laugh at the comment, and left with the first maid as they chatted away (seemingly about Akito). 

Akito clenched his fists as he glared at the maids’ backs. I’m not mad, I’M NOT MAD, I’M NOT FUCKING MAD, DEEP BREATH. Once he had calmed down, he plastered on a smile and left his room. He walked past the whispering servants and maids, he walked past the snickering guards outside his and Ena’s rooms, he walked past Toya and-

Wait, Toya?

He paused in his step, backtracked and turned to face Toya, who was smiling faintly at him. “Akito,” he said simply. 

“Toya, hey man,” Akito returned the greeting, still putting on the fake smile around him. 

Toya frowned lightly. “Is something wrong? Why are you smiling at me like that?” 

Ah, typical Toya. He could always read him like a book. He had always been able to tell what Akito was truly feeling inside. 

Akito leaned closer to him before he spoke softly for only Toya to hear. “I’ll tell you when we’re on the way to the ball.”

Only once Akito was given a nod in confirmation from Toya, did he lean away from the man. “Ah, so you’re here to escort me to the ball? Alright then, lead the way.” The lie came out of Akito’s mouth just as easily as he breathed.

Toya instantly caught onto Akito’s lie and followed along, in order for no one’s suspicions to be raised, lest they'd get into trouble. Putting a smile back on his face, Toya began walking forward, only turning back to tilt his head slightly to Akito, “Shall we go, Your Highness?

Akito nodded and followed him, ignoring (or at least tried to) the many whispers coming from the staff of the castle. Once they were a distance away from the more populated area of the castle, did the two begin talking again.

“So… what’s up? Why were you upset?” Toya started, his expression full of concern. In fact, he had even extended his right hand out in order to hold onto Akito’s right shoulder, hoping that would at least comfort him even if it was by just the slightest bit.

Akito rolled his eyes, his fake smile no longer present on his face, having left his face a while back, “Just two of the maids… Ugh, they piss me off…”

Toya gave him a sympathetic look. “They’re bullying you again, huh, Aki?” he asked, having guessed everything. He was the only one who wasn’t like the others working under the royal family. He genuinely cared for Akito and Ena, and hated what the others did to them.

Akito nodded. “Yeah, guess so.” 

“Just ignore them, they’re a bunch of nobodies.” Toya gave Akito a comforting smile, hoping to ease Akito’s rising anger as they talked about the staff.

Despite Toya’s words, Akito couldn’t help but still feel upset. “Yeah but, still, it’s so fucking infuriating. I jus-”

Akito’s eyes widened in shock when Toya cut him off by shaking his head and gently tapping Akito’s right shoulder. “Akito. Ignore them. Their words don’t mean anything. Trust me.” 

Seeing how genuine and caring Toya was, Akito couldn’t help but feel guilty and ashamed. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have spoken like that… How improper of me.” He turned his head away in shame, refusing to look Toya in the eye. 

“Aki, look at me,” Toya stated as he stopped walking, causing Akito to stop as well. Now, Toya turned to face Akito fully and placed both his hands on his shoulders, forcing Akito to look directly at him.

“Hey- Aki, there’s no need to apologize. I understand, it’s frustrating, but it’ll be okay, trust me. Just don’t let them get to you, alright?” Akito was hesitant.

How would Toya know that?

Akito fidgeted with his fingers slightly. However, at the comforting smile on Toya’s lips, he couldn’t help but feel that he was right. As long as he didn’t let the staff's words get to him, everything would be just fine.

Taking in a deep breath, Akito looked confident, met Toya’s gaze and confidently nodded. “Yeah, thanks, Toya. I needed that.”

“It’s nothing. Now, let’s pick up the pace, or you’re going to be late to the ball.” 

“Yeah, okay.” 

Toya once again began to walk, with Akito following suit, quickly catching up with the other and engaging in another conversation again.

“Finally! You’ve arrived, and just in time! If you were any later, you would’ve been late to the ball! Father would be so pissed if you were. Jesus, Akito, you need to manage your time better,” Ena’s voice was laced with annoyance.

She had been pacing around the entrance to the ball, clearly having been waiting for Akito. Akito winced at the tone of her voice, not expecting her to have been waiting for him.

“You know, we would’ve both gotten in trouble if you were lat- Oh? Toya? What are you doing here?”

Toya perked up when he heard his name. “I was escorting your brother to the ball. I was just doing so to make sure he doesn’t run off and skip the ball, like he did last time,” he explained, bowing in front of the princess. 

At the side-glanced glare Toya gave him, Akito couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly, remembering his past actions. He had almost managed to get away as well! Sadly, he had been caught by two guards on patrol.

“I wasn’t going to!” Akito interjected.

Despite Akito’s words, the two weren’t convinced, resulting in Toya softly laughing and Ena rolling her eyes.

Ena’s eyes suddenly widened, during their little moment of chatting, she had forgotten that she and Akito needed to be in the ballroom. With warning, Ena grabbed Akito’s wrist and dragged him along with her.

Akito couldn’t even get a word out before Ena pushed the massive doors to the ballroom open, with Akito in hand and quickly made her way over to their respective seats next to their father’s throne. Luckily for them, their father wasn’t there yet, as due to the fact that he’s the king and the one who organised this ball, he had to be the last to enter the ballroom in order to make a ‘grand entrance’. At least, that’s what Akito and Ena’s mother always told them.

In less than a few minutes, the room was suddenly packed with people. The sound of people chatting could be heard from all over the room. Every corner had at least one group of people.

“It’s only been a few minutes since the ball started and I already want to leave,” Akito whispered to his sister beside him, who looked just as uncomfortable as he was.

Ena didn’t give a verbal response but she did respond by nodding her head giving Akito an uncomfortable look.

Suddenly, the room went silent, the lights dimming slightly. Akito turned to Ena, giving her a confused look. Ena just rolled her and mouthed a silent, “Just watch,” before turning away and facing to look at the ballroom doors.

Akito followed her line of sight and watched as lights suddenly flashed at the entrance, illuminating the wooden doors.

Loud creaking suddenly filled the air. Loud cheers filled the air as a well-dressed man entered the room. He raised his hands in an exaggerated manner, causing more people to cheer. Akito honestly thought this was a bit too much, but who was he to say anything?

After waving to a few people and when the cheers died down, only then did the man speak, “Thank you all for coming, it is my honour to be able to be a host to all of you. Now, I believe I’ve stalled long enough, let the ball commence!”

Loud cheers and shouts once again filled the room. Akito scoffed, but made no comment as his father made his way over to his throne near Ena, his mother and himself. “Akito,” his father said simply.

Akito plastered on a small smile. “Yes, Father?” he asked him. 

“I’d like you to meet someone.”

That got Akito’s interest piqued. What ‘someone’ was his father referring to? Curiosity began to build in his chest as he nodded. “Yeah, sure, whatever.” Standing up slowly, slightly hesitant. When he stood up fully, his father didn’t say anything and just walked off. Akito followed, quickly throwing a glance at Ena who shrugged, she too seemed confused on who their father wanted to introduce Akito to.

Akito caught up with his father within a few steps, he tried asking who they were going to see but his father quickly shut him up, simply raising his hand for Akito to stop. Eventually, his father came to a stop in front of two females, the older looking one had shoulder-length purple hair, while the younger one had long purple hair that she had let down, and a smile on her face which in Akito’s opinion looked somewhat off, it honestly kind of creeped him out a little, but he choose not to comment on it. 

“Akito, this is Her Ladyship Asahina from the Asahina Kingdom, and her daughter, Her Highness Asahina Mafuyu,” Akito’s father told his son as he nodded once in the older woman’s direction. The older woman returned the gesture, and her daughter bowed deeply. “This is my son, Shinonome Akito,” he told the two women standing in front of him. 

Akito fixed on a fake smile as he bowed. “Greetings. It is my pleasure to meet the two of you,” he said. 

The Queen of the Asahina Kingdom nodded. “So, this is your son, huh? I think he’ll be suitable.” 

Akito frowned. Suitable…? For what? 

His father nodded. “Indeed. It will be his greatest pleasure to get wed to your lovely daughter,” he replied. 

Wait.

What the fuck !?

Akito swallowed down several curses as he turned to his father, his fake smile drooping slightly. “Wed? Who’s getting married to who, Father?” he asked him, his shoulders tense. Father, please don’t tell me you-

“Ah, I was just getting to that part,” his father said casually. He looked Akito straight in the eye as he continued. 

“Her Highness Asahina Mafuyu’s mother and I have arranged for Her Highness and you to get married in the winter.” 

Akito knew it.

Akito fucking knew it.

He felt so sick.

He wanted so badly to throw up all over his father’s stupid posh robes at that moment.

“Father, you jest, surely?” Akito’s breathing was now uneven, his eyes darting from his father to Queen Asahina. His father however, seemed confused on why Akito was reacting this way.

“Akito, we’re serious. Her Highness Mafuyu is a wonderful lady and I’m sure the two of you would get along well,” His father crossed his arms across his chest, annoyance now evident on his face.

“Father, but I don’t even know this woman!” Akito’s voice now rose higher, drawing the attention of  many people at the tables around them.

Akito quickly shot a glance at her Highness Mafuyu, “No offense. I’m sure you’re a wonderful person but I’m sorry but I will not marry someone I barely know!” before looking back at his father.

Mafuyu just bowed and replied softly, “None taken.” before standing up straight once again and taking her place next to her mother.

“Akito! Apologise!” Akito’s father admonished sternly, glaring at Akito.

Now, almost every group of people in the ballroom were staring at them. Usually, Akito would put up his facade and apologise to the crowds for interrupting the “pleasant” occasion. However, Akito couldn’t care less, too focused on the current situation to really bother about anything else. “I’m not going to apologise for something that I mean wholeheartedly.” 

“You…! You…” His father sighed as he hissed at his son, “We’ll talk after the ball. Get out of my sight.” He then turned to the two Asahinas and put on a smile. To everyone in the ballroom, he told them, “I apologise for my son’s ridiculous behaviour today, he must be in a bad mood…” 

Akito scoffed as he watched his father lie through his teeth before storming off to a corner of the ballroom. He ignored Ena shouting at him to wait, only moving faster at her calls.

Rushing past the onlooking crowd and stopping once he reached the corner he had aimed for, he leaned against the wall where a guard was stationed. The guard didn’t even bat an eye at him, too lazy to care about why he was there. Akito sighed as he glared at the ground. 

How could his father just arrange a marriage without telling him beforehand!? Now, he wasn’t happy that he had to marry a complete stranger whom he didn’t even love, let alone know, however, he should have asked him first! He couldn’t just tell him at the last minute! Ugh, how he despised his father. No wonder Ena was always so pissed whenever their father criticized her art, telling her that it’d be better if she ruled the kingdom as a queen instead. Their father was irritating as fuck , really. 

“Akito, hold on for a second-!”

Toya. 

Akito whirled around to see Toya hurrying towards him, looking a little panicked and worried. When he spotted Akito, though, he sighed with relief. “Akito, there you are!” he exclaimed. “I was looking all over for you! Her Highness Ena told me that she saw you running off in this direction… What happened just now, with His Majesty?” he asked, sounding so concerned for Akito, so worried, that it made Akito want to cry like he was five years old again, begging for the servants and maids to stop mocking him, to stop making fun of him wherever he went. 

But, he wasn’t five.

He wouldn’t allow even Toya to see his vulnerable side. 

Akito calmed himself before he walked up to Toya, attempting to seem as if he was totally fine. “Hey, Toya. Don’t worry about it, nothing too bad.”

Toya squinted his eyes at him in suspicion, clearly not believing him. Despite Toya’s clear doubts, he decided to give Akito the benefit of doubt and just sighed softly, “Alright then… Do you want to go back into the ballroom, or…?”

“I prefer to stay here,” Akito answered, forcing himself to sound casual. 

“Alright, I’ll stay here with you, then.” 

“‘Kay, thanks.”

Toya smiled in return as he leaned against the wall next to Akito. 

They began to chat for the rest of the ball, talking about the most random topics ever. But, truth be told, Akito was just glad Toya didn’t bring up the conversation with his father, or what he said to him. His mood was starting to get better the more he conversed with Toya. 

Unfortunately, good things didn’t last, and soon enough, the guests attending the ball began to stream out. Akito faked a smile as he waved goodbye to Tsukasa, who was hand-in-hand with Rui. He nodded in Emu and Nene’s direction, and rolled his eyes when An wagged her eyebrows at him as she dragged her beloved Kohane out of the ballroom. 

Eventually, he heard Ena call out, “Akito! Father’s calling you!” A second later, she walked out of the ballroom and met Akito and Toya, a frown on her face. “Aki, you had me so worried there, y’know!? At least tell me where-”

“Save it for later, sis,” Akito interrupted as he brushed past her, not before he smiled at Toya. “I’m not in the mood for another one of your lectures.”

“That’s not what I…” Ena trailed off before sighing when she realised that Akito wasn’t listening anymore. “Whatever. I’m going back to my room…” She then spun around and left, the ends of her pink dress flowing behind her. 

Akito walked back into the ballroom, finding his parents waiting for him. His father was glaring at him, while his mother appeared to be a little concerned. He sighed as he muttered, “What.” He frowned at his father and folded his arms as he said this. 

“‘What’?!” his father yelled as he stalked towards him, pure anger in his expression. “You insulted Her Highness Asahina Mafuyu in front of her mother without apologising! Now look at what you’ve done! There is a possibility that she wouldn’t even want her daughter getting married to such a rude person like y-” 

“Good!” Akito cut his father off, his voice raised higher, “I don’t even want to get married to her!” Then, he added in a more controlled voice. “You didn’t even tell me about this whole arranged marriage thing first. How do you expect me not to get pissed!?”

“Akito, your language,” his mother began, but both father and son shot her a look. She went silent and lowered her head slightly. 

“Akito, you are no longer a child. You need to start making decisions based on how it would benefit our kingdom. Marrying Her Highness Mafuyu will be the first big step to helping the kingdom you can partake in. Do you see where I’m going with this?” Akito’s father lectured with a frown. 

As his father finished talking, Akito could only stare at his father as if he’d gone mad, and to Akito, he most likely had. “Father! How could you say that? Yes, I would love to help the kingdom as much as I possibly can, but, I’m not going to jeopardize my own happiness for something which may not even help the kingdom as much as you may think! So, I’m not doing it! I refuse to get married to Her Highness Asahina Mafuyu, no matter how much you want me to! I-I’ll run away from home if you force me to! I’ll do anything so as long I don’t need to fucking marry her, yeah!?”

“Akit-”

“Father! I already said no. What do you not understand about what I-”

The loud sound of skin contacting with skin, as well as a loud gasp from his mother echoed through the room. Akito stood rooted to the ground in shock for a few seconds as he held a hand up to his stinging cheek, trying to process what had just happened.

Did his father… just slap him?

Akito couldn’t even properly process this. His father and him had gotten into several fights in the past. But, he had never physically hurt him in any way, until now. 

He hated to admit it…

But, it fucking hurt , more than it was supposed to. 

Akito gritted his teeth as he glared at his father, who returned his gaze. There was no hint of regret on his father’s face at all. 

“Akito, are-” his mother tried once again, appearing like she wanted to reach out and help him, but his father held out an arm in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. Once again, she bowed her head and stepped back, though Akito could feel her worried gaze on him. 

“...You will get married to Her Highness Asahina Mafuyu,” Akito’s father said firmly. “And, that’s final.” He then turned around and walked off, his boots clacking against the perfectly polished floor.

Akito didn’t stick around for long either. Ignoring the concerned look his mother shot him, he stormed out of the ballroom, fists clenched. He didn’t know what to feel. Sure, he was angry. He was real pissed right now, actually. Yet, he also felt… numb. As much as he hated his father, he admitted that he sort-of hoped his father genuinely loved him and Ena, as a father should. Yet, the fact that his father arranged a marriage without telling him beforehand, and had actually physically hurt him over it… 

He had just left the ballroom when he heard a familiar voice from next to him.

“Akito? Are you alright? I heard some sort-of sound in the ballroom? Why’s your cheek so red? Akito, is everything okay?” 

That was, of course, Toya’s caring, gentle and concerned voice. 

Hearing his voice, Akito couldn’t take it anymore. 

Without waiting for Toya to continue, he ran off. 

“W-Wait, Akito!?” Toya yelled after him. 

Akito ignored him as he rushed back to the palace, eyes lowered. He couldn’t bear to meet anyone’s eyes right now. He was a complete mess right now. He didn’t want them, especially the knights and servants and the like, and his father, to know that. He ran into his private quarters and slammed the door shut behind him, flopping onto his bed head-first. He simply laid there, feeling numb all over. He had thought he would have shed some tears, but he didn’t even feel sad. The anger was gone as well. He couldn’t even feel the sting of the slap his father delivered to his cheek.  

He just felt… numb. So, so numb. 

He didn’t know how much time had passed. All he knew was that he suddenly heard a gentle knock on his door. 

He knew straight away who it was.

Only one person would knock that gently. 

“...Toya?” Akito muttered under his breath as he sat up, staring at the door. 

“Akito? Akito, are you in there? Akito!” he could hear Toya calling out from the other side of the door in such a concerned voice.

Akito didn’t know how it happened, but somehow, he had dragged himself out of his bed and opened the door. The minute Toya stepped inside, he slammed the door shut again, locking it. 

Toya whirled around to face him, worry painted over his handsome features. “Akito…” he muttered as he stared at the ginger haired boy, brows creased. 

Akito didn’t reply, choosing to stay quiet as he lowered his eyes.

As Akito heard a sigh coming from Toya, he subconsciously clenched his fist, preparing himself for another scolding or lecture from the other. However, what Akito didn’t expect was to suddenly be enveloped in a tight hug.

The prince’s eyes widened and he looked away from the ground and now looked at Toya, whose head was laid on his shoulder as he embraced him. “Toya…?” he mumbled in his shock. 

“Shh, it’s alright, Aki,” Toya whispered back. “It’ll be alright.”

Hearing his comforting words, Akito wrapped his arms around him, tears brimming in his eyes and causing them to look unusually bright. They remained in that position for a while, until Akito felt slightly better, and pulled away first. Rubbing at his eyes, he muttered, “Sorry ‘bout that, Toya…”

“What happened?” Toya asked gently, placing a hand on Akito’s shoulder, comforting him with that small gesture. 

Akito swallowed. “I… Father arranged for me to marry Her Highness Mafuyu of the Asahina Kingdom without telling me beforehand…” He watched as Toya’s eyes widened in shock, feeling glad that he wasn’t the only one who thought that what his father did was insane. “I told him that I didn’t want to marry her, and in the end… he… slapped me.” 

Toya’s eyes softened as he heard Akito’s words. “Oh, Akito…” he muttered softly. 

Akito shook his head. “Doesn’t matter now. There’s no point arguing, anyway. I can’t do anything to change his mind… besides, this is for the good of the kingdom and all… so, I really shouldn’t do anything about it now…”

He then found Toya staring right into his eyes. “There’s another option,” he began slowly.

Akito blinked, confused for a second as to what Toya was trying to tell him. Then, he knew exactly what Toya was talking about, and shook his head. “No, no way. We’ve been through this, Toya, man, c’mon. We’re not doing it. Never.” 

Toya wanted him to run away from the kingdom. He had first suggested this two years ago, after two of the maids had laughed at him for wearing his top the wrong way. Akito had considered it for many days, but in the end, he chose not to run away. Even though his life downright sucked, he had Ena, and his mother in the kingdom. He couldn’t leave them, no matter how much he despised his father and the maids and servants and other knights for everything they’ve done to him. He loved them more than he hated the people that made a laughing stock of him. So, for their sake, he stayed in the kingdom and endured everything that came his way. Toya never gave up, however, and continued to ask him. Each and every single time, Akito would refuse firmly, and yet, Toya just didn’t know how to quit. Akito loved him, but he was starting to get a little annoyed by how many times he’d asked him to run away. He’d already explained to him why he didn’t want to do so, couldn’t he just accept it? Toya just wanted the best for him, Akito knew that, but he just couldn’t bear to leave Ena and his mother behind forever. 

Toya took a deep breath as he placed his other hand on Akito’s other shoulder. “Aki, please, just hear me out. Just one more time, and if you don’t want me to, I won’t ever ask you to run away ever again. Alright?” he begged.

Akito sighed. “...Fine,” he murmured.

“I’m so worried for your wellbeing, Akito,” Toya said quickly, like he was afraid Akito was going to cut him off at any moment. “I feel like your mental health has been getting worse and worse the longer you stay here, and suffer. It pains me to see you suffer so much, and just for your sister and mother. Things have been getting more out-of-hand lately, especially with his whole arranged marriage thing, and now your father is hurting you physically. What if it worsens over time? What if he starts to beat you, or uses a whip to hurt you? Akito, I’m so, so scared that something will happen to you, and I won’t be there to protect you from whatever it is. Please Aki…”

As Toya was speaking, Akito noticed that as Toya talked, his eyes slowly began to look to the floor, refusing to look Akito in the eye. Toya did this as he didn’t want to see the look on Akito’s face as he spoke, fearing that Akito would get annoyed or upset at him.

Silence filled the room, the only sound that filled the room was the sound of Toya and Akito’s breathing.

Toya shut his eyes, mentally preparing himself for the usual rejection.

However, that never came.

As Toya was beginning to open his eyes, he was suddenly pulled into a tight hug. How ironic, now it was Toya’s turn to be hugged. Toya’s eyes were blown wide as he looked down at the prince.

“...Okay,” Akito simply said. His breath brushing against Toya’s ear.

“‘Okay’?” Toya repeated, confusion evident in his tone of voice.

“I’ll do it. I’ll run away from home.” Akito now spoke with much more confidence, no hesitation evident in his voice.

Toya’s eyes widened even more than it seemed humanly possible to. “Aki-”

Toya was cut off when Akito suddenly pushed him away slightly, looking him in the eyes. He now had a hand on Toya’s shoulder and a hand over his heart. “But,” Akito started. His eyes gleaming with determination which seemed to pull Toya in, making him unable to look away. “You have to run away with me. I can’t do this alone.”

Toya smiled softly as he placed a hand on Akito’s cheek, causing the ginger to lean into his touch. “Of course I will,” he said.

“You have to promise me that,” Akito half-joked. 

Toya nodded, placing his other hand over his heart. “I swear on my duty as a knight, that I will go with you to the ends of the Earth, till the day I die.”

Comforted by Toya’s words, Akito slowly pulled away from his touch. “Alright so, first we’ll have to come up with a plan to escape the castle. Hmm, I’ll see if I can find blueprints of the castle's layout. Then-”

“No need.” Toya quickly cut off the other, a small smile on his face.

Akito tilted his head in confusion, “What do you mean by…” His words trailed off as the realisation suddenly hit, “You did not.”

Toya’s smile grew wider when he saw the look of disbelief on Akito’s face. “Yes I did. I already have plans for almost, if not, all situations to help you escape the castle. I’ve been planning for a while now, you never know when it could come in handy.” 

Akito grinned. “This is why I love you, Toya.”

Toya’s smile dropped slightly as he said his next words, “Sadly, I don’t have the maps with me at the moment, I’ll have to go and grab them from my room.”

Plopping down onto his bed, Akito nodded. “Yeah, sure. When do you think you can get them by? I doubt you can do it now, you’ve already spent too much time in my room, any more and I think the castle staff will get suspicious. You know how nosy they are,” As Akito added that last bit, he couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

Toya pondered about it for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly. “Hm, how about later tonight at midnight? Most of the maids and butlers will be asleep and only the guards will be awake, but I’ll be able to slip past them without noticing, so it should be easy to get to your room without anyone seeing me.”

“I guess that’s fine. So, I’ll see you here then?” 

“En.” Toya gave him one last smile before he left the room, softly shutting the door behind him. He still had to patrol the palace after all, since that was his duty and all.

Akito smiled at Toya’s retreating back, before the door shut. He then began to pack up his belongings into a small bag, getting ready to leave this hell of a palace forever. 

Akito sat on his bed, impatiently waiting for Toya to arrive. He checked the time on the grandfather clock in a corner of his room. It was midnight. So just where was Toya? He was starting to get a little concerned for the other. He swung his legs back and forth as he worried for the knight. 

Then, just as he was about to leave his room to go and check on him, the door swung open, revealing Toya standing in the doorway, holding a paper that was rolled up like a scroll, and a backpack slung over his shoulder. He quickly slipped inside and shut the door behind him before anyone could see him. He smiled apologetically at Akito. “Sorry for being late, I got held up for a bit by Mizuki. They wanted to play cards with me.”

Akito smiled back at him. “Nah, it’s fine. I’m just glad you’re here,” he reassured. Then, he turned serious. “You ready?”

Toya opened his mouth and was about to respond when the door was pushed open. Startled, the two of them whirled around, finding a figure hidden in the shadows, leaning against the doorway. Alarmed, Toya extracted his sword from his hilt, ready to defend Akito at all costs.

“Who are you!?” Akito hissed as he backed away, reaching out for his small pocket knife he kept on him at all times, resting on his bed.

“Aki, it’s me!”

Akito paused, turning to examine the figure closely. His eyes widened as he realised who they were. “...Ena!?” he hissed in shock. 

Toya’s eyes widened comically as he immediately kept his sword back in its hilt and got on a knee. “Your Highness,” he said politely. “I do apologise for my behaviour. I assumed that you were an intruder of some sorts.” 

Ena closed the door behind her as she walked in. She gestured for Toya to get back on his feet, to which he silently obeyed. Ena crossed her arms in front of Akito. “I heard everything.”

Those three words sent chills down Akito’s spine. 

Akito forced himself to glare at Ena. “...Heard what?” he said. 

Ena frowned at him. “Neither you nor I are stupid, Akito. You know exactly what I’m talking about; you wanting to run away with Toya.” 

Akito rolled his eyes as he sneered at her. “So, you’re trying to stop me from running away, huh? What’re you going to do, tell Father or Mother? Well, that’s not going to work. I’m running away no matter what, so do whatever you want, I don’t care anymore.”

Much to his surprise, Ena suddenly wrapped her arms around him. 

Akito’s eyes widened once again. “What the he-” he began as he was about to push Ena off of him. Her next words stopped him from doing so, however. 

“I’ll help you.”

Akito blinked in surprise. “Eh?” he asked, not really trusting his ears to know if he heard her right. 

He heard Ena scoff. “I said that I’d help you, for God’s sake… What, have you gone deaf now?” 

Akito opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut his mouth, not knowing what to say.

“You look like an idiot,” Ena remarked as she rolled her eyes at him. “My gosh, is it so hard to believe…?” She pulled away from him as she said this. 

Akito blinked a few times. “You’re… helping me?” he asked, still in shock. 

Rolling her eyes, Ena just walked past her brother to sit on his bed next to a similarly shocked Toya. “So, what’s the plan?”

Toya stood silent for a bit, snapping back to reality only once he heard Ena cough awkwardly, “Oh, uh, so basically, as you both know, all guards stationed in the castle are meant to leave their post the second the clock strikes three in the morning. However, unlike most kingdoms, our guards have a strict rule where they are not allowed to interact with any other guards, unless for work reasons, during working hours. So, in order to help uphold this rule, the guards who were at the station first will have to leave a minute earlier than the next guard appointed to arrive, thus avoiding any interaction between guards. I know, a stupid rule, but it works in our favour. Due to this implementation, we will have a time frame of about thirty to forty seconds where we can freely walk towards the gate without worry of being caught.”

Akito opened his mouth to speak, most likely to praise Toya, however, he was cut off by Ena, who had to say otherwise, “Good plan, well thought out. However, do you not see the flaw in your plan?”

Toya paused and furrowed his eyebrows, obviously in deep thought, but even after having thought for a good minute, he was still unable to see said flaw, and was deeply confused by what Ena meant.

Ena sighed, clearly disappointed in the experienced knight. She thought that he’d know better. “What about the guards stationed at the castle walls? The guards there only change shifts at four. So, obviously they’d see you.”

Toya paused, thinking about it. “...Ah, I see it. You do have a point, Your Highness,” he replied. 

“What can we do, then?” Akito questioned with a slight frown. 

Ena smiled. “Leave that to me, baby brother.”

Akito gave his sister a questioning look. “...?”

“I’ll distract the guards. I’ll tell them a fire broke out in the opposite end of the palace. That should buy you two enough time to run away before they find out.” 

Akito widened his eyes. “But, if Father finds out…”

“I’ll get in trouble with him, yeah yeah,” Ena rolled her eyes, scoffing. “Who cares about him, really? Get mad at me all he wants, as long as you manage to escape, I’m fine with it.” 

The fact that she was doing so much to help him caused tears to prick at Akito’s eyes. He had never treated his sister nicely in the past few years, and yet she’d go through so much trouble just to help him. He really had been in the wrong about Ena after all. Now, he could see all the subtle ways that she showed that she cared about him. He suddenly wished that he could rewind the clock, and go back to years ago, when he’d started to stop talking to her. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her, and that he appreciated everything she’d done for him. It was like he was little again, and whenever he was upset, he would run to his dear older sister and cry his heart out to her. 

Ena noticed that he wasn’t saying anything, and frowned lightly. “Hey, Aki, is somethi-”

She wasn’t able to finish her sentence, as Akito had wrapped her into a tight embrace. Ena seemed surprised, and didn’t move at all.

“Thank you,” Akito whispered. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, thank you for always putting up with my bullshit no matter what, thank you for always loving and caring for me in your own way, thank you for being my older sister. 

Ena seemed to know the true meaning behind those words, as she smiled softly and returned the gesture.

“Promise me that you’ll escape, too, one day,” Akito muttered as he looked at Ena, blinking away the tears. He noticed that Ena also had tears in her eyes. 

Ena sniffled, and nodded. “I promise, Akito. I’ll escape and join you and Toya, too. I give you my word.” 

Toya, who had been watching the whole scene a little awkwardly, cleared his throat. “...I hate to ruin the moment, but we do have to get going now,” he said. 

Ena regained her composure, pulling away from Akito. “Right. I’ll go distract the guards now. Keep a lookout for it.” She turned to Toya. “Take care of him, please.”

Toya bowed deeply. “Of course, Your Highness. I swear on my life that I’ll keep His Highness safe.”

Ena nodded, then smiled at Akito. “I’ll see you soon, Aki.”

Akito grinned back and nodded, as he stared at his sister’s retreating back for the last time in a while. He then schooled his expression, and turned to Toya, determined as ever. “Let’s go.” 

Toya nodded, and the two left the room, locking the door behind them on the way. 

They followed Toya’s well-thought plan, and waited for the guards to leave their post before sneaking by. Then, they waited behind a pillar as they watched Ena run towards the guards standing by the castle wall. 

“There’s a fire on the opposite end of the palace! There are people still inside! Please, help them! Quick!” Ena cried out, eyes wide as she hurriedly pointed behind her, seemingly panicking. 

Akito had to admit that her acting skills weren’t too shabby at all. He would’ve been convinced as well.

The guards exchanged a look before they ran off in the direction that Ena had indicated. Once they were gone, Ena glanced behind her, spotting Akito and Toya. She gave them a wink and a thumbs-up, before running off past them, patting Akito’s shoulder on the way.

Akito grinned at Toya, who smiled back. Hand-in-hand, they hurried past the castle walls. 

Akito assumed they were home free, that nothing could interfere in their plan anymore. He felt his spirits lifting as a wide smile appeared on his face. Toya, too, looked the same. 

At last… he was free! 

“Hey! Where do you think you’re running off to!?”

Startled by that voice, Akito turned around, finding one of the maids standing in a corner, pointing at them. 

Fuck. 

“Run,” Akito hissed, before he took off with Toya in tow.

They didn’t get far before they heard the maid yell, “Guards!! His Highness and his personal knight are trying to escape!”

Akito began swearing under his breath as he continued to run, even though his legs felt like they were on fire. Toya looked a little distressed as well as his head spun left and right, trying to find a way to escape. 

It wasn’t long before a group of guards were on their tail, yelling for them to stop. Of course, why would Akito or Toya listen? They continued to run away as they searched desperately for a way out. 

Eventually, Akito found the path leading to the exit. His eyes widened in relief, and he was about to point it out to Toya when he felt the presence of something cold right in front of him. His danger instincts spiked up, and he screeched to a halt. Toya, too, came to a stop. 

In front of Akito was a long, cold, sharp sword, pointed mere inches away from his face. 

He froze instantly, scanning his surroundings with his eyes. 

A bunch of guards were surrounding them, all pointing their swords at the two.

Fuck. They were cornered. 

“Your Highness, please come back into the palace, and no one shall get hurt,” one of the knights said slowly. 

Akito gritted his teeth as he clenched his fists. “...I’m never going back, no matter what. I’m so sick and tired of you all treating me like shit. I’m tired of my father. I’m tired of this life. I just want to start a new one. Can you just let me go?”

The knights were unrelenting. “Go back to the palace, now ,” another knight said as he took a step closer towards Akito, the sword approaching closer and closer towards his face. 

Just when it was about to touch him, another sword blocked it from doing so. 

Surprised, Akito turned around, finding that Toya had drawn his sword, and was blocking the other sword from touching him. His face was dark and stormy, and his once gentle and kind appearance was gone, replaced with one of anger. 

“Don’t you dare lay a finger on him,” Toya said quietly. Though quiet, it sent chills down the knights’ spines. 

The knight instantly backed off, lowering his sword slightly, as if he was afraid. Why wouldn’t he? Toya was one of the best knights in the kingdom, and his physical abilities was unmatched. He could easily beat five knights at once. 

But, of course, even someone like Toya couldn’t defeat twenty knights, no matter how strong he was. 

The other knights knew this fact. “Your Highness Akito, return to the palace, and no one shall be hurt,” the first knight stated firmly. 

Akito opened his mouth to retort back when, in the corner of his eye, he saw Toya swing his sword towards the knight, causing all the knights to jump back in shock and making way. 

“Run!” Toya yelled, as he continued to swing his sword at the other knights to scare them off.

Akito obeyed his instructions, and hurried off. Toya was close behind. 

The other knights quickly followed after them, and yet, Akito and Toya were far ahead of them.

Akito was about to continue towards the exit, however, Toya yanked him into a corner. Akito yelped as he was pulled into it, and he turned to Toya questioningly. “Toya, what-”

“I’ll stay behind to distract them. You need to escape first.”

His words sent shivers down Akito’s spine. “What do you mean you’re staying behind? No, you said you’re coming with! You promised!” he hissed. 

Toya sighed sadly, shaking his head. “Believe me, I never wanted to break my promise to you, Aki. However, there’s no other way. They’ll catch up to us sooner or later. Best that I stay behind to fight them while you make your escape.” He dug around in his pocket and shoved a scroll in Akito’s arms. “This is the way to the Tenma Kingdom. You’ll be safe there. Your father will never think to look for you there.”

Akito felt his eyes water. “Toya, no, don’t do this. We can go together! You don’t have to stay behind!”

Toya gave him a sad smile as he leaned forward to give Akito a kiss goodbye. “I’ll join you, one day. I swear on my life that I’ll see you again.”

Akito choked on a sob as he forced himself to smile back, taking in Toya’s features one last time. “...Thank you. I’ll come back for you… I promise.”

“Go,” Toya said simply, before he emerged from the corner, coming face-to-face with the knights, holding his sword up. 

Akito took the chance to run away without looking back. 

Toya, I will come back for you one day, I promise you! 

He found the exit, finding it to be locked. He frowned lightly, before he shoved the scroll into his pocket, and began to scale the gates. Once he was on the other side, he opened the scroll and ran off in the direction of the Tenma Kingdom, tears still rolling down his cheeks as he thought of Toya. 

Once Toya was sure that Akito had put some distance between them did he relax as he continued to fight the knights. He felt his strength weakening, but he pressed on. He had to continue to buy Akito as much time as he could, lest Akito still needed more time. Thus, he grit his teeth and continued to fight. 

He knew that he couldn’t go on for much longer, though. 

Just as he was thinking that, he felt something cold pierce through his abdomen. His eyes widened as he gasped, dropping his sword. The sword was pulled out of his fresh wound, and he nearly fell to the ground out of pain. 

He couldn’t give up now. He couldn’t stop until he really had to. 

He picked up his sword again and forced himself to stand up. He then continued to fight the knights, clutching his wound with his other hand. 

Taking the lead from the knight that had first stabbed Toya, the other knights fought more aggressively, unafraid of harming him. Toya took blow after blow, choking out blood as he forced himself to continue fighting the knights. He had to make sure that Akito had enough time to escape. 

And then, a sword was shoved right where his heart was. 

Toya fell to the ground, dropping his sword again as blood pooled under him. A knight kicked it away from him, leaving Toya no chance to continue. 

His ears were ringing. One knight was saying something to him. Then, he heard Mizuki yelling in the distance. 

“Stop! Stop it, you guys!” he thought he heard them say. He couldn’t hear them properly. 

Toya felt his world going dark. It was getting difficult to open his eyes. 

The last thing he saw before everything went dark was Akito, bending down, holding out a hand to him.

Toya felt himself smile despite the agony he was feeling, and reached out to take his hand. 

Then, there was nothing at all. 

Epilogue

Ena had finally escaped as well, hopefully along with Toya and her lover, Mizuki. 

Akito was jittery as he went about his daily tasks. He hung out with Tsukasa and Saki, he learnt how to use a dagger for self defence thanks to Rui, etcetera.

Eventually, Tsukasa walked into his chambers in the royal palace and told him, “Your sister has arrived!!”

Delighted beyond words, Akito shot up from where he lay in bed and hurried to the palace gates… only to find a grim-looking Ena and Mizuki there. 

Where was Toya?

Akito approached them as he wrapped his arms around Ena. “You made it,” he said. 

“I promised you, didn’t I?” Ena replied with a small smile, pulling away after a bit. 

“Hey, Lil’ Bro~” Mizuki teased with their usual playful grin. Back then, Akito would easily get annoyed by it. Now, it was a relief to see it again, especially since he hadn’t seen Mizuki in so long. He wouldn’t admit it aloud, but he really missed them. 

Now, he pretended to be irritated. “When will you quit it with that nickname…?” he sighed.

Mizuki merely laughed in response.

Akito cleared his throat. “So, uh, where’s Toya? He isn’t with you? Is he still being held behind by Father? Do we need to sneak back in to find him?”

At his words, both Ena’s and Mizuki’s faces darkened, and they looked uneasy. Akito noticed the change in their expressions and raised a brow. “What? What is it?” he asked, confused.

Mizuki forced a laugh. “Aha… Aki… There’s something we need to confess…"

Why are they calling me 'Aki'? And why do they look so downcast...?

“Toya… He isn’t coming," they finished. 

Akito’s eyes widened as he felt his mood dampen. “Isn’t coming? Fuck you mean he isn’t coming? He promised! Father held him behind, didn’t he? He took him captive or something? I’m going back to get him!”

“No, it’s not that,” Ena interrupted, before Akito could do anything crazy. “He’s…” She swallowed, avoiding Akito’s eyes. 

“He’s what!?” Akito demanded. 

Ena paused, before muttering, “...He’s dead.”

All the blood rushed out of Akito’s face instantly. He froze, his pupils turning into minute dots. “Wh… What…?”

“He was never planning to join you in your escape. He knew that he’d have to die in order for you to escape safely. He had foreseen this all along,” Ena explained in a quiet voice.

Akito felt his vision blur. His knees couldn’t support him anymore, and he fell to the ground. He couldn’t hear Ena’s nor Mizuki’s panicked shouts, as he clutched his head, not bothering to hide the tears trickling down his cheeks. 

Toya…

He was gone .