Chapter Text
The winter nights of the kingdom were known for frequent precipitation, whether it was just a simple drizzle or heavy, prolonged rains. That day was not an exception either. Water drops fell with so much force that anything to cover oneself, if made with questionable quality, would undoubtedly get ruined in a matter of minutes. It was definitely a better option to stay home with a candle burning to provide warmth and light, praying for no leakage to start appearing out of nowhere. But as long as it was a place with a roof, it shouldn't matter much.
But as an outsider that was sent here under the sinister order of murdering someone, there was no use in complaining about the rain—he only could let himself be drenched on it while running through the ridiculous amount of puddles formed between the pavement and the dirt, splashing heavily from his footsteps, his long hair not even flowing from the amount of water it took. Altogether, it was an uncomfortable, distressing position to be in. The chest of the young man that was close to committing the act tightened with a painful force, barely able to maintain an even breathing. Was the physical exhaustion at fault, or the anxiety of having to kill the monarch of this kingdom, Koga Iryuu?
He wasn't really aware of who he exactly was, other than being given oddly specific orders to locate him and end his life. A plan perfectly elaborated that had been in the works for a very long time, just so it was absolutely flawless. This man's only role was to dirty his hands, as the idea was his captors' only.
This man, called Ryo, always had a rather complex life. Born in a kingdom with a name he didn't even remember, son of an unknown man and a woman who considered this son purely unwanted, wanting to get rid of him regardless of the possible consequences… clearly he had no clear possible future, the only certainty would be suffering.
The lady, at some point when he already had a conscience, gave her little son to suspicious people who said they would “make his life better”, a cruel lie.
At that time, he was taken to the distant city-state Nemorosum, where he would live in terror for the rest of his life, forced to do grueling work and undergo training in a thousand ways, like a slave. Just like many other children also were.
He only felt comfortable at night, when he was alone—in complete calm, and not constantly tortured. On many nights he wondered if he could ever escape this cruel suffering, somehow able to distinguish evil from good even if they tried to break his mindset.
Perhaps, that is why the latter was chosen to take on the mission of killing the king of Hivalore. His captors considered his awareness of himself and his surroundings to be extremely dangerous, along with his reasonable knowledge and stealth.
For the first time that night, what he had adored so much and brought him some comfort, had become a source of unbearable fear. The moon stared back at him, as if judging. The fear he had for the crime he was about to commit was horrifying... Ryo really could just escape easily, but it was traumatic to break any rules—memories of certain occasions where he did that and the punishment had been too much came to his head—he didn't want anything like that to happen ever again, his willpower had become poor.
His body operated in autopilot mode, constantly remembering why he was there and what he had to do. One could not even imagine its existence at that time, but the closest thing that feeling could be compared to was a robot; or maybe really just something that was not human.
In a second to another, in that lengthy journey, his psyche nearly ceased to function. He forgot his surroundings, his thoughts. His actions were predetermined, he was completely unaware of anything going on around him—completely dissociated.
Suddenly, he came back to reality when the entire room he was in was cold. Only his hands felt warm-but that's because they were full of blood. Ryo was standing beside a body, holding the dagger in his hands, with a terrified expression.
What had he done?
He knew, he knew very well. He was sure he had managed to sneak into the palace and enter a room, attacking a man immediately—who could not resist.
But his memories were detailed and nonexistent at the same time. Every detail came and went.
He had taken someone's life, he really had. There was no redemption for this.
What if this man wasn't the one he had to kill—what would he do then?
“Ah…”
Standing in despair, silent, watching the lifeless person in front of him... Almost disturbing and piercing was the sound of a door opening-even more terrifying was the sight of a dark silhouette of someone entering. He knew that at the moment of sudden discovery he would be totally done for. However, the coldness of the place changed a little.
A loud gasp from whoever had entered, followed by heavy breathing was heard. Ryo could assume the figure was slightly shorter than his own, probably a man as well from what he could make out among the darkness—that haf gotten slightly lighter because of the open door giving light.
He maintained an expression of only shock for seconds, with which the subject ended up making eye contact.
The stranger immediately closed the door he had opened and turned on the light, as if finally grasping an understanding of what had happened. He picked up a dagger and, before he could even speak, Ryo interrupted in a broken voice, agitated in a particular way.
“Please execute me... End my life right now” was the young man's fearful plea, kneeling before the other. His eyes denoted an undeniable regret, and although his words sounded so trembling, at the same time it was clear that he was sure of what he was asking for, thinking that death was the punishment he deserved.
The one standing in front of him looked at him puzzled, as if he had not expected to receive such an extreme request. “You ain't killing me then,” he asserted after letting out a sigh. He sounded sure of his words, as if he had analyzed everything in a matter of seconds.
“I don't know who you are, I don't have to do that again...” he replied sheepishly, keeping a low gaze unable to deign to look him straight in the eye. “As long as I get my work done, no consequence matters...”
The stranger's eyes widened abruptly upon hearing such a vague answer, but so specific at the same time.
“Shit, I was sure there was a problem with hitmen, but I didn't think it would become so serious as to end up in this...” he thought, not having any kind of context on the real reasons why Ryo did this, it was easy for him to assume he was a resident of the kingdom.
A bit hesitant, he let his guard down as he spoke, “Nayuta Asahi, possible successor to the throne,” he introduced himself with the information he felt was fair and necessary. “Tell me about yourself.”
“I'm... Ryo, I think... Ah, one second, possible successor?” He repeated as he organized his own thoughts. The second he realized what Nayuta implied, he was petrified—with a memorable expression. “That means, he was…”
“Don't even worry about it.”
“I'm sorry for...”
“It doesn't matter, I said. I didn't mention that he is...was my father for a reason,” he clarified with a frown, audibly annoyed, “now get out of here like you came in, the rain will wash your hands at least.” He added after a short pause. “ I'll take care of supervising this... problem. I'll meet you in the part with plants near the tavern to talk in less of a hurry.” Was his final statement, as he glared at Iryuu's body and the pool of blood forming underneath.
“Yes, I understand...” He nodded his head without complaint, as was always the usual for Ryo, and ran for the window—successfully making it out.
Of course, first of all, Ryo still didn't know what he was doing, what kind of chain of events was this? He didn't even know where the tavern was, he could only think that Nayuta assumed he was just another resident of the kingdom... And even outside of that, his body was more than soaked with water and it was still raining, at any moment he was going to slip and fall.
As he tried to recognize his new surroundings, more than one question crossed his mind. Was Nayuta planning on covering him, even if they had never met before?
Ah, would he finally find hope in the act of living?