Next day, I woke up to the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves. It was a pleasant morning. I had another training session with Hanamiya.

He seemed to be cheerful and excited.

" You seem rather too exultant today." I said.

" Akashi-San, you noticed? Well well..I am just excited about my day. " he grinned.

"  What's so special about today? " I questioned.

He narrowed his eyes at me, " Today is the day I'll be slaying a member of the royal family. Doesn't that sound exciting? "

My eyes widened at his statement, I parted my lips in an attempt to respond, but he laughed out loud.

" Gwahah.. Akashi. Gomen gomen. I was just kidding around. Please do not take it seriously. "

I glared at him, but regained my composure soon. Why do I feel like he wasn't joking?

Something seemed fishy. No matter how much father trusted this man, I just couldn't bring myself to befriend him. I just don't feel right.

It was evening and the king was ready to leave. Since I had to accompany him, I dressed up with the help of a few butlers and the horses were ready. I walked out of the palace and father was already on his chariot. I got onto my horse and turned around. Mother stood on the loggia and waved at me with a grin plastered on her face.

I really didn't want to leave her alone.

I waved back, and as the chariot moved forward, I followed it with my horse.

Seirin wasn't far, so we didn't have to travel for days. It would barely take four hours to get there. I rode my horse quietly in the moonlight. Why can't I get the feeling of fear out of my head? What am I even afraid of in the first place? I tried to brush off all these thoughts from my head, as I rode my horse faster. We rode for an hour. I heard a fluttering sound approach me. It sounded like a bird flapping its wings. I slowed down and almost came to a halt. A white pigeon came into my field of vision, I stretched my right arm forward and the bird landed on it.

I noticed a tiny note attached to its leg. A message? Who would send me one?

I pulled the parchment out and let the bird fly away. I carefully opened it to see what was written inside. To my horror, it was mother's writing, and the ink was red. No! It wasn't ink, it was blood.

Panic took over. I tried to read it, but my eyes went blur. There was only one word written,   "Help"

I quickly turned my horse around and headed towards the palace as fast as I could. My heart was beating way too fast, and sweat trickled down my forehead. After what seemed like forever, I reached the palace.

I got off my horse and ran inside. " Mother? Mom?" I screamed as loud as I could. Maids and butlers came to me, and I pushed them away. "Where is mother?" I questioned.

One of them pointed his fingers towards his left and uttered " In her cabin, my lord!".

I rushed through the corridor to mother's room, and found that the door was closed. I came to an abrupt stop, and banged on her door.

" Mother? " I yelled.

But got no response in return. I tried to open it, but it was locked. I panicked further. I took a few steps back and charged towards the door. It didn't budge.

Of course it wouldn't open. They were Palace doors, made out of the best wood and iron. I stood there, clueless for a few seconds before..

"The secret passage!"

I rushed towards the only opening I knew and made my way into her room successfully.

The first thing I noticed was that there was blood everywhere. Mother was on her bed, with blood all over her face. Her eyes were wide open and her hands had bruises and scratches. Her clothes were all fine except for the fact that there was a lot of blood on her chest. She was stabbed right through her chest! Why? Who would do such a cruel thing?

I tried to move closer towards her, my legs wouldn't move.

She suddenly took a sharp breath which brought me back to my senses. I hurried my way towards the bed, and sat beside her. I pulled her over my lap, tears were flowing down my cheeks. I couldn't stop them. I was crying. I tried to speak, but voice didn't come out. She looked at me, and she smiled.

" Sei? " she uttered.

I nodded, because I really couldn't speak. She was dying right in front of me. I wanted to scream for help, at the same time I couldn't. I felt so helpless.

" I love you "..  Those were her last words.

She closed her eyes, but the faint smile on her face lingered on.

My heart was shattered into a million pieces. I didn't want to see this. Why her? Just why?

Who would do this?

Tears wouldn't stop coming. My voice was gone. I was in pain. I've never felt this way before. Is this how you feel when you loose someone who means the world to you?

I hugged her body tightly and shut my eyes tight.

" Mom... ? Mother? Please wake up! " those were the only words that made their way out of my mouth. I cried harder.

" She is dead! " said someone.