The door shut behind them as Akiteru led him through the Main Hall. Tadashi made sure to keep his footsteps in low volume, the floor absorbing every bit of sound and bouncing it back at the high ceiling. He could hear the shuffling of Akiteru's robes next to him echoing as they walked.

"My mother was supposed to greet you. I'm sorry, I'm sure it wasn't me you were expecting." Akiteru sighed. He kept shifting his eyes everywhere except at Yamaguchi. The olive haired man did the same.

"I honestly wasn't expecting anyone at all. I was assigned to come here for an emergency. Involving the prophecy."

"Ahh yes. I'm glad you are aware." Akiteru nodded before looking straight forward again. A sense of relief is laced in his words. "Then I guess I won't have to explain the scary part. I am aware that my presence can be intimidating. But.. The mission assigned to you is my responsibility. I feel as though it is only right that I greet you, and face the consequences of my actions head-on."

Tadashi, though it took a lot of effort, turned to face Akiteru. Despite it being still early in the afternoon, the silver seemed to glint almost blindingly. The light didn't strike the surface, but just gazing at it is already overwhelming. He focused at anything but the crown as Akiteru went on.

"My curse is what brought harm to anyone who would approach me. But my curse have also caused your mission. I must do this not as a prophecy, but as a decent human being." Akiteru stopped by a window. He propped himself against the curtain, looking over the horizon. Yamaguchi awkwardly shuffled next to him, gawking at the window.

A carriage awaits at the very foot of the palace. Bags were strewn on the stairs, carried by servants.

"With the heir to the throne flowing with cursed blood, it is only fitting the one assigned after me is protected from all harm." Akiteru's eyes glazed a bit in the afternoon light. "My brother, Kei.. He's to be escorted in a safehouse miles away from here. We provided you with a carriage and a horse. For your convenience." Yamaguchi merely nodded at this as he continued looking out.

He can make out a white stallion resting next to the carriage. It was a big carriage, judging by how it stood out from 5 floors up compared to the servants.

".. Thank you." Tadashi bowed his head again, shifting his gaze from Akiteru to his boots. "This is so much help than what I expected.. I promise I'll carry out my duties!" He squared his shoulders, as if to prove a point.

Akiteru found his gesture amusing, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "I bet. You were the one and only knight assigned by the Order. I don't understand why it's just you though. Such a task sounds difficult for only one person."

Tadashi's eye twitched. He's been doing a lot of persuading since he came here. And that seemed to be the only thing people notice aside from his emblem.

"Not for me. I'm not just any one person." Tadashi replied flatly. Although his words should be laced with pride, it came out in a reassuring tone.

Akiteru observed his face for a moment before nodding. "Indeed. I can trust you with this one." His hand reached out as if to give Tadashi a pat on the shoulder, but he froze. As if scolding himself, Akiteru rested his hand back to his side, eyes closed. Tadashi took note of the way his hand twitched as if by memory. How many times have he stopped himself? How many times does he keep slinking himself back into his long kingly robes?

"Another thing before I leave." Akiteru warily casts his eyes at the afternoon sky before returning back to Tadashi. "The servants are currently packing Kei's belongings. You may go downstairs and pack yours too. That carriage was made to be big enough for both your needs. If you have any requests, the servants can get it for you."

Tadashi blinked. "Servants?"

"I trust that you know everything thats essential for your journey. If the supplies we picked out aren't enough, feel free to make the adjustments." as Akiteru spoke, he withdrew himself from the window and turned his back on Tadashi, walking down from where they came. "There's a stairway 2 doors down. It's quicker." He simply spoke before giving a weak wave and disappearing down the hallway.

For a man who spoke with big words, it sure surprised Tadashi how quickly he took his leave. He looked out at the afternoon sky. You can see the faint outline of the moon blending in the sky's cerulean clouds.

•

He passed by one of the servants, who skittered down the stairs and to the carriage's trunk. Bags were strewn on the floor, set aside to be organized later perhaps, but it was a pain trying to look at the carriage without being blocked by anyone's view

Tadashi leaned his head to the side, seeing the carriage door pushed open. He checked the inside for any compartments, but they have already been filled with the young prince's belongings. Seems fitting, since he is the one who'll be mostly occupying it.

As the servants dispersed, Tadashi was given ample time to check out the trunk. Sleeping bags, and rations like food and water. A good enough supply. The great thing about a carriage is that they can stop by marketplaces quicker and buy more necessities.

Tadashi shuffled the rations aside to check if there was plenty more space. There's a spot in the back where he can place his bag of clothes. Reaching it from behind him, he set it down next to his foot and took deep breathes. Quite heavy lifting the thing from behind.

"Wrong."

The cool voice spoken next to his ear was enough to startle him. "Ngh-!" He let go of the bag, stumbling a bit to the right as he instinctively backed away. Eyeing the blonde next to him, he stayed in his spot.

The man before him was tall. That was the first thing he noticed. It was embarrassing having to crane his neck up at to get a good glimpse of him, but this definitely isn't the first time he encountered such heights. At first glance he thought it was Akiteru who stood beside him. Pristine purple robes and a clean haircut. But upon closer inspection, it wasn't Akiteru's sandy blonde hair. It was paler and unruly, the ends cut shorter and looking like a crumpled up rug on his head.

Not to say that it was a bad thing. It framed his face perfectly, falling shortly above his spectacles as he scrutinized the carriage's trunk. Finally aware of Tadashi's eyes pinned on him, mystery man gave him a sideways glance.

"The rations they prepared are wrong." He reiterated, with the same dull voice spoken into his ear. Tadashi unconciously trailed his fingers there, blinking. ".. What?"

The man squinted. "Apples aren't very essential for the journey. It's too heavy. Our concern right now isn't being full. I personally prefer a quick meal. One that is easy to swallow to get the trip over with. Bread would suffice, but must be cut into smaller pieces. More spinach too. Cheese.. A lot of water as well. I care more about proper drinking water than having a full balanced meal." He adjusted the collar of his tunic before continuing. "More food doesn't mean more chances of survival. Good food however is practical."

Tadashi watched as the blonde went on and on about Rations 101. There definitely isn't a book for that but with the way this guy kept going on and on, they might as well be quotes. Tadashi, feeling rather intrigued, gulped and nodded along. "We'll have to tell it to the servants then..!"

The man beside him quirked an eyebrow. He slowly shifted his head. ".. Yes."

As if on perfect timing, one of the servants came bustling down the stairs carrying bags from the floor. The man held out his palm and shook his head at them. "Remove the apples, cut the bread into pieces, more spinach and water. Add another 440 grams of cheese." The servant settled the bags down without complaint and did as they were told.

This left Tadashi and the man alone in the carriage, surrounded by leather bags like some king of luggage ritual.

"I don't mind packing my own things myself." He spoke, as if acknowledging Tadashi's glances. Picking up the farthest leatherbag, he tossed it to the back seat.

Tadashi sheepishly followed along. Handing the prince's bags to him as he picked out a location for each. "So.. You're the younger brother. Prince Tsukishima Kei."

"No other younger brother than me." Kei nodded, resting his arms at his side after tossing bags. "And you're my escort to the safehouse. I was honestly expecting m-"

"More than one. Yeah." Tadashi's tone was sharp and Kei took notice of his miniscule eyebrow narrowing. The knight's face relaxed seconds after.

".. Not.. That I'm complaining." Kei rested both of his palms on either side of his hips, looking up at the sky. Tadashi turned to him. "Its smart. Having one escort means easier and faster travel. Accomodating for only two persons will make a steadier trip. And in terms of security.. Someone from Ukai's Order can't be so easily swayed." Kei peered down at him from his glasses, which made Tadashi sheepishly avoid his gaze. He couldn't tell if the sunlight was hitting his skin, because all of a sudden his skin under the chestplate felt warm.

Silence lingered between them as Kei gave the carriage one last inspection. Seeing as there is no more reason to stay, he sent Tadashi one last glance. "We'll be leaving at dawn."

Replying with a sharp nod, Tadashi made a move to leave, and with that Kei crept back into the castle. Tadashi could make out the swish of his cloak as he disappeared down into the dark hallway. He was just as silent in leaving as he was in entering.

A dinner was served for the young prince, the kingdom's last offering for what may be his final time in the castle. In contrast to the lively atmosphere hours ago, the village now lay in silence under the moonlight, and Tadashi can't help but feel as though parting words are lingering in the wind.

Despite the invitations, he stayed by the door, content in eating his dinner by one of the stained glass windows. He knows that a royal's hospitality should not be easily set aside, but it wouldn't change much for him to avoid the dining hall. He just felt more out of place the more he squeezes in this castle. He's just here as an escort. Not for a vacation.

He pondered about this as he munched on his chicken. The moon beams cascaded down almost ethereally. Tadashi kept mistaking the curtains as ghosts, as they danced in the cool breeze. Probably not so different from the dining hall. He couldn't hear noise or even the faintest of enjoyment. Just a place where the royals eat. Only Kei could be in there at this moment. He really didn't want to squeeze himself in a room with him, as space is something the blonde would most likely appreciate.

Mistaking the shade of white from the corner of his eye as a reflection of light, Tadashi kept munching. Not before another voice crept up beside him.

"Let me take your plate-"

"God..!" Tadashi jerked in his spot. He backed away from the servant next to him, and then relaxed. "Gosh what is it with everyone in this castle walking so.. Quietly?"

An amused smile graced the servant's face, but they quickly wiped it off. "Noise is something we don't get used to. The quiet helps us know if anything wrong occurs." He carefully slipped the plate off Yamaguchi's hands. "I shall take this to the kitchens. Sire has arranged a room for you in the West Wing. The door is open so you'll know which one. Best be prepared for your journey and get some good sleep." He sent him a reassuring glance before bowing his head and entering the dining hall. Before the servant could leave, Tadashi uttered out a "thank you", taking note of the cute mole that rests on their cheek. Then the servant was gone, the door clicking behind them.

Tadashi made the lonely trek to his assigned room. The farther he walked down the hall, the brighter it seemed to get. Nighttime is just nighttime, and perhaps the clouds parted for a bit.

But the sounds are entirely different. He may have not grown used to the impending silence, but the faint screeching of wood and shuffling of cloth sent a chill down his spine. The moonlight cast bigger shadows on the walls. They almost felt human.

Then Tadashi heard writhing. Agonized noises. It echoed in the walls and made it harder to discern its location. He arrived at the end of the corridor, which was scary because now, he was faced by a blank wall behind him and a vast nothingness in front of him. The shadows seemed to dance, making shapes in the moonlight. The shuffling noises grew louder.

It may be the castle's interior slowly getting to his fears, but in no way is he gonna stand calmly in the middle of the hallway. Tadashi grabbed the nearest doorknob and started violently shaking it open, praying to any god that this was the room assigned to him. Tadashi could feel his heart pound. His body seemed to move on its own, driven by instinct. Instinct says that he should hide.

The door budged, but from the inside. It swung violently, pulled by Tadashi's hand gripping the doorknob. A loud thud hit the floor, strands of blonde resting on his feet.

Tsukishima Kei was limp on the floor, writhing as if someone had jabbed him in the gut. He was clutching his side tightly, as if hugging himself.

Tadashi backed away, alarmed at the sight. The shadows danced quicker around them. "Your Majesty?"

"Leave.." Kei managed to sputter out. He took a deep breathe before continuing. "We leave. Now."

Tadashi took note of the way Kei's chest rose in effort. Driven by instinct once more, Tadashi gently urged Kei to lean against him. Looping his arms under Kei's back and knees, he picked him up and started running towards the carriage.

Too focused on Kei's unsteady breathing, he realized the very castle itself is engulfed by noise. Tadashi could make out the distressed cries of servants, and the sound of doors slamming. As he ran, the light felt almost blinding.

He could make out two shapes in front of him, wrapping both he and Kei in warm cloaks. One of them said something that Tadashi couldn't comprehend but understood as the servant placed a palm on his back and escorted them towards the carriage.

As they made it to the clearing, Tadashi noticed what appears to be black fog circling the sky. No cloud was in sight, and the full moon stood out from behind the smoke, as if taunting them about what they thought was a peaceful night.

The rattling of windows can be heard from the higher floors. As Tadashi handed Kei to the servants, who carefully placed him inside the carriage, he craned his neck to look up.

The faint outline of Akiteru, his face shrouded in what looked like soot, faced him from above. He couldn't make out his expression, is it triumph? Fear? Is he just as confused as they all are?

"Sire the carriage is ready. Please leave immediately." He recognized that voice from earlier. The servant with steel grey hair and a mole on his cheek. He looked at Tadashi expectantly. "Go."

Tadashi wasted no time. He clutched the cloak tighter around him and nodded at the servant before hoisting himself on the horse. Grabbing the reins, he faced the bumpy road ahead of them, and set the horse running at full speed.

The wind whistled in his ears as they sped past trees. It was a different route from what he took to get here. The rocky path led them to a grove of trees, the full moon peeking through the tall branches like a rain of light.

Tadashi could make out the fog that seemed to be following them. Definitely not a good sign, but he kept on going. Riding away farther and farther, until the castle looked just as it was before. Out of his reach, where the shadows can no longer shroud them.