Moon's gentle shower

Light reveals sins in the wind

Whispers of remorse

-

Tetsuya's tiny chamber is dimly illuminated, with the soothing glimmer of moonlight streaming across the polished marble floor. He could have chased the darkness out with candles, but there's something so alluring about the moonlight. It's as if it's speaking to him all the time, especially when he's sleeping. It makes it feel like he can do anything and be whoever he wants to be.

Ogiwara Shigehiro, his only friend in the Palace, once told him that maybe he was born on a full moon. That could be right or wrong; there's no telling since his parents didn't know, or rather, they never bothered to tell him. They said it wasn't their fault they hadn't known how to count and read. Nobody is that uneducated, he wanted to say.

He looks around his room once again. Just like him, it seems, everything is white. He lets the light wash over him, imagining that there is someone else out there who is as enthralled by the moon as he is.

According to the fables, the third God, Kang'e, lives on the moon. They believe she used to grant wishes during full moons, but after the humans of Ha, the old name for the northerners, exploited her benevolence, she vanished. The good news is that if your heart is sincere enough, there is a small chance she might answer your prayer. It should be just one wish, however. So you must speak the truth because once you have made up your mind, there is no going back.

"If you are out there, please save me," he murmurs, his words scarcely more than a breath yet filled with desperation. Instantly, a pang of regret grips him, and he quickly covers his mouth, though he knows full well that no ears but his own have heard the plea. In the Palace, where every whisper is a potential seed for treachery, words must be selected with extreme caution, for within those hallowed halls, even the walls have ears.

Someone is always out there.

Tetsuya whips his head towards the closed door, his heart thumping hard against his rib cage. Well, that was fast.

A note slips through the crack between the floor and the door. This isn't just any note. The note is in red. In a second, he recognises it.

He picks it up with both fascination and dread. His heart, once again, drums in a sinful way. Of course. Only one person would address him by his first name.

🌑

Beneath the dancing fire coming from the torches, ten heavily armed guards stand motionless. With their massive bodies, two of them are enough to block the archway to the Crown Prince's chamber. Their eyes pan from side to side without moving an inch.

The first guard is standing at a spot directly under the entrance, facing outward so he can see all directions around him. But everyone knows that this guard is a sacrifice. If he goes down, the remaining guards will be alerted.

Tetsuya knows he cannot defeat any of them if they catch him. He, can, however, take them one by one if he wants to. He lacks brute strength, but he is full of surprises.

Thankfully, he has no need to do any of his tricks as he is only here for the Crown Prince. Not to take his life, but to take another order.

The pulsing shadow of the crackling fire glides across the weathered features of Murasakibara, known as the highest anointed Highguard of the Crown Prince. His imposing stature dominates the hallway. "Good evening, Kurochin. What brings you here?" he asks with genuine curiosity. A little too much so. Tetsuya has never met a bigger or taller person in their kingdom. Murasakibara is not only the embodiment of strength and force but also a paradoxical figure—one who seems to alternate between childlike innocence and brutal resolution. It is a duality that captivates and disturbs the Dancer.

Tetsuya senses that Murasakibara's curiosity runs deeper than mere idle conversation. There is a keen intellect behind those dull eyes, always probing, always analysing.

"A good evening to you as well, Sir Murasakibara," Tetsuya replies.

"Too formal."

"My pardons if I have spoken an offence. Forgive me for addressing the captain of the Highguards accordingly." He has this sudden urge to fix Murasakibara's red-yellow tunic, but he must not touch him. No matter how much the giant acts like they share a camaraderie, it is always safe to remember his place.

But Murasakibara doesn't look at all bothered and continues speaking with great ease. "Are you here to see Aka—I mean, Crown Prince Akashi?"

He nods.

"I hope Lord Chen is not jealous. But how could he compete against the next king?"

Tetsuya blinks. "I do not understand how—My pardons, once again. May I please go inside?"

The captain nods, and his men unblock Tetsuya's way. As soon as the path is clear, fat raindrops splatter on the rooftop. The tap-tap-tap of their rhythm reminds him of the shredded corpses that rained down on him when he was five.

The wind starts to pick up, screeching through the walls, bringing back the voices of his village.

🌑

"I thought you'd never come," Akashi Seijuro, the only son of the current king, Akashi Masaomi, greets with a bright smile. Even though he is the only gentle royalty Tetsuya knows, that smile never fails to send a shiver down his spine. It is not malevolent, apathetic, or anything bad per se. Akashi only cracks a smile like that when he has discovered something. Something that could endanger both of them.

The Crown Prince is still dressed in his formal orange court attire, even though the meeting between the nations has been over for an hour now. His heart sinks. His Highness is always punctual, except on these kinds of days.

Tetsuya is about to bow when Akashi raises his hand. "Please, I have no time for that. Come, sit with me."

Tetsuya avoids Akashi's piercing gaze by focusing on something other than him. A small, weathered wooden plaque bolted to the wall reminds him that, yes, he is indeed speaking to the future leader of their nation. His stomach churns.

The Crown Prince's chair, as Tetsuya approaches, is wide enough for two people to sit in it. Still, he hesitates. This is not the first time Akashi has told him to be beside him. It's also not the first time Tetsuya has protested.

"What is the matter, pray tell?" Akashi's question is mixed with sincere curiosity, mild disappointment, and a trace of playful teasing. His words linger in the air, inviting Tetsuya to voice his hesitation once more.

"It is not appropriate, Your Highness," he says, for the thousandth time.

"I know, I was just teasing you. But do draw nearer, won't you?" Lightning strikes, and the rain pours harder. It's as if the rain itself has cooled down the warmth in Akashi's voice.

Tetsuya has been in this room several times, but he has a habit of scanning the interior to pass the time. Except for the rough edges of each petal, the vividly coloured flowers sprayed on the wall behind Akashi almost look real. It's as if whoever had done them had had enough of painting. He wonders why none of the previous Crown Princes ever bothered to correct them.

Above Akashi is the larger-than-life portrait of his father. It fails to capture the King's sharp red eyes.

Demons. That's what the slaves call the royal family. Tetsuya hears it every time he roams the Palace. He ought to report them, but he sees no reason to. One, it's not sensible. Two, it'd be too cruel, even for him.

"You do look disturbed, Tetsuya. May I ask why?" Of course, Akashi can ask anything. The question is simply for formality's sake.

He opens his mouth, carefully choosing his words. "I have met the new Dancer, Your Highness," he begins. "And she's the king's Dancer." Although all Dancers are technically the king's property, Akashi Masaomi has never expressed any interest in any of them. As long as the king gives his approval, any handler of the Dancers is free to sell their Dancers to anyone who is willing to pay for them. Up until Satsuki Momoi. She is not to be sold to anybody within the Palace, and she will have her own chamber and maids.

Akashi sits up as if he is offended. "Is that a problem?"

He shakes his head. "No, Your Highness. I simply wondered why. Dancers usually start from the bottom. She must be spectacular."

"Yes. My father saw her perform once, and that was enough for him. I do not think you're wondering about her rank, Tetsuya. I think you're worried about her."

If only he could hide his hands behind his back, he would have already done that. It is a disgrace, however, to do such a thing in front of a member of the royal family. Hiding your hands means you are plotting their death.

Tetsuya wants to clench his hands, but he composes himself instead. "I do apologise, Your Highness."

"Haven't I already told you? I will take care of everything once I am seated." Akashi smiles. It's different this time; his eyes aren't staring at him or anything else. There is a vision, a goal, and a dream springing in those eyes of his. The sight of that gaze, the intensity of it...

He feels like drowning.

Will you remove slavery, then? Tetsuya almost voices it out, but as always, he keeps it to himself.

"Yes, you have told me that, Your Highness."

"I presume you do not trust me. Is that so?"

Tetsuya's upper set of teeth scrapes against his lower lip; his tongue pushes past his lips, so eager to tell what's on his mind. He crumbles the words and crunches them into pieces until they are nothing but thoughts.

"That is quite impossible to give an answer to, Your Highness. On the one hand, my loyalty to you is unquestionable. As your servant, my life, my faith, and my very essence belong to you. On the other hand, even if I were free, something about Your Highness compels me to trust you." Oh. He has failed. The words have been pushed back, and they are now raining down from his mouth.

Akashi perches his elbows on the table, links his fingers together, and lays his chin atop his knuckles. Tetsuya shouldn't have said those words. He could lose his tongue at any moment now. But what he said was correct. He has faith in the Crown Prince.

After what feels like an eternity, Akashi chuckles. The way he smiles makes the air around him tremble with anticipation. "Tetsuya, I cherish that this candour is a gift that you give to me alone. Should anyone else glimpse this facet of you, I would be...jealous. Very jealous."

Jealous? What does he mean? Tetsuya wonders, but does his best not to show it. It hasn't been that long since the Crown Prince used to express his disdain for him. Once he had proven that he could be useful, Akashi changed the way he treated him. It didn't happen in a flash. It had taken a long time to become close to him. As a result, he paid with blood.

As he studies Akashi, Tetsuya is beginning to understand what he meant by jealousy. He does not want to lose one of his edges against his cousins. The realisation leaves a bitter taste in Tetsuya's mouth.

With measured calm, Tetsuya redirects the conversation. "Your Highness, may I ask the reason for my summons?" He despises being a mere tool, yet he is painfully aware of his role.For the time being, he can only avoid confronting the painful truth.

"Ah, of course. You understand me perfectly." Akashi plays his role well. With the slight quirk on his lips, one might think he's just having a light conversation with his long-time friend. But Tetsuya can see what is coming next, and no amount of mental preparation can soothe his aching heart. "Tetsuya, I offer you one wish. Name it, and I shall do everything in my power to grant it."

That catches him off guard. His eyes widen and his lips part in an attempt to express his bewilderment. Thankfully, he pulls himself together in a second. "One wish, Your Highness?"

Amusement sparkles in Akashi's eyes. His fingers skim the smooth surface of his table as if he were petting a cat. "Yes, one wish. You have to make sure it's the one thing you desire the most."

One thing he wants... Tetsuya has the urge to scoff at that. It's pointless to speak in riddles when they both know what he wants.

Has Kang'e heard his prayer, then? No, it must be a coincidence.

"Freedom." As soon as he utters the word, thousands of invisible needles pierce his skin, burrowing deeper until they reach his heart. The Crown Prince isn't harsh, and he wouldn't have said such a thing if he didn't know what his Eye, his servant, wanted all these years.

Tetsuya doesn't know if it is the wind that passes through the crevices of this room or if it is his body warning him.

"Of course." This time, the smile has no hints of an underlying message. Akashi understands him well. "And I can grant that if you help me become the king."

"I do not understand. Your Highness is the Crown Prince, and the majority has no doubt about that."

Akashi accepts the compliment with a nod. "That's true, Tetsuya. My claim stands as the only living son of the king. My elder brother has been dead for two years, yet his spectre still haunts the minds of a few dissenters."

"Am I to believe that His Highness's cousins are suggesting you had a hand in the former Crown Prince's death?"

The laughter that booms from Akashi's throat shakes the floor. It isn't loud; it's almost like a whisper, but it rattles under Tetsuya's skin nonetheless.

"Yes, my cousins are spreading the rumour that I poisoned my brother. Do you believe them, Tetsuya?" Is that a warning he's detecting? Or is Akashi pleading with him to believe his innocence?

"The former Crown Prince died in a tragic accident," Tetsuya replies, daring not to meet Akashi's gaze. Not that he is allowed to, anyway. "A deer's antler impaled him. I do not believe you possess the power to command an animal. That is what I believe."

"They could've saved him, still, don't you think? The royal physicians are very capable. So why did they fail to save my brother?"

"As skilled as they are, they are still human, bound by the limits of their knowledge. We have yet a long way to go before medicine can be perfected."

"I've been telling them the same, but it falls on deaf ears. They are too busy vying for the throne. What are your thoughts?"

Akashi always has to throw questions. He always has to be in control. But, of course, how could Tetsuya deflect them? As much as he wants to get out, the Crown Prince needs him here.

And if Akashi wants to be entertained, then so be it. "I think they are fools." His bold declaration widens Akashi's eyes in surprise, doubling their size. Inwardly, Tetsuya laughs. He loves the prince's rare reactions.

"They are? Elaborate." Akashi leans closer. Their noses might have touched if Tetsuya had been standing a foot away from his table.

"If I must." He dips his head before continuing. "Your Highness's cousins are fools because they don't understand the burdens of kingship. They naively believe that once they ascend the throne, their position is secure. But that's never the case. A king has immense responsibilities. If he merely indulges in luxury, his subordinates will soon grow weary of him."

"And what happens next?"

"They will replace him," he says matter-of-factly. "Unless he becomes a puppet king."

"However, in most circumstances, a kingdom with a puppet ruler does not last long," Akashi argues.

"That is why I called them fools."

Akashi nods. Whatever he is thinking, it's hard to decipher as he turns his head towards the left wall, staring at nothing. "Do you believe it's because people might revolt?"

"That is a nice thought, but it is mostly fantasy."

"Oh? Why do you think so?" It's not a real question. They both know the answer.

"Because a revolution would only succeed if the military allowed them." The answer, that the military holds the true power, hangs in the air. "As long as the heads of your soldiers think your monarchy benefits them, you can stay in your seat for as long as they think it is warranted."

Akashi exhales. For the first time since Tetsuya entered the room, the Crown Prince shows how the accusation is taking its toll on him. He's still young, a boy of sixteen winters. However, deep lines are already forming around his eyes. It is no wonder why he is always smiling. It's the only way he can hide what he feels inside.

"I need the military to stand with me."

"I understand. What would you like me to do?"

The Crown Prince's all-knowing smile appears on his lips once more.

"Are you familiar with the Azure Dragon Kingdom?"

He does not understand where this conversation is going. Nonetheless, he has no choice but to bite. "Yes, Your Highness. It is in the southernmost part of this empire."

The Azure Dragon Kingdom is surely an odd case. Everyone in the Empire has heard of it, but only a few know what goes on there. As far as Tetsuya has gathered, all of the kingdoms are wary of them. Their rituals and practices of sacrificing men, women, and children to honour their cardinal god, the Azure Dragon of the South, have earned them the moniker "barbarous."

It is not as if the other kingdoms have no qualms when it comes to butchering their own people. The Azure Dragon is a reject simply because of their queer cultures, which do not resemble those of the other kingdoms.

"The military seeks to expunge them," Akashi says casually, as if they were simply discussing their day.

"Pardon? But what threat does the Azure Dragon pose? As far as I am aware, they have kept to themselves."

"That is true. Until some of the Eyes found out that the kingdom, however small it may be, has layers of gold beneath their land. I'm talking about endless gold, Tetsuya. It's as if their god has blessed them. Yet, instead of sharing their wealth, they hoard it like dragons guarding their trove. A selfish act, don't you think?"

Tetsuya nods. If there's one thing he despises about royalty, it's their avarice. Of course, he understands that a kingdom must first serve its people. But from what Tetsuya has heard so far from that kingdom, their people are starving and lacking in education. Because of these factors, they do not possess the vigour to revolt. Not that it would work even if they wanted to.

"I think I understand what is going on now, Your Highness."

"Do tell me."

"The Crown Prince seeks the military's allegiance, and to win their favour, he must offer them a prize worthy of their loyalty. He will have to be useful to them." You will have to be a tool, is what he wants to say, but the two of them know it is redundant to do so. "Your Highness, I believe the Azure Kingdom is the answer."

Akashi nods. For a moment, Tetsuya thinks one of Akashi's eyes has turned gold. When he blinks, they are still red.

I must be lacking sleep these days.

"As always, you are sharp. What do you think about my plan?"

"It is too grand, Your Highness. I do wonder what I will have to do."

Of course, it involves him. The Crown Prince wouldn't have summoned him if he wasn't. He breathes deeply, and then quietly releases it. Once again, his hands are about to be coated with someone's life.

"They have a Crown Prince. His name is Aomine Daiki." And there is no doubt about that. The "Ao" in his last name means Azure, after all. "Yet many doubt his suitability to lead their kingdom."

"May I know why?"

"Some believe he committed an unforgivable sin, whilst others claim he is the son of a whore. Though the truth remains elusive, what is certain is his exile and the absence of his people's favour."

"And I'll have to find out."

Akashi's shoulders rise and fall. It's only after a few seconds that Tetsuya realises he is chuckling. "Yes. To be honest, I give no care for the why, but I know you are capable of gathering information. "

"And I will use the gathered information to destroy him for good." He blinks, still not understanding the point.

"Correct. That is why I want you to make him a king."

"Your Highness?"

"Think about it—" Akashi spreads his arms as if he were embracing the whole room. "If a hated prince becomes the king, there will be..."

"A civil war..." Tetsuya finishes once he understands what the Crown Prince is planning.

"Anything could cause a civil war, Tetsuya, but this plan will not only cause a rift in their kingdom, but it will also destroy their current monarch's lineage for good. Aomine's uncle, the usurper, sits upon the throne, and now his cousin claims the title of Crown Prince. From the ensuing chaos, our kingdom shall emerge as saviours. But at what cost, Tetsuya?"

He swallows hard before he utters the obvious answer. "Their golds, Your Highness."

"Yes. So be with him, Tetsuya. A soul like his yearns for companionship. I trust in your abilities. Win his trust, learn everything about him, and then destroy him until he is nothing but dust. Prepare yourself. The journey will begin in two days."

That is too soon. He wants to protest, but he clamps his lips together. "Yes, Your Highness."

"You may now go back to your chamber."

He bows, thanking Akashi. The sooner he gets out, the better. He wants to breathe. He wants to clear his mind. A headache threatens to creep its way. Before that, he needs to see the only person he loves more than himself. His only family. His only friend, Ogiwara.