Crow mocks lion's might

But lion dances still, proud

Grave crow's silent plight

"Our kingdom is proud, it is known," the current king, Akashi Masaomi, says as he raises his hand. He speaks slowly, barely opens his mouth, and yet his voice effortlessly travels from his seat to the entire great hall. Perhaps it helps that the tables and chairs have been shoved against the walls.

Half of the members of this Palace are now standing, bowing, not daring to meet his red eyes. Katsunori of the Harasawa House, the king's whisperer, is also on his feet. His wavy hair quickly bounces as he scans the scene. Because Tetsuya is at the very back, he has the advantage of looking at the whisperer without being noticed. Once again, blood stains the corner of Harasawa's lips.

Some claim Harasawa was there before the Kingdom of the Red Lion even existed. They say that when he gets drunk, he changes completely. He will sit up drinking all night long and sing in an ancient language. He also drinks the blood of his servants, the very reason why they cover their necks. They say he has never had a proper night's sleep in his life and his eyes have seen too much death.

Tetsuya was younger then. Young and foolish. And so, with curiosity brewing in his veins, he had followed the whisperer. He soon found out that Harasawa simply had this unique mislike of seeing bare skin. It is no wonder why he even covers his hands with thick gloves. As for the blood, well, he is a nervous man and he tends to bite his tongue.

"It is known," every lord, every member of the royal family, says, bringing Tetsuya back to the present.

"It is our kingdom that is always painted as the braggart bastard. For that, I do not give my agreement. Do you?"

"No, we do not!"

Akashi Masaomi lifts his chin and nods. He smiles with his lips pressed together, as if his grin is too important to be shared with just anyone. Tetsuya observes, recognising the calculated contradiction—a performance tailored for effect.

"I am deeply wounded. I thought the White Crows would never dare utter such blasphemy. Mayhaps they are too shy to admit their flaws."

Everyone, including the Dancers, laughs. Tetsuya simply covers his lips with a fan.

"Which is why I have decided to give half of our Dancers to the south, to the Azure Dragon Kingdom specifically."

Gasps fill the great hall. Murmurs and hushed curses enter and leave Tetsuya's ears. "It is simply to show the whole Empire that we are not as lavish as they think we are. We cannot give that much, and we shall not. If they expect gold, jade, or any of that, then it will be a disappointment to them." The voice is deep and authoritative, yet smooth at the same time. A chill crawls up Tetsuya's spine."My lords, my court members, my family, my soldiers, my guards, my servants, each one of you shall accept the truth from now on. This kingdom is falling."

The sudden admission catches them off guard.

Jaws drop, eyes pop out, mouths twist, and noses crinkle. The king stands by and watches the blatant disrespect unfold in front of him. And yet, Tetsuya notices the small indications that he is waiting for them to stop.

"Now, now. There is no use in denying the truth. This does not mean we are losing. It simply means we need an alliance, not just from the north, but from the south. Why, maybe if fate allows us, we'll have brothers and sisters from the east and west as well!" Akashi Masaomi's smile is wide and welcoming, and yet his eyes remain cold and calculating. He is indeed the Crown Prince's father. But unlike him, Akashi Seijuro still has warmth in his eyes. Tetsuya has ignored that warmth for years due to his fear and hatred of nobles. And now that he is leaving, another wave of regret washes over him.

I hope I am not too late. Please wait for me, my Crown Prince .

"We are simply asking the favour of another kingdom. Gold can temporarily buy their affection, but allegiance? Trusting them with the lives of our precious people? I believe that is far more valuable than any material in this world." This king is insane. According to one of the unwritten rules, a ruler must not admit his downfall or any hint of a flaw. A ruler shall be born and die like the god he is meant to be.

Gods cannot make mistakes.

Ever since Akashi Masaomi ascended to the throne, he has been defying long-held traditions. Yes, admirable, but also risky.

Could it be...? Tetsuya gulps. What if the king is setting everything up for his son? What if he's already laying the groundwork for his son to be the saviour in the end?

Tetsuya does not like how his mind works sometimes. He wishes he could be proven wrong. He hopes that Akashi Masaomi has other plans.

"Come the morning, half of our Dancers, led by Mibuchi, will begin their journey to Shoyen. Yes, beyond the Mountains of the Tiger Warlords. I know it is a harsh place for northerners like us. Which is why it could take them half a year just to cross."

Tetsuya understands that the king is implying the exact opposite of what he has said. He wants them to be there as quickly as they can. As if their minds are linked, the king spares him a glance.

The Dancer does nothing but keeps his head down.

"Pardon my question, my king, but I do not think it is just I who sees this is too much." Midorima Shintaro's right-hand man, Bo, remarks. He is a short man with a balding head. The minister is in another Empire, a dangerous one. Rumours have it that Midorima is as good as dead. Tetsuya doubts it. He may not have spent that much time with the bespectacled Lord, but his intelligence and precaution are well-known.

Akashi Masaomi regards Bo coldly. "Pray tell me what you have on your mind."

Don't, Tetsuya warns. But of course, Bo cannot hear his mind. "The Dancers are not only for entertainment, Your Majesty. They are for counselling, to soothe the worries away. They are trained to listen and give valuable pieces of advice. I—" the wrinkled and shrunken man comes to a halt as he notices the building anger on Akashi Masaomi's face. He bows, his teeth chattering, and says nothing more.

"This is why the White Crows think so little of us. You all are but grown men. Be your own advisor. Be your own listener. This decision has been finalised. I will hear no more of your objections if you cannot give me any suitable answers as to why I shan't do what I have to do."

The king is bearing the brunt of the blame. Is this why the Crown Prince is nowhere to be seen even though this is his idea? Or is it?

Stop, he tells himself. He is nought but a puppet on strings. He is not to think or question anything. After all, the Crown Prince has promised total freedom once he has completed his mission.

Everyone waits, yet no one expresses their discontent. Some are even obvious in their ennui.

As Akashi Masaomi sees nothing more to address, he ends the conference with one swift swish of his hand. And by then, everybody knows that none of them can stop him.

"Thank the six gods that he is not sending half of our soldiers, then," a nearby voice whispers, lost in the crowded throne room. 

🌑

Ogiwara is waiting for him on the veranda of the Dancers' building. As they face each other, the boy cannot help himself but wrap Tetsuya in his arms. His grip is quite tight, but the Dancer does not mind.  He leans against Ogiwara and buries his face in the crook of his neck, wrapping a protective arm around his shoulders. The embrace is warm and comforting, like the sun in winter. Ogiwara's hair tickles Tetsuya's nose, so he takes a moment to breathe.

His brother had told him about how the Crown Prince had treated him. How Akashi directed the kitchen to make him a simple porridge and to keep him hydrated. They eventually made him drink the Sleeping Moon tea. Though he had only closed his eyes for a few hours, when Ogiwara awoke, he felt invigorated. After Tetsuya listened to all of this, the images he had made to protect his heart from Akashi vanished.

As he can see now, the effects of his vigilance have created a different result.

"I cannot believe we will be leaving this Palace on the morrow," Ogiwara says, his arms slung over Tetsuya's shoulders. "It has been years, has not it? Mostly for you. I at least had the chance to see the world whenever I climbed the Mountain of Wail."

Tetsuya nods, admiring the horizon. Beyond that is the south. It looks far and near at the same time.  The air is cold in his lungs but he's warm. His mind is calm as water in an endless lake. "We could take this chance to run if we wanted to," he whispers, unblinking even if the sun is in his face.

Ogiwara whips his head around, scanning for any potential eavesdroppers.

"Do not give your worry for nothing, Ogiwara. I have made sure that it is only us here before I approached you," he says.

"Still, that was very parlous of you!"

"My apologies, then." Tetsuya meets Ogiwara's gaze. "The Crown Prince believes you'll be safer in the Azure Dragon Kingdom. They wouldn't dare harm a northerner unless they seek war." 

His brother gives him a sidelong glance. "Why? I am nothing but a cupbearer."

"Yes, but the lion is proud." The Red Lion does not even belong in the north, as many say. A lion cannot live in the cold, and yet they are here. Legends say a king who was half a man and half a lion visited the north, and once he fell in love with a crow, he decided to stay.

Of course, that is only a story the elders tell the children. To Tetsuya, the name does not matter.

"Well, if I could be kept away from Lord Chen, then it is good."

"Now it is you who say dangerous words," he teases. "Truth now. What happened? Why did he demand wine at such an ungodly hour?" 

Ogiwara's arm leaves his shoulders. For a second, Tetsuya feels the cold pricking his skin. "The truth is, I do not know. I noticed one thing, though. He was writing something. A letter, perhaps. He was in a hurry. He was... dripping with perspiration. When I poured his drink, he suddenly jerked his arm, causing me to accidentally splash him with rice wine."

Lord Chen was writing a letter? What could he have been worried about if he hadn't been feeling well and had even blamed an honest servant?

"Yes," Tetsuya says."It's best you keep your distance from him. I do not have a good suspicion about his recent actions."

Ogiwara nods. "Lord Chen's always been stern, but never unjust. His sudden decision to flog me came out of nowhere. His sleeplessness of late... it unsettles me."

"As well I," Tetsuya agrees. "Try not to show yourself to him. I will steer his anger. Until then, stay here. Before the sun comes up, we shall be leaving the Palace."

"Leaving the Palace..." Ogiwara repeats, as if he is trying out the words on his tongue. "It does not sound real."

"It does not. But it is real." Tetsuya allows himself to smile. Not for him, but for Ogiwara. He has to assure his brother that everything will be all right, as long as they have each other. Isn't that how it's been since they promised to be together forever?

The taller boy's eyes well up with gratitude as he tousles Tetsuya's hair. But the smaller boy's thoughts linger elsewhere. Something tells him that Lord Chen meant to drive him and Ogiwara away.