Love, care, affection are all humane feelings. There are some people in this world who numb themselves towards any kind of intimacy. Lui never thought through things. He rarely cared about others except for his own family. But there he was, following the enchanted compass along a rusty path in the midst of a forest trying to save that one single person. Not even identifying the worry inside his heart is woven with love. A foreign feeling, an intense emotion nevertheless.

When he chased the person who shot an arrow towards Shu, he made sure to plant an enchanted tracker on his clothes. This was one of the tricks he was taught as a child. If you can't follow the person throughout the way, make amends that you two will meet again. His eyes were fixed on the path. The exhaustion from the poison was still pressing against his limb. But his mind was focused on Shu's image, inside that cell with the little spark of hope. Shinki slashed his sword against the thickly grown wild vines. "There's no end to them" He growled, kicking at another fallen tree.

Lui forced his way through them. "Where the hell does this person live?" He wondered aloud, his voice echoing in the forest in front of them.

"Hell" Katana answered swiftly, looking over to Gou who was holding the enchanted compass.

"We're close" He said, looking over the trees. The others followed his gaze to see the trail of smoke against the clear blue sky. A spark of hope raced through his mind as Lui made his way through the forest not caring about the exhaustion or his pained body. They had a lead and now they found the target.

Soon, the four of them arrived at the wooden cabin. Isolated from the rest of the world. The thin trail of smoke was still there indicating the human inhabitants. Honestly, the small bed of vegetables in front of the house and the sound of soft laughter gave them all the clues they needed. Whoever the person was, they are inside the cabin. Lui cautiously stepped through, careful not to make a sound. His eyes darted around. The place was completely hidden by trees. Even with the enchanted compass, it took them over three hours to locate the exact place to the cabin. It was made as any other with straps of quality wood and a strong roof that would secure them from all kinds of climate. He gestured at Katana and stood away from the window and the door. Whoever the person was, they won't recognize Katana because he was not a highlighted character in any occasion of the city. That was his role in their group. Lie low and attack.

The air around them was tense. As Katana knocked on the door, everyone was holding their breath. The sound was precise and loud against their ears and inevitably, the laughter stopped. There was a low murmur and footsteps from inside.  Loud footsteps left the front door before it was opened. Just enough for the person to see Katana and make sure he was not a threat, just a passerby who was dumb enough to get lost in a forest filled with poisonous snakes and wild boars. Lui could see Katana smiling and explaining something. At his angle, he couldn't see the face of the person by the door. A minute passed and Lui spotted the flash of threat in Katana's eyes and he grabbed the door surprising the other person and flung it open reaching for his sword. Lui stepped out of his hiding place just when a woman came out of the house. Swords in both her hands and danger flashing through her eyes. Lui stopped, momentarily freezing. Not because it was a woman but because he knew her. He knew her a bit too well. "M-Mitsuba?"

She turned, only then seeing him standing by. "Prince Lui?" Her eyes narrowed. Lui just stared, frozen in surprise. Ironically, he thought the surprise element was theirs to use given the circumstances but unfortunately, Mitsuba surprised him more than he liked to admit. She didn't even cross his mind while the chain of incidents happened.

"What are you doing here?"

She didn't drop her defense, "This is my home." She answered.

"This can't be-" Lui started when she broke him off. That's when he realized the change of her usual demeanor. The hands she used to cure people were holding two swords. The eyes that were filled with nothing but kindness were filled with dread and threat. Even though he hated to admit it, everythjng made sense. She was a healer and meddled with Moeru herbs a lot. She would obviously know about crimson Nightshade. But Lui tried to deny it. Mitsuba had saved Shu's life countless times. Healed him without any malice. Laughed with him in that isolated medicine room. Shu trusted her. He trusted her more than anyone. "Please tell me this is wrong. You did not do that."

"Too late," Shinki said, appearing from the house. Mitsuba panicked, obviously worrying about the rest of the people inside the house with her. Shinki and Gou broke off from the back and Katana's speech was a mere distraction. "I found Crimson Nightshade and a whole lot of other poison too." He dropped a bag to the ground. "And gold"

Lui's heart went cold. He had always known about this particular norm of humans. They are not the ones who they seem from the outside. Human body is the embodiment of thousands of secrets and malice. The person laughing with you can be your death sentence. It was as simple as that. It was impossible to know someone in their core. Almost all of them have a face they never show the world and that certain face was them as people. The hidden core. The dark truth. Mitsuba gritted her teeth, looking in between them,  trying to make an opening. "You tried to kill Shu, and then framed him into poisoning me. You did. The person who tried to save his life did all this? And I'm supposed to believe all this shit?"

Lui knew he was raging, but he didn't stop. He took a step towards her and thrust his sword against her neck, "Tell me Mitsuba, tell me why? Tell me why go through all this just to hurt Shu? What the fuck did he ever do to you?"

She got into her own fighting stance, ready to attack when Gou appeared with two children. Both around ten or eleven. "Big sister?" One of them called, looking at her with pleading eyes.

"They have nothing to do with this." She said, raising her sword, "Let them go, Shirosagi"

"Shu had nothing to do with this" His voice was shaking with rage.

"Drop the swords" Shinki ordered, and Mitsuba didn't object, she dropped them to the ground and looked at them again. Her eyes were pleading and helpless.

"Let them go"

"Reasons!" Lui yelled, "Give me your reason. Why did you do it?"

Mitsuba narrowed her eyes. "One will do anything to save their family Prince Lui. None of you know the pain of a starved child, none of you had to put up with poverty. You don't know how helpless you feel when you see your own siblings dying in starvation. I'm just another common girl trying to feed them. Money. I did it for money"

Lui closed his eyes, "If you ever let him know about this, let me know about this, we would've helped you. You know that"

Mitsuba let out a dry laugh, "Oh yeah, just how many citizens are you trying to help with that? It's not only me, is it? After everything collapsed in the school back in Akarui, we were sent back to our homes. I came back to a home where my two siblings were left alone to starve to death. None of the villagers even took notice of them. That's just how filthy humans are! That's just how things work around here! Don't you see it? Of course you won't. You get to sit around in those big mansions and have feasts with all the nobles while us folks pay taxes and work ourselves half to death for NOTHING!" She heaved, "I don't care what's going to happen to anyone else. You humans are all the same. I'm not going to accept it and just watch until my family dies."

"You were a healer, you could've been a doctor. You could've treated patients"

Mitsuba gave him a mocking smile, "What's life for a zero rate healer like me? There are better healers and people don't come for healers like me anymore."

"He was different" Lui's voice cut them off from their conversation. "You know he was different from the others. He cared for everyone around him. You know he would've given his life for you. Then why?"

Mitsuba's smile dropped, "One must do anything to survive" She repeated.

"Who ordered it?" Shinki asked.

Mitsuba kept her silence and Lui had enough of silences. "Get ready, we're taking her to the capital" He grabbed a hold of her chin and tipped her face backwards so that her eyes were staring right onto his. "And you're going to spit out everything you did or else" He gestured at the two kids behind them, "They will pay"

If Shu was there, Lui knew he would disagree. But he was no saint, and didn't care about moral codes when someone he loved was in danger. Lui had little time to save Shu's life and he was not ready to waste it. His violet eyes were set and hard. Mitsuba bit her lower lips clenching her fists and her knuckles went white. Lui lowered his eyes, "Too bad I'm the one you spared, if he was here, he'd just let you go"

Mitsuba didn't speak and Lui continued, "That is one of his weaknesses. He forgives too easily and trusts too readily. You know that and you regret what you did. You might have reasons, Mitsuba, you might have to protect your loved ones. But I'm standing here in front of you because I'm trying to do the same." He leaned and whispered against her ear, "I'm trying to protect my loved one and I give no crap to any others at the moment. I'm sorry"

Mitsuba's smile was hesitant but not mocking, "I'll come with you"

Lui pushed away from her and looked over to Shinki and Gou. "Stay with those two children. I'll send a message, if she denies and backs out" Lui hardened his eyes, "Kill them."

Mitsuba drew in a sharp breath, as Lui continued, "If not, I'll come back and we'll lead them into safety. You won't be free after you confessed about your crimes but after all the times you've treated Shu, taking care of these two is the least I could do"

Mitsuba just nodded but Lui knew she trusted him. She walked to the two kids and hugged them tight, whispering comforting words against their ears. The three of them: Lui, Katana and Mitsuba took off. Katana assured her hands were tied and had no way of escaping as they started their journey back to the kingdom. Much to Lui's distress the sky had gotten dark, it was only a matter of hours before it's dawn again. For the first time in his life, he was running out of time and he didn't like it.

---

How many hours does it take until you've realized that you are, in fact, out of time? How many seconds would it take to make oneself realize that he is staring death right at his face? Shu thought he knew about death. He thought he saw his own life flash before his life, but this feeling was entirely different. He knew it was dawn not because of the fresh morning light, but because the two foul mouthed guards came to take him out of his cell towards his death sentence. He stepped out of his cell, not giving them the pleasure of seeing him frightened. His skin was icy cold, and he only had the strength to walk slowly and the guards didn't drag him either. It was his last day and they seemed to have more compassion than they showed the world.

He was led into a room where water and food was ready for him and he was instructed to wash himself and wear the robes sitting on the chair. Pure white. Has death always been white? He was left alone for himself and Shu just stood in the middle of the empty room, frozen and cold. Everything seemed normal. He was given food, new clothes. Ironically, not to live, but to walk towards his death. He didn't touch the food, he wasn't hungry and he didn't feel like eating. He just washed all the blood, now dried into a muddy brown, and dressed on the new white robes, soft against his skin. He let his hair fall over his shoulders. It was painfully calm around him. Has death always been this calm?

A tear escaped from his eyes for the first time he had been put upon a death sentence. Just a single tear, running down his cheeks and falling upon his new white robes. He had lived fourteen years, barely seen the world. Some may even say he had enough time and some people die even earlier than him. But the truth underlying was that you never have enough time but we just don't realize it until it's too late. All our lives, we live blaming everything, looking at flaws in every perfection. Looking at all the negativity in life and embracing them while we push away the positivity. It's just how some minds work. It's how most minds worked. The earlier two guards came in. They just silently glanced at the untouched food on the table before guiding him out of the room. The morning sunshine was bright and warm against his skin. Today, nature was cruelly beautiful. He closed his eyes, tipping his face backward to feel the light on his face. The guards stopped with him, they didn't usher. In fact, none had the heart to usher a fourteen years old child towards his own death sentence No matter how hard they claimed themselves to be.

                                                  ---

The dawn arrived with end. That's how Lui saw it. It was supposed to be a fresh start. Maybe, it would've been if it weren't for the execution. If it weren't for the things that happened. If it weren't for him, whom he had fallen in love with. They were close to the kingdom now. Lui can only hear silence as they got closer because it was dawn and everyone should be at the plaza. He quickened his steps and arrived in the city. Empty without people. Only an occasional child and an old person staring at them through a window. Mitsuba hadn't spoken a word after they took off. But now, she chose to speak. Her time was running out, and there were things to be said. "I always knew it" Her voice was loud against the silence of the city. Lui didn't stop, he walked forward. He didn't have time to stop. "You were always gentle with him. A kind of softness that people rarely saw on you. I always knew from the way you looked at him even when you were fighting. You were in love with him from the start but you were too arrogant to accept it."

Lui stopped, "What are you implying?"

Mitsuba shook her head, "He's a good person, isn't he? A rare one. He wears his kindness like a jewel. When did you fall in love, Prince Lui?"

Lui had begun to walk again. Katana was silent because he knew this had nothing to do with the mission. "You never really know when you fall for someone until it has taken some time, do you?"

Mitsuba laughed, "Oh you know. When you start to love all the little things. When you go far enough to accept their flaws. When you get hurt just watching them getting hurt. That's love. You were right. I'd do anything to protect the ones I love and that's why us humans are weak. We have things to lose, we always do. Love becomes weakness, it's all of our weakness."

"It's not-" Lui started but the words died on his tongue. Upon this point in life he had the same vision about love. It makes a person weak and vulnerable to danger. He pushed aside the thoughts. There are visions in life that are embedded into our minds and the only way to push them away is to let someone prove them wrong.

"You fell in love with someone made of glass. He will shatter by the faintest inattention. Be careful not to prick yourself with the broken parts, Prince Lui. You're playing a dangerous game."

By then, they were already at the capital. People were crowded around the main square where the execution was held. He stood to the side, waiting, when two guards led him in. A sense of relief washed his heart, he was not late. Shu walked with dignity. His head was not bowed in shame. His eyes were not downcast, not that of a criminal but of a survivor. Mitsuba's words echoed in his mind as he watched Shu's figure being taken to table with a single white bowl. The brown liquid shining with evil delight: poison. He couldn't make out Shu's expression and he didn't wait anymore. He took Mitsuba by the forearm and broke through the crowd. The entrance might seem dramatic and exaggerated by other's eyes but Lui didn't care. Seeing the unexpected intrusion, his father frowned. Shu spun on his heel with a surprised look. Against his pure white robe, his skin looked pale and ghostly with reddened bruises scattered around. Lui broke his gaze from him, "I'm afraid you have got the wrong culprit upon the plot of my murder, father"

Murmurs scattered through the crowd. King Shirosagi stood up to look at his son. "What's the meaning of this?"

Lui spoke clearly, listing down all the evidence he had encountered till now. He wanted to look at Shu, who was standing just a few feet away from him, realizing Mitsuba was the person who wanted him dead. After a while, the king turned to Mitsuba, "Is this all true?"

Mitsuba was silent and Lui turned to look at her, ready to warn her again when he saw her staring right at him. Her eyes were filled with scalding anger and sorrow. The two emotions clashing like waves, trying to win over the other. On the other hand, Shu held her gaze. Confused and betrayed. He was trying to understand, Lui noticed. He was looking for reasons. When Mitsuba striked Shu, no one had the chance to intervene. They were all surprised she had a dagger hidden underneath her sleeve. None of them were ready except for Shu who dodged, stepping sideways and bringing the table that held the poison in between them. The bowl rolled over splashing the liquid on the ground. Mitsuba rounded the table as Shu dodged the dagger again, his mind repeating the same word: why?

Lui watched them stunned, for a moment, he could see the desperation in Mitsuba's eyes. The malice and the intent, she wants to kill him. Lui got in between them just as she thrust her blade towards Shu. Lui blocked the blade, trying to twist her arms behind her back to dislodge the weapon. All around them, guards have sprung into action making a protective circle. Just when Lui thought Mitsuba would give in, just when she loosened the grip on her dagger in a surrendering motion, everyone relaxed and the next thing they knew was that she plunged it into her own body. Blood splattered like raindrops. Lui could hear his own beating heart. Mitsuba still stood, despite her wound and despite the blood. She was staring at Shu standing behind him, not resentment, but sympathy. "I wish you a good life, Prince Shu." She whispered, her voice barely audible that Lui was not sure whether Shu heard it. He ran a hand through his cheeks wiping off the blood as Mitsuba fell to the ground in front of them and for once and for all, her pulse stopped. Her heart stopped beating. It takes months to bring life into a being but only a matter of seconds to bring death. It's just how cruel life is.

Shu was breathing hard behind him but Lui didn't dare to look. Instead, he knelt beside Mitsuba. A life wasted because of desperation. Two hands which used to heal stained with blood because of desperation. Human mind can do wonders. It's a constant clash between good and evil. In the end, it all narrows down to a choice in a desperate time, a desperate moment. A choice that could tear us apart from inside out. His father finally had to give up on the execution. Shu was proved innocent of his crime and was sent to treat his wounds. Katana was the one who came forth to lead him and Lui knew where to find Shu.

He didn't leave right away. Instead, he stared at her corpse in front of him. When he sees Shu next time, he's going to have questions. Too many questions. "You should be resting" A voice said, breaking his attention. He didn't look at him because he knew it was his father. The crowd in the main plaza was thinning out after the incident. Disappointed groans because Prince Shu escaped without the execution. It was safe to say his father and him always had a silent relationship. Most of the time, they didn't talk for days but understood each other with gestures. Lui was a son who lived up to the legacy of the Shirosagi bloodline and the king was proud of him. That went without saying.

"I did what was right," Lui answered, finally turning to him. "Hyoketsu doesn't need wrong culprits executed. Justice prevails in our kingdom. That's what you taught me."

His eyes were hard to read, "That's the truth and I will stand by it. But that doesn't mean I'm going to forgive him for Yuki's death."

Lui wanted to argue with him. Shu didn't kill Yuki. He had evidence but are they strong enough? No, they weren't and they needed something stronger. Lui nodded, "I'm leaving." He let out a one last look at Mitsuba, lying on the ground in her own puddle of blood. Guards were trying to take off her body from the ground.

"You have changed" His father inquired. "I'm not sure if it's for the better or not. But be careful, son. People are never what they seem" Lui knew whom he was implying to.

"I haven't changed, father. In the end, I'm just a boy who wasn't strong enough to save his own sister. I always will be" Lui shifts his gaze towards his father.

"And I'm a father who wasn't strong enough to protect his children." He raised his hand as if to touch Lui but thought against it at the last minute. Two of them shared another look before Lui walked out of the plaza. It was the gnawing truth that clawed at their limbs, their hearts. No matter how they tried to ignore it, Yuki's death would haunt them forever, an emblem of their own incapabilities to protect their families. Maybe, it was not a death they could've prevented. But the human mind was complicated. It can easily convince us that we are at fault.

He reached his room, knowing Katana would've led Shu in here. There were no guards by the door and he was satisfied with it. He didn't want anyone inquiring about his relationship with Prince Shu in Moeru Kingdom. He opened the door, hoping to see Shu and Katana but froze, seeing two more figures inside. His mother and the main physician. They all turned to him upon his arrival. Shu was the first one to speak, "Mitsuba" He said, looking at him. Searching along his face for answers. "What happened? Why Mitsuba? What's-" Lui cut him off by walking to him and placing his hand on his cheek. He didn't care about the company they had.

"Shu, calm down."

"I-Is she dead?" Shu asked again. He had seen it with his own eyes. She killed herself right in front of them. From his words, Shu was only looking for a console. He already knew the answer was yes but nothing felt real anymore. It was like he was living in a delusion or a fantasy. He had to ask twice to make it feel real. That there's another death he'd have to deal with.

"Yes," Lui said, "Shu, she is dead."

Shu pushed away from him with a slight nod. Lui couldn't bear the silence of the others that he finally turned to them. His mother was looking at him with concern. "Mom?"

She just nodded, "I knew he would need some medical assistance."

"I gave him a strong dose of his medicine that'll make him sleep for some time. It will take time to heal the wounds but this is the best I could do to ease the pain." The physician said, giving Shu a nod.

"Thank you" Shu said, politely settling with a vague bow of his head. He didn't know why these people have been kind to him but it was comforting. Lui walked to his mom and echoed Shu's phrase. She had doted on him since he was a child. For Lui, his mother and father were like the sun and the moon. She was always there ready with a warm heart and a beautiful personality. She knew about him without talking. She knew what to say at the right moment and how to ease his heart. Simply, she knew what he wanted. On the other hand, he father was a closed, cold person. He was the type who had hidden love for his children. Lui often wondered whether he loved them at all. He used to question about this a lot when they were young and his mom would always flash a smile at him when he asked.

"If someone asked him to die to save your life, he would do it without hesitation. He loves you a lot"

And frankly, he knew it was true. His mother and the physician left the room. Lui advised Katana to bring the news to Gou and Shinki. The two children would need a new home and everything had to be settled. At last, the room was empty except for Shu who was staring at the space, his eyelids dropping as the albino struggled them back open. The reaction to Mitsuba's incident was subtle and it made Lui wonder whether he's internalizing everything. Honestly, even Lui had been caught off guard by everything and Lui knew that Shu cared about Mitsuba and both of them knew each other pretty well. "Shu, rest"

Shu turned to him, still fighting a losing battle against his drowsiness. "You mother told me you didn't rest either. Crimson Nightshade is not any other poison. It poisoned your mind, Lui." You have to rest too.

Lui nodded, "I will."

Shu seemed to consider his words for a minute before finally giving in. He layed among his soft pillows. His thin, small figure was almost swallowed by the fluffed white covers on the bed. At that moment, Lui realized. Amidst all that betrayals, lies and pain, Shu was trying to make himself small. He was trying to break free. He didn't have any connection with the world and didn't know anything about how crude and rough human minds can be. It was sad that life was teaching him everything in the most painful way. Mitsuba's voice echoed inside his mind: You are loving someone made out of glass.

Lui sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the person sleeping just at a fingertip distance. If they were from just a normal family, if they were just two boys not princes, things would have been different for them. Maybe, things would've been better. But Lui wasn't sure he wanted this different. If he was an ordinary person, he would've never met Shu. This series of incidents, mistakes and tangles of fate brought them together and now, he wasn't sure how to survive without either of them getting hurt. It was like he's fighting an impossible battle.

His thoughts were broken by a soft whine. Lui turned to see his face. Eyebrows twisted into a frown. Hands clenched, clutching the fabric of the white bed cloth. It had been just over an hour since Shu fell asleep and Lui didn't know monsters were always hunting him in his dreams. Lui reached out when Shu bit down on his bottom lip, hard enough to draw blood. "Shu" He called, trying to shake him awake and he did. His ruby eyes opened to meet his violet. But something was wrong, Lui noticed. His eyes weren't focused on anything. They were glazed over, almost as if Shu was here physically, but his mind was convincing him he's somewhere different.

Shu gripped on his hair, retreating to the edge of the bed, curling himself tight. His eyes were looking straight to the space in front of them. There was nothing there. But for Shu, something lurked behind that emptiness. "I didn't do it." he whispered. A voice so broken that Lui was surprised he spoke at all.

He reached across the bed, when Shu violently pushed away from him. "I'm not a monster. I didn't do it. I didn't do it." He was chanting, repeating. His words overlapped, stumbling and fading.

You fell in love with someone made out of glass. He will shatter by the faintest inattention. Be careful not to prick yourself with the broken parts, Prince Lui.

He cursed at her voice, repeating the words inside his head. "Shu, it's me, Lui '' He tried, advancing to him slowly. Making sure that albino didn't take any fear in his actions. "Snowflake" He tried again. His fingertips sliding over his arms cautiously, assuring him. Shu flinched. Lui slid beside him, cupping his cheeks, letting Shu focus on his own violet eyes instead of the delusions settling in. "Concentrate on your breathing" Lui whispered, wrapping one of his arms around him, while the other held onto Shu's own firmly. "Be here with me" He saw Shu fumble, trying to concentrate on the voice, slowly coming out of the trance. It was almost as if he couldn't tell the difference between reality and a hallucination. "Be all here, you're not alone" Lui murmured, pressing his face against his hair. "You're okay"

Shu pushed away, turning his gaze to look at his face and much to his relief he could see the recognition. Shu slid his hand out of Lui's hold and reached for his face. Almost as if he's trying to confirm. Confirm that he was real, not a cruel trick inside his mind. "Lui" He said, his hand settling on his jaw, fingertips brushing his skin. "Lui" He whispered, blinking.

"Yes," Lui replied, leaning against his touch. "It's me. I'm here."

Shu nodded, "You're here" He repeated, choking on a sob. Mitsuba's voice was echoing inside Lui's mind as he looked at the broken boy in his hold. His kingdom did this to him. The determined glory, the princely bravery was replaced with something vulnerable.

Like shattered glass.

Lui brought both of them into a lying position, wrapping his arms around Shu. Cocooning him inside the little protection and reassurance he could provide. It was insane the things we can do in the name of love. Even if it was labeled poison, we would drink it anyway.

---

Shu woke up nestled in his arms. He could feel Lui's rhythmic breathing against his neck. His arms wrapped tightly around him. He had little memory about what happened before and how they ended up in this position. He rolled back, studying Lui's face. His firm jaw, straight nose and closed eyes. Face resting in a peaceful expression. Peaceful as he could ever get. Shu hesitantly reached for his face, running his fingers across his smooth skin, feeling him. Feeling the person he was, he is. His fingers stopped right over his cheek when his eyes opened. Shu moved, pressing his forehead against Lui's without a second thought. Lui reached for his hand on his cheek and held it, sighing. There was barely a word spoken. They spoke with action. Through the tender touches, and fluttering hearts.

At that moment, laying beside him, Shu could feel Lui's beating heart. His warmth and his forehead against his. They were impossibly close. Just a small push and he could seal the distance between their lips. But he didn't try. He didn't dare to try. Instead, he pushed away and sat down wondering when he found himself this comfortable in someone else's arms. Lui sat beside him, still holding onto his hand. "Thank you" Shu's words lingered in the air. Lui didn't say anything. Shu didn't mind because sometimes silence spoke louder than words. People just don't let it sink in, always trying to find a way to close the silence thinking it's awkward when silence always has stories to tell, poems to echo, feelings to emerge.

Maybe it was just the air surrounding them. Maybe, it's just the timing and the feelings. Both of them found themselves leaning against each other, their eyes closed, their hearts racing with the same song of love. Just ready to embrace the warmth of another's lips when the doors to his room flung open. Both of them jolted away from each other. Shu's cheeks dust a flustered red. Lui growled, about to snap at the soldier who was oblivious. But he speaks before Lui. "Prince Lui, a troop of Moeru is attacking the kingdom!"

"What?" Lui asked, already out of the bed. Shu followed his actions.

"The king ordered us to protect the queen and you, my lord and to keep an eye on him. We were ordered not to hand over Prince Shu to the Moeru troop at any circumstances"

Shu watched Lui's actions, unable to do anything himself. The White Tyrant nodded at the soldier, "I'll be fine here, go and protect the queen. I'll keep an eye on him."

The soldier looked as if he'd object but decided against it and walked out of the room leaving them alone. Lui turned to Shu with a smirk, "I think it's time for you to go home, Snowflake."

A genuine smile slipped on his face, his scarlet eyes finally flooding with the light it held before. Lui took a ring out of his pocket. Shu had seen it thousands of times before. It was his ring, the one father gave him. The one consisted of his weapon. Shu didn't say a word as Lui slipped it into his little finger. "You'll need this"

"Won't you be in trouble after helping me?"

"No one's going to know about that besides you and I," Lui confirmed, leading him out of the room. "Let's find your father"

Lui gave Shu a cloak with a hood that covered his whole face from the rest of the soldiers. Both of them hurried through hallways and no one questioned Shu. There was a rule for healers not to take off their hood and after Lui was poisoned, it was quite normal for him to walk with one. Everyone was rushing against them and Shu spotted several black clothed troop members fighting. Shu knew his dad wouldn't just attack with the whole army. It was for the real war that will ensue later. Right now their priority was saving him. A man suddenly landed in front of him just as they turned to an isolated hallway. Lui pulled out a sword. After the poison incident, Lui barely used his ice. He needed to recover fully before using it. He narrowed his eyes when the stranger plunged at him. Shu took an immediate step back, ready to press the gem on the ring and to help Lui. He stopped when he recognized the style. The fighting style that was unique to someone he knew very well. He pulled down his hood, "Dad"

The man stopped, and pulled out his own cloth covering half of his face. Lui took a step back, there stood the king of Moeru kingdom with his identical crimson eyes. The striking scarlet that carried their royalty. "Shu" He stepped towards him, the battle long forgotten. The hug was effortless. Shu rested face on his father's chest welcoming the familiar scents and the smell he had missed for days. This was the relationship they shared. There was never a moment with lack of intimacy. While King Shirosagi had his hidden love, King Kurenai showed his love to Shu openly. Maybe it was the fear of losing his child, maybe the fact that Shu had never been a strong child must be the reason fueled this open nature. Shu pushed away from him. The next moment, he stood in between him and Lui, "Stay back, Shu." He said, glaring at the younger person in his presence.

Shu didn't accept his command. Instead, the albino stepped in between them, "Dad, he helped me to escape." He stated.

King Kurenai lowered his weapon, still eyeing the teenager suspiciously. But he knew Shu never lied to him and he held onto his word. They were isolated in the hallway until a troop of soldiers surrounded them. Lui cursed, "We need to scatter."

"No," The man said. "I'm not going to leave Shu here."

Shu knew his dad was an emotional person. The last thing he wanted was to be separated from him again. But Lui was speaking sensibly, it's too dangerous for both of them. "He's right. Trust me, Dad. We'll meet by the side gates. I'll reach there somehow."

Kurenai hesitated, sending a doubting glance at Lui. He knelt in front of Shu and tapped Shu's cheek twice like he would do any other day. "I trust you."

Shu nodded, "I'll be there in a few minutes."

Lui grabbed his wrist and led them towards another hallway. This one darkened even though the twilight was surrounding them. Shu stopped on the marbled floor, thinking through a plan. If they proceeded recklessly like this, even if he escaped, Lui would be accused of helping him. Soon, a plan was forming inside his mind. He felt some of the initial energy reaching his mind. Lui is physically weak after the poison and almost everyone in the castle knew that. He turned to Lui who's just staring at them. "What?"

"You got your thinking face on," Lui commented.

Shu tilted his head in confusion but dismissed it at the next second. They had better problems at their hands. "I'm going to take you as a hostage."

"Huh?" Lui raised his brow.

"Everyone knows you're still exhausted from that poison. So, no one will suspect you were weak enough to be my hostage. That way, you won't be accused of saving me. The last thing I want you to be is an enemy in your own kingdom, Lui." Shu said.

Lui shrugged, "You and your schemes. You're a dangerous player, Snowflake."

Shu juts out his bottom lip, "I don't want you in trouble"

Lui looked too exhausted to object. He just nodded. "Okay"

"Give me your dagger," Shu said, flashing a concerned look at Lui. He felt guilty. Lui hadn't even thought about himself while helping him. He hadn't been strong enough to help himself while Lui was taking care of him in that state.

Lui handed his dagger to Shu. "Naturally, the one who's threatening should bring a proper weapon." Shu flashed him a look, Lui smiled, "Just saying"

The footsteps of soldiers closed behind them. Shu took Lui's hand and trapped him in his arms, placing the dagger over his throat just as they arrived. He was careful not to hurt Lui in any way. "Back off" He growled at the soldiers, "Or else the prince will pay"

The soldiers froze, sharing uncertain looks among themselves. They certainly didn't want to let him go but when their prince was in danger, they had to act accordingly. The soldiers slowly backed down but Shu knew the console would be momentary. They would come back for him with a bigger troop, maybe even the king with them. After they left, Shu lowered the dagger. Lui snorted, amused by his display. "That was hot"

Shu flushed, "Shut up"

Despite the joking and the comments, Lui looked frighteningly pale in the evening sunlight. Shu pressed the back of his hand against his cheek, "I'm fine" He groaned, leading them towards the east gate where his father would be waiting. Shu followed him, threatening anyone who crossed their path, which was a few. Many were occupied with the Moeru soldiers attacking them throughout the castle. They reached the bridge that connected the gate and the castle and Shu knew it was time for goodbye.

---

It would be a lie if Lui said he was thoroughly happy about Shu leaving. Despite the happiness of his freedom, Lui could feel the pressing sadness. "Next time we meet, it's going to be a Warfield" Shu spoke, handing him the dagger.

The word echoed inside his mind. Everything is going to be chaotic in the next few years. The king with another small troop was waiting by the gate for Shu. Mitsuba's words were echoing inside his head again. But seeing him like this. Standing in front of him with twilight showering his stature. His scarlet eyes searched his face with concern. Shu looked beautiful. Unearthly pretty. Lui broke his gaze and slashed his own hand. They needed evidence that he was a hostage of Shu. He watched Shu wince. "I'm the one who's hurt." Lui said with an raised eyebrow looking at Shu's expression.

"Take care" Shu said, staring at the wound in his arm.

Lui knew he was staring at Shu. The wound on his arm was numb, he barely felt the pain seeping through his nerves. In a matter of minutes, Shu would be gone for months and he would be in Hyoketsu helping his father to organize the war, the crush of Moeru, to crush his country. He drank on Shu's image in front of him. His skin glowing in gold in the twilight. His crimson eyes reflected the sun setting from the west. It was a sight he had seen thousands of times, yet, here he was, looking at him as if he saw Shu for the first time. He could see Shu growing restless, they were running out of time. He was waiting for some kind of a reply, a word. Lui's brain was foggy, it's almost as if he's trying to find his way through a mist. Mitsuba's voice echoed inside his head again and again.

He'll shatter like glass.

You're the one who's going to be hurt.

"Lui" He spoke, "I have to go now. See you" His voice echoed despite the words of Mitsuba repeating inside his head.

"Shu" He finally spoke. His heart set, his eyes only seeing the slender, graceful person in front of him. "Take care"

Shu nodded with a small smile, about to turn when Lui uttered the words.

"I love you"

Lui watched as he turned back, his crimson eyes wide. Something about the three words made his heart light. Upon speaking the words Lui realized the heaviness in them. It's all his feelings, emotions summed up into simple three words. Three words that could be interpreted in thousands of ways. That can mean differently to each and everyone in the world. Shu's father's voice cut through the silence ushering Shu to them. The albino broke the gaze and started walking away from him without a word. It was only when he had almost crossed the bridge he looked back and said something. The wind carried away the words and Lui couldn't hear. But he could see his lips parting in a familiar rhythm.

I love you too

Shu gave him one last smile. The corners of his eyes crinkled and eye twinkled with pleasure and happiness. He walked to his father and in the next moment was gone. The soldiers arrived and Lui could hear his father's voice but he did not quite comprehend the words. He fell into his knees finally giving up to the exhaustion inside his mind. Mitsuba's words were a far cry because Lui knew the truth. If it was for Shu, he would sacrifice himself. He didn't care even if he'd be shredded to pieces by the splintering glass that Shu's heart carried. He'd always come back to him, looking for a way to put him together again. That's what love means, doesn't it? Healing. Caring. Accepting. That's what love was. Two people coping together. Two souls forming one bond. Two hearts carrying each other's wounds.

There might be perfect things in the world. Maybe we just don't like to accept it. We turn to the flaws that aren't there and criticize. In his mind, Lui realized that Shu was perfect. He closed his eyes, letting the darkness settle in. It could be months or maybe a year before they will meet again. It might even turn out to be a fruitless confession. But, Lui was happy he did. He loved Shu and he said that he does. That's all that mattered to him right now. Maybe, perfection only exists in love. We accept the flaws and realize we carry each other through our darkest times. They will meet again, Lui was sure of it. 

They finally said I LOVE YOU 💘

Who's celebrating?? Welp I am. Took em long enough istg lmao. Anyways so far this book has been a greater success than any other  books of mine and I realize people are still reading my Enemies or Lovers. Thank you so much for the love guys. I really mean it.

Aside that let me take this moment to pour all my heart into three little words. I love you. I really love you guys like all your comments, votes puts a smile on my face. I'm far from being a professional but this motivation is smthing I will never forget. And all my secret readers thank you for reading this all along I would never forget you guys either you.

Feel free to comment your thoughts about the chapter. I enjoy writing this book but the updates are slow because of my exams 🙃.  Yeah that's about it. See you guys in the next chapter. Adios. Love you guys ❤❤❤❤❤