An alliance of love ~ Chapter 12

I stood next to Hakuren as I watched the soldiers enter the grounds before the palace. Kouen stood in front of them, sitting on his horse like a true commander. It looked like they were going out to war, not a dungeon. Tension was in the air. I could see that  even Kouen who seemed calm to most people, was nervous. Beating a dungeon was really something after all.

Kouen got of his horse and walked towards me. Well, it was more like he walked to the people surrounding me. The emperor, his wife, with the oracle close to her, and the two oldest princes were with me as well. A little further away stood Koumei and the man who appeared to be their father. When I looked at him, I couldn’t see the resemblance with the emperor. As Hakutoku’s brother I expected someone with the same charism. I couldn’t even see the man back in his own sons. Everyone around him was so pretty, so why was that one man left out.

Kouen bowed down to the ground before the emperor. His head was hanging low, his red hair shined in the early sunlight.

“My lord. I will bring the Djinn back in order to give our empire glory.” He said, while bowing.

Hakutoku smiled at the boy, surely he had great expectations of him.

“Stand Kouen and lead these troops to this promised victory.” He said and Kouen stood and nodded.

“I will return with all of them by my side.” He meant it. I could see it in his eyes. He didn’t want anyone to die on this trip.

He then turned to the princes, joined his hands together in formal greeting and bowed a little. Again he spoke of his soon to be victory, while the princes just smiled at him.

It was then that he looked at me. A small piece of tension disappeared from his face as he looked at me. Calmly he took my hand and kissed it, just like he had done a week ago.

“My lady [name]. I am glad you came here to see me of.” He spoke with his deep, but soothing voice.

“Of course. I want to make sure you are to go in safety. After all, this journey of yours is a difficult one. Who knows when you return.” I tilted my head and smiled at him. 

He nodded. After a quick look to his father and brother, he walked back to his horse. With his sword high in the air, he spoke a few words of encouragement to his men before riding out of the gates, to wherever it was his dungeon was waiting for him.

When there was no trace of Kouen left, the empress laughed softly and took the oracle in her arms.

“I sure want to know what kind of dungeon you have summoned, Judal.” She said as she hugged the little boy.

I decided to ignore her, her presence still didn’t make me feel that well and I couldn’t stand the oracle, so I decided to join up with Hakuren and his brother. Both of them had been talking with the emperor but I looked like they had finished their business and were heading back to the royal quarters again.

“How long do you think it’ll take this time?” Hakuren asked Hakuyuu as I came closer. Hakuyuu shook his head.

“Does it take that long?” I asked. I saw I had startled Hakuren a little with my sudden appearance and I couldn’t help myself to laugh a little.

“It is unknown [name].” Prince Hakuyuu answered me. “The last time he was gone for only four days. But that dungeon was also no more than one day travelling. This new one is further away. It seems the oracle couldn’t let it appear closer.”

“And…” Hakuren added, “I heard it depends on the dungeon how long you’re gone. I heard the boy named Sinbad spent almost six months inside one.”

The conversation died out after that. No one said a word. It was obvious the brothers were concerned about their cousin’s adventure. I had no idea what a dungeon was like and neither Hakuren nor Hakuyuu had ever entered one as well. But Kouen had and the brothers knew his tales. They had some knowledge about the dangers inside. And clearly it was still dangerous with the power of a dungeon already conquered.

In the end we all split up again. I headed back to my room to study for a while. The princes had their own things to attend to as well. Lately they had been more busy than a few weeks ago. War councils after war council was held. Sometimes I wanted to attend as well, but I never could. No matter how much knowledge I had according to Hakuyuu, it wouldn’t be smart for me to interfere. No one would take me serious and only the name of my country and my fiancé would get soiled. And so I always stayed silent, in the shadow of those who could give their opinion. I could see my own future in front of me. All this training I did, never would I be able to put it to use. I would stay in Hakuren’s shadow. A small voice talking to him in order to reach his brother, the emperor. That would be my destiny, but I didn’t care. As long as I would be able to support the people I love, I would accept it all. Destiny wouldn’t keep me down. Not now.

…

Not a word was spoken of Kouen the next days. Instead, time passed as if Kouen wasn’t gone or like he didn’t exist at all. But at the same time everyone’s thoughts weren’t in this world. During sword practice, my sword easily hit Hakuren, something that had never happened before. But in return I got myself hit a few minutes later as my own thoughts had wandered off.

The strangest thing those weeks wasn’t how everyone was so tense. Well perhaps it was also that. But it wasn’t all because of Kouen. I hadn’t seen prince Hakuyuu in ages. Ever since Kouen had left, he hadn’t had the time to accompany me. He spent all his time with the emperor and the empress. It didn’t feel right. But when I decided to ask Hakuren about his brother’s whereabouts he just shrugged his shoulders.

“Yuu just has a lot on his head right now. He’ll be back soon though.” His answer was short, but it was clear. Even if Hakuren did know things about his brother, he wouldn’t tell them to me. I didn’t know anything about Hakuyuu’s life. I always thought I did, but now it was only clear. I was so clueless.

…

That things were really different now, I started to noticed a week later. The palace seemed… busier. More people walked around the hallways and gardens. All of them were women. They all looked so extremely fancy. Their hair was tied back in knots, beautiful golden hairpins keeping it all together. The most expensive kimono’s blinded me. All of it, it made me feel like I didn’t belong in the palace at all. Though I had been living here for such a long time now, I still didn’t dress like the highest royalty you could think of. I didn’t do that back home and the emperor or Hakuren never forced me to do so either. So I would wear the kimono’s my maids brought me, but my hair would still be left the same. I didn’t use make up to have my eyes look dark. I just stayed the simple me. The same me that had been brought here months ago.

As I softly trotted across the garden, I felt glares all over me. Not just glares, the whispers weren’t soft enough to not be heard.

“Is that?”

“The girl who has taken the heart of prince Hakuren? I believe so.”

“To think such a great man would fall for a girl like that. Just look at her.”

“She looks like she just came from the countryside and quickly put on some fancy clothes.”

“People like that shouldn’t be around here. They only hurt this country.”

“I agree…”

I tried to ignore them, but those eyes were everywhere. Not a single person could stay silent. I sighed as I kept on walking. Near the pond I saw a group of women crouched down next to a small child. As I got closer I saw the kid had been Hakuryuu who was being overloaded with hugs and sweet compliments. Apparently the little boy didn’t like it that much. He was almost crying, the tears were already forming in the corner of his eyes.

“Hakuryuu!” I exclaimed and walked over to the boy. As soon as he recognized me, the young prince ran to my side and hid behind my legs. Of course this only got me to gain even more attention from the other women.

“Sis…” Hakuryuu said between the soft sobs he let out.

I crouched down next to him and hugged him tightly. Luckily my hugs were no problem to him. We had been together for so long now, he didn’t dislike being hold by me. I picked him up in my arms and stood up again. Hakuryuu started to sob softly in my arms.

“What do you think you’re doing?” One of the girls, who was around Hakuryuu before, asked me as she walked up to me. “We were having fun with the young prince.”

I shook my head. “He didn’t like it. You should’ve noticed that.”

“You’re doing the exact same thing with him though. I don’t see him disliking it now.”

“That is because I have been with him for quite some time now. He isn’t afraid of me. Which I can’t say of you.” I turned around so I could leave this horrible place filled with horrible people, but I just wasn’t allowed.

“Just go back to your prince~” She yelled at me and the other ones laughed. “You could only be good for a second prince. Prince Hakuren must’ve been blind when he chose you as his fiancée. And here I thought all princes were good and decent men. ”

And with that something inside me snapped. I put Hakuryuu back on the ground and with overflown with anger I walked up to the other girl.

It all happened quickly. Before I knew it she lay down on the ground. I hadn’t done anything serious to her, I knew I could never harm someone who looked so important. It could damage the empire so much. So no matter how much I wanted to throw her into the ground, hit her until I couldn’t feel my fists anymore, I didn’t do it. I just slapped her. Hard enough to let her fall. There weren’t stones underneath her, only grass. The fall wasn’t that painful. When she looked at me I could see her eyes were filled with fear for me. The other’s around us had stopped their chattering for a moment. It was totally silent.

“You can say whatever you want about me. I won’t care, but don’t you ever say a word about Hakuren or anyone else of the imperial family. If I ever hear you say his name like that again, I will come back and that time it won’t be just a single hit. Someone like you should stay silent and just admire them from a distance. You could never stand on the same level as them. So don’t say Hakuren made a mistake when you know nothing about our marriage at all.”

I turned around again, leaving the girl and everyone else behind in shock. With Hakuryuu back in my arms, I decided to return to my room for the rest of the day. Perhaps I would help Hakuryuu with some of his studies.

I had no idea why all these girls had been there, but as I was still too angry to think about it. The way they had said Hakuren was stupid to marry me… didn’t they know anything about our relation at all? Our marriage wasn’t one of love. It was built on politics. He was the prince, I the princess. Together we would support Hakuyuu as his shadow. Hakuren was nice, I really liked him, maybe even loved him as much as I loved Hakuyuu, but how could he hold those same feelings? The only thing there was between us was an alliance. But I cherished it. Enough that I would sacrifice anything for it. So if anyone would dare insult him, they would get my anger over them. No matter how important their families were. I would protect them, forever…

…

How many evenings had it been that I had locked myself in my room now? How many times had I eaten my dinner alone, only accompanied by my many scrolls. With Kouen’s collection now open to me, I had so much to read. And the princes had been busy all the time as well, never able to eat together. It had become so normal to me.

Tonight again, I had forgotten time. It was already dark outside and only the light of a single candle shined on my scroll. I would’ve never noticed it if there wasn’t a soft knock on my door. I looked up from my desk, now noticing the darkness around me. I wondered who would still want to speak with me around this time. With a feeling of suspiciousness, I walked to the door only to find no one behind it. The hallway was abandoned, there was no trace of the person that had knocked a few seconds before. On the ground however lay a small piece of paper. As I picked it up, I saw my name written on top of it.

Back in the light of my candle I folded the paper open and a beautiful handwriting greeted me.

I want to see you. Come to the peach tree next to the training grounds…

There was no name underneath it. Just those two sentences. Judging the nice handwriting I guessed the one who had written it was Hakuren. We hadn’t seen each other that much these days so perhaps he wanted some time with me now, the only time we were both having time off. I sighed softly and left my room so I could go and meet Hakuren.

…

The night sky was beautiful today. No clouds to be seen, stars were everywhere. The light of a full moon illuminated my path through the gardens. The peach tree was easy to find. The big tree stood next to the place where I always trained so I knew where I had to go.

I could see the silhouette of a man by the tree. He was tall and well build. So it was Hakuren? As I got closer and the moonlight showed me his face I could see I had been wrong.

“Prince Hakuyuu?” I asked as I walked to him. He had his hair down, it was the first time I’d seen him like this. I never knew his head was long enough to fall over his shoulder. It looked good though. It made me wonder why he never wore it like that.

“[Name]” He waved at me, showing me to stand next to him against the tree. “I hope I didn’t bother you at this time.”

“It’s no problem. But why did you want to speak with me like this?”

He stayed silent. It worried me how he just stared at the ground like that. He looked so sad. What was going on? But I didn’t want to interrupt him. Perhaps he needed to think about something.

“I’m sorry…” He said eventually.

I tilted my head. “What are you-“ I wanted to ask him why he was sorry, but my question could never leave my lips. My lips were sealed by Hakuyuu’s. I was surprised finding myself being kissed by him. I didn’t understand, what was he doing? But I couldn’t care about it right now. His kiss felt so nice. It was what I had always dreamed of. I closed my eyes, leaving my body to Hakuyuu. This was no time to think about this. I had to enjoy this  one moment.

When his lips parted from mine, Hakuyuu embraced me. His head rested on my shoulder. The thoughts returned to me as I felt his warm body against mine. Had all of this been real? This kiss… my first kiss. To think I’d share it with the man I had loved all this time.

“I’m sorry,” Hakuyuu repeated again, “I got engaged.”

And with those three words my world ended.