Hierachy 2
1696 Words
Chapter 26
The Eagle Peak mountain trail was famous in the whole kingdom of Kumoshima. Almost all horse riders and lone traders use this trail to travel between Spring Blossom and Rose Valley.
Aside from that. It gave a magnificent view of Silver Rain, Spring Blossom, and Rose Valley.
A very suitable place to observe. Be it for guarding or spying.
Kazuyuki scanned the ground while the horse he borrowed rested on a nearby tree.
Though the ground was already dried and the tracks and footprints faded already, there were still traces left behind.
He can’t bid too much time. He must reach Spring Blossom as early as possible.
It was already nighttime when he reached the town. Another lively place but unlike Silver Rain, most people who visit here were part of the upper class. People who were particularly into beauty frequented this place. However, he noticed that some of the rouge shops closed down. Affected by what happened to Rose Valley, where some of the huge flower valleys were burnt to ashes by the bandits.
His attention was captured by a seller carrying some fireworks. The scent of the unlit fireworks were unusually sweet as flowers. As he was thinking if he would ask the seller to stop, someone's voice rang in the street.
“Halt!”
Kazuyuki pulled the reins as he stared at the soldier. The person had the three stars surrounding a moonflower insignia of Miyazuya Family’s main branch, the Taira Clan. He frowned.
“I’m here for official business.”
“But trash isn’t allowed here.”
Kazuyuki looked in the direction of the voice. “Masatomo.”
“Look at you. The Second Prince is here and you dare come like that. My guard even looks more like a noble than you.”
He didn’t retort and just looked at his cousin.
However, it angered his Masatomo more. “How dare you disrespect me?! You dare look down on me?!”
Kazuyuki, “...I have no time for your nonsense.” He was about to pass them but out of the blue, the guard blocked.
“Halt, will you commit treason to the Taira family?”
“Will you commit treason to the kingdom for your childish play? I need to report the situation right now!” his voice boomed, catching the attention of the nearby civilians.
“Kazuyuki!” Masatomo drew his sword but before he could even move, they heard a loud crash. The moment he turned his head, a cold sharp blade was already pointed at his throat.
“Drop your sword,” Chunan’s voice was thick with killing intent.
Upon hearing his voice, Masamato laughed, “Oh, dog prince. You’re already begging for help here and you dare go against me for this peasant cousin? I could kill you right there!”
Instead of answering him, Chunan opened the scroll that was in his left hand all along.
“You already heard this decree before. Do I need to repeat this for you?”
Masatomo gritted his teeth. He knew that once Chunan repeated it, the next would be punishment. He snorted. “Fine, Your Highness. I don’t understand why that second Prince was willing to protect you. Well,” he smirked, let’s see.” He turned to Kazuyuki, “Yeah, why do I need to stop you, anyway? You will love to see our new Princess.” he cackled as he walked away, chanting “My Princess, My Princess…”, his guards following him.
Chunan turned to him, “Young Master.”
“Prince Zhuangjin, you don’t need to call me that anymore,” he smiled and got off from his horse and bowed to him. “Seems like you and your brother successfully convinced the Prince?”
Chunan ignored his question, “Young Master, I have something to say, come with me to the inn first.”
They walked into one of the prestigious inns in Spring Blossom. Kazuyuki knew right away that it wasn’t the inn Chunan and his brother were staying at.
Chunan bought three conjoined rooms. As they reached there, he quickly surveyed the surroundings. When he was sure that no one was spying, he locked all the doors and windows.
To Kazuyuki’s surprise, the other kneeled three feet away from him. “Young Master, forgive us. We made a grave mistake. We were not able to stop the Lady. I don’t know what we can do to compensate for it. Please tell us what to do,”
Kazuyuki let out an exasperated sigh and pulled the other to stand. “You’re a damned Prince for heaven’s sake. Don’t degrade yourself.”
The room was decorated in Great Lang’s famous architecture and furniture. However, they have no time to appreciate everything. Kazuyuki went straight to the nearest tea table. He gestured to Chunan to sit on the other chair. “So, tell me why you are saying this?”
Chunan explained what happened in the Palace and how Aijin had sacrificed her freedom for their sake.
As he listened, Kazuyuki would lie if he said he did not feel any pain. It was like years of careful yearning shattered in front of him.
However, he comforted Kazuyuki. “It’s not anyone’s fault. Aijin won’t say something like that if she did not make up her mind beforehand. Even if her hearing the discussion with the Second Prince was a coincidence, her decision for marrying the Prince wasn’t made out of the blue.”
“You lost her,” Chunan said, matter-of-fact.
“She was never betrothed to me. Aijin was free to choose the path she wanted to take.”
Kazuyuki pulled out a letter from his belongings, “Take this and study that plan.”
Clear that the other person wanted to change the topic, Chunan took the letter. He scanned the contents. “This?!” His eyes widen, clearly not expecting what’s inside.
“It was a theory. If the enemy acted this way, please act this plan out,” Chunan nodded. “Is my father here?”
Chunan shook his head,” He stayed in the capital.”
Kazuyuki understood right away. “They will start an all-out war,” he looked at Chunan, “I could only trust you with that plan. I have to meet...The Princess.”
Before they left the room, Kazuyuki turned to Chunan, “Be careful and please protect Aijin.”
“I vow with my life.”
___________________
“Aijin,” Kazuyuki called out before he could stop himself. “Your Highness.” He bowed, “It is an honor to see you again.”
Aijin looked at the person she loved all those years. Despite their situation, she still felt happy seeing him. “Young Master Kazuyuki, this careful greeting is not needed between us.”
“Your Highness, we have been friends all these years. Even so, I dare not do it. I still want my head.”
Aijin gave him a bitter smile. She knows Kazuyuki said it as a joke, but it rings half-truth. She gestured for him to stand up, “Rise and walk with me.”
Kazuyuki followed her.
They walked around the barracks. Kazuyuki walked a few steps behind Aijin. She did not point anymore. It was a safe distance, whether she was the new Princess or their former relationship with each other.
“The Second Prince has been kind enough to let us meet tonight. Thank you for coming here.”
“Yes, it is thanks to the Prince’s benevolence... Also, the Princess is kind. I came here to thank the Princess for assistance,” he paused, “You think this through, am I right?”
“Yes. You have nothing to worry about,” They looked at the soldiers honing their sword, spear, and archery skills from afar. “What the Second Prince and I did was only a guarantee that our country will gain something from this. Sooner or later, even without the agreement, we will still end up fighting with Great Lang. Our assistance was not out of benevolence,” Aijin’s voice sounds solemn.
Kazuyuki understood what she meant right away. Politics has always been very dirty. Kindness was viewed as a weakness. Once the enemy spotted it, it could be exploited.
Aijin wanted to protect the Second Prince. Kazuyuki smiled. “Aijin, I’ve wronged you.” Aijin looked at him. “I planned not to give you up even when I learned about your identity but,” he paused, “I fell in love with someone. Am I not the biggest scumbag here? So, don’t worry about me. I don’t deserve it.”
No one spoke for a while until Aijin’s chuckle resonated in the night. “Yes, scumbag.” She chuckled but there were small tears in the corner of her eyes. “Here I was so worried about hurting you!”
Kazuyuki stared at her face, “Do you hate me?”
“No, how would I? I am even relieved.” It was the truth.
Before special feelings between them developed, they were friends. Their bond was strong.
“Aijin—”
Aijin interrupted him. “Yes,” her voice filled with certainty, “Though I could not name the feeling but yes.” She did not want other people to hear.
“You really did not want to be anyone’s weakness, did you?”
Aijin smiled, “Never. If I stay beside someone, I will do my best to be their strength.”
“Do your best.”
“What about you, though? Do I know this girl?”
“Do you know any girl that I am close to?”
“So I don’t know her. Wait, unless?” Aijin’s eyes widened.
Kazuyuki grinned, “A man, yes. But you have not met him yet. You might know his father, though.”
“Introduce him when the time comes.”
Kazuyuki was about to answer when something flashed in his peripheral vision.
In a flash, he cut multiple arrows aimed at their way, further up ahead, someone rang the bell of the barracks.
- Writer
