A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own magi and its characters.

Hakuryuu and Kougyoku are two characters that despite being in the same family and had travelled together in the past, barely even interact on canon. It is frustrating to think of their lack of interaction, especially considering that as far as Kougyoku knows Hakuryuu is the one who ordered her brother's death. That's why I decided to write a story with the focus on those two and their interaction.

The timeline on that story is between chapter 280 and 281.

The reflection on the glass of the window looked desolated. The figure inside the imperial room was looking equally sad. Two maids were dressing the eighth princess of Kou Empire and one was styling her hair. This day was supposed to be a very important one. For it was the day that the princess would swear her loyalty to the emperor.

Once upon a time, Kougyoku wished nothing more that this day to finally come. A day where she, as an accomplished general, would lay her sword to the emperor's feet declaring her loyalty. Then, the whole empire would know of the princess's bravery and more important the emperor himself would recognize her worth. But that was a dream of another time when the future emperor was supposed to be another person. It hurt too much to even think about that.

Instead she focused her mind on her upcoming meeting with the current emperor, her cousin. The person she detested the most in the world.

Not always Kougyoku hated her cousin. There was a time when she liked him. She didn't know him enough to love him but she surely wanted to get to know him better. He was close to her age and he had a melancholic smile, that reminded her of herself. She had spent hours in the past looking at him and his sister having fun, envying their close bond and on the same time wishing to join them. Now, she wished they could just disappear, them and all the problems they had caused.

A distant voice put her back to reality. The maids had done their job to properly dress her and it was the time for her to go. After all, she didn't want to make the emperor wait, did she?

She quietly raised herself and started walking towards the door. Once she was in front of it, she hesitated for a moment.

Ever since the ending of the war -the week before- she hadn't stepped out of her room. Not even once. There wasn't anything or anyone out there for her anymore. People were probably celebrating the end of war and the coronation of the new emperor. And that was something she couldn't bear to witness. Not after everything that happened to her beloved siblings. Not after the chaos the emperor had caused.

Even though she was feeling conflicted about what she may face outside she gave a determined push to the door to open it wide. She was the princess of this country and the last person there who remained loyal to the real family. She wouldn't let her fear to control her life. She was better than that and she was going to prove it.

As she stepped outside, rays of light found their way to her face. Her eyes needed a moment to get used to the sunshine.

I'm the only one left grieving, she said to herself bitterly, even the weather is celebrating!

She looked around at the corridor in front of her. How many times she had crossed this place running with excitement? It was almost as if all the happy memories she had of the palace had happened in a different life. In a life when she was still happy. In a life where everyone she loved was still with her.

Now, everyone who once made her love this place had abandoned her. Judal died during the war. Koumei and Kouha were sent to exile. Kouen was executed. Even her poor Ka Koubun who was supposed to be always by her side was forced to part with her. This place seemed cold and meaningless without them. Just like her life. And Hakuryuu was to blame for that.

She took small hesitant steps to the corridor as she felt that various curious gaze upon her. Every servant that happened to be at the corridor had stopped their jobs and instead looked at the princess. As she was walking among them, they turned to each other and whispered, gossiping about her. She tried her best not to pay attention to them but her efforts were in vain. Their insensitive words were haunting her.

"She's one of those traitors!"

"The emperor is really generous to let her stay here".

Kougyoku bit her lip in order not to scream.

Solomon, how foolish they can be to call him generous? She bitterly thought as she touched her left arm joint, in an attempt to give herself courage to carry on.

Don't listen to their foolish gossip. It means nothing. Nothing at all, she tried to reassure herself and yet their words still found their way to her head.

"I thought she was dead since she stayed so many days in bed".

"She didn't even present herself to her brother's execution".

The last sentence hurt more that all the other harmful words combined. Kougyoku was sorry for many things she had done in her miserable life but her biggest regret was not being able to attend her brother's execution.

My poor, poor, dear brother! Her thoughts were flooding with pain and her heart was aching with love for a brother who ceased to exist.

How awful it must be leaving this unjust world with only cold eyes looking at you? With Koumei and Kouha gone, I was the only loyal one left.

I shouldn't have left you alone. I shouldn't be stuck in bed when you needed me. I should be there for you. Listened your last words and look you in the eyes as life was draining from you. Instead only our cruel cousins were there to see your demise.

Silent tears appeared on her eyes. With one quick move she removed them before anyone became aware of her embarrassing weakness.

No more tears, she made a promise to herself she knew she couldn't keep. Let those who wronged me to cry for once.

At the end of the corridor in front of the throne's room stood princess Hakuei.

Oh great! The last person I wished to see!

Kougyoku noticed that her cousin was talking to an ambassador, who judging by his exotic appearance must be from one of the countries allied to Sindria.

The man, noticing Kougyoku, bowed to her and then casted a charming smile towards her.

"Princess Kougyoku, it's a pleasure to meet you here".

Kougyoku tried hard not to roll her eyes.

Does everyone in the Seven Seas Alliance have cheesy smiles? Is that their trading mark?

Although if she was honest with herself she should admit that she wasn't really irritated with that man. It was another man from this alliance who had all her fury.

"Likewise" she replied to him and she returned the bow. She slyly casted her eyes towards her cousin but Hakuei wasn't looking at her. She was starring the floor in front of her having an ashamed look on her face.

Did you have the same ashamed look at my brother's execution? Kougyoku asked her cousin a silent question. Were you afraid to even look in the eye the man you send to death with your betrayal, as you are afraid to look at me now?

I'm the one who is known to have been possessed by Sinbad and yet you're the one who is acting like his puppet.

Enjoy as he's using you, like I'll enjoy once he slowly burn you down.

"Now if you excuse me, the emperor is waiting for me" she told to both of them but only the ambassador acknowledged the fact that she spoken.

As always, you remain a coward cousin! That was the last bitter thought she wasted to the broken woman in front of her before she stepped into the throne's room.

The room where the imperial throne was located was huge so it took Kougyoku a few minutes to find where the emperor was. She thought that he would be sitting on the throne, having a greedy smile on his face. After all, too much blood was spilled in order for him to have that seat.

Instead, Hakuryuu was in front of a long table full of maps and other papers, quietly discussing with his loyal generals.

So much time had passed since the last time she saw him. They had met on that room the last time as well as during her father's funeral. Back then he was still a child, though; an angry child who threw a tantrum during the ceremony and declared loyalty to the empress Gyokuen. The empress he later killed. Kougyoku would never understand the motive behind that action of his. But then again she would never understand many of his actions.

She looked at him more carefully. He was no longer the child he was the last time she had met him. The angry child had transformed to a tired man. Black cycles were visible under his eyes and his skin looked even paler.

Once I wanted to befriend the boy he used to be she recalled, but now he's a man. And men are capable of evil.

She kept looking at him more intensely. He must sense it, because he raised his head towards her and returned the look. He told something to his generals and they silently started to depart.

Kougyoku understood that it was time for her to approach him. So, she forced her traitor legs that wanted to run away to move forward towards him.

"My emperor" she said and the words were venom in her mouth. Yet, she hided it well under a fake expression of respect.

"My secretaries must have already informed you why you were called here today" he said in a tired tone and Kougyoku nodded positively. "Then approach and swear your loyalty to me".

She continued walking towards him as her mind kept reminding her how unfair it was that he was alive when her brother was no longer part of that world.

This is so wrong. The war was supposed to be the opportunity to prove to my brother that I'm worthy enough to be part of the family. After the war my brothers would not only acknowledge me but also love me as much as they loved each other. But now this will remain an ever dream. I'll never feel brotherly affection and Hakuryuu is to blame.

Each step that she took was a different thought of how she could possibly kill him. Each one was a more painful and humiliating way than the previous one.

Finally she was in front of him. She bowed so low that her head almost touched the ground.

"It's time to say your vows" Hakuryuu's voice calmly reminded her as he placed his sword on her head.

"I swear I'll always be loyal to you my Emperor".

I swear I'll never forget all the wrongs you did to my brothers.

"I swear I'll do anything I can in order to protect you"

I swear that I'll do anything in order to avenge them.

"I swear that I'll even lay down my life if that's needed"

I swear that my soul won't rest until I'll kill you.

"I swear that to everything I hold holly"

I swear that to my brother's soul!

She slowly raised her head and kissed the sword extended in front of her to seal the vow.

On the last day before the fateful battle Kouha had told her that the drive behind Hakuryuu's action was avenging his brothers' death. Soon, he would find out that he wasn't the only one who loved his brothers and who would go to great extend for their memory.

A/N: Please note that all the opinions expressed by Kougyoku here are her views on the events, not mine. As a magi fan I do have my own personal opinions but when I'm writing a character I try to think how they would view a situation. Hopefully, in the next chapter I'll be able to share a bit of Hakuryuu's point of view,too.

Please review and let me know what you think of my story :)