"So, I heard you're going to be leaving us to fight for Kou."

Kouen jumps, dropping his pauldron in surprise, and whips around to see the crown prince leaning over the banister and half into the courtyard. "Pr-prince Hakuyuu! Don't you have-"

"Other matters to attend to?" Hakuyuu gives Kouen an easy smile. "Possibly. But I'd rather see you off."

Kouen stoops to pick up his pauldron, dusting the loose courtyard dirt off it. "There's going to be an official ceremony to see our party off. I wasn't goint to do something foolish like running off ahead, so you could have just seen me there..." Hakuyuu's attention always makes Kouen nervous and flattered. It doesn't matter how many times Kouen has saved Hakuyuu on the battlefield, or how many times Hakuyuu assures Kouen that they are all equal as citizens of Kou; Hakuyuu is the crown prince, due to take the throne and rule over Kou with a fist both just and powerful.

Compared to such a noble destiny, Kouen is nothing.

"Maybe so," Hakuyuu grips the banister tighter and jumps over it, down into the courtyard and next to Kouen. "But then I wouldn't have been able to speak to you properly." There's a smile on his lips, but a million worlds of worry float in Hakuyuu's eyes. Kouen wants to ask him what's wrong, to understand what troubles him, but his words get stuck, strangled in his throat. Kouen just nods instead, and that makes Hakuyuu's smile widen. "I wanted to thank you again, for your noble commitment to Kou."

Is that all he's worried about? Kouen gapes a little. "It's simply natural. I want... to protect Kou, and serve by your side, Prince Hakuyuu." He clasps his fist in his hand and takes a knee. "I wish to be worthy of being your general and second advisor. If the might of a djinn's metal vessel would be of use to us, than it is my sworn and solemn duty to retrieve it for you, my lord."

"Get up, Kouen." Hakuyuu's words are almost as warm as his hands as he pulls Kouen back to his feet. "You don't need to be so formal with me. Especially when I'm the one who has come to thank and honor you." Kouen can't meet Hakuyuu's eyes, so instead he lets himself be transfixed with his smile. "Like you said, conquering a dungeon will make Kou even more powerful, and I cannot thank you enough. But maybe..." And this time it's Hakuyuu crouching down on one knee. "This will help."

Hakuyuu reaches to his side and pulls his sword from its scabbard, carefully turning it over in his hands so he can offer it up to Kouen. Kouen stares.

"What."

"Please," Hakuyuu insists, pressing the sword towards Kouen again. "Dungeons are dangerous places. Many who go in never return." He looks up into Kouen's eyes. "I wanted... to give you a present. To keep you safe."

Kouen swallows thickly, reaching down with shaky hands to take the sword. "And so. You wanted me to have your sword. The one you carried for our entire campaign against Gou and Gai."

"That's right." Hakuyuu picks himself up out of the dirt and tuts at the dirt on his robes. "I figured it could help keep you safe." He puts a hand on Kouen's shoulder. "It's yours now. Keep it."

Kouen has no words. They're all stopped up, clogged in the back of his throat. He takes the blade and slowly replaces his old sword with it. "Thanks."

"You've earned it." Hakuyuu ruffles his hair. "Do be careful though; dungeons are dangerous, and you... well you never know what else could be out there."

A calling across the way ends their meeting: Hakuyuu is being summoned. As he jogs across the courtyard and back to responsibility, Kouen can't help but wonder if Hakuyuu is hiding something from him.