CHAPTER 3: The sunshine bringing light
Silver Light Castle
Hecate, Lunastia
Silver light, to be more precise it was flames, danced around the room in absolute beauty. Each flickers and spark controlled into the most detailed precision, slowly it dispersed towards all cardinal directions of the octagon-shaped room. High walls made from refined marbles of flawless white reflected the silvery glow of the flames.
Forming a cross, the flames halted in place as if a predator silently waiting for the kill. The melting temperature inside the room was undoubtedly maiming and the air around it coils with heat. Akahi closed his eyes of red, his hands about to unsheathe the white sword hanging loosely on his waist.
A step forward, the golden wind chimes started swaying releasing the sound of summer that reverberated inside the room. With another step, the kindred drew his sword. A long white katana, beautifully made with its sleek and sharp blade. Silver hair softly flow along with the movement of the kindred as he slashed the air with absolute grace.
The beating of drums started which was soon accompanied with the shamisen and the flute. Akahi engraved the melody in his memory, and with accurate timing, he moved accordingly. The silver flames started rotating forming a circle and started surrounding the kindred in a graceful display as the drums escalated towards the peak of the music.
Bang, bang, bang. The rotating flames died down leaving specks of what appears to be silvery dust and Akahi with a quick slick move returned the sword into its scabbard and opened his eyes. Eyes of fiery red glowed softly as the lights died down. Akahi purred as sweat ran down his face, he cast one last glance to his master before he collapsed on the table holding him.
"Good Job" Natsume whispered, scooping his kindred gently. The priestess princess who was watching the ceremony as an overseer intently stared at the fire caster without his knowledge. A smile appeared on her face as she witness the miniscule and almost-close-to non-existence smile the prince made as he took the exhausted kindred from the table.
The knights, at the furthest corner behind the room, stepped away from the barrier made to protect them. Their slow and confident footsteps produced a sound of metal hitting the cold marble floor. The prince turned around after he gently settled his kindred into the soft bed made of white cotton and fragrant linen.
"His fever should be gone when he woke up. Don't worry" The brunette offered a smile to the scowling prince, her tone light and confident. "But, to think that after an hour Akahi would immediately evolve, Aoi was saying the truth when she said you're an alice genius, huh"
"Noisy" the prince replied as he settled himself near the basket where Akahi was purring softly in sleep. The princess gritted her teeth at the rudeness and ran to Tono's arms for comfort. The knights chuckled at the princess.
"Why do I have to marry a jerk?" The priestess cast a furious glare at her fiancé who returned it with an equivalent annoyed expression.
"Quit whining, polka. I'm marrying an idiot."
"Says what? You narcisstic jerk!" Mikan huffed her cheeks in anger, her face painted with the natural blush of fury.
"Ugly" Natsume shrugged, his face still monotonous. He stared at the knight with a long straight jet black hair who replied with a chuckle. "Flat-chested girl"
"Why you! Arrogant bastard"
"Tone it down, boobless priestess. Someone's resting" Mikan was shaking furiously. "I'll burn your hair if you don't"
"Why am I marrying this infuriating creature? Have the gods abandoned me?" Mikan wailed softly while Misaki patted her back. Hayate grinned at the situation, eyes saying that it's a normal thing. "Ne, why can't it be Tono-sempai or even Koko?"
"Because we're not the prince, Mi-chan" The knights answered in unison all the while sweating profusely sensing the burning glare sent their way.
"The gods did abandon me" Hayate chuckled at the statement only to be silence by his burning hair. Tsubasa grinned and comforted the princess who innocently hugged him. Misaki was cooing the princess with sweet words.
"Natsume's not that bad, Mi-chan. Take it that he's just shy" Ruka patted Mikan's head like he would to the rabbit. The priestess loved the company of the knights and their personalities. An awkward smile was shown on the expression of the blonde knight, his cerulean orbs filled with kindness.
Natsume, the prince in question, shrugged it off and silently guarded the sleeping kindred. The priestess pouted and trodded towards the prince. She slowly sat next to him to guard the sleeping kindred. Yuzu who was quietly sleeping in another basket of makeshift bed giggled before mumbling incoherent words.
Aoi, peeking at the door, motioned the knights to go out with her. The raven haired priestess, Hotaru, stood silently behind her. Sneakily and silently, the knights carefully exited the room leaving the couple to watch over the resting kindreds.
It took a long silence of thirty minutes for the princess to notice the disappearance of the knights. Carefully peeking on her side, she observed the prince nodding to sleep. He's cute when he's docile. She scooted closer in curiosity.
Such long eyelashes. She smiled gently. He really looks like Aoi. His slightly tanned skin gave him the aura of masculinity. Mikan traced his face, she started with his closed eyes. He got pretty eyes. Sharp, cold crimson that carries authority and hides kindness. Mysterious and secretive, always wary and often arrogant.
"It's not really arrogance when it has basis. It's confidence, stupid." The brunette softly chuckled at the memory. He's a jerk alright. Despite his rude remarks and infuriating attitude on daily basis, Natsume can also be quite a gentleman. Well, he did save me from falling from a staircase before. But, he didn't need to call me clumsy in front of many people.
Her gaze fell to his lips, plump and kissable. She froze, mortified. What am I thinking? Get a hold of yourself, Mikan. She let her eyes rest on the miniscule veins appearing on his neck, like a vine that runs upward his neck. Akahi purred and she took her attention away from him.
"I don't particularly like your attitude but best regards from here on, Natsume" her voice came as a whisper. Her tone enlaced with mellow and warm emotion. She felt a sudden shock of electricity brazenly run towards her body in a second as she spoke his name. I'm getting sick. This guy's name is making me sick.
Yuzu woke up rubbing her eyes innocently. Her big brown eyes made contact with her master, she smiled adorably as she greeted a cheerful good morning groggily. Akahi, who was disturbed by the sudden motion of his bed caused by Yuzu clumsily bumping on his basket, groaned as he woke up. He rubbed his eyes like a cute little kid before a deathly glare was directed towards Yuzu.
The female kindred apologized by bowing politely in which the silver haired kindred accepted with a frown. He flew into the air like a cat jumping up a wall, his movements were swift and graceful.
Natsume opened his eyes and stared at his kindred who nodded in his direction before settling on his head once again. The little being found himself a comfortable dwelling place on the head of his master.
Natsume glared at the priestess with an accusing eyes whom the priestess smiled apologetically. The prince drew out his famous scowl. For some unknown reason, the priestess felt guilty like when she accidentally broke his uncle's prized statue made of ice glass.
"Good morning, Natsume" the fire caster stared at his fiancé with suspicious eyes. Her smile was bright and welcoming. Innocent and very beautiful, not that he would acknowledge that as a fact. For a split second, the prince had lost his reason and composure which he did regain immediately.
Slowly, he stood up and headed for the door. "Don't be slow, polka" His words made the priestess frown but complied with his request nonetheless. As for the prince, he consciously hastened his walking speed to hide the sudden change of color in his face. His cool and emotionless façade replaced with frowning but deeply shaded in red expression which he hadn't let anyone see before. And, of course, not ever.
The prince was awake when the priestess scooted closer. The sudden closeness made him aware of her presence and he lost the timing to open his eyes and tease the priestess about it. Her words, of course, did not go unnoticed by his alert and sharp senses.
So, when she beamed at him. It was only obvious that he'd have that reaction. Not that, he'll tell that to anybody. He'll have to keep that observation to himself, of course. And, for some reason, he really wanted to burn Tono and Koko one by one right now. It was not because he remembered how the priestess went towards their arms or anything. Of course not, that would be odd and it would appear like he fell for the priestess.
The prince halted on his tracks suddenly which made the priestess almost bump into him. "What are you doing you jerk?" she whined. He turned around and silently stared at the princess priestess who was uncutely frowning while her arms are crossed on her chest.
Of course not, that's laughable. He concluded and once again spun his heel and walked towards the courtyard where he instinctively knew the knights are located.
"What a weirdo" the princess muttered beneath her breath as she silently followed the steps of the prince who appears to be in deep in fury. Natsume found his knights merrily talking with a priestess who was serving them drinks and snacks.
The knights noticed his presence and greeted him from their position. The fire casting prince rejoined his knights with Mikan behind him. Akahi stared at Tono and Koko and set their hair on fire.
"Why?" Tono and Koko cried in unison while the kindred simply puffed his cheeks. An action his master would certainly never imitate.
"Idiots, simply" Akahi answered in his usual speech pattern. He was satisfied with himself for accomplishing what his master strongly desired to do. He yawned softly and relaxed at the soft and silky locks of raven which was more comfortable than the bed before. His master's hair smells like the fresh sun with the husky smell of the forest and it was a smell he liked the most.
Natsume shrugged the whines of his knights and allowed the butterfly winged kindred to nullify the makings of his kindred.
Good morning, Natsume The prince flinched at the memory and stared at his knights who was whining about how short their hair is getting this days. Mikan who was praising Yuzu for a job well done somehow irritated the prince. Accompanied by a displeased glare, Koko and Tono found their hairs burning once again.
Of course not The prince stared at the smirking mind reader and strengthened the heat of his fire on his hair. A word out and it'll not be your hair. It'll be your head entirely. And, for the last time. I am not interested in polka. No, not at all.
"Yes, yes, Natsume" Koko chuckled as he replied to the mental declaration. The next thing he knew, his head was curled like an afro. "I better stop if I don't want to become bald" Koko thought to himself. But, of course he knew that would be impossible.