I am so sorry guys; this update is rather late due to my return to school. Need to buckle down on my studies a bit. But I have some free time so I am sitting down and dedicating myself to an update, so why don't we get started here.
I woke up refreshed from the best night sleep I had in years. My eyes cracked open to the darkened room that Jack had lent me for the night. It was early morning, far earlier than dawn. It was typical for me to be up this early; I slept very little whether it was a deep sleep or not. I sat myself up slowly as my eyes adjusted quickly to the dark room. The sweet smell of candles made me want to close my eyes again and return to sleep. I ran my fingers over my skin and squirmed. Compared to the sweet scent of the room, I was gross. I had wanted to shower properly for the past two days and Goodwin had delayed me from that privilege. I knew that there was a bathroom located in this room and decided a shower would be necessary if I was going out today. I looked to my left, now that I could see clearly in the room. Kiryu sat with his legs sprawled over the arm of the chair in the room. His arms were rested behind his head and he looked rather relaxed just sitting there.
"Morning, Kiddo," he greeted me without looking over.
"Didn't expect to see you up this early," he continued, now looking in my direction and tossing his legs to the side so he sat straight. His gold eyes and silver hair were quite apparent in the dark room.
"I'm an early riser," I replied, shrugging my shoulders, unsure if he could see the gesture or not. Kiryu gave me a light hmm as if he were thinking.
"Getting ready for your trip with Prince Charming?" he teased, his voice soft and soothing.
"Yes, I am a bit nervous to show Jack Satellite. I know in my heart that he will accept what he sees, but it is still nerve-racking," I explained, my eyes scanning Kiryu closely for any reaction. When I didn't see any I continued. "Kiryu, I owe you for what you have done. I would have never been able to accomplish this if it weren't for you," I started to say to the man. He gave out a hearty laugh and I looked him over once more.
"Sure you could have," he replied to my suggestion.
"No Kiryu, I really couldn't have and I will find some way to repay you," I sighed, trying to think of what a genie could possibly want.
"Not much you can do for me, unless you waste a wish of course," Kiryu shrugged almost as if he could care less about the situation.
"Waste a wish?" I asked, intrigued by the comment. Kiryu slipped his body off the chair and stepped towards me at a slow, steady pace.
"There is only one thing I would ask for," he replied, sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. His eyes were closed, his lashes light against his cheeks.
"That would be?" I asked, intently looking for his reaction. There was a silence between the two of us for a minute. He never moved an inch until he broke the silence with one word.
"Freedom," he whispered, opening his eyes and raising his arms slightly. I looked down and glanced at the gold bracelets that clung to his wrists.
"You're a prisoner?" I asked, taking his arm into my hands, running my fingers over the gold metal.
"Sure am, that is what I get for being a greedy, power hungry man," he sighed, sounding as if he were not proud of the predicament his past had gotten himself into.
"How do you get free?" I asked unable to stop my curiosity.
"My master, they must set me free, but I have come to the conclusion that this day in age it will never happen," Kiryu admitted, his pessimistic attitude getting the better of him.
"I will do it," I offered without giving it a second thought.
"Yeah, right. Yusei, people are greedy, even you have to have three things that you truly desire," he scoffed, unable to believe in my offer.
"I don't. You have already given me the one thing I could ask for. Other than the happiness I receive from Jack, the only other wish I could possibly have would be the help my people need," I admitted, squeezing Kiryu's hands.
"I believe in Jack, and I know he wants to help the unfortunate. That leaves me with two wishes. I would be more than happy to use one of those to set you free," I placed Kiryu's hands in his lap and carefully let them go. Kiryu was silent for a moment and then turned his gold stare up at me.
"Yusei, I don't care with this city thinks about you. You are forever a saint," he responded, getting to his feet.
"I will leave you be. Go get ready for your day," Kiryu insisted, returning to his lamp with a flash of smoke. I stood to my feet and found my way to the bathroom that was attached to the room.
My shower was even more refreshing than the sleep. As I turned the running water off and opened the curtain, I stepped onto the soft mat that cushioned my feet against the tiled floor. The water dripped off of my body and the steam wafted away forcing my body to return to its average temperature. My skin now a rosy red due to the scalding hot water I was not used to. I looked to the chair where my prince attire sat. The light-blue and silver tunic and dark leather sheath that sat on top of them. It reminded me of the status I was supposed to be supporting. It enthralled me to be clothed once more in the elegant attire, but at the same time I was living a complete lie. This was not who I was. However, I couldn't quite kick the addiction yet, I needed it. It was my only chance to be with Jack, to help my people. I added the finishing touch, my sword dangling from my hip, latched tightly into its sheath. Turning, I took one look in the full-length mirror and frowned. The man who was reflected back at me held poise, passion and power. I quickly turned away and headed back for my room.
It was still far too early for anyone to be up, and even though I was eager to get going to Satellite I didn't want to wake Jack. Instead I had decided I would explore the castle. It was a beautiful place, and how often did someone get to say they stayed in the castle? I opened the door leading out into the corridor of the castle. It wasn't well lit due to the fact that most of its light source came from the sun. It would shine through the stained glass ceiling and windows. The halls were all painted pearly white with lilac and gold trimming. Every few feet would be a new painting of past kings, queens, princes and princesses. I walked aimlessly a while, admiring the paintings until I wasn't sure where I was going.
"Pardon me, Sir," came a sweet voice. My head moved towards the sound. She was a young woman with brown hair pulled up into a tight bun. She wore a white and purple dress. I assumed she must have been one of the servants from how she addressed me.
"Are you lost, my boy?" she asked, clearly not knowing who I was.
"I'm sorry. I was just looking around. I am visiting the prince. Am I not supposed to be here?" I asked, trying to sound like Jack and Martha. It was rather difficult to have that language ability.
"Oh forgive me. You must be Prince Yun. Queen Martha informed us of your presence," she babbled, quickly bowed in a low curtsy. I let out a soft laugh.
"No need for the formality, just Yun if you please," I spoke to the girl, gesturing for her to stand to her feet. She rose and looked at me with a grateful smile.
"I appreciate your generosity, but If Mr. Goodwin or Queen Martha was to hear me speak to you without that formality, I would be punished severely," she explained, stepping closer to me.
"Then continue with the formalities," I agreed, unhappy about hearing of her treatment.
"Very well, is there anything I can do for you, Prince Yun? It is rather early, but would you like some breakfast?" she offered, tilting her head to the side a bit.
"Actually, before I went to bed last night, I had asked about getting some tea. I was exhausted so I never was able to drink it," I sighed, actually craving some of the hot liquid.
"I can stir up some tea," she said, nodding once and going to leave.
"Umm, would you mind if I followed you to the kitchen," I asked awkwardly. I was certain royals didn't associate with their servants unless asking for something.
"It is unusual for a royal to ask to come into the kitchen, but if you so desire I cannot stop you, Prince Yun," she answered with ease and once more turned to leave. I quickly followed behind the young servant.
The kitchen was just as beautifully decorated as the rest of the castle, covered in cabinets of the same white and lilac and stoves of the highest value. It was grand and had space that seemed to go on forever. In the far back I could see doors that lead to several rooms. I knew what they were and it made me cringe lightly to think of how this polite woman was being treated. The woman I had followed led me to a free counter that had various electric devices that I had honestly never seen before. There was a cabinet above our heads and she opened it with some difficulty due to her height. Inside there were stacks and stacks of coffee with the brand name Blue Eyes Mountain. I chuckled, now knowing why Jack had been so slow to wake when he was living with me. The young servant carefully pulled a can down and started using the coffee pot. She poured the coffee, which was a powder-like substance that radiated a magnificent aroma. I was so mesmerized by the smell it made as it brewed that I had not even realized that she had walked away to get a tea bag for me.
"It isn't the greatest tea, but it's what we have," she apologized, pulling a beautiful tea cup from the cabinet. I just shook my head at the girl.
"Trust me when I say I will be happy with it," I simply answered, just pleased to see she was trying. She continued making my tea with hot water and the bag. I watched her and waited patiently for her to finish.
"Prince Yun," she said my name to catch my attention. "You are a very kind man. I hope you and Prince Jack can stay together. Prince Jack is the only one who is ever nice to any of us. It would be nice to have another royal who is kind-hearted," she observed, turning to me with the cup of tea. It was black and would be strong.
"Could I get some sugar...umm?" I asked not sure what to call her. I liked addressing people by their names.
"Amelia," she answered, turning to grab the sugar bowl.
"Amelia, can I ask you something?" I asked, unable to hold my curiosity much longer.
"Yes, Prince Yun," she answered me. It was so odd to be addressed in that manner.
"How did a young woman, such as you, end up as a servant under the royal family?" I asked, curious about her. She stopped dead, dropping the spoon she was using to sir the sugar in my tea. She turned to face me with her head down and rotated her thumbs in circles.
"I…I am a girl from the Satellite. I escaped but it wasn't long before Sector Security found me. I was supposed to be put to my death, but Prince Jack reasoned with his mother and Mr. Goodwin. He was able to get them to reduce my sentence and I am forever bound to the Royal family. I am considered Prince Jack's personal servant, I am responsible for all of his needs. Thus I am also responsible for all of your needs while you are here. Although Prince Jack is responsible for me, as I said earlier, the others in the castle treat me with little respect." She explained all this in explicit detail as she turned back to my cup of tea. I was shocked; I knew now why this woman had caught my attention as quickly as she did. I had met Amelia; she was one of the many girls who went missing in Satellite. I had asked her out to appease Mina once, but she had turned me down. She finished with the spoon and tossed it in the dishwasher to be run later.
"Here you are, Prince Yun." She offered me the cup with a small saucer. I took it gratefully.
"Thank you, Amelia," I thanked her as I took a sip of the soothing liquid.
"You gave him your name!" growled the unpleasant voice, a voice that could only belong to one man.
A blur passed by one minute and the next Goodwin was standing in front me. Fists clenched around the young woman's hair painfully pulling her to meet his eyes.
"You know part of your deal, is to do as you're told and speak to no one!" he snapped at her, slapping her without hesitation.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Goodwin, he asked me," she tried to explain, but he wouldn't hear any of it. He raised his hand to slap her again but I put my tea down and stopped his hand before it made contact. Goodwin looked in my direction. I swallowed hard, I had not thought before I intervened.
"You are," he asked, eying me carefully.
"Prince Yun. I asked this girl for her name. She does not deserve this kind of punishment. She doesn't deserve any punishment at all. Has she disobeyed my request to have her name? She might then deserve punishment," I answered Goodwin, giving him my perspective of the situation.
"That is very kind of you to consider, but this particular slave knows her place," Goodwin insulted.
"She is not of the slave status, no one In New Domino is," I responded, aggravated by the treatment he was giving this girl. Granted, he had treated me no better, but it was still unjust.
"And you would know this how, Yun? There is only one prince in New Domino and that would be Jack. That makes you blind to our rules," he challenged, refusing to call me prince.
"That is because Prince Yun is highly observant and knows I consider my servants far above the slave status. Now if you please, Goodwin, let Amelia go," Jack commanded from behind me. He walked in, dressed in all his glory, his features showing pure disgust for the man and care for the servant Amelia. He took strong strides towards the girl pushing Goodwin aside and closer to me. I backed up, not wanting to be anywhere near the man.
"Amelia?" Jack asked being kind and gentle, giving her a hand. She took it gratefully and smiled at Jack.
"Your coffee is ready, Prince Jack. I was just finishing a tea for Prince Yun and I was going to bring it to you," she answered in a soft voice. There was no fear there; she knew Jack was not going to harm her. Jack looked over his shoulder towards me. I had picked my tea back up and sipped at it watching.
"Thank you Amelia, you may retreat to your room," Jack suggested freeing Amelia's hands from his grasp. Amelia nodded and retreated quickly to her room. Jack turned his attention back to Goodwin. He held malice in his eyes.
"How many times do I have to tell you to leave my servants be. She had done nothing wrong per usual. What did she do, give another prince her name. Goodwin, I swear, you keep this up and I will be rid of you before I take my stand on the throne!" he yelled with the same strength and vigor he did when I was captured. Goodwin returned to his professional posture as if he had done nothing wrong.
"Forgive me, Jack—"
"Forgive you not, for this is the third time you have attacked Amelia like that. She is my servant, so I shall deem when it is necessary for her to receive punishment," Jack cut him off; he had a habit of doing that when he was angry. Jack looked to me and almost instantaneously calmed down.
"Now if you excuse me, Prince Yun and I will be taking our leave," Jack announced as he walked past me expecting me to follow behind. I was getting ready to when I was grabbed roughly by the wrist and pulled. I came quite literally face to face with Goodwin.
"Prince Yun, you say you are prince, but I know there is something not quite right about you. Do not think you can waltz away unscathed; I know your secret," Goodwin warned, his eyes glaring down at me.
"Do not threaten my guests," Jack snapped, not turning from his position on the stairs. Goodwin was pushing Jack a bit too much. Goodwin let go and retreated from the kitchen. I joined Jack up on the stairs and bit my lip thinking he was also angry with me.
"Forgive me Yusei, you should not have had to witness that," Jack apologized, turning his head slightly. His eyes were closed softly. I just intertwined my fingers into his and gave him a smile.
"It's fine, I knew Goodwin was evil, but I never expected him to be so abusive." I shivered, thinking of poor Amelia.
"Yes, he is, but only to those under him. But enough about Goodwin; may we leave?" he asked, sounding as eager to get going as I was in the early morning. I just gave him a thrilled smile.
"Let's saddle up," I replied, leading him back to the room to start our journey to a new place.
Dear lord, this took way too long to get going. Again I apologize for the delay on this. I am happy to finally get this chapter moving. I ended up cutting this differently than I planned. So this doesn't really line up with a certain part in the movie but the next chapter will be my version of the Magic carpet ride. I hope you guys like this. Thanks again to my amazing Beta Deck Divination, and I will see you all next chapter.
~KaiFudo…aka the author~
