Millenia ago

Prince Tooru of Seijoh stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back. Beside him stood his younger brother Prince Tobio, jumpy with excitement.

Well, Tooru couldn't blame him. He himself was excited for today. Honestly, who wouldn't be? He will finally witness Shimizu Kiyoko's singing!

"Tooru-ni," Tobio said, gripping the windowsill to calm himself. "Do you think we will get to meet her?"

Even though Shimizu Kiyoko had lived in the same castle as them for years, they never had the opportunity to meet her. She lived alone in the far west tower with her maid for company. Apparently her social circle was limited because of what she could do.

Tooru found that suspicious.

Either way, he could forget about this. He will finally see what was so special about Shimizu Kiyoko, and why her singing was revered by his half brother, King Ushijima Wakatoshi of Seijoh.

"I think so," Tooru replied, shrugging. "This will be her first time out in public, and as royalty we should be able to meet her."

Tobio frowned. "We aren't royalty though, are we?"

Tooru froze. And slowly turned to look at his brother, or more accurately, half-brother. "We bear the Ushijima family name Tobio-chan," he replied, trying to keep his tone even. "We are royalty. If anyone else says otherwise, charge them with treason."

Tooru hated the court, and its potential to destroy lives with a simple rumour.

Tobio gulped at his icy tone. He quickly nodded, not wanting to set off his brother's temper. Tooru could be really scary if he was angry.

A flash of light blue caught their attention. Tooru and Tobio squinted to look more clearly, neither of them wanting to waste this opportunity.

"Get away from me Tobio-chan -"

"Move, Tooru-ni!"

If Shimizu Kiyoko was as beautiful and talented as he had heard, this better be worth his time. He looked down, taking in the preparations done for today. Shimizu Kiyoko would be singing the Song of Water for the people today.

A woman with flowing black hair was standing on the platform, which was surrounded by 3 concentric circles. Each circle had members of the Royal Orchestra, the finest musicians of Seijoh, spread out in a half circle, opposite to the cliff which the woman was facing. Tooru remembered the cliff faced the moat, an extra protection from intruders. However, it had been empty for years.

He turned his attention to the mystery woman. She was wearing a ball gown, light blue in colour with little designs over it. A sort of cloak was draped over her dress, which began from the off-shoulder straps and flowing over her bodice in the front. The cloak extended over her back to form a little train.

Right behind the circles stood King Ushijima in all his purple robed glory. Tooru involuntarily tsked. Something about his half-brother never sat well with him. Maybe it was because of his recent policy where the price of drinking water rose sharply, troubling the poor citizens of Seijoh. Or maybe it was just him. Either way, he didn't like him.

The first notes of the song began playing, and Tooru immediately started paying more attention. He didn't have to look to confirm that Tobio was doing the same as him.

The woman began singing, with a voice smooth as honey.

Huh. So her singing is very good, nicely complimented by the flute. Tooru still didn't waver his focus. There was something special about this woman, Shimizu Kiyoko. Tooru squinted, trying to recognise the members of the Orchestra, and found his best friends. Makki with his recognisable pink hair playing the violin, and Mattsun's messy black hair beside him.

Wait. Tooru blinked. And blinked again.

Was he seeing things, or there actually was a blue mist spinning around Shimizu Kiyoko?

Shimizu stepped forward, spinning around with each note of the song, getting closer to the cliff edge, and the moat. The mist around her spun with her every movement, beginning to encase her into a tornado.

Tooru really hoped he wasn't hallucinating, and that the huge sphere of water forming over Shimizu's head was real. The cheers by the spectators at the ground (Tooru still had no idea why they were allowed and he wasn't) confirmed he wasn't doozy, and won't be locked up like his mother if the King found out.

"What is that?" Tobio asked, his eyes wide with wonder. Tooru couldn't answer him, mainly because he himself was asking the same question.

What was that?

Was Shimizu capable of creating water out of thin air with her songs?

Shimizu threw her hands forward, and the water sphere fell into the moat with a graceful arc. Tooru couldn't tear his eyes away. That was magic, real magic. And he could see it in person.

At the final note, the sphere finally crashed into the moat with a deafening splash. Shimizu stood there, and from where Tooru and Tobio were standing a floor up, he could only see her back. She turned around, and oh.

Shimizu Kiyoko was very pretty.

And naive. She hadn't sung for the people today, Tooru realised, feeling sick.

It was in times like this he truly hated the King. He turned away from the window to go to the training grounds, leaving a confused Tobio behind.

Kiyoko smiled, waving her hand at the people gathered.

She was warm all over. A little tired, but it was worth it. Now the people living in the city won't have any shortage of water for the foreseeable future! Even though she hadn't interacted with anyone except her friend Mai, she had heard stories. How the villagers couldn't afford to drink fresh water. How a few people died of thirst.

Now, with her gift, she could finally help them!

She walked down the path to where Mai was standing. Along the way she heard whispers.

"She's so pretty!"

"The loveliest woman I've ever laid my eyes on."

"How is her hair so silky?"

"Do you think I could court her?"

Huh. This term court in this sentence was new. She will ask Mai later about it.

She bowed in the King's direction, the only person she recognised. He gave her a curt nod, and resumed his talks with his conversation partner. Kiyoko didn't know him. Actually, she didn't know anyone except the King and Mai. And of course, whatever she had heard of the Royal Court.

"Shimizu-sama! Over here!"

Kiyoko turned to the sound, and a huge smile broke out on her face.

"Mai!" she answered, rushing to her. "Did you see me sing?"

Of all the people she was most excited for was her friend Mai. On countless occasions Mai had praised her singing, even when Kiyoko would hum a simple tune. She wasn't allowed to sing a Spirit Song before, and couldn't show it to Mai. But now, she finally did it!

Mai had her hair brushed over her shoulder. She smiled when Kiyoko got close to her. "Your singing was wonderful, Shimizu-sama."

Kiyoko's skin tingled with warmth. She always liked making her friend smile. Before she could say anything, Mai interrupted her.

"You've been asked to view the training today," Mai said. "Orders from the King."

"Really?" Kiyoko asked, surprised. She was never allowed to leave her quarters. Why was she being told to go to the training grounds?

"Yeah," Mai sighed. She had this pained look on her face, which Kiyoko quickly associated it with I-don't-actually-know-and-no-one's-telling-me. She decided to make things a little easier for her.

"Lead the way."

Kiyoko never wanted to attend training again.

Really, who came up with this wretched idea of men fighting each other? And for what? Pride? Recognition from the King? Kiyoko never understood the concept, and she didn't want to.

She covered her ears as a particularly loud clang reverberated over the viewers' area. She looked around. Mai was standing right behind her. The King sat at a distance from her, watching the fight.

Prince Tooru was also there.

He was wearing turquoise coloured robes, a sharp contrast to the King's purple. Kiyoko had immediately asked Mai who he was when she saw him. Mai took one look at the figure, his robes, his hair and immediately declared him as King Ushijima's younger brother.

Kiyoko had never met the King's brothers before. They didn't look alike. She asked Mai so.

Mai checked their surroundings - "So that no one can overhear us, Shimizu-sama" - and whispered to her. "The King and the Princes do not share the same mother."

Kiyoko was even more confused. "How?" How do brothers not have the same mother?

"They have the same father, the late King Ushijima but Prince Tooru and Prince Tobio do not have the late Queen as their mother. Their mothers were not married to the King."

Kiyoko's eyes widened. "Really?" She hadn't expected that, and she was even more confused. How could you have a child and not be married?

Mai nodded, checking their surroundings once again. "They're still treated as royalty, so be careful when addressing them, Shimizu-sama."

Kiyoko frantically nodded. Only recently the King allowed her to move around the castle, she didn't need to do anything else to revoke the freedom she was finally granted. She didn't want to spend another decade in the tower.

The referee called the winner, ending the match. Kiyoko inwardly sighed. It was finally over.

That knight had taken quite a beating, the poor guy limping towards the exit. He had Kiyoko's sympathies.

She turned back to face Mai, who had an eyebrow raised. "Shimizu-sama?" Mai asked.

"How long do I have to stay here?" Kiyoko asked. She wanted to go back to her bed and rest for the entire day. There was a reason she didn't sing Spirit Songs a lot. Even singing one had taken a lot of effort from her. But it helped the citizens, so it was worth it. Anyways, Kiyoko was still sleepy.

Mai bit her lip. "I don't know, but it's best if we stay for the whole thing.

Kiyoko huffed, crossing her arms. Mai laughed at her antics, bringing up a hand to cover her face.

"Besides," Mai added, her eyes twinkling. "I've heard that Sir Iwaizumi will be here."

"Sir who?" Kiyoko tried turning, but her attention was stolen by the new arrival. Kiyoko watched, and the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life stepped into the ring.

The man had spiky hair, tanned skin and green eyes. He was wearing armor which showed a crest, with three leaves joined at base on a shield. The borders of the shield were covered with vines and leaves, the base vines flowing outwards. His cape was of light turquoise, with a sword engraved with gems. He bowed to the King, and turned to face his opponent.

Kiyoko clutched her handkerchief. The referee yelled, and the knights began to fight.