Hey guys sorry for taking so long in updating I promise I wasn't just being lazy and don't worry I won't be giving up on this story and I promise I will be getting back to Serena and Yuri next chapter. Please enjoy the chapter.

Reiji sighed and quietly yet swiftly walked through the walls of the castle a place he was meant to call home. He couldn't say he hated living there, not at all, but he couldn't truly call it home. He hadn't called it home since he was a young boy, back when his family was whole and he truly respected his father. That clearly hadn't been for years...

Snapping out of his chain of thought the young prince realised he had reached his destination. Reiji reached out and knocked on the door and announcing his self.

"Reira, it's me can I come in ?" Reiji smiled as he heard shuffling coming from inside the room followed by an excited shriek.

"Big brother! You're here come in, come in!" Reiji walked in and closed the door behind him no turned to his little sister, only to be tackled in a hug sending him back into the door leaving him somewhat winded.

"Why hello Reira how are you? You feeling well?" The girl pulled away from her older brother and nodded excitedly, dragging him further into her room.

"I've been fine but now you're here, how are you? Did you do anything interesting today? Did you bring more flowers?" Reiji sat down next to her on the bed and amusingly shook his head.

"Sorry I didn't bring flowers today Reira, I didn't have time to get to the gardens"

"That's alright at least you came to visit me today, how are you and your work" Reiji looked away in sadness and guilt. Even though Reira was only young she was smart for her age. She knew his father was a tyrant and that Reiji was working against him. She knew all about the lancers...much to his annoyance, but he knew she wouldn't say anything obvious. Knowing about them put her in danger, he didn't need to worry so much due to being heir to the throne, but Reira had no such protection. It was a miracle she was still alive and only because of him she had a place in the castle. He then snapped back into reality, remembering Reira was waiting for an answer.

"Oh, I'm fine and everything has been doing well, how about you?" Reira solemnly smiled.

"I've been alright...but it does get kind of lonely but I was allowed out around the gardens yesterday so it's not too bad" Reiji just signed and felt even worse. This was yet another rule his father had made that he despised. When he found Reira and brought her to the castle, his father hated the idea but eventually let up with the conditions of keeping her hidden, claiming she would get in the way or make him look soft.

Reiji just sat and talked with Reira for as long as he could, which was about an hour before he had to leave and attend to the tasks his father gave him, which usually involved charting and organising the patrols or raids around the kingdoms and cities. This was how Reiji had easy access to location information which could be good info for the lancers...but he had to do something first. He walked towards the south tower, he needed to meet the girls his father was so interested in and possibly find out anything about the other lost girl.

After about ten minutes of walking Reiji had reached the south tower, which with his status wasn't very hard to do also making sure all the staff...that wasn't a lancer or resistance member all left him alone. He walked down the corridor and came across the first door, one of four but only three holding a prisoner.

"Hello, miss?" Reiji walked up to the door and heard shuffling from inside.

"I'm sorry but I need to talk to you, I promise nothing bad is going to happen to you...or your sisters, can you at least tell me your name"

"Why should I say anything to you, if I remember correctly your the crown prince and the son of the man who's keeping us here" she finally spoke, but wasn't laced with venom as he expected, she just sounded defeated and shy.

"You're not wrong but I can assure you I don't agree with my father's actions"

"Then why not let us out? Or even come here if you don't believe in your father?" she was now confused but still suspicious, surely he was just lying, he was a royal.

"I came here for information but not the kind you think, I work with a secret resistance group and lead a specified group called the lancers, we work in order to keep the people of this kingdom safe and work towards overthrowing my father and I'm sorry I can't release you and your sisters, it would be too suspicious and I don't have the keys to do so" the girl nodded and but looked up through the bars on the door.

"Why do you want to take down your father, for power? Recognition?"

"For justice and to repent for my father's sins" the girl smiled, he could hear it in his voice, he wasn't lying but there was something she need to know before she could tell him anything.

"What changed?"

"Excuse me?" Reiji was slightly taken aback by the sudden question.

"What changed? Why did you decide to change sides and help the people and turn against your father?"

"When I met my little sister?"

"You have a sister? I thought the king only had one child"

"He did, I'm an only child I meant my adopted sister" the girl nodded. Family wasn't always defined by blood after all.

"So how did your sister change anything?" Reiji hummed and started his response.

"I finally saw what my father was doing and how his actions had terrible consequences"

8 years ago (also Reiji is about 16 or so)

Reiji was pacing outside his father's office contemplating the words he was going to use, he need to ask his father a question, he wanted to go on his first mission.

Knock knock knock

"Come in" Reiji quietly opened the door and walked into the room and up to the desk where his father was scribbling something on his desk.

"Excuse me father and forgive my intrusion but I wanted to ask a question" his father stopped his pen and looked up at his son.

"And what would that be?" His father was curious now, Reiji took a deep breath and looked his father deep in the eyes.

"Father I would like to be put on my first mission, please father" the king raised an eye.

"What makes you any more legible for attending a mission, aside from the fact you are my son?"

"As you know I have been learning all the patrols and laws of the kingdom and as heir to the throne is it not my duty to play my part. I am aware of how dangerous missions can be but how can you expect me to learn without being there to do it myself, don't you agree?" Reiji watched his father intently waiting patiently for a response, his father's expression remaining unreadable.

"Are you sure you want to put yourself in such danger? You are the heir to the throne after all, no one would blame you if you didn't become a part of the guard"

"I am aware of that father, but as the heir, it is if my duty"

"Are you sure you won't change your mind? The life of a guard or soldier is hard and you will see that these ordeals may test your loyalty" the king raised a brow at his son patiently waiting for his response.

"Of course I won't change my mind! I would never betray my country or my family, I give you my word as the firstborn prince and your son" Reiji watched as his father walked around his desk and slowly made his way over to him. His father stopped right in front of him and place a hand on his shoulder as Reiji made eye connect with his father.

What would he say?

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"Very well son" Reiji did a minuscule double take. He said yes?

"I trust you son and you are right, I can't expect you to live up to your full potential without giving you the opportunity and you have done a wonderful job managing the patrols and schedules"

"Thank you father" the king walked back over to his desk and looked about his window and pulled out a small picture Reiji couldn't quite make sight of, not understanding the true significance of the piece of paper his father held.

"As for your first mission you will be leaving tomorrow morning, I will have your horse-mounted and supplies ready for when you leave"

"What exactly is the mission, father?

"Your first mission will be managing a rebellion in a town to the east, they have been rallying and been disturbing the peace, the town is about a days trip" Reiji nodded and felt rage swell within him, why would anyone want to overthrow his father? His father was kind and just king...wasn't he.

"Thank you father for this opportunity, I will not let you down" his father nodded and looked away once more.

"I hope not, you are excused" Reiji bowed politely and walked out of his father's office. He had to get ready and make sure he had enough sleep to lead the mission. Reiji triumphantly smiled, pride swelling within his chest.

He would not let his father down

Reiji woke up at the crack of dawn, too excited for his first mission to even have a full night of sleep. He found he couldn't clear his mind long enough and could only sleep a few hours at a time, waking up about three or four times before he intended. Thankfully he was rested enough to get away with looking well awake and aware of his surroundings.

Reiji marched up to the stables to meet up with his squadron and leave for the rebelling town, he was looking forward to meeting his men. He wanted to gain the respect and loyalty of his men, not due to his status but because of his heart and intelligence, he wanted to be someone his men could count on.

Once he came across the stables he was met with about seven other men, most around their early twenties and all of a sudden he age started to feel like an inconvenience. Usually, he didn't care about what people thought about him, aside from his father and his mother, but now the pressure and weight on his shoulders increased. Reiji did one more sharp breath and soldiered on towards his men.

"Good morning men, if I am not mistaken all of you have been briefed on the situation?" The men begrudgingly nodded, he could tell most of them were unsatisfied with his father's decision but he would soon change their mind.

"Ok, just to remind you we will be going on a two day trip to an eastern town to stop a rebellion against the royal family and the capital, one day there, one day there does anyone have any questions?" He waited and notice one hand in the back. It was a man with grey/silver hair dressed in grey and navy blue gear.

"Yes.." gesturing for his name and waiting for his question. The knight bowed and introduced himself.

"Prince Reiji, my name is Edo and wanted to know why we are heading towards this town? Surly the local patrols in the east have already covered the issue of the rebellion?" Reiji hesitantly nodded. His father gave him a small report mentioning this and that Reiji would be checking the town for any stray rebel members but surely he had a bigger role to play?

"The king has informed me of this and we are heading there to capture and control any stray rebel members, we are also there to help any of the townspeople that got caught in the crossfire" the young prince was soon cut off by two of the knight snickering in the corner.

"Am I missing something?" He raised a brow and the knights stiffened but continued to smirk, trying the best to hide it with little to no results.

"No sir, not at all but I do not believe we will be doing much help" Reiji nodded and saddled up his horse. The knight was right, the townspeople were most likely fine and would need little to no help. The young man mounted his horse and gesture for his man to do the same then raised his hand in a salute like fashion.

"Let's go men"

"Yes sir"

About six hours into the ride and Reiji and his men rode in almost dead silence, the only sound to be heard was the howling of the wind in the trees or the clicking of the horse's hooves. He never expected his men to be too talkative from the beginning but he expected some chatter, the silence was somewhat unnerving, especially compared to the bustling sounds of the castle walls. This silence was finally broken by the young night he had talked to before. He was the only one of the knights remotely close to his age, he was around sixteen or seventeen.

He was pretty sure his name was Edo? The young man rode forward ahead of the other to approach him.

"Sir, prince Reiji may I ask you a question" he raised a brow and sighed in the slightest annoyance.

"Did I not tell you to ask questions before we left?"

"Yes you did but this question is a little more personal and would be preferable if the others did not hear anything, so may I?"

"You may..."

"Why did you agree to lead this mission? Reiji was not expecting that question. Wasn't it obvious?

"I would think you would know that sir Edo, I wanted to help my father and serve my kingdom" He noticed Edo flinch.

"And you think this is your best option? Do you have any idea what some of us have to do?" What did he mean? Of course, this was his best option and how dare he question that.

"Of course it is what makes you think it isn't" What was this Edo implying?

"The knights and our king is not what you think we are, some of the knights are heartless and your father is no better"

"How dare you!" Reiji whisper yelled at his knight. How dare he slander the knights and their king.

"I will give you one warning and one only, never speak ill of my father again otherwise I will consider it as suspicion of treason do you hear me" Edo nodded and led his horse back into formation. Reiji was offended but he believed people deserved a second chance even if that person implied ill of his own father and KING.

"Alright men we have a few more hours, not long now"

It was now dark and they were mere minutes away from their destination everything was calm until he heard Edo yell.

"Sir I see smoke!" He was right, there was smoke emerging from the trees, right near the town.

"Come on men, it must be the rebels make sure to capture them and use force if necessary". Reiji ran ahead quickly followed by the squadron behind him. They ran through the Forrest and quietly can across the town...what was lest of it anyway. Reiji's eyes widened, all that was left of the town was ruins of the buildings that once resided within it...but that wasn't all.

There were bodies too. The townspeople seemed to have been massacred. It was horrible.

"What happened here? I was not told the rebels were this bad" he quickly looked around panic evident in his eyes.

"Spread out and look for any survivors" Reiji jumped off his horse and started looking through the wreckage, surely some survived. After a few minutes of search to no avail, Reiji heard the minuscule sound of whimpering. It was small and faint and barely noticeable...

"Oh, my gods...it's a child?" He said to himself. He quickly rushed towards the sound and came across and a small hole made of fallen wood and bricks. The small child must have either gotten caught or hidden there during the chaos. Reiji looked closer and notice that the child was a small girl. She had light purple hair and blue eyes, she was clenching a teddy to her chest as if it was her lifeline and to her might as well have been that.

"Hey...hey little one" at the sound of his voice the young girl squeaked and start shaking, she was terrified. What had happened. The poor girl looked no only than one or two.

"Hey don't cry I won't hurt you I promise, please calm down" the girl kept shaking and if she continued she was going to go into shock.

"Please calm down I don't want you to get hurt" the girl then looked up at him with fear in her eyes.

"But yowr a solider and they bad" what? (She is a child and is talking like one, it's not just a dumb spelling error)

"What do you mean? We're here to help" the girl shook her head and curled up on herself.

"No no no, your fault...y..y..you hurt my famawy and my town...please don't hurt me" what did she mean they didn't do this.

"Come here please, I won't hurt you, my name's Reiji what's yours" the girl slightly looked up and whispered something almost inaudible.

"Reira"

"That's a nice name please come out your going to get hurt if you stay here" the girl shivered but then tackled him and hid her face into his chest. She was a crying mess but he didn't care, she was a small scared child who need his help.

"What happened here?" The girl tried to calm her breathing and tried her best to explain.

"I don't know, we didn't do anything but then some soldwers came and stawted destroying the town" the young prince sighed she must be confused.

"No sweetheart it was the rebels, not the royal knights" the girl continued shaking her head.

"No I saw the symbol thing, they all had one" She pointed at Reiji's royal insignia.

"You must be mistaken" right?

"She's not" it was Edo.

"What do you mean? We didn't do this, my father would never" then one of the other knights spoke up.

"Oh no, that rat your holding isn't mistaken, we most likely did this"

"How dare you, the king would never let this happen!"

"Really have you not heard of the hunt for the girls or the quadruplet devil extermination"

"What are you talking about?" Reiji held Reira even closer and the men started to approach them.

"If you don't believe us ask your father and while we're here give us that girl" Reiji hid the poor girl in his arms, they weren't getting to her.

"No! what do you want with her?"

"To kill her obviously, we can't let her tell anyone and you said to use force on the rebel if necessary" what the FUCK is wrong with his men.

"No! As your prince and party leader stand down, if anything happens to this girl you will be severely punished p, do you hear me" the man flinched at the authority in his voice and quickly backed down, then Edo quickly stepped up.

"Sir we have no more survivors and as I am sure everyone wants to know, what do you do know?" Reiji stood up being Reira up with him and mounted his horse once again.

"We are heading back to the capital now, no rest until we get back, saddle up now!" Reiji looked down at Reira who was now asleep in his arms. They all saddled up and as he walked past Edo he said something never thought he would say to him, especially regarding this subject. The only one to hear was the intended party.

"I'm sorry"

Reiji has made it home and assigned Edo and one of his maids to look after Reira while he attended to some errands...aka screaming at his father and demanding answers.

"Father! What is the meaning of this? Is what this girl said true?!" His father snapped up but was unusually happy but also...distressed.

"Whatever do you mean? And I believe it's rude to simply march into my office?" Reiji wasn't hearing any of it.

"No I want answers, you said my mission was sorting out rebels in an eastern town but when we came across the town it was completely destroyed, for god sake there was only one survivor!"

"It must have been the rebels, we just simply underestimated them" oh fuck off.

"No, I asked the survivor, a small girl might I add, they were wearing our insignia and some of the soldiers on my team confirmed it"

"And you believe them?" The king stood up and walked over towards him.

"After tonight I don't know what to believe, but at this point, it doesn't appear to be you"

The king mummed simply acknowledging his son's answer and simply sat back at his desk and faced his son with an expression Reiji wasn't used to seeing. His father's face was nothing but cold and uncaring...he didn't care.

No...

It couldn't be surly...

"It's true, isn't it? It was our knights doing?" Reiji was frantic, this wasn't the father he was used to, his father, the king was a kind man that could certainly be serious or intimidating but not cruel or unfazed by something this devastating. But maybe he didn't know? Reiji's thoughts were cut off when his father finally responded.

"Yes, it was our knights doing but it was for a good cause I assure you" what?

"What do you mean? What could possibly be worth demolishing an entire town along with its people?" His father still held a serious expression...Reiji hated it.

"I need to find someone and those people were hiding her, whether or not intentionally they were in my way, consider it treason if you will"

"TREASON! TREASON? you are the only one performing treason, against your own people, the people you vowed to protect" Reiji snapped back, his father was a fucking hypocrite.

He had no right.

"I warned you missions were hard, sacrifice is an important part of being a knight or royal" the king made dead eye contact with his son.

"I would have thought you knew that"

"I know that sacrifice is needed but it's not always unavoidable" Reiji hit his father desk and placed one very important item on it.

His royal seal, the one team that signified his status as royalty and the heir to the throne. He wouldn't be a part of his father tyranny anymore. Even if he played no direct part nor any knowledge of the true extent of his father's cruelty he was guilty by association. He did nothing to stop his father's act and even assisted in the routes and patrols of the guards, but not anymore.

"I will play no part in this, I refuse" Reiji started to walk away but was stopped by his father's words.

"Son you can't do this, you made a promise to me, you placed your loyalties" the king was concerned. He need his son, he was smart and resourceful and could definitely help his plans for being her back.

"Please consider what you're doing Reiji" then Reiji stopped right before he walked out the door. He had a plan but would his father agree.

"Fine father you want me to stay, I have a proposition" his father raised a brow.

"And that would be?"

"That girl, Reira, let her stay here in the castle"

"What?"

"You heard me, let her stay and assure to me that no harm will come to her as well as treating her as a lady of the court, that includes her meals, clothing and place to stay. If you can promise me this I will stay and continue to chart and plan all the layouts and patrols you want" Reiji made a minuscule smile, he had him in a corner.

"So? Do we have a deal?"

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"Deal"

"Thank you father I will let the staff know, may I be excused?" He has to continue being polite if he wanted his agreement to stand.

"You may"

(Flashback end)

"And that's what happened, everything I do is for my kingdom and Reira, I know I can't give any proof or grant your freedom right now but please help me, I will do everything within my power to help you in exchange I give you my word". The girl smiled at him, she could tell from his eyes and from the way he spoke he was telling the truth, so she would help him...but first things first.

"Ruri"

"Pardon?"

"My name is Ruri and my younger sister's names are Yuzu and Rin" Reiji smiled slightly and nodded.

"Thank you and it's a pleasure to meet you, though I wish it was under better circumstances"

"Agreed" Ruri smiled fondly at the man in front of her, she reminded her of a certain boy she knew, noble, kind and always extremely polite. She hoped he was alright.

"So how can I help?" What could Ruri do from inside of a cell?

"Is this what your sister looks like, the one that escaped?" Wait what?

"She's alive!? Serena's alive" Ruri started tearing up, she thought Serena might have died in the fire, but she always had hope she escaped.

"Yes she did, my father is looking for her as we speak but is this what she looks like?" He handed her the small piece of paper with the drawing on it and watched Ruri's expression change into confusion.

"No..no this isn't what my sister looks like, Serena had average length hair of an indigo colour and deep green eyes and she's still young, around my age remember. This girl looks around nineteen to her early twenties"

"So who is this?" Ruri sighed.

"I don't know I'm sorry"

"No it's not your fault and you helped plenty" Reiji looked out the window and realised he should probably go before his father realised he was here.

"Thank you for your help but unfortunately I need to leave, I promise I'll set you all free along with the kingdom"

"Just please, protect my sisters" Ruri pleaded, they were all she cared about...aside from a certain someone.

"Of course"

"Thank you"

Omg, I'm finally finished and Merry early Christmas everyone and happy early new year. I would like to make a huge apology to everyone that I haven't updated In so long, I had exams then my internet died and then other plans so...I'm so sorry please forgive me. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I promise I will avoid taking this long again really proud of this chapter so as usual please review (no flames pls) and tell me what you think. See ya

~Luna