044. Arranged marriage
"Do you even know what the rituals are for the marriage?" Heiji asks.
"Our dominant hands are bound together, we cross our free arms when we exchange our blood in the silver cups, and then we cut our hands free with an obsidian dagger. Our union is celebrated with the slaughter of a sika deer." Shinichi's lips tighten and he stares at the rest of the ceremonial outfit spread on the bed.
Everything he's required to wear is black, and he thinks it's fitting, since this will be the death of his country.
Clover is far more powerful, both in magic and might, and it's only through his parents' quick actions that they're given this chance for a bloodless conquering.
Almost bloodless, but Shinichi can bleed for his country and be grateful it's not the rest of them. Ran and Kazuha were both somewhere out there, where Clover's army had marched through their iridescent shield and destroyed their temple.
"We're a small country, Hattori. We should be grateful they're giving us this chance to end in peace."
Hattori scoffs and grabs the silver chain Clover's King sent to him. It locks around Shinichi's throat and hangs down the front of his robe. Hattori sneers at it, and all the implications there are of a prince being collared and led to an alter.
"You were to be married to the boy king at some point regardless," Hakuba says, and Shinichi refuses to look at him. He's one of the creatures from Clover, feet as cloven hooves, fur over their bodies, horns like the deer they were going to kill in celebration.
It was symbolic to Clover; the death of the old regime and the rise of the new.
The fact that sika deer are sacred to Shinichi's country also meant that it was a message from Clover. You will be this deer, it says, if you stand against us.
"Who cares that it is now sooner, on the cusp of war, than years down the road when you could have fallen in love with a countryman and backed out on the deal." Hakuba taps a hoof to the floor, and both Shinichi and Hattori flinch. "Do not be such a child, Kudou."
"You haven't been to Clover since the ambassador exchange. Obviously something went wrong if they came marching here to war." Hattori steps behind Shinichi, shielding him from Hakuba.
"Kuroba-King has always been impulsive. And violent."
That doesn't match the boy Shinichi remembers when he thinks back to their only meeting as children. Kuroba-King had been Kaito-Princeling, with spots on his brown fur and stubs for horns. He'd been kind and gentle, and even when Shinichi hadn't wanted to ever marry the boy, their parents had arranged a possible match.
And then Kuroba-King brought his army to bear.
Neither Hattori nor Hakuba turn away as he strips out of his tattered and blood-spotted clothes and into the ceremonial outfit he was generously provided.
"What else is there?" Shinichi asks.
"Since you don't have any victory points, you'll need the veil." Hakuba points at the strip of red fabric left on the bed. "Drape it so the tails hang over your back."
Shinichi hands it to Hattori, shading the world in soft red.
"Now you're ready." Hakuba taps his hoof again.
Hattori presses the small dagger into Shinichi's hand, back still shielding him, and Shinichi tucks it away. At least he'll have something later to protect himself, whatever that protection may mean.
Hakuba leads them out of the house, steps echoing on the wood floors. There's still the faint smell of smoke and blood in the air. The air is hazy and it's too silent. When they exit the house, it's very clear why.
Half the village's population lined the streets, in black mourning. And looming behind them, the soldiers of Clover, dressed for war.
Shinichi hesitates, but when he finally sees Ran and Kazuha on their knees with another woman standing over them near the end of the line away from the house, he forces himself to keep going and keep his head up.
Hattori audibly growls, but none of the Clover soldiers so much as twitch.
"Kuroba-King. Your consort," Hakuba announces, stepping to the side and presenting Shinichi.
For a moment, Hattori doesn't move, and then he's forced to the ground when Hakuba kicks his legs out and restrains him to the side, leaving the space free for Kuroba to approach.
Kuroba-King is nothing like Kaito-Princeling.
There is still blood and ash on his clothes, and even through the gauze, Shinichi can no longer see any light brown fur. The antlers that arch away from him are worryingly large, because Clover cuts off points for defeat, which is why Hakuba had lopsided distribution and the woman standing above Ran and Kazuha has a ten-point spread that arches over all of them.
He's terrifying and when he reaches out, Shinichi can see the blood caked on his hands.
Kuroba-King grabs the end of the chain and tugs it sharply.
"Such a pretty prize. You parents promised willing and submissive. You'll behave, won't you, Little Prince."
Shinichi thinks about resisting, but there's nothing he can do.
There's nowhere to go.
"Yes, Kuroba-King." He follows as Kuroba leads them up what remains of their temple. One of their holy men stands at the ruined edge, and tethered to one of the railing posts is a panicked female sika deer. Her eyes roll as they approach, wide in fear.
The holy man ties their hands and then offers the silver cup. Kuroba places it under their linked hands and draws a blade over their wrists, letting their blood drip together in the cup. He picks it up when Shinichi starts to worry, and he brings his other arm up to cross it with Kuroba's and help guide it to his mouth.
It only tastes like metal.
A black dagger appears next, and then he's cut free.
He closes his eyes as Kuroba steps away and slits the throat of the deer. The soldiers cheer over its death rattle.
"It's complete! Welcome to Clover! Welcome your King!" Kuroba calls out.
"King! King! King!"
Shinichi stays where he was left, a prize ready to be carried off and claimed. He could only be grateful they didn't do claiming as a public act.
"We feast!" Kuroba calls. "Prepare the deer and let the wine flow!"
The only cheers he hears are from the Clover soldiers, and even their priest gives Shinichi a pitying look. Fingers close around his arm and tugs him down the steps. He stumbles in Kuroba's wake, returning to the house Hakuba had lead him from, only now, it no longer belonged to him.
"Wait!" he whispers, frantic, eyes turning at the crowd around him.
His people stare at the ground, refusing to see his shame, but the Clover soldiers meet his eyes with indifferent stares.
Kuroba doesn't take him to his old room, but instead, it's the one his parents use. Someone has removed their belongings and replaced the bedding with pelts and furs. Shinichi is shoved to the bed, landing on slick furs that slide under his hands as he scrambles for anything to grip.
"Wait! Wait! Please!" He tries to move further up and away, but strong fingers lock on his ankle and drag him down. His legs are parted easily, a thicker fur-clad thigh bracing him open, and his terror increases when Kuroba's other hand produces the black dagger. "Stop!"
He's ignored, and he closes his eyes to block out the sight of Kuroba standing between his legs and ready to use him. He cries out when he feels the blade run over his inner thighs, blood sticking to the robes and sheets. He turns his head aside, breathing in the spice-scented fur.
The blade withdraws and a hand rips the rest of the robe from him. The thigh moves away, and Shinichi curls himself as best he can, holding back the tears that want to rise up. Helplessness bites at him, and he flinches when something heavy lands near his head. He opens his eyes to see Hattori's dagger laying on the bed and when he looks back at Kuroba, he only sees his back and the triumphant way he holds Shinichi's bloody robe and offers it to the two soldiers outside the door.
He can hear the victory cries, and they only get fainter when Kuroba closes the door.
Shinichi locks his hand around the dagger, draws his legs under himself, and holds the dagger between them.
"You don't get to take me. Not like that. Not ever." He puts as much force as he can in his voice and it's a small victory when his hand stays steady. The rest of his body is on display, but he will not feel shame. He will not.
"You don't know anything, do you?" Kuroba says, eyebrows drawing down. He leans back against the door and crosses his arms. "That's why you were so convincing, isn't it?"
"I know you came with no provocation, no warning, and attacked my temple. You killed my people. You are poised to rape me as we speak." Shinichi moves until his back was against the wall and he could use his other hand to cover himself with one of the furs. "My parents can't promise my behavior through that!"
Kuroba's mouth tightens and he opens his arms, letting them fall and exposing his chest.
Shinichi could throw the dagger and hit something vital if he wanted.
He wanted.
"I sent a warning. Obviously you didn't get it."
"We received nothing from you!" Shinichi shouts, and then flinches as fireworks begin to go off outside. It's a Clover tradition, but every boom makes his pulse jump.
Their attacks sound just like their fireworks.
"We killed spies and monsters. None of your true people were harmed. You think I changed so much as to be that capable of evil?"
"Then what was this?! You assaulted me! I see nothing of the boy I knew in you. Your father would be ashamed!" Shinichi holds his breath at the sudden blast of heat in the room, the tips of Kuroba's fingers sparking.
"Shut your mouth. You've been sheltered here by your parents behind your energy walls, letting the true monsters fester and spread. You should be grateful I came to claim you before they figured out who you were promised to." Kuroba advances on him, and he's every bit as threatening as he looks.
His antlers have never been broken, his magic jumps at his command, and he's just legally claimed Shinichi in every way possible according to both country's laws.
"What are you even talking about?!"
"My father was murdered by a creature that takes another's face and uses it as their own. My people have been attacked and nearly broken by paranoia. We came here seeking answers, and instead we found more monsters. And you have no idea." Kuroba snatches the dagger from Shinichi's hand and drags the blade over his palm. "I swear that I will not lay a finger upon your body, twist your mind with my words, or act my magic upon your person or peoples."
The blood drops on the bed, glowing faintly as the vow is sealed.
Shinichi stares at it and then back up to Kuroba. His thighs are still tacky with blood when Shinichi moves.
"What do you mean by monsters?" he asks in the quiet that follows Kuroba's vow.
"We sent a message the only secure way I knew how. But I suppose my childhood betrothed cares little for me when he has to worry over what luxuries to enjoy through the passing day." Kuroba draws a corded necklace up from the collar of his tunic, a silver disk no larger than a petal.
Shinichi reflexively reaches for his own neck, and only encounters the silver chain.
"I lost that-" he whispers, staring at the little charm in Kuroba's palm. "No. Someone took that from me. Not long after you gave it. We never found the culprit, but I know my mother wrote to yours on the loss."
"We were never told that. When you stopped using it, my mother told me that you were growing and childhood friends could be forgotten. I hoped that you hadn't forgotten me, but I can see that you have in every way that matters." Kuroba hides it away again, turning to look away from Shinichi. "We think they're another people. They change their faces as tricks and they've been murdering prominent people in Clover. We don't know what they're after or why."
"Why draw us into it?" Shinichi asks.
"Because they come from this side of your walls. So either you are our threat, or you were harboring them. I told my trusted people that you wouldn't do this knowingly, but now I see it's ignorance instead. So much for the famous Kudou Shinichi, who sees all, knows all." Kuroba sneers at him, and Shinichi jerks backwards at the disgust in the look. "You will play the martyred prince and flinch away from me in public. You act in rebellion to me and any love I harbor for you will not be enough to keep you free."
"I- I didn't forget about you. I am sorry for what I said about your father." Shinichi wants to reach out, but there's a violence to the air around him that keeps him away. "Kaito. Please explain this to me."
Kuroba exhales hard, eyes narrowing, and then he smiles.
It's a cruel smile and Shinichi is truly afraid again.
Kuroba goes to the door, throwing it open and shouting down the hall.
"Bring me my bedwarmer! The boy cries too much to be enjoyed!" Kuroba orders, voice raised to echo for anyone to hear.
Shinichi stares at his back. The rumors will circulate to Clover and Shinichi's people, and they will know that Kuroba is whoring right where his consort sleeps. Makes his consort watch. Shames their union to all of their allies.
There will be no recovering his reputation after this. No vow Kuroba offers will change how his people will look on Shinichi now.
A woman arrives, dressed in red silks, but not a creature of Clover. She has red scales that sweep back to her temples, down her throat, and over her exposed chest. He averts his eyes, especially when she drapes familiar hands on Kuroba's chest and lingers at the ties of his lower garments.
"Leave the hall. My consort has much to learn," Kuroba orders, shutting the three of them inside the room.
"He's very beautiful," the woman says, and when Shinichi looks back at her, she's staring. "Are you sure I can't take him anyway?"
"You touch him and you will lose your hands. You speak poisoned words in his ears and you'll lose your tongue." Kuroba throws her hands off himself, pushes her to the bed and places himself by the low burning fire. "Tell him what we've found."
"So serious, Kaito." The woman settles herself comfortably on the bed, keeping both of them in sight. "I'm Koizumi Akako, officially Kaito's bedwarmer. Unofficially, I'm his spymaster. And you are the sweet dear prince he still dreams of loving him. How cruel you are, Kudou Shinichi. I am impressed."
"The information, Koizumi!" Kuroba snaps.
She huffs, and those weren't lies.
Shinichi looks at Kaito, but he doesn't look back at them. He's tapping a hoof to the floor and touching his throat in a self-comforting gesture.
"We're calling them Crows. They steal faces from loved ones and hide in plain sight. We uncovered them only a few years ago when our Master at Arms murdered his wife. He claimed he wasn't responsible, and if you'd ever met Nakamori, you'd never doubt it. But Clover Palace has Thief Eyes embedded in the walls of their important places and someone wearing Nakamori's face definitely killed our General." Koizumi spreads open a hand, and smoke twists into a man's face.
He recognizes Nakamori Ginzo. He doesn't recognized his eyes. They're flat black, and when Koizumi flexes his hand, the smoke twists closer.
"We call them Crows because of those flat eyes and they herald murder." Kaito doesn't look back at them, just crouches down and sticks a hand into the fire. Something silver flashes and then it's lost in the flame.
"I don't know what they are. It's magic I've never seen before, but Kaito thought for sure that his beloved would be able to solve this mystery. And here you were, surrounded by the same monsters,and smiling with them."
"Who?" he whispers.
Who in his kingdom was betraying them.
"You're courting one, did you know?" Koizumi twists the smoke into Haibara. "Your Master at Arms." then it's Vodka. "Your Master of Whispers." Vermouth. "Your Naval Commander." Bourbon. "Your Master of Trade." Gin. "You are surrounded by these monsters, and who stayed with you when we came calling?"
Those were nicknames. Haibara was still here somewhere, but none of the rest. The servants called them by their most requested drinks, because speaking their names brought too much attention. And they all made him promises, swearing to go get help, rally his army, and bring his parents. They would come back and protect him. Save him.
"I don't understand. What do they want? Why were they here?"
They'd been in his life as long as he could remember. What could they have done without him knowing? What could they have done with his trust?
"They needed your energy shields. We knew that. Your kingdom is the only place in the world to find them. Your Engineer trained ours, but never passed those shields on. Where did they go?" Kaito glances at him over his shoulder.
"I don't know," Shinichi admits, "They were going to raise my army to fight you, fetch my parents, save me. I don't know where they would have gone."
"Then all of this was necessary. They left, but suddenly. We have to hope that whatever they needed here that they didn't get it. Maybe they will come to rescue you. Shouldn't you just hope for that." Kaito smiles, bright as a knife, and he walks back over to them.
Kozumi reaches out to him, dragging claw-tipped fingers over his chest, leaning in to sink needle-thin teeth into his neck, drawing her nails over Kaito's shoulders and leaving bloody trails behind. Kaito locks eyes with him, ignoring Kozumi as she rubs her palms over him, leaving a musky smell behind as she goes. Kaito's as indifferent to her as he seems to be for Shinichi, but there's a flatness to his eyes that speaks of rage and grief.
Kaito-Princeling had cried for hours when their parents needed to part. He'd clutched at Shinichi's hands until his father had pulled a silver coin out of the air and peeled the two sides apart. So you will always have a way to your other half, he'd said, so you will not be alone.
This wasn't his fault, but it feels like his failure all the same.
"This'll be more convincing if you start crying," Kaito says, "Should I tell you something sad to motivate you, or can you conjure crocodile tears all on your own?"
