The Nightingale
Chapter 76: The first one
Summer — x493 / September 4
Even though Ichigo knew that the reasons for making this trip weren't entirely because of the king's desire for the two of them to spend time together, he couldn't help but enjoy being with his father. At the beginning of the trip, they had talked about the travel itinerary that included the cities and towns of a specific area, and about the security that they expected to find in each one of them as well as the way in which they would go unnoticed among the people.
Ichigo had made the trip through the cities a little over half a year ago, he had done it by announcing himself as the Commander and his father, on that trip, intended that no one would find out that they were there until they were back at the castle. Ichigo contributed some ideas and suggestions for that trip because the child that was dying inside him felt too alive and happy because he was with his father.
His father had told him that when he was young, he had taken that same type of trip with his older brother, and that it had been really fun because they went through all the cities incognito. Just the way they would.
Ichigo knew his family lineage, on the wall where the family tree of the kings of Avanta was painted, his father's older brother did not appear, but in the written records he appeared with all the details. Ichigo, when he was still a little prince living in Adelaar, was introduced to his uncle in a formal way as well as his cousins, Ehan's sons, and his wife.
Ehan's son was the one Isshin was going to name as heir if both Ichigo and Kaien didn't calm down and stop trying to kill each other. Ichigo didn't doubt that his father was capable of doing it, he had legitimized Kaien, and he could appoint anyone as heir and let the kingdom burn.
At the time, Ehan was one of the Six Commanders under Ichigo's command, and the Commander of the King's private guard as well as confidant of Isshin's most private secrets.
For each city they passed on that "father and son trip", his father told him an anecdote.
When they passed the Crossroads, his father told Ichigo that once, he and his older brother took the wrong road because they were drunk and very happy, and ended up on a farm sleeping among the ducks; when they passed through a town before Eikaran, his father told him how they stole a sheep and dressed it as rags, letting it run through all the streets of the city scaring people away; and when they were in Eikaran, his father told him how they broke into the private gardens of the Lord of Eikaran and stole a golden cocoa pod.
Ichigo listened to his father's anecdotes and saw him smile wistfully when he told them to him, while he himself felt his heart beat in a warm and pleasant way because he was really spending time with his father. A part of him imagined that this might have been the relationship with Kaien, as brothers not trying to kill each other for a claim to the throne.
"One day, you will also do this tour with your children, and I hope to be part of the anecdotes you tell them." His father had told him with a big smile and Ichigo could only nod at that with a heart full of happiness.
Before they arrived at Tenjira, his father asked him to accompany him on horseback so they could do that last part of the road together before reaching the city. Ichigo could see in his father's face something similar to sadness and longing.
When the horses were ready, his father gave the order to the coachman to advance and ordered the soldiers to look for an inn in Tenjira. The soldiers seemed reluctant to leave them alone, but the king insisted and in the end the soldiers had to obey, so Ichigo and his father were left alone on the road, each on their own horse. Ichigo didn't speak because he was waiting for his father to explain the reasons for going that part of the path without guards, but his father kept silent and Ichigo did the same.
The horses began to walk so slowly that Ichigo had the impression that they were looking for something and he wasn't wrong. After a long moment of silence, his father stopped in front of a huge tree that stood by the road, from whose branches hung old and worn ribbons, and got down from his horse. Ichigo hadn't noticed that tree when he made the trip with Uryu because from a distance those ribbons looked like part of the tree and because at the time, when he made that trip with Uryu, his mind was on other things.
Ichigo got off the horse a moment later and tied the reins to one of the trees on the path as he watched his father approach a large square stone. Ichigo was curious about everything his father was doing, but more than his actions, Ichigo was curious about the sad expression on the king's face.
The king began to clean the vines that covered that square stone, and Ichigo could read what was written there: "Ganju, Emiko and Hope, may the Deities have you in their glory."
— It was here that they died. — His father spoke with a sad voice as he sat on the ground in front of that old tombstone. — They were supposed to get to Maranni and flee away from the kingdom, but they didn't. They died here.
Ichigo knew what happened with Ganju and Emiko because he had read it in "the record of treacherous princes" when he returned from that trip where he had prevented Lord Kuchiki's attack on the kingdom. Many details were recorded in the books, but there were also other details that were omitted due to ignorance or omission of those involved, however, the princess's pregnancy was clearly registered, as well as that improvised trip to Maranni that served as proof of the crime of treason, attempted division of the kingdom and rebellion against the word of the king. There was a line in that record mentioning that Prince Ganju had betrayed Prince Isshin's vows of brotherhood and goodwill by allowing that marriage.
— You knew that Princess Emiko was pregnant. — Ichigo commented softly, it wasn't a question, it was an affirmation. The inscription on the tombstone had been made by someone who knew about that pregnancy.
His father simply nodded without taking his eyes off the tombstone.
They both knew that Ganju and Emiko's bodies lay in the family grave in the grove graveyard, but marking the exact spot of their death was more of a way to commemorate their souls and atone for a little guilt. Neither in the tombs, nor in the official version of events that was told to the world, was there any mention of that pregnancy. Hope.
— Did you read the records?
Ichigo made a noise with his throat that confirmed that question. Only kings and princes could have access to those books and information because they were secrets that kept the kingdom in order.
When they finally sat down to talk about everything that had happened in Maranni, Ichigo told his father that Lord Kuchiki blamed him for Emiko's death, but on that occasion they did not go into details because the king was still upset with that matter and it was better to finish it as quickly as possible.
— I shouldn't have let them get married before me. — Isshin commented with bitterness and pain. — I loved my brother, and he loved Emiko, so I convinced the king that they should marry before me so that they could be together with the blessing of the Deities. With that decision, with that show of affection for my brother and confidant, I put a sword over his head. Your uncle was murdered half a year after his wedding. It wasn't my fault, but I'm still as guilty as the man who gave the assassination order and the man who carried it out.
— Lord Kuchiki blames you for her death. He thinks you knew and that's why they died.
— Lord Kuchiki is blinded by love. — His father spoke caressing Emiko's name without being surprised by the revelation, and Ichigo guessed that somehow, his father expected something like that. — I was too, and when that happened, I lost my brother. Don't let love blind you, don't let it cloud your mind. The kingdom before life, always before life. If I had applied it at that time, my brother would still be alive as well as Lord Kuchiki's sister.
— Everything would have been different, maybe there would be peace in the castle… and maybe I would have what is supposed to be mine by birth. — Ichigo said it to remind the king that "out of love" he had legitimized Kaien and given him the title of heir to the kingdom. — You took away my right to the throne and gave me a wife, I was not happy at first but now I am really happy with the life I have. Maybe I'm blinded by love too but you can't blame me for that or for being happy with what you decided for me. — Ichigo paused. The king was still silent. — You know that I am a danger to Kaien because of my birth and that we will eventually turn on each other for one reason or another. This peace between him and me is momentary and shouldn't be, but with us you weren't able to apply "kingdom before life" either, so you know how this story is going to end.
Both remained in a silence that was broken by the sound of nature.
It was the first time that Ichigo said those words to his father and he hoped that he understood them, that he understood that as long as he lived there would be peace in the castle and in the kingdom. The king made the symbol of the Deities on his chest and stood up so he could look Ichigo in the face.
— I know, but I hope that day doesn't come, not because I fear for Kaien's life, but because I fear for you. I know you're perfectly capable of killing him in his sleep but a brother's blood never washes off your hands no matter how hard you try. — The king looked at the tombstone again.
Ichigo stood next to his father, in silence, and also looked at the tombstone.
— Father, do you regret letting me live in Vayalat? — Ichigo asked but didn't look at his father's expression. — As a father, not as a king. I don't need political, training, lineage or war reasons, because I know that answer, you made it clear when we talked about my confrontation with the king of Gardelia. Now I just want to know if my father regrets not having gone to look for me or not writing to me.
— I was angry. — Isshin whispered and Ichigo nodded. — I should have gone looking for you, I should have been with you and I should have taught you what I should have taught you, but I don't regret it. You became a better man than I could ever be, and I think that's what matters. I deserve that you don't see me as your father, but I also believe that I deserve a chance to repair this relationship that I fractured myself.
Ichigo nodded again and closed his eyes before turning his back on the grave. The part of him that expected a different answer vanished like smoke in the wind, and he just clenched his fists. His father wanted a chance but Ichigo didn't know about chances because his father never showed him how they were given, neither when he was a child nor when he returned to the kingdom and was named the Second Prince without even seeing the kind of person who had returned.
— I'll give you the same kind of chance you gave me when I came back to the kingdom, father.
Ichigo began to untie the reins of the horses with his hands shaking with anger, impotence and frustration, and he got on his mount as fast as he could. He didn't want to be there and he wasn't going to stay with his father any longer than necessary at that moment, so he whipped the horse and left, leaving his father with his own ghosts.
Summer — x493 / September 6
When there were many candidates for the throne, living and strong candidates, the death of the king used to be kept hidden until the news reached the favorite prince to occupy the throne and the killing of the heirs was planned so that there would be no problems in the line of succession. In the case of Yushiru's death, the death was announced on the same day because there were no heirs other than his own younger brother.
Yoruichi was with the Malthai the day they found out that Yushiru was dead. Both women, along with the little prince, were praying to the Deities for the king's health to improve, when Masayoshi entered the harem and presented his sword to the little prince who was with them.
Yoruichi had seen that scene before, when her father's trusted man knelt in front of Yushiru confirming the death of the previous king.
The little king didn't understand what was happening, but the Malthai got up from her seat as fast as her legs would carry her and left the harem towards Yushiru's room. Masayoshi apologized to Yoruichi and left there giving the order to close the harem and protect the little king, the princess and the pregnant concubine. That was part of the protocol and Yoruichi knew it because she had already experienced it once, when her father died and she was immediately taken to the harem while Yushiru took care of everything.
The uproar inside the harem was great.
The concubines who hadn't gotten pregnant by Yushiru were mourning their misfortune, and the girl who was pregnant had to be immediately taken to the harem doctor to be checked out because she fainted from shock.
Yoruichi didn't see it, but the servants said that the Malthai's scream upon seeing her son's corpse was so great that the entire White Palace seemed to reverberate at that moment. She did not see her brother's corpse but in the same way she found out, because of the servants who carried the information from one place to another that the king had died with an expression of terror on his face.
It was known to Yoruichi and the Malthai that the king's health had worsened, that Sui Feng's remedies, although they worked, did not make the pain go away as before; and that the fevers that the king presented were accompanied by hallucinations that made the king himself scratch his skin until it came off and made it bleed.
The king claimed, in these episodes of hallucinations, that there were black snakes under his skin, that there were worms that ate the flesh of his wounds and that there was "something" that kept touching him in the dark whispering in his ears.
It was terrible.
In moments of lucidity, the king cried out in pain and asked the Deities what he had done to have such a horrible end. He had not been a perfect man but no one was, and he considered that his sins were not so great to deserve a torment of that magnitude where he himself sank into madness and pain.
The king's tears were also of despair and sadness, so in a moment of lucidity, before entering again the fevers that brought hallucinations, Yushiru took all the vials of pain drugs in his room and drank them down.
Nobody knows what Yushiru saw before he died, but his face was full of wounds and it seemed that he had tried to gouge out his eyes so as not to see what was torturing him anymore.
Yoruichi saw her brother when he was already covered and ready to be burned on the funeral pyre. The kings dressed in their best clothes before joining the Deities, but the king's skin was so wounded that it was decided to cover him completely with a black blanket embroidered with a crown and white gardenias.
When Yoruichi asked for permission to see her brother's face one last time, Masayoshi prevented her saying that it was better that she not see that scene, that it was preferable that she remember her brother's healthy face than that final scene.
Masayoshi was the one who shot the arrow to initiate the final rite for the kings and the High Priest of Gardelia was the one who gave the last words and prayers for Yushiru's soul to ascend to the paradise of the Deities.
In the end, everything fell into a silence that was only broken by the sound of crackling wood as the king's body wasted away.
Summer — x493 / September 12
Just as he promised the day they ate together, Kaien sent Rukia a copy of his scheduled agenda for the weeks along with a couple of notes to make her work easier. Rukia had guessed that Mila was his interest for a wife and that pleased him, because Mila was the obvious choice for wife, princess and queen.
Rukia sent him the date that she had chosen along with a suggested activity to spend the day, and Kaien gladly accepted it because it was an activity that he liked to do. So that morning, after having breakfast and bathing, he dressed according to the activity, carefully choosing his clothes.
Kaien didn't expect to see Mila dressed in nice pants and riding boots, as well as a blouse with colors similar to the ones he wore, and he definitely didn't expect her to smile either because of how curious it seemed that the clothes matched for that day. For a moment, Kaien thought that Mila would wear a dress and ride like the ladies used to, but clearly he was wrong.
The suggested activity was a ride through the woods and a quiet picnic, away from the eyes of the court, so Kaien was not surprised to see that on the horse he would ride there was a bag of food.
— I'll carry the drink, your highness. — The animated voice of Mila, who was already settled on the horse, made him smile and stop thinking about Rukia preparing things for that day. — We have enough wine, but if you don't hurry, I'll drink your share.
Mila's threat was followed by a small laugh from Kaien.
Still with a smile on her lips, Mila spurred her horse forward and headed for the cliff gate, through which they would leave the castle that day for this activity. Kaien immediately got on his horse and had it head the same way, reaching Mila in no time.
The forest was immense and marks had always been made, either on the trees or on the stones, which indicated the return to the door of the cliff and the safe limits to traverse it. Kaien led Mila to the safe edge of the forest, always with the cliff to the left, while they talked about how curious it was that they were similarly dressed.
— If I didn't know that I chose my clothes myself this morning, I'd think that my little sister planned for us to dress the same. — Kaien commented with an animated voice.
— She's always busy and tired, so I think this is just a fun coincidence. The princess does a great job with this whole situation and her private obligations.
— Are you saying that because you're the first to go out on an activity with me? Because if so, I'm going to start feeling used. — He joked a bit making Mila laugh, but he kept the information on Rukia's health status for later.
Mila didn't blush like all the girls who were alone with him because she knew what it was all about.
— I say this because being the first one is a privilege that I intend to rub in the faces of the Cifer girls. They were really indignant and upset, and I had the impression that Princess Rukia was about to yell at them and punish them again if they didn't calm down. She held herself back very well but threatened to put them at the bottom of the list if they pissed her off again. — Mila commented with a satisfied smile. Kaien laughed too because of that and because Rukia really was evil. — I'm glad to be the first one and to be able to take this pressure off my shoulders, the tension between the girls is quite strong and they don't stop talking about who will be the new crown princess.
That seemed curious to Kaien although it was to be expected. He was supposed to be dating the girls to choose the one he liked best for a wife and all the girls would be trying to get his attention when they got their chance to go out with him.
— And who do you think will be the new crown princess? — Kaien asked calmly.
Both had reached a small river that formed a waterfall as it fell from the cliff and Kaien got off the horse indicating that this would be the place where they would spend the rest of the morning. Mila also got off the horse, helped by Kaien so as not to get hurt, and both tied the horses near the river so they could drink water.
— All of us girls believe that the new crown princess will be Miss Yuki. — Mila replied as she placed the blanket on the dirt floor so they could sit there. — And we have good reason to think so, although one of the Cifer girls says that she will be the one in charge of stealing your heart, falling in love with you and much more.
Kaien laughed at that and slightly shook his head.
— Miss Yuki will not be the new crown princess. — Kaien put the bag of food on the blanket while saying that. Mila had a couple of wine bottles and aluminum cups with her, which she also placed on the blanket.
— Oops! When she finds out, it won't be fun. — Mila seemed too amused by that idea. — I like her but she's a bit demanding. Every once in a while she makes a nasty comment or two, I don't know if she realizes it, but she seems very confident that she will be the crown princess.
— She is living a fantasy. That happens with all the Inamoratas of the princes.
— With Miyako, that didn't happen. — Mila added with a smile. Kaien didn't expect that and the smile on his face froze. Mila immediately realized her mistake. — I'm sorry, your highness. I didn't think when I said that, it wasn't my intention that...
Mila didn't seem to know what to say and it took a moment for Kaien to regain his speech. Mila had been in the same generation as Miyako and they had known each other well enough before he chose Miyako as Inamorata.
— Okay, it's been years of that. — Kaien took the bottle of wine and carefully uncorked it to pour some into both aluminum glasses, he felt he needed to drink some. — With Miyako it was different.
— She was a good person and she was kind. She didn't deserve what happened to her, whatever it was.
— Life inside the palace destroyed her. — Kaien muttered looking at the wine in his glass. — Thanks for being there too. I didn't say it before, but your company in those moments was comforting and kept me from jumping off the cliff, in more ways than one.
— It was the will of the Deities that I was nearby at that time, your highness. — Mila explained raising her glass and tapping Kaien's glass, who was still looking at the wine in silence. — I did what any person would do for someone in pain.
After those words, Mila suggested to drink the first drink in memory of Miyako and he agreed. They didn't talk about Miyako again, but about the situation they were in and the reasons for his divorce from Nelliel.
Kaien knew that the real causes had been kept secret and people only knew that they had been divorced. They did not bother to say more than the fact that Nelliel was not fit to be the future queen because her health was weak and on the doctor's recommendation she should lead a life of peace, so divorce became inevitable.
That only made the rumors about Nelliel's suicide attempt and Kaien and Ulquiorra's fight stronger. People liked to talk about everything that happened between members of the royal family.
— She couldn't take the pressure of the title. — Kaien commented with a piece of cheese in his hand, repeating the official version. — The pressure of having to give an heir to the crown and then lose it, was what affected her the most. Then the doctors declared that she needed rest, the king annulled the marriage and here we are.
Kaien ate the piece of cheese in his hand and Mila was silent for a moment.
— It's really sad, because it looked like Nelliel was really in love with you, Your Highness. — Mila's comment made him turn to her with a confused expression that begged for an explanation. — Yep, since we were in court she seemed very much in love with you. I even thought that she would treat Miyako badly because you chose her as your Inamorata, but Nelliel befriended her instead. I think Nelliel loves you so much that she was happy to see you happy.
Kaien didn't know what to say to that, so he changed the subject to something else that was more pleasant. The wine dragged them into a happy state when the first bottle was finished, and the talks little by little went from funny to too intimate, to the point that Kaien was close to kissing Mila but she stopped him by putting a finger on his lips and pushing him away.
— Will you say you won't kiss anyone until you get married? — Kaien asked somewhat frustrated by that rejection.
— Who told you I haven't kissed before? — Mila said that in a defiant tone. — I have kissed many people but you have Inamorata, your highness, and that Inamorata is my friend. Can you imagine how awkward it would be to talk to her if I kissed you? Or is it that you want us to meet to talk about how well you kiss?
Kaien laughed out loud at that last question but moved closer to Mila. She didn't move away and he liked that. Kaien was almost sure that Mila was just playing with him as Yuki tried to do by saying that she didn't want to be the crown princess, the only difference between them is that Mila would actually become the crown princess.
— How are you two going to talk about how good I kiss if you don't want to kiss me?
— Miss Yuki says that you kiss like the Deities, although I don't know if she has kissed a Deity.
Mila again put one of her fingers on Kaien's lips, this time to caress them slowly, and Kaien took the opportunity to trap that finger between his lips for a second.
— Mila, what would you say if I told you that I want you to be the crown princess?
— I would say that the prince wants to sleep with me and will say anything to do so. — Mila replied amused getting dangerously close to Kaien's lips. — But I would sleep with you even if you didn't promise to be the crown princess. Leave the promises for those who live the fantasy.
Kaien smiled and kissed her at that moment. Mila answered the kiss that little by little became more intense until at one point she was sitting on top of him and Kaien was opening her blouse to kiss her neck and shoulders better. They were both wearing pants and doing it on the cliff was not something he wanted at the moment, but he understood why Rukia suggested such a private activity.
Rukia was too cunning.
When the sun began to light up the cliff and they had reached that moment between stopping or taking off their clothes, they decided it was time to go back to the castle. Kaien asked Mila to ride together, on the same horse, and she didn't refuse. He wanted to keep kissing her and return the favor she had done him with her mouth, but using his fingers.
— Your Highness, before you marry, welcome me to your bed. — Mila said with a weary smile before they reached the cliff gate. Kaien had felt her tremble in his arms and his fingers were full of her. — I want the privilege of ruining his bed sheets before his new wife does.
— What if you come to my bed tonight? — Kaien asked in a whisper. — Become my Inamorata.
— If I do, maybe Miss Yuki will throw me off the cliff when she finds out, and for now I value my life. — Mila commented with a mischievous smile. — But I can't refuse to go out with you from time to time, as long as that kind of kissing is included.
— It seems to me a fair and reasonable idea. — Kaien whispered before kissing her again.
—
In morning training, Queen Masaki would place one of her hands somewhere on Rukia's body and Rukia had to get the magic there before the queen removed her hand because they were training her reflexes and response speed. In the end, Queen Masaki concluded that Rukia had improved enough to suggest that she train in a new aspect of magic, but she also suggested to Rukia that she should start training in hand-to-hand fighting for her to gain stamina, since magic wasn't everything.
Rukia nodded at what the queen told her, because after all, the queen was her teacher in the use of magic and she knew what was best in that training. Queen Masaki promised her that she would find a good teacher for her to train her in hand-to-hand fighting, and again, Rukia nodded. Rukia would have preferred Ichigo to teach her that, but he was on tour with the king and she didn't know when they would be back.
— Go take a bath, we will go out in the afternoon to speak with the Celebration Committee to finish organizing the autumn sacrifice. — The queen spoke as she finished cleaning the blood on her hand. Rukia had managed to hurt the queen a few times in that training. — Get some rest too, I'll send for you when it's time.
Rukia agreed to this, then kissed the queen's hand goodbye and left the queen's room where they had been that morning. Tatsuki, along with her other maid, prepared the queen's bath and, when the water was ready, Rukia sank into it wearing only that white chiffon nightgown she bathed in.
— I feel like I could sleep all day until tomorrow. — Rukia whispered as Tatsuki helped her wash her hair. — I'm also hungry, I want to eat something sweet. What is today's dessert?
— Fruits in sugar. — Her second maid answered, holding out a tray of lotions for Rukia to choose from.
— I don't want fruits with sugar, I want vanilla cream. — Rukia chose a flower lotion and poured it into the water. — Nope! A chocolate mousse. Is there still chocolate? If there is no chocolate, vanilla. I feel like my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Both maids laughed at this and the maid holding the tray offered to go into the kitchen and order what she wanted.
— A normal portion or a large one? — The girl asked.
— A big one, I'll have to put up with listening to the Celebration Committee and I need a lot of sugar in my body. — Rukia spoke as if she was a child about to go somewhere she didn't want to.
The maid left and Rukia stayed with Tatsuki, who was still washing her hair to remove the oils they combed it with.
— Kia, have you noticed that you eat a lot of sugar on the days you have that training with the queen? — Rukia had her eyes closed and was enjoying the moment when Tatsuki asked that question. — You also eat a lot.
— Sleepy, tired and hungry. — Rukia murmured, as if she was about to fall asleep in the water. — The prince says that it's normal while I'm learning, when my body is stronger, I'll stop sleeping and eating so much.
— If I didn't know why, I would think that the prince is still in the castle, hiding somewhere and visiting you at night. — Tatsuki whispered maliciously making Rukia's cheeks turn completely red.
Autumn — x493 / October 5
Since his father and Ichigo had left to travel the world, he had to be responsible for everything related to the kingdom and that was really exhausting.
"The transition" they called what he was doing.
That was the way in which he little by little began to become more and more responsible for the problems of the kingdom; from listening to the petitioners and solving his problems to having meetings with the Council to deal with trivial matters that could not be left aside or they would become problems. It was a lot of work, it was exhausting, but Kaien could handle it and that made him happy, even though he hadn't been able to go out with any of the other girls at court because of the huge workload he had.
That day, when he was back in his room after that meeting with the Councilors, and while he was resting on one of the sofas on his balcony, one of his servants knocked on the door asking permission to enter.
Kaien allowed the entrance and the servant appeared before him with a large object in his hands.
— Your Highness, a messenger has arrived from Visnia with this for you. He says it's important that you read it in private. — The servant explained as he handed that package to Kaien.
— You can go out and make sure no one interrupts me for the rest of the afternoon.
The servant bowed to him, confirmed the order, and left the room. Kaien looked curiously at that package because he didn't expect it to be sent to him from Visnia and as far as he knew, Nelliel still couldn't send letters or packages.
Kaien carefully removed the string that held the packing paper in place, and then removed the paper, only to realize that it was a book, and on top of it was an envelope with a handwriting he knew perfectly well. The package was sent by Nelliel.
Kaien felt his heart beat so hard at that moment that happiness was drawn on his face with an involuntary smile. Nelliel had written to him, which meant her punishment was over and he could come see her. Kaien realized that even if he could go see her, he didn't know what he was going to say to her. Nelliel was his friend and had been his wife, but at the time he didn't know what level their relationship was at.
Kaien didn't know if he could get his friend back or if what was between them was damaged forever.
He calmed his heart and preferred to stop thinking about those things, the best thing would be for him to read the letter and then let his mind wander to the relationship with Nelliel, so he settled in his place and opened the envelope.
—
My dear Kaien…
The first weeks of this confinement were agony, the silence and indifference of all those who live in this palace, which is now my life prison, was worse than being locked inside a dark dungeon. Even so, the thought that you were doing something so that the king would forgive me and allow me to return to you, gave me hope to endure this confinement.
I tried to endure as much as I could, but knowing that the court had been formed and that it was made especially for you, ended up extinguishing that hope that little by little had begun to wither.
It was only a short time that I was locked up, but it felt like years.
All those days, I just woke up, looked out the window and fantasized about going back in time so I wouldn't make the same mistakes that brought me here. I wanted to die and almost succeeded, but they prevented it. They saved my life just so I could go on living in this silent prison.
My brother has abandoned me.
Ulquiorra is alive and has a son, I have a nephew that I can't meet and may never meet because my brother can't come back to the kingdom and I can't get out of here. I would like to see my brother, meet his son and know if he looks like him or someone else, but even if I could get out of here, I don't know where he is.
All I wanted was to be with you, to live by your side, but now I only have memories and instead of giving me comfort I only find pain in them, not because of what they were, but because it will be all I will have until the end of my life.
When they lifted my punishment and let me roam the castle, I took refuge in the library. I was sick of my room, and the library was the only place the queen mother seemed comfortable with my stay. Deep down I think she hoped I wouldn't come out of my room.
Books have brought me some comfort, they take my mind elsewhere and allow my soul to rest from the sadness in which I live. I have read many books, many stories and many authors, however, I found a book that I could not read because it is not written in any language that I know.
It was hidden among the oldest books in the library, among the volumes that one can only reach using a ladder, and I think whoever put it there intended that no one else would find it because when I opened it, while trying to understand some of what was written there, I found your name.
I sneaked it out of the library and called the messenger while the queen mother was outside the Palace of the Sun. The man did not want to make the trip, I suppose that although I have the freedom to send letters, these must first pass through the hands of the queen mother, so I handed him one of the jewels you gave me and told the messenger that if that jewel arrived safely with you, as well as the package, he would be handsomely rewarded.
I hope it is you who reads this letter and not the queen mother.
I love you Kaien.
Your still friend, Nelliel.
—
Kaien's feelings went from happiness to sadness with each line he read in that letter from Nelliel, understanding each word written there because only he could understand the suffering she could be going through, and for a moment, he felt guilty about everything he was doing. Nelliel didn't deserve what was happening to her.
Still, when he reached the end of the letter and found those strange words referring to the book that Nelliel had sent him, curiosity filled all his senses, as well as that dose of happiness that came with the knowledge that Nelliel still loved him.
He put Nelliel's letter aside, he would reply to it later and send her some gift to make up for what she lost by sending that messenger, whom he too would seek, and turned his full attention to the book.
Touching the book, Kaien felt a strange sense of familiarity that he had never experienced before, it was something he had no way of describing but it filled his mind and soul with longing. That was unusual and that book aroused his curiosity even more. He opened it with nerves and curiosity on his skin, and discovered that indeed, the book was written in a different language that he had never seen before.
Kaien knew several languages, but the book was in one he didn't know.
Little by little he went through the thick pages of that book that was full of letters and symbols, as well as strange engravings. Kaien tried to find something that was understandable to him, until he found a page engraved with the same symbol he had on his left foot. Again, he tried to read some of what he had written there, but he couldn't understand anything and preferred to keep going through the pages.
It wasn't until the final pages that he found the reason Nelliel had sent it to him. Handwritten in delicate calligraphy was a small note:
"To my son, Kaien. Within these pages is your heritage."
Greetings to all who have continued reading this wild story. Special regards to jobananasan.
The author says that the longer the chapter, the longer the author takes to upload it.
