The Nightingale

Chapter 85: Betrayal

Warning: sensitive topics.

Winter — x494 / January 14

Rukia, 18 years old

—

My dear Rukia...

As you may have noticed by now, the card is filled with Kaito's small inked hands. It was the most original way I could think of for you to have a birthday present from him. I hope you like it.

So… Happy Birthday!

I hope you have a good time and eat a lot of cake, have fun and enjoy that day.

We are fine here and every day we are doing better.

Kaito is getting bigger every day, he still doesn't crawl but he rolls on the bed and I have to make him a pillow fort so he doesn't fall. Sometimes I also make him a pillow fort on the floor, using the pillows and stuffed animals you sent, and he's happy with that for a long time. That gives me enough time to rest and be able to dedicate myself to household things.

Sometimes I get together with the soldiers' wives, I didn't know they were like a social club and it's nice to have a bit of that world that sometimes I miss. It's not like those afternoon teas where we ate cupcakes and tasted the strangest teas we could afford, but company brings happiness to my heart.

The only thing I don't like about those meetings is that I can't take Kaito with me.

Soldiers' wives say the gatherings are for time away from home, family and responsibilities. Kaito stays at home with the maid, she takes good care of him and he is used to being together with her. I will never stop thanking you for sending her, she is very helpful to me and Ulquiorra, because he is always away and goes to work calmly because he knows that I am not left alone with the baby.

I learned to make bread and candies, and now I sell them almost every day.

The first time I put up a sign announcing that bread was for sale, I sold little but I think that's how it starts because the following times I sold more and more. Now I have to put up a sign that says the days I will sell bread because sometimes people show up at my door asking if I made bread or not.

Ulquiorra says that this money is mine and that I can spend it however I want because he can support me and Kaito with his soldier's salary, but I can't spend it. I see how hard he works every day and I prefer to save it for when we need it.

The only times I allow myself to spend a little of the money is when we go out into the city for mass at the Temple of the Shadow on Sundays.

Sometimes I think it's the Shadow that protects us because Ulquiorra says that the soldiers pray to the Shadow for a glorious death in battle, but he prays for us to have a peaceful life and not fear death.

The Deities or the Shadow, I know that one of them has given us a hand so that everything goes well in our lives. I hope all is going just as well in yours, my dear friend.

By the way, I don't know if you already know, but there is a new king in Vayalat.

Prince Ichigo's uncle was crowned and Ulquiorra says that the ceremony was amazing. He was on duty that day and was able to witness it from the throne room.

Ulquiorra says that after the coronation there was a big ball, both to celebrate the new king and to start the New Year. There were many people present and it was the first time Ulquiorra saw Queen Kirio, he says that she was in a country house recovering from a strange illness and that is why the coronation was held on the last day of the year.

The King of Jetaiya was also present along with his sons but those who did not arrive were the royalty of Gardelia, they sent a procession and a gift to the new king, but nothing more. Rumor has it that King Yushiru is dead and that the Malthai is the one who reigns behind a boy king.

Ulquiorra is my source of information, he hears a lot of things in the halls of the palace because he works inside. It's entertaining and reminds me of when we conspired in the afternoon.

My brother and my mother came to visit me.

First my brother sent a letter advising that it would only be a family visit and then they came, but still I was afraid that they would take me back to the kingdom. Sora still doesn't tolerate Ulquiorra for bringing me with him, but he's happy playing with Kaito and my mother loves my baby.

I missed my mother, what I didn't miss was that she wouldn't stop complaining that the life I have isn't the kind of life I deserve, luckily none of those comments were made in front of Ulquiorra.

They were here for a few days and then they returned to Eikaran, they left many gifts for Kaito.

Sometimes I keep thinking about the life we would have if we still lived in the kingdom, if we lived in the castle or in Eikaran, and I berate myself for it, because sometimes I really want to go home. I love Ulquiorra, I really do, and I love our family and everything we've done on our own, but sometimes I'm weak.

Those days I feel like a bad person and I don't want to feel that way. Luckily it's not every day, just the days when things get tough where all I want is to spend all day in bed with the baby and not have to worry about a thing.

It happens less and less, I suppose that one day that desire to return will simply disappear and I will stop feeling that way.

I think I've already written too much, if I write more then I won't have anything else to write.

I wish you a happy birthday and may your life be filled with blessings, my dear friend.

With love, Orihime

—

Winter — x494 / January 20

—

My dear Ulquiorra...

I didn't know how to start this letter because what I have to tell you is not easy to say and the words refuse to come to me, but it is because there is no smooth way to say this news.

Our beloved Nelliel is dead.

She made an attempt on her own life, it wasn't the first time she had done it, but this time we couldn't stop her.

She cut her own wrists and bled to death.

We buried her in your parents' crypt so that she, at least, can rest with the memories they left behind in life.

I know I promised to take care of her and protect her, but I couldn't protect her from herself and it's my fault. I never wanted anything she experienced to happen to her, I always wanted a bright life for her, but fate had its own plans.

Now Nelliel rests in the paradise of the Deities with her parents. I know that's not consolation enough, but it's all we've got.

I hope you can forgive this woman who couldn't keep her promise.

Masaki, Queen of Avanta.

—

Winter — x494 / January 29

Nelliel's death kept spinning in her head, it wasn't something she could stop thinking about so easily, especially when she saw that Ichigo, Rukia and Kaien seemed to be calm between them. Masaki didn't know what she disliked more, knowing that those three were lying to her face or realizing that they seemed to have reached an agreement to cover each other's backs.

Isshin was in the same situation, he knew that the three of them were lying and that none of them intended to say something against the other because no matter how they brought up the subject, those three always had an answer to give.

The alliance that those three maintained made them angry, it made them think too much and it worried them because a part of them didn't know how dangerous Ichigo and Kaien could be if they were really allies.

Sometimes they wanted their sons to continue fighting each other for the throne, it was easier that way because each one could trust their own champion, but at that moment neither she nor Isshin trusted Ichigo or Kaien.

Isshin, for the first time, was completely sure that if Ichigo didn't kill him, Kaien would kill him, or in the worst case, the alliance that his sons maintained at that moment was to kill him between them.

Masaki e Isshin ordered the sequence of events related to Nellile's death and what they had discovered, they didn't like. Everything pointed to Ichigo and Kaien no matter where they looked, and her mind kept coming up with all the possible scenarios that served to fill in the gaps in the story.

The letters, the trip and the assault on the caravan; the wound in a place where it didn't really endanger her life, the fact that she was in the king's area near Kaien, where everyone had free access, and the discussion with Kaien where they obviously talked about Miyako. Ichigo's presence outside that room and Rukia's presence inside as she tried to save the life of the one who tried to kill her.

Everyone had at least one hand involved in that death and the queen needed answers because the ones that Ichigo, Rukia and Kaien gave her weren't enough. She needed a culprit because she couldn't accept Nelliel taking her own life, not when those who wanted to hurt her were close to her.

The noise in the hallway made her stop thinking about Nelliel and her death and focused on the screams of someone asking for the doctor.

It wasn't hard for her to recognize Ichigo's voice, which sounded desperate, and it wasn't hard for her to recognize that his despair had to do with Rukia.

Rukia.

Ever since that conversation where Rukia confessed that Nelliel's death was indifferent to her, Masaki had excluded her from activities in which they had to share a moment together.

The queen had also given Rukia more work than she knew she could handle.

Masaki didn't trust Rukia, just as she didn't trust her own son.

A short time later, Isane entered her room and began to give her a detailed report on Rukia's health, which was good because the queen had no desire to see Rukia or Ichigo. The queen's anger was still great against them and against Kaien.

— So much scandal for a faint? — Masaki asked in annoyance, putting down her coffee cup and turning her attention to the doctor.

— It wasn't just a faint, your majesty. According to Prince Ichigo, they were in the House of Justice attending to some business when the princess fainted for the first time. They managed to make her wake up, so they brought her to the castle but she fainted again when they got off the carriage. The prince brought her to her room. When I got there, she was still unconscious.

The queen was silent for a moment, thinking carefully about what Isane was saying to her.

— She had been sick before too, hadn't she?

— That's right, your majesty. — Isane confirmed in a calm manner. — She ate something that hurt her stomach and was throwing up for a couple of days.

— Vomiting and fainting. Has she been drinking the tea properly? — The queen asked carefully because that was a delicate subject that had to be handled in the same way.

— That's right, your majesty. In addition, the princess entered a rest period days after the celebrations of the Souls. I made sure she bled before giving her the teas to improve health and protect her fertility.

Masaki didn't have to think too hard about what she should order.

— Give her a pregnancy test without her noticing and bring me the results. Now you can go.

Isane bowed to her and walked out of there.

Masaki picked up her cup of tea and took another sip as she gazed at the afternoon on the horizon.

Winter — x494 / February 2

—

Her Majesty, Queen Masaki of Avanta:

Thank you for giving me that news and for giving my sister's body and soul a resting place. I have nothing more to say, except that nothing ties me to the kingdom anymore. I appreciate your concern and care for me and my sister all these years.

Have a good life.

Ulquiorra Cifer.

—

Winter — x494 / February 6

—

My dear Rukia...

Is what is written in Queen Masaki's letter true? Is it true that Nelliel is dead?

Ulquiorra is devastated and does not stop blaming himself for the fate that Nelliel has had, she was his only sister. He can't stop thinking that he should have done something more for her.

My dear Rukia, tell me that Nelliel's suicide is not the "make it look like an accident" that is always handled in the underworld.

You are my friend and I will trust what you tell me, but I ask you to tell me the truth.

Orihime.

—

Winter — x494 / February 8

The first thing Yoruichi thought when it was time to leave the White Palace and go back to the Councilor's house, was that she didn't want to leave there.

She missed her bed and her life, she missed those days with all her soul.

The Councilor did not forbid her anything thanks to the fact that she passed the sheet test and her virtue could not be questioned, but visiting the White Palace was not the same as living there.

— Promise you will visit me again soon, Yoru. — Asked her little brother and king, while he took her by the hand and walked through the halls for her to leave the harem.

— I'm a married woman, but I will ask my husband for permission to come again. — Yoruichi promised her little brother, and the boy smiled at that before starting to tell her how he caught a caterpillar in a jar.

Yoruichi was paying attention to her little brother and saying a word or two to motivate him to keep talking, when Masayoshi came up to them with a worried expression and a large number of guards.

— My princess, please return to the harem. — Masayoshi said as he made the guards move and surround them for protection.

— What's going on? Did something happen to the Malthai?

Yoruichi's question had a dose of fear imprinted on it. Her mother at that time was the one who ruled the kingdom and her life was too precious.

— No, she's fine. The guards are with her and are protecting her.

— So what happens? Why all the security?

— My princess, a pretender to the throne has appeared. — Masayoshi reported with a concerned expression. — The former king's eldest son appeared at the main entrance. Prince Chika.

Yoruichi didn't know what to say at that moment.

Her older brother was supposed to have died at sea while traveling to the Dawnlands, her mother had made sure that was his fate.

That man could not be alive.

— Capture him. Lock him up. Something! — Yoruichi ordered as she hugged her little brother protectively, who was too young to remember who the king's firstborn was.

— He has an army stationed on the outskirts of the city. — Masayoshi reported, causing Yoruichi to feel the panic of impending attack on her skin. — He says he's come to parley with the Malthai.

— He's going to kill her!

— He entered without weapons and the Malthai is not alone. — Masayoshi paused. — Don't worry, princess. Go back to the harem, we will close it to protect you and protect the king. Whatever you do, don't get out of there until I get there.

Yoruichi nodded and picked up her little brother in her arms to return to the harem as fast as her feet would carry her. She couldn't let that man harm her little brother, he was too young to die.

Winter — x494 / February 14

Kneeling on the floor, her face buried in the trash can and with half of her breakfast out of her stomach, Rukia felt that despair and fear that came with the inevitable truth of her situation.

— Kia, when are you going to tell the prince? — Tatsuki asked as she rubbed her back to try to comfort her and held her hair back.

— I'll find the time to tell him. — Rukia whispered, tears in her eyes and not daring to get up from the floor for fear that the nausea would return.

Her other maid approached her and handed her a glass of water so that she could wash her mouth, but the bitter taste of vomit was impregnated on her tongue and no matter how much she rinsed, she could not get it off.

The pregnancy test that Tatsuki had done on her, hidden from the queen and the doctor, had turned out positive. They had used two different types of seeds and both had germinated, added to the weakness, dizziness and nausea, which they had tried to keep as hidden from the queen's gaze as possible, indicated an overwhelming positive.

Rukia knew exactly the day that pregnancy occurred and she knew that it had been due to her carelessness. With the whole situation surrounding Nelliel's death, she forgot to drink the tea.

— As long as the queen still thinks I'm sick from the amount of work, then we're safe, although I don't think she'll try to do anything to us. — Rukia spoke in the plural, because ever since Tatsuki gave her the test result, she had begun to realize that she had to protect what was growing inside of her.

Her child. Her baby.

She had suspected a pregnancy, but the news was still overwhelming and she had spent much of the night thinking about it, about that little life inside her. It wasn't like that first time where they suspected that she might be pregnant, this time the pregnancy was an overwhelming and forceful certainty.

There was life inside her and she wanted it. She wanted the little being that was growing inside of her because it was a part of her and Ichigo, the man she loved with all her soul.

The reality showed itself before her and it did so with all those emotions that she was unaware of and underestimated because she had never experienced them with such intensity.

She couldn't even think of ending that life inside her because the mere idea of interrupting it with her own hand seemed like a horrible act. She was a monster, she knew it because she had done cruel things to other people, but she wasn't going to let the little life growing inside her suffer because of the rules.

Not if she could help it.

Rukia knew the queen could take it from her because rules were rules and the affection she once showed them was overshadowed by Nelliel's death, but she wasn't alone and they had a plan.

The kingdom, Maranni and the Accords of the Fall, could go to hell.

Besides, it would only be a pause in their plans, because in the same way either they would keep the crown of Avanta or they would contribute to the conquest of the kingdom. In both options, both Kaien and the Accords of the Fall would cease to exist.

When she calmed down and was sure that the rest of her breakfast would not come out by her mouth, she prepared to spend the day in the city together with Ichigo in the celebration of Day of the Roses.

Although Queen Masaki had excluded her from the preparations and increased her workload, it was practically an obligation to attend this celebration and pretend that all was happiness and harmony within the royal family.

Rukia knew why the queen had made that decision but she preferred to ignore that fact and keep the distance that the queen herself had put between them because at that moment, that distance was her shield.

If the queen was thinking that she would come to her confessing, crying, and begging for her forgiveness for using Nelliel as her first Shadow tribute, the queen could keep waiting. Nelliel had tried to kill her and if that archer had not missed and the arrow had pierced her heart, the queen wouldn't have suspected Nelliel for a second.

— You are very quiet, do you want to tell me what's happening, my Moon? — Ichigo asked after a few moments of silence inside the carriage that would take them to the city.

They didn't have breakfast like the first time but Ichigo sent her a big bouquet of roses and a promise for dinner that night in the winter garden. Rukia wanted that dinner, but right now there were more important things than dinner.

— Do you remember when we were in Kirasam? — Rukia asked, searching for a soft way to break the news as she unconsciously placed her hands on her belly in a protective gesture.

If they were going to escape, it had to be that day where everyone was in town and no one was paying enough attention to them. It must have been before the celebration ended, while everyone was entertained watching the last event of the day.

—

The news was surprising, he didn't expect it and at the same time, a part of him was happy to have heard Rukia confirm something that he wanted, not at that moment but it was something that he definitely wanted to have with her.

They were going to have a child.

He had many questions to ask her but he only managed to hug her, because it was what his wife needed at that moment. Afterwards there would be time for questions and answers because at that moment the priority was to get out of there.

Leaving the castle, the kingdom, the mainland if necessary, was a priority because staying in the castle was dangerous for his wife. Especially at that moment when his mother had been openly hostile to them for blaming them for Nelliel's death.

— Does my mother know? — Ichigo asked at that moment, causing Rukia to slowly let go of the hug and look into his eyes.

He could see the nerves and fear flash in his wife's eyes, and he knew the answer to his question immediately. His mother didn't know and he perfectly understood his Moon's reason for keeping that secret.

— Tatsuki secretly gave me a pregnancy test. Yesterday she gave me the result and got rid of it. — Rukia took his hands and he felt that his wife's hands were sweating, proof of how nervous and scared she was. — I'm afraid to tell her. I know the rules but… but this time… this time…

— The kingdom is not worth the blood of our children. — Ichigo whispered and Rukia nodded slowly.

Ichigo hugged her again, thinking about what they should do to get out of there without anyone noticing, what they should bring and who they should take into exile with them. Rukia couldn't be left alone, she needed more help than he could give her.

— My Moon. — Ichigo whispered as the carriage stopped and Rukia looked up to meet his eyes. They had already arrived in town. — I'll take care of you, I promise. To you and the little light within you.

Rukia's eyes shone, this time from the immediate presence of tears, and he kissed her at that moment with such sweetness that it shouldn't even be called a kiss.

The idea of a family with his Moon formed in his mind faster and faster and he didn't mind having a life in exile if he could be with them, with his Moon and his little light.

—

The mission for the day was to show how happy and united they were in the royal family, although that wasn't a problem for Rukia because she was truly happy in Ichigo's company. She was still scared about the pregnancy and everything that would happen in the next few hours, but she couldn't help but feel happy because Ichigo was really clinging to her.

They had to flee the kingdom before anyone found out and they would be hunted down and accused of treason when they found out about the pregnancy, but Ichigo was happy.

She felt him happy and that made her happy.

— Why are you so happy, my prince of the Sun? — She asked when he held her from behind, discreetly placing his hands near her belly as she bought a heart-shaped meringue bake.

— You do not know?

The question, which carried an amused tone, made her tilt her head a bit and Ichigo stole a kiss from her. Immediately a lot of murmurs were heard from the people who were watching and following them closely.

There was also a reporter, the one who would be in charge of narrating what was happening that day with them, as well as the one who followed Kaien and Mila, and the one who followed the king and queen.

Rukia turned completely red from that kiss but it was impossible not to answer it because she felt so much love in that kiss that her heart was pounding.

For that day only, such displays of affection were allowed in public.

— My winter princess, if you keep kissing me like that, you're going to make my popularity with the girls who follow us drop to the ground. — Ichigo teased, knowing they were being heard and making her narrow her eyes and take a few steps away from him for saying that.

— I didn't ask you to kiss me. — Rukia took a small bite of the baked meringue, feeling that it was the best thing she had ever tasted. She enjoyed the taste of the baked meringue before turning her attention back to him. — Besides, no matter what I do, they'll still look at you. It's your fault. Stop being so attractive to other women.

Rukia playfully pinched his cheek as she said that last thing causing Ichigo to close his eyes and groan, but still with a smile on his lips.

They were giving a lot of material to the reporter for the newspaper.

— Impossible. — Ichigo replied and stole a bite of his meringue. Rukia knitted her eyebrows at that blatant theft and pushed what was left of her meringue away from him.

— How impossible? I'm going to lock you in a tower so they… don't...

Rukia didn't finish speaking and the smile faded from her face at the same moment that she felt a very strong cramp in her belly. That couldn't be happening. Not at that moment.

— My princess, what's going on? — Ichigo's concern was immediate, as always when she went from happy to sad in seconds.

— Ichigo…

Rukia looked down at her belly with panic rising inside her and a new cramp, that was even more painful than the last, made her hold on tightly to Ichigo to keep from falling. That second cramp was accompanied by something warm that quickly trickled down her legs.

— Get me out of here. — Her voice came out in a gasp because the pain she felt at that moment was getting stronger, nothing compared to what she had ever felt. — Get me out of here. Now.

Rukia closed her eyes enduring another cramp along with the feeling that her body was trying to expel something, and Ichigo immediately picked her up and carried her to the temple of the Deities, which was the building closest to them.

The commotion of the people was audible, but Rukia didn't have time to say anything because the feeling in her belly was present again, so painful and heartbreaking that she just gritted her teeth and clung tightly to Ichigo's clothes, who was running with her in his arms while yelling orders to the soldiers standing near them.

— My princess... hold on... you'll be fine... you'll both be fine...

Rukia could only hold on to Ichigo's clothes until she felt him lay her down on a soft spot, but that was only accompanied by a pain in her belly that made her grit her teeth and not let go of Ichigo's hand. She didn't have to think too much to know what was happening to her and it was inevitable that the tears began to trickle down her cheeks without her being able to stop it.

— My love... what's wrong? Rukia… Somebody call a fucking doctor!

Ichigo's scream echoed in that room, which must have been where the representative of the Deities slept because there were many religious motifs and it smelled of incense, and Tatsuki got out of there as fast as she could. Rukia hadn't realized when Tatsuki had arrived and didn't have time to think because the pain made her squeeze her eyes shut.

That pain tore at her soul in a way she couldn't explain.

— My love, where does it hurt? Tell me, how can I help you?

Rukia's eyes widened and she could see the concern in Ichigo's eyes as he tried to help her without knowing what was really going on. That squeezed her heart because after that last cramp, the certainty of what was happening to her was overwhelming and forceful.

— It was not my fault. — Rukia whispered through tears of pain that were mixed with tears of sadness. — It wasn't my fault... I... my Sun... It wasn't my fault...

Rukia could see how Ichigo little by little was understanding what she was saying, moving his gaze from her face to her belly and then to her ankles that were stained with blood; but before he could say anything, the queen entered and made him leave the room without his being able to refuse.

Rukia was terrified. She didn't need the queen with her, she needed Ichigo with her.

— Did you know it? — The queen's question made her focus her tearful gaze on the woman who until a few moments ago had a worried expression. The queen was in front of her with a stern gaze. — Rukia, did you know you were pregnant?

The word " pregnant " froze her blood and the fact that the queen knew it, that she asked that question without even asking what had happened to her, terrified her more.

The queen knew it.

— No, your majesty. I don't…

Rukia didn't know what to say, she couldn't find the words, because the only thing she was thinking about was when the queen discovered it and who could have told her.

— Now you know. — The queen's voice was cold, without a hint of pity or compassion for her. — The rules are the rules... or maybe it's your sins that have been paid for. When you get over this, come drink tea with me. Your child's blood has purchased my forgiveness.

The queen left that room and Rukia was left alone, feeling pain in her belly and understanding Kaien's words about how cruel the queen could be with her enemies.

She immediately grabbed the pillow that was under her head, put it over her face, and let out such a piercing scream, so full of frustration, hate, and pain, that her throat ached before she began to cry as if a piece of her soul had been torn out.

—

Ichigo was assimilating what had just happened, a few moments before he was completely happy and at that moment he felt a hole in his chest.

He hadn't moved from where he was, standing in front of the door of the room where he had left Rukia, when his mother came out with such a serene and cold expression that Ichigo saw the queen and not his mother.

— The rules are the rules. Don't forget it. — The voice of his mother, the queen, was so cold and cruel that it took his breath away. — After the doctor checks her, you will take her to the castle. We will say that it was the will of the Deities and the subject will not be discussed further.

His mother knew it.

When did she find out? How did she find out? Who told her? Who betrayed his wife?

Ichigo was about to ask questions when Rukia's scream came from the other side of the door and he immediately tried to enter the room, but his mother stopped him. She grabbed his arm and a second later, she sent such a forceful discharge of the gift through his skin, Ichigo ended up on his knees on the floor as blood stained his clothes and he tried to suppress a cry of pain.

— Mother… why?

Ichigo's voice came out in a hoarse gasp as he grappled with the pain and tried to heal himself, but his mother kept hurting him so aggressively that Ichigo could do nothing more than clench his teeth to keep from screaming.

His blood trickled down his arm from the queen's grasp to his fingertips and dripped staining the floor.

— Children who misbehave are punished. — The queen's voice sounded cold, but at the same time it had that intonation that indicated she was talking to a small child. — It is your punishment, you know well what your sin was.

The queen released him and walked away, leaving him on his knees and listening to Rukia's crying on the other side of the door. He was completely shocked. The queen was punishing them that way because she was angry with them, because she couldn't blame them directly for Nelliel's death.

His mother betrayed him, both of them, all because of the woman who stole the king's seal and tried to kill Rukia.

His mother.

The Queen.

—

Rukia clung to the sheet on the bed as she felt the pain and contractions in her belly still continue. She didn't know how long it would last like this, but each cramp reminded her of what could have been and will not be.

What for a moment was hers and that the queen snatched from her without her noticing.

Ichigo had called it "little light" and at that memory, she cried again because she didn't know how it could hurt so much. She felt as if a piece of her soul had been ripped out, as if a hole was being made in her chest.

— I give it to... — She whispered with both hands pressing her eyes, trying to make the tears stop and her voice not sound so hoarse. — I surrender my first child to the Shadow. Rest in eternity, little light.

Rukia couldn't stop crying, pressing her eyes to stop the tears from coming out as she felt her soul tear at those words.

—

All the fuss over whatever happened to Rukia spread faster than he could have expected.

At one point the people were enjoying the day's celebrations and at the other, everyone was gathered in front of the Deities' temple being held back by a fence of soldiers not allowing anyone to enter.

It was chaos, people wondered what had happened to the People's Princess and among themselves they began to look for an explanation for the fact that Ichigo had taken her to the temple in his arms while shouting orders to the soldiers. Many said she was sick and several more agreed with that statement, beginning to tell personal anecdotes about their experiences with illness.

At least that kept them entertained.

Kaien was accompanied by Mila when he entered the temple of the Deities, where the queen and the king were arguing in whispers that were magnified by the echo of the place, and thus he was able to get a vague idea of what was happening to Rukia.

That angered him for various reasons, some more selfish than others but all related to the kingdom and to Rukia.

Mila stayed a few steps away from the king and queen, and Kaien approached them to find out what was going on, but as soon as he asked, both the king and queen fell silent.

Kaien knew that his relationship with his father had gone to hell since Miyako's diary came into his hands and Nelliel's death was added to that; but still he was heir to the kingdom and his father couldn't keep him away as long as he wanted.

Kaien knew he had to kill the king before he changed his mind and gave the throne to one of the twin girls or to their cousin, with whom he seemed to have become close.

— She is sick. Her stomach is weak. — The queen used the same pathetic excuse she used when Nelliel miscarried and Kaien had to hide his anger. — She ate something that made her sick.

— Did she eat the same thing that Nelliel ate that night? — The question had all that bad intention to make the queen and the king angry.

— Kaien! — The king caught his attention, annoyed by the way he used Nelliel's name to make that comparison. — Rukia only has weakness and….

— The kingdom before life, my brother. — Ichigo's voice, completely serious and emotionless, made them all turn to look at him. — Always the kingdom before life.

The phrase that the king always used resounded in that place but Ichigo didn't move from where he was standing, next to the statues of the Deities. Kaien couldn't recognize pain, anger or sadness in Ichigo's gaze, just an emptiness that threatened to swallow everything and everyone.

The emptiness was worse than any emotion.

Perhaps for Ichigo, as it once was for him, life came before kingdom.

— I'll ask the soldiers to have one of the carriages ready for you, you two will go out the back door. — Kaien spoke, purposely ignoring the king and queen. — Go get your wife and have her treated by the queen's doctor.

Ichigo nodded and walked away, not looking at the king or queen.

Kaien realized at that moment that the seats in the game had been changed. It was no longer the queen and Ichigo against the king and him, now it was the queen and the king against the three of them.

— Kaien.

The king's voice made Kaien look at him.

The king was waiting for an explanation for his disrespect and Kaien simply smiled at the thought that had come to his mind.

—

—

My dear Orihime…

Thank you for the letter with Kaito's little hands, it is the best birthday present I have ever received and I will treasure it forever.

It makes me happy to know that your life is going well, I can't imagine how hard it must be some days but you have changed your life and made sacrifices so don't feel guilty for missing what you once had.

Ichigo and I have talked to Kaien about granting Ulquiorra a pardon so you three can go back to the kingdom and you can get back to your life.

He has said that he will think about it.

I had delayed replying to your letter because I wanted to reply properly, but upon receiving the last one you sent me, I knew that I could not reply beyond the lines above because I know that what is important is what is written in the second letter.

First of all, you should know that a lot has happened in the castle, too many things that are attached to each other in this huge web that we live in and that make us move to deal with them.

Nelliel's death began with a diary many years ago.

Yuki found the diary of a girl named Miyako, Prince Kaien's former Inamorata, in the room where Nelliel used to sleep before she was declared crown princess. Before leaving the castle, Yuki handed it over to me for me to hand over to Kaien.

I did it.

What was written there was the life of that girl and her relationship with Kaien, as well as Nelliel's betrayal of them.

Kaien read it and called for Nelliel to come to the castle. During the trip, because they were traveling at night, the caravan was robbed before reaching the capital. Nelliel was injured but managed to reach the castle to have her life saved.

Kaien put her up in the Inamorata's room, which is close to his room, claiming he was worried about her and because he is forbidden from entering the queen's area. The Kahya authorized it, I was not consulted about it even though I was in charge of the castle in the queen's absence.

The next morning, Kaien and Nelliel discussed about Miyako.

Kaien told her that he would exile her from the kingdom, even though he doesn't have that power and Nelliel didn't break any rules. Reporting the pregnancy of Kaien's Inamorata was what she had to do to protect Kaien's life. The rules are the rules.

In the afternoon, when I went to check on her to make sure she was okay, she had cut her wrists and was bleeding to death on the bed. Both wrists.

I tried to stop the bleeding and called for help, but it wasn't enough. When the Kahya arrived, Nelliel was already dead.

Nelliel died on the afternoon of November 23.

We should have informed you, it was our mistake not to do so and I apologize for that. There were just too many things to deal with at the time.

The queen doesn't think Ichigo, Kaien, and I, are innocent of Nelliel's death, and maybe she's right. The three of us were the keepers of the kingdom and the castle during that time, so we all pulled the rope that led Nelliel to her death.

If Kaien hadn't chosen Yuki as his lover, Yuki wouldn't have found that diary and wouldn't have given it to me. If I hadn't given that diary to Kaien, he wouldn't have sent for Nelliel and she wouldn't have made that trip. If Ichigo had sent better soldiers, she might not have been hurt. If I had arrived in time, Nelliel might still be alive.

That's the truth.

It wasn't the "make it look like an accident", it was Nelliel ending her life by her own hand.

It's all I can say in one letter, so I hope it's enough for you and Ulquiorra. I feel very sorry for him, she was his sister and it must be painful to lose someone as close as a family member.

I hope to see you soon, my dear friend.

With love, Rukia.

P.S. I'm sending you this letter with Kholtan because he is more reliable than the messengers, don't worry about him, he will go directly to Vermist's palace after delivering the letter to you.

Hello everyone!

This is a clarifying note about the queen's cruelty.

Since the beginning of history, it has been said many times that the queen Masaki is a cruel person. Orihime mentioned it when she told Rukia what the queen was doing with the king's mistresses. Rukia used to make comments that she would be as cruel as Queen Masaki. And Rukia was aware that the queen could turn against her if she confessed about the cookies, so she didn't.

Nelliel was an important person in the life of the castle, she lived her whole life there just like Kaien, and that is why the affection for her was great. Nelliel was always with the queen. Ichigo left the castle at age 10, grew up elsewhere, and Rukia didn't come to the castle until she was 15.

Affection for Nelliel and the pain of her loss is what makes the queen punish them. Just because the queen hasn't been cruel to Ichigo and Rukia, doesn't mean she never would be.

This is not a justification.

You can put the queen on your revenge list.

By the way, the missing page in the book of Inamoratas is the one related to Kaien's mother, and the letter that Rukia forged was the one that came to Kaien along with the jewels.

—