The markings have been hidden, the curse drowned below ink. The prince bears no ill, but what shall the others think? The empath hides his scars, wings born in their stead. But the past is being recovered; even I'm filled with dread.
The Queen had been pacing about her study most nervously for near an hour, her mind replaying the contents of the missive sitting upon her desk.
It had arrived before she could find her wayward brother and his blond companion, and properly punish them for their truancy from their lessons. No, the letter was far more important then her juniors skipping class.
After so many years of being taught about this sort of situation, the Queen had still been caught off-guard by the missive, and if the tone of the hand was to be of any indication, there would be far more to come.
Tsukiko sighed; gently massaging her neck as she began to think of ways to delay the inevitable, as her eyes once again strayed to the cream encyclical she had received.
The Queen's eligibility had finally become recognised.
The law of the North was that the first born of the royal line was always the one to rule, regardless of gender, and once they had a child, that child was to be the first in line. How one came about producing an heir changed from person to person, whether by spouse or by consort. The North was a place where personal preferences were certainly never looked down upon, regardless of one standing in society, and it's rulers were no exception; provided that there would still be an heir to the throne.
Tsukiko did have an heir to the throne in her brother, prince Rikuo, but sooner or later, the council, and more importantly, her people, would begin to demand that their Matriarch bear a child.
The letter on her desk was from a well-to-do nobleman offering his services. It was clear in the sovereigns eyes that the gentleman wanted, not to aid her in the matter of royal succession, but to gain standing as being the Queen's concubine. The man was the first to make such an offer, but the Queen sadly knew that he would not be the last.
A gentle knocking on the study door brought Tsukiko's attention back to where she was. After delivering an affirmation that whoever it was may enter, Tsukiko turned to look at her visitor.
"Kazahaya."
The precognitive psychic nodded and gently smiled at his Queen. Almost foolishly, Tsukiko thought of the young man being a good partner for her; the man was honest, kind, loving, beautiful and capable of being a great aid to her in the court with his abilities to discern true feelings.
But as a wry smile danced across her features, Tsukiko knew she would never be able to wrest the blond from the ever protective hold of her brother. Though neither was entirely aware of it, both would forever belong to the other.
"Your Majesty" Kazahaya's strong clear voice cut through the matriarch's thoughts and caused her to truly focus all her attention on him "May I, if it is not being too rude, ask what ever has caused you such distress? Your unease is able to be sensed by even those without powers, Milady, and has caused many to worry. His highness has already resumed that disgusting habit of his."
Another smile decorated the Queen's face. The Prince's 'disgusting habit' was that when he was uneasy or worried, he would allocate pressure to his clenched hands, causing the joints to create a small snapping sound. For reasons that had never been disclosed, the sound had always unsettled the post-cognitive man, and several times he had appealed to prince Rikuo to cease such actions, though to no avail.
Tsukiko took a seat in the luxurious chair located behind her desk and made a gesture with her hand, offering Kazahaya to take a seat of his own.
"Perhaps you can be giving me some aid, Kazahaya. As you know, Law states that I must produce a child to carry on the Royal throne. I am not going to disobey this law, as I myself do wish for children, but I wonder how I am to go about it. This letter is from a gentleman offering to become my concubine, but from the tone of his wording, I feel I must decline. I do not wish to be with a man that wants only for power and status, but I know that most desire only that … what would you do in my position?"
The young man seated before the Queen sat quietly, thinking deeply at the words his queen had spoken. After a few moments, which the Queen spent in great anticipation, Kazahaya spoke, his voice sure and kind.
"I would personally meet all the people offering their services. Quite often, a decent man is unable to let his intentions be properly known through pen and paper. Take Saiga as an example; the man is as kind as can be, disregarding his protectiveness issues with Kakei, but when one reads his writing, one gets the impression of a cold and unfeeling man. A meeting with the writers in person would be my starting point. After that, I would talk to those around me and ask of their opinions, what they thought of the visitors. I would do this until I either found someone who I felt a connection to, or I found someone who wanted nothing more to aid me in the procuring of an heir."
The Northern Queen smiled kindly to her friend and allowed him his leave, thanking him for the advice he had given. And truly it was good advice, advice she would certainly follow. Kazahaya had been right to use one of his guardians as an example, Saiga genuinely being a person not able to write down their thoughts. The Queen gazed out the window.
She would have the young lord pay her a visit, in which she would learn about him. Afterwards, she would ask her inner circle their thoughts. Rikuo, Kakei, Saiga and, of course, darling little Kazahaya.
So much good had come into the North following Kazahaya. Kakei had been completely devoted to his work as a physician, taking time occasionally to spend with Saiga, and he had been a man whose expression was obviously a mask, an illusion to prevent anyone getting too close but now he was man willing to make time when it was needed. Saiga had been a rather unapproachable man until he had met Kakei, but he became the fun-loving, almost obnoxious giant of a man once Kazahaya had become part of their lives. The Prince had been a kind but rather serious child, excusing his behaviours during balls that resulted in the noble children acting as children. But now, thanks to Kazahaya's presence, he was generally kind to all, serious only when the matter at hand required it.
Another smile flirted with the queen's lips.
Rikuo would never admit it out loud, but Kazahaya was beyond precious to him; a gem that the prince refused anyone else to own. When the blond had first moved into Kakei's quarters it had been Rikuo who had guided the boy around the labyrinth of the Northern Castle and protected him from the disapproving glances sent by uninformed nobles and conceited lookers on.
And it was to Rikuo that Kazahaya showed his first truly unmasked smile.
They had all been present, the three members of royalty, Kakei and Saiga, and they had all seen the entrancing smile of the boy who could see the past. But the boys smile had been for Rikuo, and only Rikuo. Yes, they had all been the recipient of Kazahaya's angelic smile at some point during his ten years as a member of the royal palace, and the young blonds smile was forever a gift that none of them would dare to overlook, these gifts somehow failed to compare at all to the ones bestowed to the northern prince.
The Queen sighed and pulled a piece of paper from her desk. She had to respond to a gentleman caller.
Kazahaya and Prince Rikuo weren't the only ones aware of the Queens unease. Kakei and Saiga were well aware of their Majesty's distress. Kakei had known it would be and so distracted himself with the tedious work requirements of his position. Saiga, who hadn't been aware of the event, had instead sought to cause its end, resulting in him sending Kazahaya to soothe the matriarch.
For reasons forever unexplained Kazahaya had always proven to be able to calm anyone. Even if the effects of the blond's presence weren't visible in facial emotion or body movement, the boy was able to help anyone relax. Kazahaya didn't even have to say or do anything; just by the empath being in the same room as someone proved to be a balm, a natural relaxant that could calm the wildest beast.
And yes, Kazahaya had served to calm any manner of animal within the palace boundaries. The stallions that threw the greatest rider in a rage would become the most docile of equines when Kazahaya rode upon their saddle, and the vicious canine warrior, trained to guard the royals at any cost that would literally bite into any who strayed too close, including the royals, had faded to become a gentle dog that grew fierce only in an attack.
Sadly, there had been many attacks. Despite how much care and effort is put into looking after all, it is impossible to have a 'perfect' nation.
Because everyone's view of perfection is different.
Kazahaya himself had been the one to mention this, six years previous. He had been helping the servants clean up the mess left after an unsuccessful attack by displeased 'rebels' when one servant asked why anyone would try to destroy the perfect kingdom.
Saiga had been nearby and even to the current day could remember every word his charge spoke with the utmost of clarity.
"Few are aware of the effort the ruling family puts into to upkeep of their lands. Many see the ruling family as dressing in the finest of robes, eating the greatest of foods, and changing the rules of ages on a whim. Even if the people live in an opulent lifestyle, they see their sovereigns as little more than tyrants, stealing from the people to let themselves live in luxury.
In pretty much everyone's 'perfect' world, they are the ones in charge, and everyone loves them; they create a world with no sense of difficulty or hardship for anyone. The worlds they create have no sense of reality; they are little more than the fantasies created by a child. There shall always be some one who shall suffer, either because there is not enough money, not enough food, or there is not enough work, or even they are working too much. No matter how hard anyone strives, there shall always be someone who thinks they are not doing enough."
Saiga had relayed the empath's words to the boys other guardians. The reaction was mixed. The, at the time, Princess Tsukiko and Kakei had become rather sombre, the news that Kazahaya hadn't been hidden from the worlds cruelties appearing as a failing in their minds. The King had been amazed in comparison; that a child as protected as Kazahaya had still managed to be exposed to some of the uglier sides of the monarchy.
Only Prince Rikuo's reaction was worth particular mention. The boy had left the room so silently that it had taken Saiga a while to realise he had departed. The four remaining occupants of the room had immediately sought out to the prince's location, eventually finding him in the palace gardens, sitting upon the stone bench.
Kazahaya's head upon his shoulder.
Saiga smiled as he continued on to the quarter he shared with his beloved. Just as Kazahaya had always been the guardian angel to others, Rikuo was Kazahaya's guardian angel. Due to the boy being an empath, Kazahaya so rarely could recognise when the emotions he was holding were his own, making him slow to realise he was lacking in some thing. Prince Rikuo however was able to differentiate them. Every time Kazahaya was lonely or sad, Rikuo would protect the boy's heart. Every time Kazahaya was worried or scared, Rikuo would soothe the boy's fears. And every time Kazahaya was happy or excited, Rikuo would share the boy's delight.
Kazahaya was everyone balm, but only Rikuo could ease Kazahaya. A few had questioned it, albeit due to their desire to be in the prince's position, but overall, everyone was glad that there was someone to provide solace to the blond.
Saiga entered the apartment he had shared with Kakei for nearly ten years. Being the royal family physician meant that Kakei was given a life of relative privilege, a larger apartment then most servants among them. For quite a time, Saiga knew that Kakei had all but despised the large room, it's space being used as nothing more than a place to eat and sleep. Even the Northerners presence had not been enough to make the barren rooms feel more like a home than a storage room.
Kazahaya had changed that. The boy had been a breath of fresh air, right from the get go; completely refreshing the way Kakei and Saiga viewed the almost decrepit living space.
Saiga could remember Kakei fawning over Kazahaya at any given opportunity, giving Kazahaya a privileged life to grow up in. Many nameless faces had looked on disapprovingly, claiming that the child was probably no more than a street rat and that if they weren't careful Kakei and Saiga would be stabbed in the back.
Aside from Saiga personally 'visiting' the ones who spoke of such atrocious things, there was no thought to what was said. Kakei had to greatly encourage Kazahaya to accept gifts for the sake of gifts, and the boy never dressed lavishly, excusing when the prince convinced the boy to attend one of the constant balls or galas. With everything imaginable being offered the boy, it was astounding to think that he had almost no selfish urges. The selfish urges the boy did possess were more related to his desire to have some one near him and that was usually it. The boy hated to be alone.
Finding his blond lover hunched over a desk covered in slips of paper, Saiga gently wrapped his arms around Kakei, letting a mutual silence reign in the room. Kakei knew immediately that Saiga had managed to ease the Queens distress and released a sigh, the tension slipping from his frame.
Kazahaya was their angel after all.
There was to be a ball.
It was a grand occasion; her Majesty Tsukiko's birthday celebration. One of the few reasons Rikuo would never have to convince his companion to attend.
Dressed in a traditional robe of green trimmed with golden lines, the Northern Prince looked the ever impressive figure, his height and physique of true Northern praise. Looking around the ballroom, the young man was pleased with the number of guests that had chosen to attend the festivities. However, there was a certain head of blond that the prince was almost desperately searching for.
Kazahaya had never really been fond of the social scene after his first meeting the prince, and there was no-one who would ridicule the child for it. Though officially, the events of that night had never happened, those who had been there knew, and before an order of suppression could have been put in place, the word of the small child that had saved the royal heirs had spread throughout the palace and the surrounding town.
So many knew of the child who died saving the prince and princess.
Rikuo stifled a laugh, only a sly grin showing his inner amusement. None of the nobles that night believed that the child could have survived his wounds, so spread word that the boy had perished in the attack. It hadn't been corrected since no-one wanted Kazahaya to be forced into the eyes of the masses. As much as he wanted to find Kazahaya's family, even more Rikuo wanted the boy to stay by his side.
Finally located the empath within the throngs of the gathered visitors, Rikuo began weaving his way to the boy he considered his greatest friend. As he came closer to the young man, a small glint of light reflected through the gentle curtain of the hair falling by his face, and another smile found its way to the prince's lips.
Aside from the law of succession, there was a tradition in the north that every blood member of the royal family be given a way to mark the person they held closest in their hearts. Most usually, female members were given a pair of necklaces with opposite decorations on them, while the male embers were given a pair of earrings with the members chosen design.
Rikuo had heard the murmuring begin the moment the guests first arrived, once they had caught sight of the decorative piece in his ear, wondering who had been fortunate to receive it's partner; even the queen, his sister, couldn't be sure of who the prince gave the mark of absolute friendship too.
Most certainly she suspected the recipient to be the post-cognitive psychic, but propriety prevented her from asking and being certain.
Rikuo had chosen wings.
They were rather simple in design, though they were most certainly sturdy. A deep green, not unlike the prince's current attire, or the emraldine flecks set deep within Kazahaya's eyes, resting within a silver base. The wing was to be worn in a manner that it travelled up the shell of the ear, rather than dangled below the lobe, attached both through the lobe and by a small clamp near the apex of the wing.
Rikuo wore his in the left ear, Kazahaya upon the right.
Finally reaching the boy, Rikuo made his greetings, not only to Kazahaya, but to the two men standing as guardians. Being recognized as an exotic beauty, Kazahaya was often approached by many during his public appearances, and sadly few of them were pleasant visits, the more unsavoury guests more than seduced by the boy's natural looks.
Though not matching his own, Kazahaya was a rather tall young man, and the boy's choice in clothing, for any occasion, was flawless. For Her Majesty's birthday, Kazahaya had dressed in the colours of the winter season; black, white and silver. The robe he currently wore had been a gift from when her Majesty was still a princess, the top made from the finest of black silk with a lengthened front and back, with white pants, both with silver trim and a small sliver phoenix decorating the back. Aside from the wing hidden behind his hair, Kazahaya had also chosen to wear a small ring upon the middle finger of his right hand, a simple silver band with his name engraved upon it's surface in an archaic hand, a combination gift from the two men he considered his parents.
Truly, was it of any wonder that Kazahaya held most attentions? Even though he never sought to be the centre of thought, just by being of the hidden heritage he was, Kazahaya would have eyes on him.
As silence prevailed over the ballroom in preparation for the Queens arrival, the prince cast another glace over to the man he owed his life and smiled.
As long as Kazahaya remained by his side, Rikuo would protect him.
Tsukiko looked joyfully among the participants of the ball.
She had always been among the members of people who adored the social events, always looking forward to dressing splendidly and being among the people. For as long as the event, all seemed right with the world.
Sadly, that night that rule was to be broken.
It began as a loud and sudden crack rang through the vast space of the great hall. Everything and everyone in the ballroom stopped and looked around, trying to deduce the location of the disturbance. The crack turned into cracking and huge, disfiguring marks began running through the wall leading to the palace gardens. Finally, the wall fell, the rubble and debris creating a cloud of dust, through which nothing could be seen, but everything could be heard.
"It would seem that we have interrupted. Oh well."
Fear was already coursing throughout the ballroom, the visitors and guests terrified for their safety in the midst of such destruction. Chaos developed when suddenly, bursts of magic began pulsing throughout the air; fire, lightning, streams of ice, all being thrown into the great hall by magic users.
Queen Tsukiko began giving orders to her soldiers and guests on how to get out safely; the queen herself would not leave until her people were safe. Kakei and Saiga remained at the queen's side, both being proficient in defensive manoeuvres, while Kazahaya and Rikuo tried to join them from the other side of the hall.
From the great fissure in the wall, soldiers, bearing the arms of an unrecognized leader, began entering, their weapons being their magic and their minds. A sharp feminine voice called out an order to attack, and further bolts of magic began lighting the space. The ceiling started to shift, the blows it had sustained beginning to remove it from its support.
A section of the roof suddenly fell, its size of a great magnitude, and its position above the northern prince and his companion. Keeping to his word, Rikuo vehemently pushed Kazahaya out of the range the piece of the roof would have, Kazahaya landing and looking back to his prince in fear.
Rikuo would not be able to outrun the large chunk of debris.
As the prince prepared himself for the impact, and the queen and her companions useless called out his name, the young blond stood, quickly and forcefully flinging his hand out. As though in response to his actions, a sharp pulse rippled through the air, the distorted air forming a beam that could be seen. The beam followed the whipped path of Kazahaya's hand, hitting the northern prince square in the chest and throwing him well out of dangers way.
The empath's four guardians, including the young man whom he had just saved, look on to their charge in awe. Ever since Kazahaya had first stepped into the northern castle, he had been with the powers of post-cognition and empathy. How had he, for even a moment, gained control over one of the elements?
A shrill laugh cut through the air, the feminine chuckles sharp and quick. Kazahaya had returned himself to his prince's side and was standing in front of him as though making himself a shield, despite his form being of no comparison to a Northerners. A look at the boy's face however showed very little bore remnants of the cheerful, kind man that the palace was used too. In his place was a fighter, nay, a warrior, a man who knew well how to fight, destroying the almost helpless image of the blond empath.
A young woman started to become visible through the cloud of dust that had risen and her voice was heard easily over the destruction.
"I've found you … your Highness."
This young woman, who could she be? When I speak again, my children, you'll see. Kazahaya's strength has once again grown, but the reason behind it is yet to be known. The next section shall truly be stellar. I'll see you again.
The Storyteller.