For the last several days, Ryuu had been watching Akoya.

This was not an unpleasant job. The man clearly knew his work, and he never set foot outside his rooms looking anything but lovely. Ryuu didn't mind that - he'd never been the sort to turn up an opportunity to look at attractive people - but there was still something about the man that bothered him, and he couldn't put his finger on it. That was why ever since Akoya had showed up, Ryuu had spent his free time observing him, trying to figure out just what it was about him that was ringing false.

It hadn't taken long for Ryuu to determine that everything in that recommendation letter had been true, so far as it went. Certainly he was a genius when it came to dance and gymnastics. He was competent as a musician, though not remarkable. He played several instruments well enough to serve as backup, or to provide pleasant background noise at a dinner party, but not so well that you wanted him to get up on center stage as a soloist. He put in his time making soaps and lotions in the stillroom, and since he seemed willing to use them on himself, they must have been acceptably made. He rehearsed diligently in his studio every morning, and sometimes in the afternoon as well. When he had free time, he amused himself by sewing his own clothes or doing bits of dainty embroidery. All apparently harmless pastimes, as far as anyone could tell.

Ryuu had not been convinced, and had gone on to make some more serious investigations. He wasn't very knowledgeable when it came to the making of cosmetics, but he'd snooped around the stillroom that Io had set aside for Akoya's use, and had chatted with the staff who secured the ingredients for him, and had concluded that he wasn't making anything more dangerous than ointments and skin creams. The guards had surreptitiously inspected Akoya's belongings when they'd helped to move them into his new room, and had reported that if he was carrying any weapons or poisons, they were too well hidden for a casual search to find. No one had seen any signs that he was passing information along to anyone else. Certainly no one ever went into his room but trusted palace servants, and Akoya didn't show any signs of wanting to go off by himself except to his assigned work areas. As far as Ryuu could tell, there was absolutely no reason to suspect him of posing any kind of danger.

In fact, in some ways he gave the impression of being not very bright. His introductory letter had stated that he could talk intelligently about a variety of topics, but Ryuu had listened to him carefully enough to realize that his knowledge of the world was broad but shallow. He was an agreeable conversationalist, but his primary skill was that of listening carefully, saying "Oh, how interesting! Tell me more" or "Of course, I quite agree," and then paraphrasing whatever had been said to him whenever there was a lull in the conversation. He could talk fluently about music, art, and fashion, but pose a direct question to him about, say, the history of Lithovania or the political state of the Arborean Empire, and he would laugh, toss off a witty remark, and change the subject.

In other words, he could do anything when it came to making himself attractive and displaying his talents, but he didn't seem to know or care very much about anything else. All of that suggested that he was exactly what he said he was: a vain, self-absorbed man who knew how talented he was and had found a way to use his skills to gain himself a comfortable berth.

But is that real, or is that just the face he puts on?

Ryuu was inclined to believe it was the latter. Maybe it was just because he was too perfect in his role. There never seemed to be a moment when he let his guard down and just acted like a person instead of a performer. That could have been just because he was still new in his position and trying to make a good impression, and then again, it might mean he had something to hide. Io seemed to be too busy to be very suspicious, so Ryuu had taken it upon himself to be suspicious for him.

At the moment, he was leaning against the doorframe outside Akoya's studio, watching him practice. Ryuu had to admit that it was very good entertainment. Today Akoya had suspended a length of silky fabric from the ceiling of his practice room, and was amusing himself by climbing it, swinging on it, and bending himself into various contortions while suspended from it. Ryuu watched with appreciation as the dancer dangled from one knee, arching his back until he could touch his toe to the top of his head. Whatever else might be wrong about the man, he certainly didn't lack for strength or flexibility.

Too bad I don't trust him, Ryuu mused, as he watched Akoya slowly work himself through a series of flips and twists. He really was very attractive, and judging by the delicate flirtations he'd cast Ryuu's way, he wasn't averse to the idea of the two of them getting involved. Still, the temptation wasn't so great that he was going to act on it until he was absolutely sure that there would be no danger in doing so.

Still, there was no harm in watching him practice.

After a few more minutes, Akoya finally seemed to decide that he'd rehearsed enough for one morning, and lowered himself smoothly down to the ground. Ryuu sauntered over to join him.

"Did you enjoy the show?" Akoya asked coyly.

"Sure did," said Ryuu. "Working on a new act?"

"I wouldn't want you to get tired of me," Akoya replied.

"Well, Io will probably be glad to know he's getting his money's worth, anyway," said Ryuu. "Speaking of which, here's your first payment."

He lobbed a little bag of coins toward Akoya, who plucked it neatly from the air and smiled.

"I didn't think I was so important that the prince consort himself would choose to deliver my payment," he said.

"I have an ulterior motive," said Ryuu.

Akoya leaned closer, looking interested. "Oh, really?"

"Really," said Ryuu cheerfully. "It's market day. Come on, Twinkletoes - we're going shopping."

"Oh," said Akoya. For a moment, he looked downcast, but then something seemed to get through to him. "Shopping?"

Ryuu grinned. "Yeah. Isn't there anything you want that you haven't gotten from the castle stores yet? Or were you just planning on hiding all your earnings under your pillow?"

"Just give me a moment to get changed," said Akoya.

A few minutes later, the two of them met again in the entry hall. Akoya had found time, not only to change, but to wash up a little and re-braid his hair. He had abandoned his skimpy rehearsal clothes in favor of something that would protect his delicate skin from the glaring sun, and had even pulled a veil over his face. He looked very cool and demure, quite unlike the image he put across when he was dancing. This did not improve Ryuu's opinion of him. Anyone who could put on and cast off a persona like that...

Still, I guess that's a thing you've got to do when you're a performer, Ryuu mused. He found himself very grateful for his loving husband, who, though he could sometimes be frustratingly pragmatic, was also straightforward. You always knew where you stood with him.

"So, what are we shopping for today?" Akoya asked, falling into step with Ryuu.

"I have some things Io wants me to pick up," said Ryuu, "and then I thought we'd just wander around for a while and see what looks interesting."

"That sounds nice," Akoya agreed, and he actually sounded sincere.

So they went to the market. Someone else probably could have gone to get Io's things for him - for the king, the shopkeepers and merchants probably would have delivered - but this suited Ryuu's plans better. He led Akoya through the front of the palace and out into the busy streets beyond. Akoya seemed rather impressed by the crowds in the streets, and pressed nervously closer to Ryuu. Ryuu almost grinned; he was willing to bet that reaction was genuine.

So you're just fine inside the walls of a palace, but not so hot when you have to get out and mix with people, he mused. That suggested that wherever Akoya came from, it wasn't from the common rabble, and loaned strength to the theory that he'd spent his whole life being trained for a position like this one. Ryuu relaxed a little.

"Come on," he said. "We're gonna go look at clothes."

Akoya smiled. "My favorite thing."

They went to a tailor's shop, and Ryuu left Akoya contentedly browsing among the bolts of cloth while Ryuu picked up a few parcels for Io. As reluctant as Io was to waste money on anything, he had reluctantly concluded that he needed at least a few nice things to impress foreign dignitaries with, and the last few days had led him to conclude that he'd drastically underestimated just how many of those he would be dealing with. Akoya wandered over with his arms full of cloth as the clerk began folding things into parcels.

"Are those for you?" he asked, looking appraisingly at the clothes.

"For Io," Ryuu explained.

"Ah, that explains it," said Akoya. "They really aren't your color, but they should suit him nicely. Not what I would have selected, perhaps, but certainly flattering."

"So what would suit me?" Ryuu asked.

Akoya looked around, his face very serious. For a few seconds, his usual veneer of slightly feather-brained good nature fell away, and he examined the offerings around him with a keenly critical eye. Then he darted forward and seized on a couple of bolts of cloth.

"These," he declared. "This for the main portion, and this for the trim."

Ryuu contemplated the selection. The fabric Akoya was showing him was beautifully textured and obviously expensive, but Ryuu had to admit it would probably suit his coloring perfectly.

"Got any ideas what you'd make out of it?" he asked.

"I have a few thoughts," said Akoya.

Ryuu shrugged. "Well, if you feel like working on it in your free time, go ahead and add it to the order."

Akoya looked pleased, so Ryuu stood by while a few yards of fabric and some assorted bits of trim were added to the bill. Io would be annoyed by the extravagance, but Ryuu would repay him later, one way or another. Besides, Io might look at good clothes as a mere necessity, but Ryuu actually enjoyed being well turned out. He was curious to see what Akoya would do for him.

They went to a stationer's next. Akoya was less fascinated by paper and ink, but he did seem to take some moderate enjoyment from the bookshop they visited. He walked out with a couple of volumes of poetry and a romantic novel under his arm.

"Not that I've had a lot of time to read these days," said Akoya. "I've been so much busier than I expected to be..."

Ryuu gave him a sidelong look. "Any regrets, then? Because you know Io would still get you a job elsewhere if you don't like this."

"Oh, no!" said Akoya, looking genuinely distressed. "I'm very content here. I'm enjoying myself very much. It's only that I used to read more before I was working full time, as it were."

"So what kinds of things did you used to do for fun?" Ryuu asked casually.

Akoya smiled. "More or less what I'm doing now, only I didn't get paid for it."

And that, Ryuu reflected, was a typical Akoya answer - apt, witty, and not terribly informative.

"We still have some time left," said Ryuu. "Anything else you want to see before it gets dark?"

Akoya looked around at the bustling street of shops and roadside vendors.

"Let's go in there," he said, pointing.

Ryuu shrugged. "Good enough for me."

He was not at all surprised that the shop Akoya had pointed to dealt in small decorative trinkets. In his opinion, there were enough of those at home, but he could see that Akoya was thoroughly delighted. He leaned against the wall and watched with amusement as Akoya flitted about like a honeybee among flowers, trying to admire everything at once and exclaiming over the particularly exciting finds. He looked so genuinely excited about it all that Ryuu found himself smiling.

Whatever else he's trying to put over, this is real, he decided.

"See anything you especially like?" Ryuu asked. "If there's something you really want, I'l get it for you."

Akoya turned towards him, eyes wide. "Really? Anything I want?"

"Sure," said Ryuu. After all, nothing in this shop was really that expensive. "Consider it a welcome present from me."

What followed was several minutes of Akoya carefully examining everything in the store, frequently changing his mind, and generally agonizing over the decision. At last, he settled on a blown glass and crystal rose and offered it up for Ryuu's approval. It really did glitter beautifully in the light, and Akoya positively glowed as the shopkeeper wrapped it carefully in a puff of wool so he could transport it home. He skipped out of the shop with eyes sparkling and cheeks flushed, literally dancing with pleasure. Ryuu had to laugh at seeing him so excited.

"What's so funny?" Akoya asked him.

"Nothing, nothing," Ryuu assured him. "Come on, time to get home before Io misses us."

They strolled down the quieting street, enjoying the slowly fading light of the sunset. This trip, Ryuu decided, had been a good idea. He felt a lot more relaxed.

I'm sure I'm seeing the real you, he thought, watching Akoya clutch his new treasure to his chest. Call me a sentimental softy, but I can't believe any guy is all bad who gets this excited over a sparkly flower.

"You know what?" he said. "I think you're going to do all right here."

Akoya smiled at him. "I certainly do hope so."

"...and he actually bought me a glass flower," Akoya was saying. He sounded happy. Trust Akoya, Kinshiro thought, to forget he was on a serious mission when presented with something shiny.

"So you think you're in his good graces now?" Kinshiro asked.

"I believe he's starting to trust me, yes," Akoya agreed. "He thinks I don't know he's been snooping, but he hasn't been able to pin a thing on me, so he's beginning to relax."

"That's good," said Kinshiro, "but don't forget who our real target is."

"Of course," said Akoya. "I'm doing my best, but he's more reserved than the prince consort is. I am going to have to alter my strategy a bit."

"Do what you have to do," Kinshiro told him. "I understand needing to establish your credentials, but I need results. We don't have an infinite amount of time here."

"I have an idea for something I can try," Akoya said reassuringly. "Don't worry. Just a few more days and I'll have them eating out of my hand."

"You had better," said Kinshiro. "I'm counting on you."

He closed the connection and sat back in his chair. He was beginning to have doubts about this operation. Akoya, he was beginning to feel, was having too much fun with his assignment. That had always been a danger with him: he was by nature self-indulgent, and given a choice between something he wanted to do and something he ought to do, he would always take the thing he wanted first and worry about responsibilities later, trusting in his own cunning and charm to get him out of any consequences.

That's going to get you in trouble someday, Kinshiro mused.

Without his meaning to, Kinshiro's gaze strayed to the top of his wardrobe, where a wooden box had been pushed against the wall, almost out of sight behind the decorative carving above the doors. He hadn't touched that box in months, not since he'd returned home from the Arborean Empire. He should have thrown its contents onto the fire as soon as he'd gotten home, if not sooner, but somehow he'd never been able to make himself do it. Instead, he'd shoved it into the most invisible and inaccessible corner of his room he could find, behind the spare blankets and extra pillows, and left it to gather dust. He could open it right now, if he wanted to. He could leaf through the stack of papers and relive those few weeks when he hadn't been thinking about becoming king at all.

The Arborean Empire was a large and loosely-allied collection of small fiefdoms and baronies, most of which ruled themselves quite nicely without any interference from their empress. The imperial family was matrilineal, and had very little use for a few extra princes. They'd been more than happy to offer Kinshiro his pick of the available young men if it meant making a useful alliance. Kinshiro had gone out hoping to meet someone he could get along with, someone intelligent enough to be an asset to the kingdom and pleasant enough that he wouldn't mind spending time with them. Maybe, though this seemed like a lot to hope for, there would be genuine friendship with one of them.

What he'd found was Atsushi. Dear Atsushi, with his warm eyes and gentle hands... it had been nearly a year since Kinshiro had seen him, but he could still remember the sound of his laughter and the way the sunlight picked out the blue highlights in his hair. The two of them had spent hours together, walking around and around the imperial gardens, talking about whatever came to their minds. In the evenings, they sat by the fire and took turns reading to each other, or went up on one of the towers to wrap up in a blanket and each other's arms to gaze at the stars. Kinshiro had been sure that when he left the empire, it would be with Atsushi by his side.

Instead, he'd returned home with nothing but a broken heart, a more cynical view of the world, and a box of letters and tokens that he couldn't bear to throw away.

I won't ever be fooled like that again, he told himself, resolutely turning his back on the wardrobe and its burden.But Akoya still might.

Akoya was just so utterly confident in himself. He had the most unshakable belief that he could never be caught, and an equal belief that there was no one who could resist his charms if he wanted them. If he was wrong, though - if his resolve slipped and one or the other of these two handsome, charming men were to get past his defenses - there was no way it wasn't going to be a disaster.

And I'm not allowing any more disasters on my watch, Kinshiro thought grimly. He slowly turned over the enchanted crystal that had so recently broadcast Akoya's voice. And no more betrayals, either.