Chapter 6

Flashback

Rosalg lay amongst a bush of white roses in one of the private gardens at the royal palace, rarely visited by the castle's residences. It had become his temporary new home since his (obsession) interest with Crown Prince Kaname, unknown to the humans.

Though the frequent missing food from the kitchen had the cooking staff in an uproar.

Their attempts at catching the culprit amused him and has the servants guessing who it could be, sparking gossips and creating exaggerated rumors.

Long silk silver hair fans out under Rosalg's humanoid form as icy blue slit eyes, gaze at the clear sky, framed by white roses.

'The Prince is in a meeting with those greedy humans, he sighed wistful, then a bunch of grapes float from a basket on his right (that he borrowed from the kitchen earlier) to hover over pink lips that parted and two magically fell in, otherwise I would be ogling him right now, shirtless, swinging a sword around, training under the hot sun, sweating, muscles flexing with every movement' chewing slowly he savors the fruit's sweet juice then swallow in a daze.

'How pathetic, for someone of my caliber to be fated to a human, groaning pitifully shifting to lay on his side while the grape floated back into the basket, no, what's truly pathetic is stalking said human for almost half a season and getting too flustered to even speak to him, attending every events he goes, in my female form, to stare at him, he covered his reddening face with both palms, I'm acting like those love sick humans, he groaned continuously, how this mighty one has fallen.'

So caught up in his wallowing the dragon in human form failed to notice the approaching figure.

The rustling of the bushes being part cause Rosalg to look up, over his shoulder, startled. Icy blue meets surprised crimson.

Earlier

Crown Prince Kaname had ended the meeting early to prevent himself from executing the nobles getting on his last nerves especially Duke Harborn.

The old goat kept pushing for his daughter to be Crown Princess consort.

Massaging his temple, Prince Kaname headed back to his office, mood soured, his secretary/righthand man trailed behind him.

'I refuse to be engaged to that shallow woman and have no interest in her, especially when a certain pair of eyes keeps haunting my dreams' he frowned recalling a certain dilemma.

For the past weeks, a presence lurked just out of sight, glimpsing flashes of silver occasionally everywhere he went. At first, he thought nothing of it, thinking it one of the shadows (his personal spy unit) since there was no ill intent, until he'd seen the figure's retreating back, the night of an annual ball.

He'd step outside for air, walking towards the hedge garden maze. Feeling the person following him, he'd turned suddenly and saw a noble lady, a few feet away, peeking from behind a tree then ducked behind quickly, realized she'd been seen.

He'd command her to show herself, saying it pointless since she'd been caught. Thinking the woman would obey, he was taken aback when she ran. Thought it was a moonless night, her long silver hair glowed, swaying with every rapid step and silk flowing ballgown.

'A shy noble lady infatuated with me, is my stalker, Prince Kaname mused looking over a document, not surprising though I can't recall any nobles in the capital with silver hair' the frown deepened, creased his brows.

Deciding to stretch his legs, the brunette heads to his mother's private rose garden.

On his way there, he happened to overheard some maids whispering about missing food and how no what traps was set the thief never left any clue about who or what it was.

Thinking to look into the matter later, Prince Kaname entered the North Wing White Rose Garden (one of the main four) wondering who would be bold enough to steal from the Imperial Palace's kitchen.

A sudden sound interrupted his musing.

Pausing in step, he glanced around for the source but saw no one, brushing it off the prince continued on, until he heard it again, much closer, coming from the rose bush near the center fountain. Moving closer, silently, he parted a section, familiar silver hair and startled icy blue slit eyes stared back at him.

"It's you" the prince breathed, watching the other slowly sat up, maintaining eye contact, their foreign robe (from the Eastern continent) shifted, drawing his attention to the picnic backet of food.

'Looks like I found the food thief and my admirer' a small smile upturn thin lips, "we meet again, Lord Ice Dragon."

A gush of wind swept through the area, playing with their hair, the scent of rose perfumed the air.

"This one is surprise you recognize this Lord" Rosalg turned his head trying to hide his reddening face.

"How could I ever forget such captivating eyes" Prince Kaname boldly grasped then brought silk locks to his lips.

Flashback ends

Footsteps descend the darken, winding flight of stairs, the further down the figure walk the colder it becomes.

Reaching the bottom, Zero arrive at a luminated, spacious room with a woman incased in thick ice, dressed in white robes, hair of flowing silver, suspended in the air.

Moving closer the prefect place a pale hand on the ice, 'you really are the splitting image of mother.'

Glowing a faint lavender Zero send a surge of energy through the ice, into the soulless body, planting a spell, 'regardless you will serve as the first sacrifice for my beloved, Shizuka Hio'

Stepping back the glow recedes, watching chain-like markings spread across visible skin for a second then fades without a trace. Turning, unfazed by the freezing air, heads back up the steps, exiting the old dormitory basement.

Back at the chairman's house, Zero stands under the showerhead while warm water spray on his head, lost in thoughts, before getting ready for the ball.

Zero had decided to change plans instead of leaving (forever) as intended. With his power almost at full capacity a sense of max clarity returned. The pulsing pain of the bond became a numb hollow throb, overall better than when he first awakened.

And instead of continued moping, he got to work looking for a solution to awaken his love. It wasn't like him to run away like a coward, he always finds a solution to his problems. Which resulted in him sneaking into the places with the most authority governing the population.

Found what he wanted, and more, needing only to set his plan into fruition with the help of a few pawns and sacrifice. He'd never given up before and don't intend to start now (his current self-emotions had clouded his mind in his weaken state) especially not his Kaname to Yuki Cross/Kuran.

He will get his mate back, no matter the cost.

Kaname stands on the balcony, staring out into the dark forest, the music from the ballroom became background noise to his troubled thoughts.

'Those eyes, they somehow seemed very familiar, but that can't be, I don't recall ever meeting anyone in all my years with such unique icy blue eyes, have I really forgotten portions of my memories, he, whoever is in possession of the hunter's body seems more than friendly towards me.'

"Kaname, the voice of Takuma interrupts his musing, is something wrong, you've been preoccupied since you came back from your walk" he states concern.

"It's nothing to worry about" he reassures.

The sound of a commotion drew their attention inside, to witness, Zero Kiryu smiling while dancing with a female day student wearing glasses.

The image causes a jolt of pain in the pureblood's chest, grasping it he glares, somehow upset at the dancing couple.

To be continue…