Nozomi wanted to defend himself, to demand answers and assert his worth—but what worth? At what cost? Instead, he smiled faintly and spoke with practiced calmness
"That is not a problem, Your Majesty. You are always burdened with unyielding duties. It must be difficult to find time for me, or to come all the way to Kagegiri… especially to inform Rikuya," he said.
His words were polite, but his heart burned. Masanori only scoffed at the usual greeting, his ambition sharper than the eastern rim, though Nozomi pretended not to notice.
"Since you have come after so long," Nozomi continued, voice quiet but steady, "allow me at least the chance to serve you a simple breakfast."
Masanori paced, his expression unreadable. "No, Nozomi… it is better to get moving now. I must accompany Rikuya to inspect the northern hills he has chosen for exclusive farming. Please excuse me… and take care."
The words struck him harder than silence. His heart thudded in desperation, yearning to call out, to embrace him as a son embraces a father. But his mind, wiser and colder, reminded him of his place. Nozomi bowed deeply and watched as Masanori turned away.
Outside, as Masanori and Rikuya neared their chariot, two guards conversed in hushed tones, unaware their words carried farther than intended.
"If I hadn't been ordered to this post, I would have left long ago," one muttered. "I was only a trainee when His Majesty assigned me here."
The other sighed. "I feel the same. I'll soon forge a request to resign. Serving a cursed prince makes me uneasy."
Rikuya seized the moment, his voice sharp with calculation. "See, Father? Nozomi is already a threat to the commoners. How can you share your guards with someone you refuse to even acknowledge as your son?"
The words slithered into Masanori's ears like venom. His jaw tightened. "Rikuya, enough. I told you before—you will not question my decisions. He is still my blood. Even Reika has not abandoned him yet. As for the guards, we shall discuss it later."
With that, Masanori stepped into the carriage.
Rikuya, however, lingered. Mounting his horse with arrogant ease, he smirked. His words had stirred the poison he wished to plant, and he knew it. The thought of Nozomi unsettled him—not because he had seen weakness, but because he sensed strength. Even with only a single meeting, he had understood it: Nozomi possessed a dangerous gift. He could win hearts, and that kindness was the very weakness Rikuya intended to exploit.
The Tsukiyomi Palace stood as serene as ever. Masanori studied alone in his chambers, Reika tended the plants in the garden pavilion, and daily life drifted on. But one heart did not rest. Rikuya's. His thoughts gnawed at him relentlessly. Nozomi's presence was a threat to his future. If the cursed prince were to return, he could unravel everything.
That night, draped in black robes that glided like restless shadows, Rikuya entered Masanori's chambers. His smirk already chilled the air.
"Greetings, Father. I thought I should remind you of something," he said smoothly, leaning close until his words brushed against Masanori's ear.
"Tomorrow, I will ride to the northern hills to negotiate with the chieftain about the farming. But… do not forget, Father—" he paused deliberately, watching his father stiffen— "when the cursed one returns, things always end badly."
His voice lingered long after he was gone, leaving behind only Masanori, his mind clouded with fear and confusion.
End of chapter 1...
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Chapter 2 will be soon uploaded.