After getting clothed, Yuki forced himself to leave the confines of his room for the day. ‘My sweet bed...how I will miss you!’ He sobbed to himself before exiting the room. Before he was able to make it even a step from his door, he noticed a small figure from the corner of his eye.
Assessing to see if the small one was indeed watching him, the prince took a few steps forward before completely freezing.
The being behind him did the same.
One more step.
Once again copied.
This continued until Yuki darted around a corner, catching the small one off guard as they followed suit. Then was lifted into his arms. “Nat didn't your father tell you not to wander around like this?” He sighed as the bundle in his arms scratched their cheek as if they knew they did wrong and got caught.
“But Yuki!” Angry grunt. “Sorry...uncle! Papa said you would be gone the next few days and I wanted to say goodbye!” Yuki sighed before walking off, still carrying the boy.
The first crown prince; Yuki not included as he gave up any right to the throne, Nat Nanase was a bundle of energy. Nine years of age and yet the bane of his families existence when he ran off on ‘adventures.’
Shaking his head, the raven haired man reached to flick his nephew. “You sure know how to send someone off. Let's go find your father.”
“But!”
“No buts.” The boy puffed out his cheeks as he was carried towards the throne room where he was to meet his baby sitters. In all honesty, that was what the royal guard felt like.
As they entered the room, the voices around lowered to whispers before dying down overall. Before approaching his group of unmerry men, the prince approached the king, his elder brother and held out his nephew for body passing. “You ought to keep a chain on him.” Yuki added, glancing from the boy to his brother.
It wasn't meant to be a joke however Sal took it as one and let out a boisterous laugh. “Ah you are right little brother. He does seem to be...overly adventurous.”
That pulled a snort out of Yuki as he gave a wave over his shoulder to Sal while he approached the others. “Remind me why we're going out again?”
The leader of the group, a older man tattooed with as many scars as his age gave the other an unappreciated look before sighing. “We are to suggest a treaty to the warrior kingdom. If they refuse we make haste and decide battle plans. No fighting shall come through while we are there as promised yet keep an eye out. Their kind is untrustworthy.”
Hearing that caused Yuki to roll his eyes and nod as if he actually was listening and paying attention. ‘Untrustworthy only because of me...a no good mage who just happened to be the last one seen as Ryu died. What kind of people wait a year to mourn then go off and demand war of the dead ones lover…’
“Remind me again why I'm to go with?” The prince questioned. It made zero sense. He was deemed defective a year ago when his magic suddenly vanished. He had no way of defense or to attack. If they were to break the truce while there who was to say he wouldn't be the first hit?
“Because-” One of the other guards started but was interrupted by Sal.
“You are to go in my place. As much as I dislike the idea of letting you leave…” The king approached his brother, folding a stray lock of hair behind Yuki's ear once there. “As much as I dislike it you really should be let free to see the world again. You torment yourself too much.”
“Whatever.” The younger grumbled and pushed away the hand of the older. “Stop touching me like that.”
The action only caused a small but worried smile to erupt onto Sal's face. Then he looked towards the group of guards and plastered his serious face back on. “Take care of him.”
“Yes sir!”
Not able to get himself out of it, he groaned and let himself be dragged out of the throne room as the others wanted to get a move on.
Not before flipping his brother the bird of course.
Outside the castle sat enough horses for each of the men leaving for this mini trip; a total of just five. Without needing any assistance to mount the horse, Yuki made himself comfortable in the saddle and headed off in the direction engraved into his memory.
Note that he left before anyone else was ready which left them scrambling to catch up.
He was so used to sneaking a horse for a late night rendezvous with his beloved that he could have made the trip with his eyes closed.
However he wouldn't. He would never hear the end of that.
“Hurry up or we won't make it until next snowfall!” The prince called behind him towards the slower ones who probably grumbled responses as they urged their steeds forward and faster. Of course he was only teasing them. It was mid harvest season. If it took them until snowfall to reach their destination there would be some cause for concern.
Comments (5)
See all