Once they had approached, and he declared that they were to be civil, yet merciless, a bad feeling soon swept over the young king. As the rest of the group made way for the village, Yuki drifted further and further behind until he stopped.

This worried Sal greatly. Was he on the brink of an attack again? He knew how prone to these his brother had grown into during the span of only a year.

Panic attacks. Ever since the loss of his magic, as well as his lover Yuki fell deep into despair. Easily he let bad thoughts and ideals consume him until he threatened to break down into tears.

This seemed to be one of the times. If only Sal knew exactly what went on in his little brother's head. Perhaps then he could be of more assistance.

For now, he would simply hide him away. As best as he could.

'Yuki. Stay here. I'll be back for you after, I promise.' Sal spoke to the younger royal's mind and offered a soft grin before rushing off to join his men. He expected no response in return, which was what he got. To this day he wondered when Yuki's mana would flow freely once again.

Hopefully it would be soon.

Hopefully never. What if it returns, and he takes leave again. Leaves you alone; just like your parents did.

'That wasn't their fault. They didn't choose to be murdered.'

Neither did you choose to be left alone. If you continue on this path, I guarantee you'll end up alone.

Sal went silent as the voice in his own mind let out a loud, maniacal laugh.

This voice was Sal's own mana. Used to the point it had gained a personality. A life of sorts. To most mages, overuse of mana simply over exhausted the user. Sal, it had seemed was a special exception. 

Once more, the Vesperian king looked over his shoulder towards his brother. Quickly after realizing how far behind he was, he picked himself back up and urged his steed forward into the village.

As he strode through the gates, something seemed a little off.

This something was made apparent as men who didn't belong to himself made way over followed by the Raspan king.

"I knew something stunk. Figures we would meet in such a way." Ren shot a glare over to Sal who only returned the favor.

Furrowing his lips, Sal let out an irritated huff. "Figures an event such as this happens to me." Leaning forward in his saddle, the younger king made absolutely sure not to break eye contact. "Let me guess. You're here to gain favor with this village as well." Now dismounting his horse, Sal made his way towards the chief's home.

"First dibs, as the little ones say these days." It may have been slightly childish, but when in a situation as such, you did what you had to.

Behind, the elder king gave a roll of his eyes. He was otherwise calm as he followed suit. It wouldn't do good if he let the words of a child decide his decisions for him.

As soon as both kings set foot inside the home of the resident elder and leader, they were immediately urged back towards the door.

"Leave, and return not."

Flabbergasted, Sal shoved the arm that pushed him forward away and turned to the other with a look of pure irritation. "Excuse me? I had just set foot here and I'm utterly confused in your words."

Beside him Ren made quick work of unsheathing his sword-thrusting the tip to the elders throat. "Speak. I do not have time to deal with this. I do not have the patience to sit here with this…." The grinding of his teeth was clear evidence he had more to say but given the neutral ground held back.

And once again both royals were just seconds away from bursting into combat in unmarked territory.

With a whoosh of his walking cane, the elder placed it between them. "First, one of yours offs one of our own. Next you fight like newborns. I will not stand for this. Take your men and leave this place."

Ren flinched at this. Why hadn't he heard about this unplanned murder? Everyone else knew better than to make a scene. All of his knights knew never to get caught. All except….

"That brat. Leave it to him to create a mess." Sal watched as the elder king let out an annoyed huff and exit the hut.

At the very least you could say it wasn't your fault? The taunting voice in his head returned unwarranted as he followed behind.

'That doesn't help the situation. We need the extra supplies...I must rework our plans later.'

"Where is he?!" Sal jumped, startled at the booming voice nearby the other group of men. Ren must be searching for his younger son. Rather only son at this point.

"Last I saw he ran off towards the forest! Sir!" A knight saluted as he sounded off.

Pushing the other royal from his mind, the Vesperian king whistled and rounded up his own men. "We find Yuki and we return home. Empty handed we may be however neither side won this battle."

Given another village, both kings could have settled everything then and there if they had so wished. Yet Miridia was neutral territory and both kingdoms knew better than to disrupt peace in lands they did not own.

As they set off in the direction of home, Sal felt his whole body freeze up when he was not met with the form of his awaiting younger brother. This sent him into a panic.

Uh oh. You let him escape. He left you. All alone.

Sal darted his head in a desperate search of any direction to start his search.

A soft hum rang through his mind. I smell magic. A familiar kind at that. But what do I get out of directing you?

'Just. Tell me where he is.' Though he was not vocal to his companions, each of them felt the chill which poured out at his command.

Remember you owe me. Bubbling up what little command Sal's magic held over him, the way was laid out. Even decorated in blue dust which stretched the whole way he was meant to go.

"Leave without me. I will not be far behind. I must find the prince." Without question, each of his men saluted and set off whilst he made off the other direction.

Following the dust path his magic created, Sal followed it through the same way Yuki had previously traveled. What he saw as he emerged from the bushes both shocked and irked him. Both Yuki and Vayne were asleep. Their bodies rested against one another.

Anyone else and Sal would have felt ecstatic. He knew already loud and clear his brothers preferences and held nothing over him for such. Yet something there did not click well with him.

'It's that-'

Vayne Belmont. Do you really want another Belmont in control of him? At this rate, the whole family will steal him away. You will be left with nothing. There will not be a thing you can do otherwise.

"Yuki!!" Sal bellowed. "Step away from him this second!"