Today was the day of Yuki’s birth. More commonly known as his birthday. It was also less commonly known to be the day that the previous Vesperian royals passed away.
To the public, it was known to be of older age. The older one got, the more susceptible their bodies were to diseases.
To those inside the castle walls, it was known to have been an assassination. Somehow, someway, someone had made it past the guards and left the Queen to be found the next morning with a dagger protruding from her chest. Her husband beside her lay with an identical one. Both daggers bore the crest the Raspan blacksmiths donned every weapon with.
This led the court to believe it was either a set up from the other country, or a complete coincidence. Weapons crafted by the blacksmiths were sold world wide; had to make a living somehow.
Despite knowing this, it still led relationships between the two countries to be shaky.
Of course, this meant nothing to either reigning prince. As they grew to spend more and more time together, Yuki and Ryu’s bond evolved from one of friendship to that of lovers.
Given the new relationship, of course Yuki found a way to sneak the other into his birthday ball.
It was set to just be other nobles and palace staff not tasked with keeping things orderly. Yet of course, seeing how Yuki was frequently late to events, he gifted his elder brother a new headache. Sneaking away from the dressing rooms, the ravenet rushed towards the balcony outside his own room.
Rubbing his hands together, the mage willed a spec of magic together to summon a blue dust butterfly. Once it fluttered atop his palms, he blew out a breath of air to send it flying to the ground below. Not even a moment later, a not very subtle attempt of a bird twitter sounded.
This was their secret signal.
After chuckling, Yuki snapped his fingers, summoning a rope out of thin air. He hoisted it down to the ground, patiently awaiting his lover to climb up.
“You know, with all this fancy magic of yours, you could have just flew me up.” Ryu’s head popped up, sporting puffed up cheeks.
Yuki in turn, stuck out his tongue. “What fun is there in that?” He reached out a hand for his love to take, helping him over the railing. “I missed you..” Without hesitation, he pulled the smaller male into an embrace. With his left hand, he cupped a cheek and brought them in for a short but sweet kiss.
“I missed me too~” Ryu joked, earning an eye roll. “I’m kidding, I missed you too. That tyrant brother of yours is such a sourpuss. What kind of lover would I be to miss your birthday party? I love parties!” Quickly, the Raspan prince took the others hands into his own and pulled them along.
Before they got to the door, they could faintly hear the sound of very loud, irritated commands outside. “Just have them start the ball. I’m pretty sure everyone is used to his tardiness by now. I’ll be but a moment. I have a sneaking suspicion where he went.” Sal voiced from down the hall. Soon, they could hear the sound of footsteps approach, and stop right outside the door. “I know you’re in there. Both of you. Honestly, I thought you’d start using the front door by this point.”
The door was opened, showcasing both princes whom were nervously scratching their cheeks. “But last time, you got mad when I let him waltz through the front gates.” Yuki started.
“That was because he was dressed suspiciously and caused a ruckus.” Sal placed both palms to his hips and held strong with his discontent.
“Would a sorry make things better?” Ryu tried his best to let his positivity rule over the others negativity.
Sal just bit his lip and sighed, letting his hands fall. “Just let me know ahead of time…”
Situations like this were now more frequent. Without warning, Ryu would pop out of nowhere and startle Sal. That, or he would put outrageous ideas into Yuki’s head, causing himself more trouble than he felt was worth. Their whole relationship both worried Sal, yet also made him content.
Worried him, because it felt as if he was losing all that he had left to someone else. After the passing of their parents, Sal had no time to be distraught himself, for the responsibility of both the kingdom, as well as parenting his younger brother were thrust at him. The time for grieving was never given to him. Instead, his life was built under a smoldering pit of stress; himself hanging over it by a fragile thread.
Given this burden along with the whole Ryu situation, it wasn’t a surprise to him to be greeted one day by the personification of all this build up. It was only a matter of time until he lost it.
I am you, but also I am not. It is a pleasure to meet you...and it is not. Stuck here with me, yet I am not stuck at all. You want many things, but such are not granted to you. However I, will give you everything.
It could be said that Ryu was both a blessing, and a curse to the Nanase family.
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