By chance, if a painter walked by to see Akemi’s face at the exact moment his name was uttered, he was certain his face would be the epitome of surprise. Additionally, it would also be ranked as one of the funniest expressions a human person could make in history. The count before him must have thought so too, but he couldn’t tell with the stoic demeanor the man had. Nevertheless, he has been discovered and this may add to his myriad of problems.

“H-how did you know?”

Count Rowan replied with a deep baritone voice that sure would have swooned countless court ladies and men. “First, no one else in this town is as secretive as you. I could tell you were hiding something the moment I saw you. I’m sure the people from the inn thought so too.”

Really?

“Was I… that obvious?” Akemi wasn’t sure if he wanted to know the answer to that question. Yet, the alpha nodded quietly and made him internally groan in embarrassment. “Oh.”

“More importantly, I’m quite shocked to see a prince of your caliber sleeping near a sewer. It would have been best if you didn’t leave the inn.”

Akemi bitterly smiled. “I had to. If those knights happen to see me, they will punish them for hiding a fugitive.” As soon as those words came out of his mouth, Akemi regretted it and placed a hand over his lips. He didn’t know why he was speaking to this stranger who could turn him over to the knights looking for him. Who was this man? And why was he talking to him like women gossiping over teatime?

Count Rowan, whomever he may be serving, gestured for him to stand. The gesture alone made Akemi frown slightly in confusion. “We should get away from here. They might see us—”

“Who are you? And what do you get by talking to me?” The last thing Akemi wanted was to be hostile, however, to be in his position, he doesn’t have much less of a choice but to appear tough. Especially towards someone he didn’t know. He already made a mistake by trusting that stranger back in the capital which led him to be further away from Hanako. “Throw whatever insult you may, but with your ill intentions, I won’t go with you.”

“I’m not going to insult you in any way, Your Highness.” He responded, head turning once in a while to check if anyone was nearby to eavesdrop. “And as much as I want to further explain, we have no time to lose. Quickly, follow me.”

Didn’t he hear what I just said?

“No, I’m sorry… but I can’t.” Akemi hid his hand underneath the thin little-to-no-warmth cloth. “Leave me alone…”

The count grabbed him by the arm, pulling him up from the ground, and dragged the sputtering Akemi away from his hiding spot, into the dead of the night. Raindrops splattered around, damping his face and clothes. His plans of staying dry are already foiled, not putting up much of a fight due to his energy already depleted. Legs trying their best to keep up with the tall man. Expecting to head for the inn, Akemi furrowed his eyebrows when they were headed to the docked boats.

Where is he taking me? Why the boats? Aren't his men back in the inn? And how did he find me? What are his intentions?

Questions that Akemi wanted to ask remained at the back of his tongue as they approached a looming figure in the dark. Without light to guide their way, the runaway prince was scared that the waves crashing might wash them off the wooden plank boards. Nevertheless, they arrived at their destination. Count Rowan coerced him to climb aboard the vessel and out of the rain.

Akemi removed the damp cloth from him and scanned the boat’s interior. It didn’t hold a candle to the royal fleets’ vessels, but the ship was magnificent nonetheless.

“I take it that you’re not prone to seasickness.” Count Rowan mumbled, leading the way. “A prince like you must have accompanied your distinguished father to different lands, I presume?”

“I haven’t been outside Soleil,” he replied flatly, “But that doesn’t mean I get sick easily. I often ride boats with my sister.”

“I’m sorry about your sister.” When Count Rowan, someone who is probably not even connected to Soleil by any means stated this, Akemi felt like crying. “It must be tough, going into hiding and not seeing her.”

Every whisper or every scream of Hanako made something in Akemi die a little more each time.

“Why are you here in Soleil? Are you from Ondine? Are you here to provide aid to us? And if not, what kingdom do you serve?”

Count Rowan sighed. “I and my men were headed to the capital for our usual trade. Upon arriving, you can imagine our confusion when no one would take us there due to the commotion brought by unknown forces. When I heard King Reijiro died and that the prince went missing, I immediately knew something was up. Right now, we would stick to our rules and leave since we have nothing to do with your war.”

“My war?” His words alone made Akemi pick off the kingdoms that were either nearby or their allies. He hoped that his hunch wasn’t true. “You're obviously not from Ondine. An ally will never speak of abandoning their comrade.”

Opening a door, the men Akemi met at the inn were there along with Count Rowan’s right-hand man, Ulric. At the entrance of their master, everyone knelt with obedience and respect.

“No, we are from Elysium, the cold paradise of the west.” Gesturing for his men to rise, Count Rowan continued. “Ruled by the thirty-third monarch, King Zoltan the Valiant, and Queen Henrietta.”

At the mention of the unbiased ruler who declared his land as a neutral country, only siding with the victor after the disaster, Akemi couldn’t help but curse his luck. He couldn’t possibly gain anything by siding with them other than an unproblematic exile. However, he wasn’t looking to go under soon. “King Zoltan’s wish for peace is far from coming true when his neighbors are trying to kill themselves. How could he wish for peace when he won’t even reach out a helping hand to end a war?”

“He and the whole kingdom are aware of that, just so that you would know,” Ulric replied with a huff. “And whatever war your kingdom has is no business of ours! We wouldn’t want to send out our people to be killed in a battle that has no importance to us. King Zoltan said so himself. Who are you to criticize our king?”

“Prince Akemi, the firstborn of King Reijiro.” Pride wasn’t laced in his words. He felt a little ashamed to admit that he was the prince of a fallen kingdom now ruled by a stranger. Yet, this wasn’t the time to be melancholic. “And I need assistance to take back the throne. My throne.”

Would these men even lend me a hand?

Ulric’s eyes widened; a finger pointed at him. “T-this is the prince they were looking for? My lord, not to be rude… but shouldn’t we be letting him—”

“I told him the same thing, but here we are…” Akemi crossed his arms across his chest, watching them stare at each other in disbelief. “Now if this Sir would please tell me his reasons as to why he decided to pull me out of my hiding place, I would very much like to know.”

“And before I answer, do take a bath and eat.” Count Rowan didn’t give the speechless prince another second to berate him, disappearing into a room nearby. Left with his men, Akemi clenched his fists and was prepared to fight. He hadn’t forgotten that he was still under medication and these alphas could attack him any time it wore off.

Just my luck…

“Um, Your Highness?” Ulric hesitantly stepped forward, pointing towards a door at the corner. “The bath is that way. And while you’re in there, what would you like to eat?”

After a hearty meal and bath, Akemi wouldn’t deny the fact that he felt better. Dressed in clean clothes handed to him, he could pass out at any moment and sleep for days. But there were still pressing matters to be discussed.

“Now that I’m finished, would you mind telling me?”

Sitting across from Akemi, Count Rowan nodded and began. “I’m sure you’re quite intrigued, but my reason isn’t that great.”

Oh?

“Surprise me.”

“King Kosuke, was it? By the looks of it, he doesn’t seem to be the type to negotiate. Take you as an example, you’re being hunted down because you’re a threat to his position.” Shaking his head, the count exhaled loudly. “King Zoltan is afraid that this ambitious man would think of waging war with Elysium, taking advantage of our few troops brought by the decree to advocate for peace.”

Realizing his intentions instantly, Akemi chuckled. “So you’re thinking… that since you rescued me, once I seize the throne, not only will I be in debt to Elysium… but I’ll also be providing support in case your kingdom gets caught in war?”

A nod was all he needed to confirm his words. The prince was indeed surprised and impressed at the same time at how crafty this count could be. With this plan alone, he’ll be able to climb the ranks faster and benefit his kingdom all at once.

Not bad. An alliance with Elysium is a feat my father can’t aim for since King Zoltan refuses to be involved in a war.

“And can I expect Elysium to aid me if I go to war?”

Count Rowan went still, clearly conflicted and finding the right answer to such a question. A question is whether they would be willing to break their very own rules in exchange for an alliance. However, Akemi fought back the urge to appear unrefined and hissed when one of the count’s men interrupted them.

“Sir! Soldiers are heading this way. What should we do?”

“What?”

Damn it. They must have seen us earlier!

“Count Rowan, we must leave immediately.” Akemi watched silently as the man instructed his crew to start the boat. There was no other choice but to sail in this storm. If they were caught, it was instant death. “Let’s talk after this obstacle is out of the way.”

“Agreed.”

“Sir, where to?”

“Before we head for Elysium, I must take a quick stop. I’m sure that won’t be any problem for you, Prince Akemi?”

“As long as I get to your king in one piece, no.”

“You can rest, Prince Akemi…” Count Rowan stated gently. “You don’t have to worry about my men violating you in any form. We are all mated on this ship, so I hope that alleviates your anxiety.”

His crew is all mated? Including Count Rowan?

“I-I see. Thank you for telling me…”

Akemi, trying as hard as he might, couldn’t remember where he passed out. Fatigue gets the best of him, heightened by the medicine he took for his heat. The storm that rocked and made the vessel a huge cradle in the sea would have caused him to vomit if he had been awake during the trip. He was prepared for a raging headache and back pains once he greeted the sun. Unaware of the many days that passed.

He wasn’t prepared to wake up in a fancy room and be met with icy blue eyes looking down at him with interest and playfulness. Pale hands are placed on both sides of Akemi’s head. Silver mid-length hair glowing under the early morning light, giving the boy a ghostly appearance accompanied by a scent akin to warm vanilla. It almost took away his breath.

“W-who…”

“You…” his words were soft, but one shouldn’t be fooled by the underlying venomous tone in them. “You’re part of my husband’s secret harem, aren’t you?”

Huh?!