“Akemi, what do you think you’re doing?”

Lub-dub, lub-dub.

“H-how—”

“In case you have forgotten… I’m an alpha, Akemi.” He spun around and faced the stunned omega prince. Dion, with a single brow raised at the sight of Akemi holding a knife, crossed his arms and shook his head. “I could smell you from this tiny distance alone. Did you think I wouldn’t notice? I’m not an ignorant idiot.”

“Lies. If you did, why didn't my knees meet the ground?”

“Because I believe negotiation comes first before considering a war.”

Lub-dub, lub-dub.

“Are you kidding with me right now?” Knife still meeting the air, Akemi snarled. “Alpha or not, I can still kill you. I was going to do you a favor by stabbing you while you sleep. Nice and fast. I guess it’s fate that brought you up here so I could look upon your face clear as day as you bleed to death and have your comrades hear you scream.”

“Have you always been this morbid?”

“Not until your father killed my mother.” Akemi hissed, not favoring the funny stare directed his way. “I’ve been living in hell since so killing you wouldn’t make a difference.”

“If I were to guess how I’d die, I always thought it would either be in the hands of an enemy king or be trashed in a battle. The last person I expect to take my life is you.”

“Think I wouldn’t? You’re dull for someone about to take the throne.” Gritting his teeth, the prince felt his hands tremble along with his rage. Even in committing a crime, he is still regarded as a joke. “I’m going to kill you, Dion.”

Lub-dub, lub-dub.

“Then do it.” His arms were spread wide as if he was ready to receive the blade anytime, it ticked Akemi to see how composed he was. He could only curse at the crown prince’s pride. “Strike me down all you want, let me just tell you this. It was never my father’s fault, to begin with. He was framed!”

“And before I strike you down, let me tell you this… I don’t care.”

Being an alpha comes with pride, but I never thought it would come along with stupidity.

“It’s the truth, Akemi. I was with him all the time from the day your mother was killed. And there are pieces of evidence that your father may have done the deed itself—”

“I’ve listened to countless renditions of that story, what makes you think I’d believe in it? Especially that it’s coming from the bastard’s son? Not only did you try to tell me your king was framed, but even pin the blame on my late father? You’re unbelievable.” Pulling the knife further back, hands ready to plunge the blade into the alpha’s heart, Akemi whispered. “Here I go.”

Lub-dub, lub-dub.

“Come to your senses, Akemi! You’re going to regret this.”

“Not as much as I regret not being able to save my mother from death.” Taking a step forward, Akemi watched as the crown prince’s eyes widened. “Just accept your fate and be killed by me.”

Resigning to his demise, Dion closed his eyes tight and waited. Head silent from thoughts, Akemi sighed softly and brought the knife down in full force aimed at the alpha’s chest. Yet, the sudden urgent knocking and booming voice coming from behind it spooked the omega. The blade landed on Dion’s collarbone instead, causing him to groan aloud in pain. This made the knocking even more forceful. Akemi could not fathom what was happening.

Did I miss? How? I had him right in the palm of my hand! Why did I miss? Was it deliberate? Why did this person come at such timing? If I weren’t too surprised, I would've… I could’ve...

“Who is it?”

“Your Highness! Is everything all right? Lord Lux expressed that you were gone for too long and asked me to come to get you. Are you having any trouble?”

Plans thwarted by the same lord, Akemi clicked his tongue and made a run for the window. Not caring whether he would break his back, an arm, or his neck. He would rather perish than be caught. However, Dion was faster despite being injured and caught him by the wrist, pulling him back and pushing him against the door. The impact emitted a huge sound, but when Dion spoke, it quelled the fear of the person behind the door. It only made Akemi wince.

“I’m all right, just having a hard time looking for Lord Lux’s gift.” Dion laughed lightly, eyes never leaving Akemi’s heated ones. “I’ll be down in a few, tell everyone not to worry.”

“Y-yes, Your Highness!”

He was bleeding. The blood stains his chest, droplets rolling down his golden tunic and cloak. Were his loyal servants to see this, Akemi was sure they would faint of shock at their wounded master. With the knife still stuck to his shoulder, Akemi grabbed it only for his hand to be pinned above his head.

“Don’t pull it out,” Dion hissed, eyes squinted. “You’ll only soil my chiton and chlamys with even more blood. These were new…” Of all things to worry over, he couldn’t believe the crown prince mulled over his clothes rather than his life. He couldn’t pinpoint which was best to describe such a man. Was he brave or just too stupid to understand his current situation? All Akemi knew there was a fine line between both. If he were to guess, Dion would be at the center of it.

Is he insane?

“Let me go—”

“No, not until I make you acknowledge the truth about your mother’s death.” Stopping to take a few deep breaths, Dion tried touching his bleeding shoulder only to wince again. “It isn’t that deep but why does it still hurt so much? Did you lace it with poison?”

“I would’ve poisoned your drink instead if I had one,” Akemi replied monotonously, wiggling his arms to get free. “It would have been much easier if I did it, but I couldn’t find any.”

An annoying smirk spread across his features, forehead glistening with sweat. “Figured you would… You’ve always been smart and resourceful since we were kids. Always had something up in that mind of yours…”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Other than playing with Marquess Kei and Dion, Akemi can’t recall anything that may leave an impression. He has always been a meek child, indulging in play only when he had the time. How could he possibly be amazing?

“Have you forgotten? That time with a boy… Kei, was his name, correct? In your father’s throne room. We were playing a game with some paddles and what seemed to be a feathery ball.”

Does he remember Marquess Kei?

“Hanetsuki? What about it?”

“You know… how we weren’t allowed to play in the throne room, but you insisted because it was raining outside,” Dion mumbled, eyes fluttering close. His blood is now a small pool on the ground. “I was in awe… The way you argued with one of the lords…” His words trailed off, grip on Akemi’s hand loosened as he fell slump against the quiet prince. The hairs on Akemi’s skin stood at the contact, Dion’s breath fanning on his neck where the scarf didn’t cover.

“You remembered that?” Akemi echoed, bending down to place the unconscious Dion on the floor. “You remembered that brief trivial moment we shared? How pitiable…”

But I guess that’s just who you are…

Weighing his options, the prince licked his chapped lips and turned his gaze away from the knife still stuck on the sleeping alpha. Picking out a common-looking one was one of its perks, rather than using a distinguishable one. They wouldn’t be able to tell who it was when everyone and their mother used the same kind of knife. He made sure of this.

Giving the man one last glance, Akemi left as quietly as he came. His plan may have failed, but he intended it to end that way. He couldn’t bring it upon himself to kill Dion, yet. Not when he was a part of Marquess Kei’s life, even for a fleeting moment, and remembered the boy whom he used to play with other than Akemi.

I’ll spare you in honor of Kei’s memory. You’ll die when it’s your time… But if you get in my way, I won’t hesitate to do so, naive Dion.