Tsu’s Pov

“I can’t believe how we stopped at that rest stop and Tsu caught the eyes of so many men. He even made all the women there jealous.” Eden barked up a laugh at my expense. 

Seriously he better count the days he has left to live because they are passing quite rapidly. In total at that one rest stop, I was whistled at by twelve men and five women glared at me. To be honest, it was a curse that I had such soft features that could rival a woman’s appearance. Right now if you want to ask for my gender: is either you are finding out by my voice or I flash myself in front of them. But I had dignity and a reputation to uphold so you damn well know I used my voice to get them. I loved their reactions when it happened. But then I started to get annoyed so Eden suggested Rong’an play my husband which he immediately declined- must be afraid of the false display. I was going to punch him but Dakota beat me to that by body slamming him into the ground. I need to repay him for that.

“That was a long afterparty no?” Star sighed.

“No kidding, so many officials came, it was so hard to smile to so many people and not get mad when they got drunk and almost had a brawl in the middle of the dining hall.” Dakota sneered. 

“Y’all need to be quiet cause I suffered the most out of all of you,” I screamed.

“Oh, yea. Remember when Tsu got jumped by three emperors looking to marry him. Oh hello there beautiful, how about I make you mine and give you everything you want. All you have to do is give me your body. It was priceless” Eden laughed as he mimicked the emperor’s voices.

“Remember when Tsu screamed when he groped him and then tried to kiss him.” Lily bluntly smirked.

“The best part was when he grabbed the mic from Star’s hand and shouted'' I am a guy, a damn guy ``. Leave me alone!!! And then he got so embarrassed that he just ran out the hall.” Caroline giggled.

“Please stop, my pride is decreasing the more we talk about this,” I stated.

“You mean just entertaining ourselves while we watch you sink into the growing hole of depression.” Eden looked at me with an evil grin.

“No, that's beside the point.” I sulked.

“Anyway, you guys need to prepare to leave back to your empires, my job starts tomorrow so I will have to leave early. And I know even though you guys aren’t in my situation, you guys have your duty to your respective empires.” Star said.

“You suddenly sound like a ruler already.” I stared.

“Well, I have to build a new water pump in one of the districts because it got old and is now leaking.” Dakota started.

“I have to babysit my cousins,” Caroline sighed.

“I have to attend a meeting in another empire to negotiate on an alliance treaty,” Lily spoke. 

“My mom wants me to hit the books because I have been slacking off lately.” Eden cried.

“Lucky,” I stated.

“How come?” Eden asked.

“You get to read a good book while I have to train when I get home just because I am not the athletic one in the bunch. And my trainer is a huge delinquent abusive torturer.” I complained.

“Complete opposites as always,” Dakota chuckled.

There was a soft knock on the door and then came my bodyguard and Eden’s chauffeur. 

“Prince, there has been a change in plans. For the next seven days, we will be staying in the Wolf Empire.” Rong’an said.

“Do you have evidence?” I asked. 

He slowly walked to me and he handed me a scroll, bowing to the others in the room.

Rong’an change in plans. I have arranged with the Wolf Empire and Her Majesty Annabelle Wolf that I will be hosting you and my brother for the next seven days or so. Please inform my brother that it is because of the new update on the blood moon which means my inauguration as the emperor has arrived earlier than expected. The Moon will stay in the night sky for six days straight with a one day break in between. Tell him that it is because the Blood Moon will heighten the transfer process and elders wouldn’t want to have any of the royal families getting hurt. His cousins and siblings will be moved to a safer location and everyone in the empire is told to stay inside until further notice. This week will be hard for me so tell him that I want prayers during this process while I receive the empire’s burden upon myself the next few days.

~ Hun Pan-An

“I just love how he didn’t think to tell you personally. Or even address the letter in your name.” Eden commented.

“You're right. Hey, write back to my brother that I have understood my play in the process but when it is all over, we need to talk” I said sternly.

“Yes Prince, we will be departing in ten minutes. Please prepare.” he bowed and left the room.

“How low does your family think of you?” Star growled.

“I am the youngest of the family now aren’t I?” I said in quite a sarcastic tone.

“That doesn’t say, I may be the part of the young set of siblings in my main house but I am not treated like a baby.” Caroline pouted.

“Well it is different in empires isn’t it.” I sighed as I got up and walked to the door. “It can not be helped, I am merely a pawn for my brother’s future empire. And I have accepted that role with full sworn loyalty. If I can not commit to that agreement then I am not worthy of the royal crest I bear. And if my brother wants me to play this role then I shall accept it without complaint or emotion. A servant should never question its master’s motive or decisions.” 

“That sounds like a planned speech and very monotonous,” Dakota questioned. 

I sighed, as I turned, giving a solemn smile, “That's my place in this world, just a lowly servant. That's what I have been taught since birth.” I slowly walked out of the room and started to make my way down the hall to the main exit. ‘Just a pawn, that principle has been beaten into me since I was a child. I am not letting that come out of my head.’ I went outside into the cold afternoon. I looked to see Rong’an and walked over to him. He bowed, opened the door and I was lifted into the carriage and I sat on the far side and just stared out the window waiting for it to move off. After a few minutes, I felt the carriage shift as Eden came in and the door was then closed. 

“Get to the empire safe, ok,” Dakota said.

“And stay hydrated,” Caroline screamed.

“Hey Tsu.” Lily spoke, I slowly turned to her and all she offered was a sympathetic smile, “You are more than what you were made to believe.” I heard in my head as we moved off. 

I quickly looked out the window as I saw them waving at our departure, I slowly turned to see Rong’an sitting beside Eden’s chauffeur. I got back inside the carriage and saw that he was looking at me. We maintained eye contact for a while until I felt uncomfortable and looked away. 

“For someone who says they are no more than a pawn, you surely don’t look like what you said to us just now. Your mind tells you one thing but your heart is saying another.” He began, “Tsu don’t tell me your father is still beating that dumb principle into you and your siblings again.” 

I winced and closed my eyes as my hand snaked to my back rubbing over the numerous scars that were hidden under my clothes.

“No that isn’t it,” I said.

“I am not a fool Tsu, the others do not see what is happening but I know some dirty secrets about your empire- the way your family expects everyone to be the best of the best. And if they aren’t then they are punished behind the scenes. Tsu, you need to do something about it- I have never seen your eldest brother go through it and I saw what they did to Peru-” he exclaimed.

“Don’t you dare speak of him in my presence, he is a disgrace to the family?” I shouted.

“Tsu you know that it isn’t true. You have never even met him before.” Eden responded. 

“That is not it, he is a disgrace because he could never produce a child or even use his powers properly without getting tired quickly or just plain out fainting.” I threw one of my hairpins at him, “Just shut up you don’t know anything. You don’t” I whispered the last part and carried my knees to my head and silently cried. 

“Sorry,” he whispered as well. 

I stayed in that position for the hour duration of the journey and only when the carriage stopped did I move. The door opened and I went out after Eden. We met with his mother as she smiled at us on the stairs to welcome us.

“Prince Tsubaki, long time no see, I hope the journey with my son wasn’t troublesome.” She started.

I bowed and followed this with a simple, “Your majesty Annabelle, I am honoured to be staying with you at such short notice.”

“No problem, I always like visitors, maybe you could help my son with his bookwork while you are here.” she continued.

“Mother,” Eden spoke which was followed by silence as they stared at each other.

I saw as her majesty shifted showing her right eye which was a magnificent lilac purple with silver as her sclera as if they were crystals. She sighed and turned to her guards.

“Tsu, this gentleman right here will escort you and your guard to your respective rooms as for you Son you have some explaining to do,” she spoke sternly.

“Right this way Prince.” The guard acknowledged me as if walking and I just quietly followed.

Eden’s Pov

“Eden!” my mother began, “I can’t believe you said that to him. You promised me that you were not going to tell him about anything that I discussed with you.” she semi-screamed.

“It was an accident, mother, I just simply got mad. You know none of us can handle intense emotion well especially if it is pent up anger or frustration.” I reasoned. 

“And it is our job to control it, Eden. I can’t have our allied empire think we are spreading their secrets. And out of all things you tell him, you talked about a touchy subject with his brother that is locked away from the world.” She facepalmed with a sigh.

“I am sorry, but it has to be done. Mother, if Tsu or his siblings don't know about it then their empire will be just like the others- secretive and dirty-hearted.” I said walking away from her into the castle.

She respects me enough to not answer my statement because she knows it's true to the very core of its being. I will not have Tsu become the very thing we fear, over my dead body.

Tsu’s Pov

“Prince, the blood moon will be starting tonight, so please close your windows till tomorrow morning,” Rong’an said as he exited the room. I slowly walked over to my clothing cases and opened them searching for a night garment to put on. I walked to the bathroom, lighting the candles that surrounded the tub and stripped; got in. It was lavender scented and was filled with bubbles and petals.

“They always had the best incense.” I smiled a bit.

I slowly started to clean myself with a rag on the side and just stared blankly at my skin as I did so. Emptying the tub then refilling it with clean water to rinse me and after that, I once more filled the bath feeling that I didn’t want to come out as yet. I soaked myself up to my shoulders and just stared into the wall before me. 

“Was I too harsh to him?” My mind went back to the carriage ride before.

“No, it is his fault for messing with things that don't concern him. Yes, that's it. But what does he mean that I haven’t met him yet? The only time I see my brother is at official family gatherings that require him to be there. I have met him but I have not talked to him?” I pondered on this fact.

“I have addressed him where it is necessary but we haven’t talked outside those terms. Maybe I should ask my father to request a visit from him. I think if I am granted those short five minutes with him I could ask him as much as I can of why he is in the tower and for how long?” I started to feel cold and realized that I was in the bath thinking for the past thirty minutes. 

“I am surely going to get a cold from this,” I sighed.

I slowly got out and drained the tub, drying myself then placed my clothes on. I staggered out of the bathroom and into the main room of the suite, the candles were out and I found the reason as I looked at the ground. 

“I left the window open.” I thought out loud.

I slowly looked up and was met with the one thing I was supposed to avoid for the next seven nights. I stared right at the Blood Moon and started to feel my emotions erupt inside of me- fear playing a major role in the mix. I felt that through the moon. I felt as if eyes fell onto me and I couldn’t move. I was sweating and bombarded with so many visions of blood-filled scenes, seeing faces I have never seen before then it went to me and my family, my friends, everyone I knew. Then at the end, there was a flash and two crimson eyes stared at me. I felt a pain in my chest, my heart felt like it was going to explode, my head pounding as if wanting to break my skull. I tried to move to try and lay down on my bed but I couldn’t. I lost my balance and fell to my side clenching my heart as it continued to beat rapidly. I couldn’t cry for help- I couldn’t breathe properly, much less speak.

“Help me.” a whisper came from my dry throat, “Please.” 

My vision turned red before I couldn’t see a single thing from my surroundings, just pure black.