The massive oak doors to the grand hall stood wide open, releasing waves of raucous laughter and clinking glass into the quieter passages beyond as the children followed Yasushi into the palace. The lavish room pulsed with chaotic energy, silk banners hanging from crystal chandeliers while servants weaved between clusters of nobles. Rich aromas of roasted meats and aged wine saturated the lively atmosphere, mixing with the heat radiating from dozens of bodies packed into the baroque space.

  Stepping through the entrance, the children froze, jaws dropped rendering them speechless.

  Shirtless, Kaito and Izimaru danced wildly on top of the longest banquet table, their bare chests glistening with sweat. Their laughter boomed above the surrounding din while beer foam spilled from their raised mugs, creating puddles across the marble surface.

  Masahiko stood on the ground directly beneath them, his flowing robes rigid with disapproval, scolding the dancing kings as they actively ignored him.

  Mari sat calmly at the table's corner on his cellphone, lightly chuckling as he recorded the hilarious ordeal.

  Across the packed hall, Sora raised one gloved hand to her mouth, elegantly laughing between her fingers. Fukiko clapped her hands to the rhythm of the music, moving side to side to the beat, cheering Izimaru on. Leaning against a marble pillar a few feet away, Airi's shoulders rested into the cool stone pillar, observing Kaito’s shenanigans. Her posture remained perfectly composed while an aura of isolation radiated from her like an invisible barrier.

  Musicians crammed into the far corner unleashed a torrent of festive melodies, their instruments competing with the explosive laughter and shouted conversations ricocheting off the walls.

  Taichi pressed his hands against his ears while Sachiko smiled in fascination. Yasushi and Koba shook their heads in disbelief as Megumi giggled at the absurd scene unfolding around them.

  They squeezed through the dense crowd, dodging swaying nobles and avoiding spilled drinks forming slick patches across the floor. Clearing the crowd, a familiar voice pierced through the overwhelming noise, freezing all them mid-step.

  "Where do you think you're going?" Haru asked, stepping in front of them. "I hope you're not intending on leaving the palace grounds again."

  The children's coordination shattered instantly. Taichi stumbled over his own feet while Sachiko's hands flew to his chest in surprise. Megumi grabbed onto Koba's arm for support as incoherent babbling spilled from their mouths in overlapping waves.

  "We were just... I mean..." Taichi stammered.

  "The thing is..." Koba began, then completely faltered.

  "Actually, we wanted to..." Sachiko's explanation trailed off.

  "BATHROOM!" Yasushi declared, shouting over the others fumbling attempts. "We're going to the bathroom."

  Four heads bobbed with exaggerated fervor, all adopting expressions of manufactured innocence.

  Haru's arms crossed over his chest. "Bathroom, ehh? That's strange because isn't the closest bathroom in the opposite direction?" His suspicion swept over each child like a shepherd evaluating its herd. "I'm certain you passed two on your way to the grand hall."

  The captain's eyes narrowed into slits. "Tell me... where are you really going?"

  Panic flashed across the children's faces as they scrambled for answers.

  "Library!" Taichi blurted out.

  "Training Room!" Koba asserted at the exact same moment.

  "Bath…house!?" Sachiko questioned, his pitch rising with desperation.

  Overwhelmed by the pressure, Megumi remained motionless, sweat beading on her forehead while her mouth moved without producing any sound.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The festive chaos faded into distant background noise. Five hearts hammered against ribcages enduring Haru's intensifying glare. Before he could press further, a loud crash drew everyone's attention. Kaito tumbled off the table, sending his beer mug flying in a perfect arc and thoroughly dousing Masahiko. His demeanor seized with anger, flicking the liquid from his clothes.

  "YOU DRUNK BASTARD! YOU GOT MY CLOTHES SOAKED!”

  Kaito hiccuped and wobbled upward, fighting to regain his balance as he lopsidedly grinned. "Well, at leas ya don't smell lik a lyin whore anymore."

  An exasperated sigh escaped Haru lips, shoulders sunken at the Kaito's intoxicated antics.

  DAMN IT!!! It's going to be a long night.

  He whipped eyes back at the children, his glare sharper than a blade. "Just stay out of trouble you hear me! I'm already dealing with enough troublemakers as it is."

  Charging toward the commotion, Haru hollered, pushing through the crowd.

  "Your majesty, APOLOGIZE! That's no way to speak to your guests!!"

  Kaito's head swayed in Haru's direction, his vision unfocused. "But hiccup I did Hiko a favor. He shuda apol hiccup ogize to me for being hiccup so ungrateful."

  "UNGRATEFUL!!??? WHY I OUGHTA..." Masahiko roared, rolling up his sleeve.

  Izimaru laughed wholeheartedly. Tears sprayed from his eyes encompassing him into a bear hug and swaying him around.

  Seizing their opportunity, the children promptly slipped away from the ruckus and exited the grand hall. Navigating a maze of right and left turns, they weaved through the palace corridors, studiously sliding past the stationed guards. The luscious hallways gave way to less frequented areas, the sounds of the boisterous party dulled behind them at each turn.

  The children finally arrived at the spiral staircase above the library, panting from their covert escape. Reflective cedar beams stretched overhead while paper screens filtered soft light through the corridor. The scent of leather-bound volumes and calligraphy ink drifted upward from the collection below.

  Yasushi wiped sweat beading from his forehead.

  "Up these stairs is Kaname's room. It's not too late, so she should still be up waiting for me."

  Megumi's face contorted into a pout, her thoughts almost audible.

  Why is she even waiting up for him! It's late! Doesn't she have a bedtime or something?!

  Koba snickered at her reaction. "Someone's jealous..."

  "SHUDDA UP," Megumi snapped back, kicking him in his back.

  Taichi wedged himself between them, stopping their quarrel. "Be quiet before we get caught," he hissed, following behind Yasushi up the stairs.

  Rolling their eyes at each other, Koba and Megumi climbed the stairs, the wooden steps groaning under their weight. At the top, a dimly lit hallway stretched ahead, ending at massive double doors looming like silent sentinels.

  Without warning, an unnatural darkness swallowed them. The lighting sputtered and died sending the children into an all consuming blackness. Cold air seeped through the floorboards, instantly chilling their skin. An eerie silence fell over them and compressing against their eardrums.

  A voice materialized from the void and floated through the freezing corridor.

  "Young Master? …You shouldn't be here... especially with guests. The Queen would be very displeased if she found out."

  The children huddled together inward, their heads swiveling in futile attempts to locate the source as white puffs expelled from their lips.

  Yasushi pushed forward, firming his stance. "I just came to see Kaname. I have a present for her."

  An uneasy paused stretched between them like a taut wire.

  "Kaname...? …Young Master, you must be confused. There is no Kaname here."

  His shoulders tensed, biting his lip. "What are you talking about!? She lives here! I go to her room every day!"

  Taichi's hand tapped Yasushi's shoulder, his whisper almost lost in the darkness. "Hey…ummm ... maybe we should go back. This doesn't feel right."

  He twisted away from the touch, advancing further into the darkness. "No! I know she's here. I'll prove it to all of you!"

  As the voice responded, frost crept through their clothing, burrowing deep until the unnatural cold throbbed their bones.

  "There is no Kaname in this palace, Young Master. Again, surely you are mistake-"

  "STOP LYING!! I JUST SAW HER A FEW HOURS AGO!" Yasushi interrupted, his suppressed frustration unraveling. "HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU DON'T KNOW HER! HER ROOM IS RIGHT THERE!"

  Koba, Sachiko, Megumi and Taichi tensed at his torrent, their concerns deepening.

  The voice remained placid and steady.

  "The room at the end of this hall is vacant due to the…undergoing repairs. Its been restricted by the Queen for quite some time now to prevent prying eyes."

  Its tone methodically darkened.

  "A matter you are very much aware of..."