Yasushi's feet moved without conscious thought, carrying him back to the Library's staircase. His pulse hammered against his ribs as he approached. His breathing, controlled whispers as he ascended, fingers trailing along the smooth banister for balance.

  At the top, the hallway had returned to normal. Polished cedar panels stretched toward the double doors, decorated with Kaname's and his artwork from years past. Tiny handprints in vibrant blues and purples dotted the lower sections, chronicling her growth through childish scribbles to delicate brushwork. Warm amber light emanated from floating shelves lining both sides, illuminating the space with welcoming glow. Blue hydrangeas bloomed in elegant vases against the walls and cascading bellflowers hung from the ceiling like nature's chandeliers.

  ...Where's that guard?

  Sensing its absence, Yasushi hurried down the hallway and pushed the door, his heart threatening to burst from his chest. Entering the room, Kaname sat cross-legged in the middle of her bed with a teddy bear resting inside her lap, completely absorbed in reading a leather-bound book.

  Behind her bed, a large circular mural dominated the wall. Within its painted borders, an elaborate window opened into a forest with large Japanese Maple trees, its leaves having an ombre of rainbow colors. Built-in shelves packed volumes of books and drawings, toys lay scattered across the floor in chaotic abandon. A mix of blue hydrangeas and bellflowers covered the entire ceiling like a living canopy, their petals occasionally drifting downward in lazy spirals.

  Noticing his unexpected entry, Kaname raised her head from the book. Her face lit up, her eyes comforting ."Yasu! Is the festival over? Have you come to read me a story?"

  Elated by the returned normalcy, Yasushi rushed toward her. He lifted her from the bed and wrapped her in a desperate embrace.

  "Yasu...?!" she muffled against his chest, confused by frantic behavior.

  Refusing to let her go, Yasushi tightened his hold, pressing her deeper into his chest

  "Yasu?....Tell me ...What's wrong? Are you okay?"

  Yasushi gently placed her on the ground, his voice cracked loosening his grasp. "Nothing, Kana. Everything is better now. I just really missed you."

  Relieved from his enduring hold, she caught her breath, dusting herself off.

  "Come! There's someone I'd like you to meet,” he smiled, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the door. “There's not much time left at the festival, but I think we'll still be able to see the fireworks with everyone."

  Kaname snatched her hand from his grasp, shaking her head. "But, Yasu, I can't leave. I'm told to stay in my room."

  Yasushi went stiff, his back to Kaname, ears turning red with frustration. The room felt smaller, the walls pressing inward as his anger built.

  Did she just…

  Fighting the urge to refrain from shouting at her, he clenched his teeth, voice quivering. "Kana! Aren't you tired of being locked away and hidden?! Don't you want to have friends? I'm just trying to help you. So, let's go!"

  Kaname remained silent, turning her gaze away from him. Her refusal to respond fractured his patience.

  Yasushi violently grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the door. Kaname protested, stumbling over words to convince him to stop. "Wha... But... I... Yasu... Wait... Yasu! Wait! What if someone sees me?"

  Consumed by his emotions, he continued forward. "Don't worry about it. No one will see you. They never do."

  The room caught a familiar cold, warm lights dimming into a flicker. A shadowy figure materialized in the doorway wearing an embroidered black tuxedo. Prussian blue threading formed the Chika clan insignia across his chest. Inky tendrils of shadow drifted and swirled around his body like liquid smoke in a lava lamp, constantly shifting and undulating. Bowing with one arm across his chest, his sudden appearance sent chills through the space.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "Young Master, please excuse my intrusion. It's late and Miss Kaname must be up before dawn for her lessons. Please allow her to get some rest."

  Yasushi's face twisted, the earlier humiliation flooding back. "I only desire to watch the fireworks with her. This is none of your business. MOVE!"

  The royal servant straightened and stepped aside. "As you wish, Young Master." His attention turned to Kaname, his tone acquiring a menacing edge. "Miss Kaname... please keep in mind that the Queen will be very displeased if you disobey direct orders again.... You wouldn't want to cause them any unnecessary trouble, now... hmm?"

  The servant's words lingered in the air like a soft melody. A sudden coldness then washed over Kaname as Yasushi continued pulling her toward the door. She planted her feet firmly against the floor and wrenched her arm away from his grip, causing him to stumble backward.

  Yasushi turned, shock plastered on his face at the realization of her continued rejection. The room grew colder, the shadows deeper. Kaname stood obdurately in silence, fixing her gaze on the floor, unable to meet Yasushi's bewildered stare. Her reluctance created a suffocating stillness, thick with unspoken words and conflicting emotions.

  The servant's voice slithered through the tension, his words dripping with satisfaction. "Mmmhhmm... good girl," he whispered, manifesting behind Kaname, both hands placed on her shoulders. His crimson eyes locked onto Yasushi's, contentment spreading across his shadowed features.

  "This is the Young Master, Miss Kaname. How do you properly respond to his request?"

  Kaname remained silent, her body going taut under the servant's grip, as his fingers sunk into her shoulders. Understanding the command, Kaname slowly lifted her head to face Yasushi.

  With a compliant bow, Kaname spoke, her voice hardly above a whisper. "Yasu... thank you so much for thinking of me, but I cannot join you. I am very tired and I have lessons in the morning. Please… go without me."

  In that moment, Yasushi's sting of rejection morphed into a deep betrayal. His composure strained approaching her, his voice tinged with desperation. "B... but, Kana... don't you wanna see the fireworks with me and be around everyone else? I'm trying to help you!”

  He balled his fist, raising his head to the servant. “This guy is nothing but a servant! Mom and Dad will understand! Everything will be okay! I'll protect you. Besides... Aren't... Aren't you lonely?"

  An icy wave swept through the room, interrupting Yasushi's plea. The royal servant's voice dropped low, heavy with annoyance. His eyes flared with intensity, frustrated by Yasushi's persistence.

  "Young Master, I believe it's time for you to go. It's rude to leave your guest unattended to. Kaname needs her rest."

  Ignoring the servant's glare, Yasushi stomped his foot, trembling the floor. He held his focus on Kaname straightening from her bow.

  "KANA!!?!! ANSWER ME!"

  She turned away, putting her back to him.

  Then, as if a cord was struck, Yasushi lost all restraint. His words lashing out like poisonous daggers. "Psft... So that's your answer. Whatever, you're nothing but an embarrassment. A joke!”

  I JUST WANTED MY FRIENDS TO KNOW YOU EXIST. THAT YOU'RE REAL! WHY CAN'T YOU SEE THAT! DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE FOR YOU!

  He took another step forward, his expression mirroring the bitterness of the room. "You bore me, Kaname. You're useless, and now...I want nothing to do with you."

  DO I REALLY MEAN THAT?!!

  Kaname grabbed onto the servant's shirt, pressing her face deeper into the fabric. Seeing her reaction, Yasushi cruelly smirked, his words growing more venomous. "Even the adorable Megumi has a birth element, but can't even do the basics. She's better than you! There's no doubt she'll become a better wife than you could ever hope to be."

  ...THIS IS ALL HER FAULT!!!...WHY WON'T SHE LOOK AT ME!

  Yasushi steadily reached his arm out to her, inching closer. "You're pathetic and you disgust me! You'll never amount to ANYTHING! The only thing you'll ever be good for is laying on your back!"

  The servant's voice erupted through the room, swiftly slapping his arm away. "That's enough, Young Master!"

  Grabbing Yasushi by the shirt, he yanked him away from her. He twisted his body sideways trying to break free from the servant's hold. Realizing it was hopeless, he whipped his head back at Kaname, his eyes burying into her back. She turned to watch him leave, revealing an expression that extinguished his fury and plummeted his heart.

  DAMN IT... SHE’S... SHE'S CRYING…

  The servant hurled him from the room, slamming the door shut in his face. Landing hard on his backside, he sat there for several moments. He replayed the events in his mind and debated whether to go back inside as he stood up, straightening his clothes.

  With a heavy sigh, he shoved his hands into his pockets, turning to leave.

  Crap... I didn't mean any of that... I was just angry… I didn't mean to make her cry.

  The hallway felt endless, walking toward the Library's stairs. Regret saturated his every movement. Shame crushed down on him with each step.

  I went too far... I need to apologize... but when…

  Festival sounds felt hollow and meaningless as it drifted in from the distance. He stopped at the hallway's end, slapping his cheeks with both hands.

  That's right!! She has lessons at dawn. I'll just talk to her then.