Unexpected visitors

The air in the garden of royal palace was rich with the scent of blooming trees, mingling with the gentle warmth of the morning sun that streamed through the palace’s slender marble and crystal pillars. Aiko strolled beside Mika, her footsteps soft on the cobblestones. The calm was shattered when Mika abruptly froze.

“Aiko… stop,” she whispered, eyes wide.

Aiko’s gaze followed hers. At the far edge of the terrace, three figures stood: a tall, commanding man; a poised, elegant woman; and a young girl delicately tracing the edge of a silk glove. Their presence radiated authority, poise, and quiet curiosity.

Mika’s breath caught. “It’s… the royal family of Mizuhana. What brings them here?”

The Takumi family: King Raiden, queen Sayaka, and princess Miyu. Each step they took was measured, graceful, exuding a presence that made the courtyard feel simultaneously grand and intimate.

Mika bowed deeply. “Your Majesties—king Raiden Takumi, queen Sayaka Takumi, princess Miyu Takumi. On behalf of the palace of Akarihoshi, welcome. It is an honor to greet you.”

Aiko, slightly disoriented, mimicked Mika’s bow, hesitant but sincere. “Welcome… to Akarihoshi,” she murmured.

Queen Sayaka’s eyes met hers—warm, calm, and perceptive. Princess Miyu smiled, playful yet curious.

“So, you must be Aiko. I’ve heard of you,” princess Miyu said gently, her tone carrying both innocence and knowing.

Aiko flinched. “Of… me?”

“Of course. A distant relative of Mika,” princess Miyu replied lightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

A wave of relief passed between Mika and Aiko.

King Raiden’s deep, commanding voice cut through the morning air. “We arrived slightly ahead of schedule. The king and queen have been informed of our arrival, but I wonder if the prince has been notified?”

Mika’s composure faltered for a moment. “Your Majesty… I believe the prince has not yet been informed. Perhaps he is still in training…”

“Prince Akihiko must join us. This matter concerns him as well,” king Raiden stated, his tone sharp, leaving no room for discussion.

Aiko felt her heart stop. “Prince…? Akihiko… a prince? No, no, there must be another with that name…”

Her skin went pale, her breath caught. The world blurred for a moment—trees, voices, the stone path—all disappeared. Only one truth remained: one no one had told her.

She recalled his quiet moments, the thoughtful glances, his constant control of every situation… and suddenly, everything made sense. He had never been an ordinary boy—he had lied. Had he been protecting her, or simply keeping secrets?

Mika, standing close, noticed Aiko frozen in a trance, her face drained of color. She gently touched her elbow, just enough for Aiko to feel the contact.

“Aiko…” Mika whispered.

Aiko’s voice trembled. “Mika… is he…?”

The words slipped out quietly but clearly enough for princess Miyu to hear. Miyu leaned forward, curiosity and compassion in her expression.

“Oh… you didn’t know Akihiko was a prince? I thought you… well, are his special guest,” Miyu said lightly.

Aiko felt tears welling in her eyes. Her chest tightened. It wasn’t the royal family’s presence that hurt—it was the trust she had assumed she had. His words, his promises, the reassuring glances… all built on unspoken truths.

How could you hide this from me, Akihiko…? she thought, heart heavy.

King Raiden turned to Mika, his gaze stern but measured, every movement emanating authority.

“Take us to king Kaito and queen Hanae,” he stated formally.

Mika nodded, maintaining her composure despite the tension—the prince’s absence, Aiko’s reaction, the king’s immediacy—her military training prevented hesitation.

“Immediately, Your Majesties. Allow me to guide you,” she said, motioning through the marble arcade toward the inner royal reception chambers.

King Raiden, queen Sayaka, and princess Miyu followed, each radiating their own aura—power, elegance, curiosity.

Aiko remained a few steps behind; her gaze still fixed on the empty space before her. A hollow ache gnawed at her chest. In her mind, two words repeated:

“Prince Akihiko…”

She stayed frozen for a moment, the sense of safety she had felt shattered. Now she didn’t know who to trust.

Why didn’t you tell me, Akihiko…? Why invite me close while holding secrets greater than the stars?

She shivered slightly, but then… she stepped forward. Despite fear, sadness, and confusion, she would not run. Not yet.

Her hands trembled as she lingered at the terrace’s edge. She watched the Mizuhana royal family move away, unable to follow.

Mika stopped and glanced back, noticing Aiko’s frozen stance and tense expression. She approached and lowered her voice.

“Aiko…?”

Aiko dropped her gaze, blinking as if holding back the weight of unspoken words. Slowly, she nodded.

“Not… not feeling well. Can… I go to my chamber?” she whispered.

Mika understood immediately, recognizing the quiet sadness in Aiko’s voice. She nodded empathetically, scanning for onlookers before speaking in a calm, reassuring tone.

“Of course. Go ahead. I’ll explain you needed a rest due to the change in environment. They will understand.” She placed a hand gently on Aiko’s shoulder and added quietly, “Don’t worry about them. And… about him. He’ll explain you everything.”

Aiko nodded silently, saying nothing more. She turned and walked slowly down a side corridor, away from the glowing pillars, away from the kings and queens, away from questions. Her steps were soft, almost imperceptible, as if she wished to dissolve into the quiet of the walls.

She moved silently past flickering lights, past tall windows with a gentle breeze drifting through.

When she reached her chamber, the door closed softly, leaning against it. For the first time, she allowed herself—just for a moment—to let tears quietly fall. Silence enveloped her. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring through the window at Akarihoshi’ bluish-purple sky—so beautiful, so far from home.

Her hands trembled slightly. An emptiness she could not name pressed in her chest.

No names were spoken. No answers sought. Only… peace.

The training hall glowed under soft lights. The floor subtly responded to movement, blending aesthetics and advanced technology. Distant music designed for focus and reflexes pulsed faintly through the space.

Akihiko, clad in his dark blue training uniform, held a sword of special alloy. His breathing was steady, movements precise. Opposite him, Naoru wiped sweat from his brow, smiling despite exhaustion.

Naoru, catching his breath, commented, “If it were anyone else, you’d already be on the floor.”

“Almost,” Akihiko replied, smirking faintly.

With one final spin of his sword, he stopped just shy of Naoru’s neck. He lowered his weapon, calm. A subtle beep interrupted the silence. Both glanced at StarCom.

King Kaito Miyahara – formal summons: immediate presence in the royal reception chambers.

Akihiko’s brow furrowed. “Not a usual call,” he murmured.

Naoru’s face grew serious. “Something is about to change.”

Akihiko removed his gloves deliberately, his movements precise and measured. “Let’s go.”

The two moved through the palace, the sense of tension almost tangible. Every step echoed off the stone corridors, a quiet prelude to the storm that seemed to be approaching.

Aiko, alone in her chamber, had finally regained some composure. Her tears had dried, but the ache in her chest remained. She felt betrayed yet strangely curious—curious about the world she had entered and the truths hidden within it.