Unseen threats

One evening, Aiko was in the garden, sitting on the edge of the fountain, gazing at the stars, lost in thought as always. Akihiko strolled quietly through the garden when he spotted her, the soft glow of the stars reflecting in his sharp eyes. He paused for a moment, observing her from afar, his chest tightening with concern.

Akihiko stepped lightly onto the garden path, careful not to startle her. The distance wasn’t just physical; it was the weight of everything left unsaid. He paused a few steps away, his gaze soft but serious.

“May I… sit with you?” he asked, his voice gentle. “Or would I be disturbing you?”

Aiko looked up, her eyes meeting his, and for a moment the garden seemed to hold its breath. The tension between them was palpable — neither fully reconciled, yet both drawn to the other, inching closer through the quiet, fragile space.

Aiko hesitated for a moment, then gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. “You may… sit,” she murmured, her voice calm but guarded.

Akihiko lowered himself carefully onto the edge beside her, leaving just enough space to respect her distance. The quiet between them was heavy, yet not uncomfortable — a shared silence that seemed to speak more than words could.

While looking at the sky, Aiko murmured, “They shine so beautifully. As if they are whispering something to me.”

Akihiko sat beside her, his posture rigid, his eyes still scanning the horizon as if he could detect danger even in the serenity of the garden. “Stars speak only to those who know how to listen,” he said seriously.

Aiko, teasing, glanced at him. “And what are they telling you?”

Akihiko’s brow furrowed slightly. “That I must be prepared. Danger could be near…”

Suddenly, something rustled in the grass. Aiko jumped back. “What was that?!”

Instinctively, Akihiko drew his sword. “Stay here. I’ll—”

From the grass rolled a small, fluffy creature with eyes as big as saucers, clinging to his cloak.

Aiko laughed. “Oh, look! I don’t know what that is, but it’s cute!”

Akihiko tried to remove it, but the creature glowed and lightly pinched his hand. “Ouch!” he exclaimed, still serious. “This is orbeye. Do not underestimate him.; he can be dangerous.”

Aiko, barely holding back her laughter, teased, “Yeah, right… it could kill you with… a bite?”

Akihiko’s lips twitched despite his effort to remain stern. “Actually… it’s quite a persistent enemy.”

“No, not an enemy,” Aiko insisted. “Apparently, it chose you as a friend.”

He glanced at the orbeye, still stubbornly perched on his cloak. “Of all beings… why this one?”

Aiko smiled. “Perhaps it had to be.”

Akihiko looked at her genuine smile and allowed himself the smallest, rarest of smiles in return.

“She’s smiling… maybe this small creature is the first thing in days to actually ease her tension. I’m glad…”

Then he tells her: “You know, actually, I’m glad this situation at least made you feel a little better for a moment.”

Aiko stepped closer to Akihiko, extending her hand to orbeye. Orbeye hopped onto her palm. “I can’t believe this creature just scared the prince.”

Akihiko’s serious gaze softened slightly. “Anything—or anyone—could appear. Caution is never too much.”

She met his eyes and noticed the worry lurking behind them, a worry she could feel even without his words.

The next morning, an unexpected visitor arrived on the planet Akarihoshi—prince Kaelrith, son of a powerful and hostile family. Kaelrith’s aura carried an unsettling calm. Akihiko, sensing immediately that this visit was no coincidence, kept his distance, his body coiled like a spring, ready to act.

“He’s here for a reason… I can feel it. I need to stay alert, I don’t know what he is up to…”

The king, queen, and Akihiko accept Kaelrith in the royal chambers. Polite words were exchanged, but beneath the calm, a tension threaded through every gesture. Kaelrith spoke carefully, expressing remorse for his father’s past deeds and intent to start anew.

Akihiko observed him, his mind racing. Words are easy. Intentions can be feigned. Actions… actions will show who he really is.

King Kaito invited Kaelrith for a private walk, with Akihiko trailing silently. Kaelrith’s eyes, however, lingered momentarily on a distant balcony—on Aiko. Something in her presence seemed to stir memories long buried.

"Those eyes… that face… Why do they feel so familiar?" Kaelrith thought. "Impossible… could it really be…? Maybe she’s the one behind that energy I sensed."

A flash of memory crossed his mind: his father’s obsession with queen Akari of planet Akanehara, the whispers of forbidden alliances, and the bitter war that followed. The past has shaped me. But this… this is something new. Something unclaimed. I cannot fail.

His eyes fell on the distant balcony again, where Aiko now moved slowly, almost unaware of the eyes following her. Kaelrith’s gaze sharpened, calculating. She must be tested. Not harmed… But challenged. Only then can I know the truth.

Akihiko noticed the subtle shift in Kaelrith’s gaze but chose to remain silent, his instincts screaming caution.

When king Kaito formally introduced Aiko, Akihiko’s gaze never left her, evaluating, protective. He noted the tension in her posture, the flicker of unease in her eyes.

I can’t let anything happen to her. Not again. No matter what Kaelrith claims… I don’t trust him.

Kaelrith, concealing his thoughts, sent a covert message to his three escorts. Follow her. Observe. Report.

Akihiko’s senses pricked instinctively, though he didn’t yet know the orders Kaelrith had given. Something tells me this isn’t just curiosity… I need to be ready.

Aiko remained on the balcony, seemingly unaware of the approaching danger. The palace guards were oddly distant, leaving her unprotected. Kaelrith seized the moment.

Suddenly, cold hands grabbed Aiko. She screamed, and instinctively, a glowing reddish shield erupted from her body, repelling the attackers.

Akihiko’s heart lurched. "No… stay safe, Aiko!"

He sprinted toward her, sword drawn, only to witness her collapse before he could reach her. The attackers, terrified by her unexpected power, fled—but were quickly apprehended by the palace guards.

Kaelrith arrived, feigning surprise. “What just happened?”

Akihiko, tense and cautious, replied, “Someone attacked Aiko. We caught three assailants.”

King Kaito’s calm voice intervened. “Please, prince Kaelrith, let’s continue our conversation another time.”

Kaelrith slightly bowed and left, his demeanor cool, though Akihiko’s instincts told him this was far from over.

Sitting by the bed, watching Aiko’s pale, delicate face, Akihiko’s mind swirled with doubts, anger, and fear.

This was no coincidence. Kaelrith orchestrated this. I need to find out what he’s planning. And I need to keep her safe… no matter what it costs me.

He reached out, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face. “What did they want with you, Aiko?” he whispered, more to himself than to her.

The silence in the chamber was heavy, yet the weight of his resolve filled the space. Akihiko knew that from this moment onward, he could no longer rely on chance. Every action, every thought, every plan would revolve around protecting her, uncovering the truth, and facing whatever danger lurked in the shadows.