As the first rays of dawn peeked through his window, Ryu rose from his bed, weary but resolute. He had to find a way to break the bond. Before it consumed him.
~
“Where are you off to, so early in the morning?”
Ryu blinked. His friend, Hiroshi, grinned at him over his cup of tea, an eyebrow raised in enquiry.
He looked around. Only Mizuki, his other best friend, was listening, her own eyes fixed on them. Most importantly, his mother was busy in conversation with Lady Aiko.
Ryu leaned closer, and Hiroshi leaned forward to listen.
“Off to the stables,” he said, as he wrapped a couple of fried fish.
“Ember likes fish now?” Aiko raised her eyebrows, and Ryu leaned closer.
“I’ll tell you everything,” he said, his eyes darting between his two closest friends. “Butlater.”
Hiroshi nodded, already two steps ahead, as usual. “Want me to keep Lady Clara busy?”
Ryu nodded gratefully. As he slipped through the doors, he saw his best friends turn to his mother, and knew they would keep their queen busy for as long as they could.
As he strode through the halls, Ryu made a detour to the kitchens, where he waved the cooks away, picking up a bowl of rice and miso soup. Making his way to the stables, Ryu knew that even if his Uncle Erlan was far away, he could count on his best friends to help him.
He’d met Nakamura Hiroshi when they were Elflings. They’d first crossed paths during Erlan’s ill-fated voyage to the human kingdoms.
After Azuma and his cronies had attacked Ryu and he’d struck back, they had been looking for revenge. When they cornered Ryu on a trip to the Merovian countryside, Hiroshi had rescued him from them. From that day forward, their friendship had blossomed, built on trust and shared adventures.
As young Elflings, they’d often ventured into the depths of the forest, exploring its mysteries and forging a strong connection. Hiroshi’s empathetic nature and unwavering loyalty—just like his name, he was generous with his spirit—allowed him to see beyond Ryu’s mixed heritage, recognizing the strength and potential within him.
Mizuki, with her quick wit and compassionate heart, joined their duo shortly after. They’d met her when the Twilight Court had gone to festival at the nearby village.
Ayoukaihad disguised itself as a normal horse, and snuck into the festival. A village child had sat on it, and theyoukaihad transformed into its demon self and begun to run away with the child.
While everyone around them had panicked, Mizuki had been one of the few ladies of the Court to join Ryu and Hiroshi as they’d risked their lives to save the Elfling.
Afterward, the three of them had become friends, for better or for worse.
Together, Hiroshi and Mizuki provided unwavering support to Ryu as they grew older. They were his confidants, offering guidance and encouragement when his burdens seemed too heavy to bear. They stood by his side in the face of prejudice, challenging the narrow-minded views of their society and proving that friendship transcended bloodlines.
Hiroshi’s unwavering loyalty and strength grounded Ryu, reminding him of the power of true friendship.
And Mizuki, with her innate understanding of Elven customs and politics, helped Ryu navigate the complexities of court life and the prejudices he faced. They’d both promised to help him ascend the Twilight Throne, working both openly and in the shadows to help him politically.
As such, they faced the censure of the more traditional courtiers, just as he did, and Ryu knew they were looking forward to the day he would become the Twilight Prince, just as he was.
Their presence in his life reassured Ryu that he had allies who would always champion his cause, reminding him that he was more than the sum of his heritage.
As he entered the stables, Ryu hoped that Ella was a in a better mood. He entered the stall at the back cautiously, and saw her standing near the window, biting her lip.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, instantly suspicious. He hadn’t expected her to be waiting for him.
“I need to use the chamber pot,” she said, twisting her hands together.
“Well, just go in the corner,” he said, waving a dismissive hand.
Ella gasped in outrage. “I am not ananimal!”she seethed. “I need a proper water closet! Or a chamber pot, at least!” She smiled nastily. “Don’t tell me the Elven court doesn’t have a bathroom? Do you all just troop into the woods whenever nature calls?”
“Quiet,” he hissed. He set the bowls of food down, and Ella barely glanced at it before looking up again. He sighed, feeling put upon. “Come on, follow me.” He glared at her. “And don’t try anything like last time, you know how easily I can find you.”
