The hallway pulsed with brewing friction as Yasushi's composure crumbled. Sachiko, Megumi, and Taichi traded anxious looks, Koba's previous mockery dissolved into genuine worry.

  Yasushi stared downward, shivering with anger, his fingernails digging crescents into his palms. "I... Still I... I demand you to open the door!"

  He lifted his head, boring into the blackness.

  "NOW!"

  His shout transfixed the bitter darkness as the disembodied voice lingered in stillness lacking a response.

  Refusing to be deterred, he advanced forward through the emptiness towards the double doors, the others hurrying behind him. As they drew near the massive double doors, the air shifted. Out of its own accord, one side of the door opened, parting with an agonizing squeak.

  "As you wish, Young Master," the voice whispered, its tone unreadable.

  Light burst back into the hallway like a dam breaking. The dreadful chill abruptly vanished, returning warmth to their skin. The children squinted and rubbed their eyes, grappling to adjust to the lighting.

  The door opened further, swinging inward to expose the chamber within.

  Yasushi quickened his pace, rushing into the room. "Kana!, are you up? It's me, Yasu. I want you to meet..."

  His words withered on his tongue and rendered him speechless at the sight before him. Koba, Sachiko, Megumi and Taichi crowded behind at all angles, pushing through the doorway with necks stretched, ardently scanning the room to catch a glimpse of her.

  Their excited expressions turned nonplussed at the vacant space. The chamber stood barren and devoid of any furniture or personal belongings.

  Disappointed, Sachiko surveyed the hollow space. "Your wife lives in this shithole?"

  "This is no way to treat a lady," Taichi added, fanning away the dust particles floating around him.

  Megumi sporadically crept around the room's perimeter, checking corners and peering behind the door.

  "Let's go. This was such a waste of time," Koba arrogantly smirked, his skepticism justified. “All that water must be getting to him or somethin’.”

  He pivoted toward the exit, already moving to leave the room. The others followed his lead, filing through the doorway one by one. Yasushi stayed rooted to the spot, humiliation flooding through him in crushing waves. A cool breath graced his ears, hovering over his shoulders.

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  "You know the rules, Young Master," the voice hummed. "No one can know about her."

  Too ashamed to respond, he retreated out of the room, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Lost in his thoughts, he trailed behind the others down the stairs and back into the Library.

  Heading to the grand hall, Sachiko stretched his arms overhead and groaned. "AWWW! That was no fun. I was really hoping that chick was real. I got my hopes up for nothing."

  "He's a Chika! What do you expect? They're all the same!" Koba harshly shot back. "Let's grab some food. I'm hungry."

  Megumi, torn between her relief and concern for Yasushi, snapped at Koba, "Yasushi just hasn't been feeling well, stupid! Get over yourself! The Chika clan is the most noble and best out of the rest of us!"

  "Noble? Ha! More like delusional," Koba fired back with a sneer. "Your precious prince just proved he's completely nuts."

  "At least he doesn't smell like smoke and act like a barbarian all the time!" Megumi shot back, her face flushing with anger.

  "Better than being a spoiled brat who thinks she's royalty!" Koba retorted.

  While they continued their heated exchange, Yasushi remained uncharacteristically silent, his head bowed, his thoughts racing. Nearing the grand hall, the sounds of ongoing festivities grew louder, drowning out their somber mood.

  Arriving outside the entrance, Taichi pulled Yasushi to the side, waving at Sachiko to keep going; Koba and Megumi still caught up in their bickering.

  Taichi led Yasushi to a quiet alcove, the party's noise muffled enough for private conversation.

  "Hey…What's really going on with you ? I've never seen you like this."

  Yasushi looked up for the first time since leaving the room, meeting his eyes "I... you don't understand,” he mumbled. “It's complicated.”

  Taichi scrunched his brows confused, noticing the distress. “Yasushi, don’t worry. It's not that big of a deal. I believe you. We'll see her another day, okay? I'm sure it was just a miss…under..stand..in..g?”

  Insulted by his gesture, Yasushi tensed up and pushed past him. "Forget about it. It was all in my head."

  Turning the corner, he stormed off, leaving Taichi baffled.

  The festivities in the grand hall raged on without pause. Kaito and Izimaru, drunk beyond reason, commanded the center of attention. Masahiko shouted at them from one direction and Haru delivered stern lectures from another. Mari remained seated nearby, laughing at the spectacle as he snapped pictures.

  Surrounded by all the celebration and merriment, Yasushi buried himself in a corner. Shrouded in wretchedness, his mind relentlessly churned.

  Where was she?!!! Why didn't she respond to me?!!! Who the hell was that voice? I'm so embarrassed. Everyone now thinks I'm a liar. Or worse... that I'm fucking crazy. I bet this was my father's doing, that mean bastard!

  He sighed, looking up at the crystal chandeliers.

  She must be mad at me. After all, I didn't get to spend much time with her today. She outta be lonely without me.

  His chest tightened, as humiliation and pessimism converged. The revelry and music slowed, drowning him in discomfort. Unable to endure another moment, Yasushi bolted from the grand hall undetected, vanishing into the palace's dim corridors.

  I NEED TO SEE HER!