The last of the fireworks dissolved into darkness as the festival wind down. The once-bustling palace grounds gradually emptied, excited chatter replaced by swaying trees in the cool night's breeze.

  King Mari and Masahiko alongside their wives and entourage led King Izimaru toward the royal inn neighboring the palace, his drunken splendor echoed stumbling down the guided path. After completing the farewells, Airi carried the intoxicated Kaito to the master chambers.

  As guests departed, palace servants emerged from doorways and alcoves. They began dismantling the elaborate festival decorations. Colorful banners carefully came down, lanterns extinguished and packed away. Silk ribbons and garlands rolled into neat bundles and ceramic dishes stacked into wooden crates. The grand tables methodically cleared as remnants of the celebration vanished piece by piece.

  In the garden, servants moved quietly, collecting discarded cups and tidying flower beds trampled in the excitement. The mystical water fountain, enchanted to change colors throughout the evening, slowly faded back to its normal, crystal-clear flow.

  The first hints of dusk touched the eastern sky and the palace grounds bore little resemblance to the vibrant scene of the previous night. In the liminal space between night and day, Yasushi found himself awake and restless, driven by the need to make amends with Kaname.

  He peeled off his nightwear and changed into his daily attire. With the stealth of a cat, he cracked open his bedroom door and tiptoed out. Within the low lit hallway hung faded tapestries along the walls, its colors dulled by time and the wavering sunlight. Aged wood mingled with faint incense, filling every corner of the estate.

  "Where you going so early in the morning?" A voice whispered from the darkness, creeping up behind him. "Couldn't sleep?”

  Startled by the unexpected voice, Yasushi stumbled sideways and hit the wall.

  A round, plump outline loomed over him, narrowing the corridor against the dim lighting. Recognizing the rotund figure, Yasushi perked back onto his feet. "What are you? Some kind of stalker! You scared me half to death!"

  Taichi's shoulders bounced with stifled giggles at Yasushi's flustered reaction, his eyes gleaming at the successful ambush. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”

  Yasushi pushed himself off the wall and moved forward, trying to slip past Taichi. "I'm busy, go back to bed."

  Matching his tempo, Taichi fell into step behind him. "Are you going to go see her? You know.. that girl you were talking about.."

  Yasushi's cheeks flushed red as he quickened his steps down the hallway, the wooden boards groaning under their combined weight. "What girl?…Who are you talking about?”

  "You know who I’m talking about! Your fiancé..uuhhh, what's her name..K...Ka…Kaname?"

  Grinding to a complete halt, he spun around and faced Taichi, cutting him off. "Why are you so interested in this, huh? Everyone already believes I made her up."

  Taichi tilted his head, failing to restrain his curiosity. "Because…I believe you. I don't think it’s something you’d lie about.”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Temporary relief washed over Yasushi's shoulders before guilt took its place. He scoffed and turned back, resuming his stride ahead as Taichi continued.

  “It's also really odd for a royal servant to guard an empty room. It doesn’t even have windows. What's the point?”

  "Dunno.” Yasushi mumbled. “My father is known to do some strange shit.”

  "That's true, but it doesn't explain the unusual bleakness of the room.” Taichi questioned, catching up beside him. “The room had no smell."

  Yasushi kept his gaze straight ahead, shrugging off his comment. The boys moved past several delicately painted cherry blossoms covering the sliding doors, its rice paper panels shimmering under the ambience of the light.

  "Of course it didn't, idiot? The room was empty!”

  Taichi studied Yasushi's profile, a ghost of a smile materialized.

  WAS?

  The hallway curved to the right, leading them past a small alcove housing a polished kitsune statue. Its stone tails curled around the base, radiating into Taichi's gaze.

  "Everything has a smell, Yasushi. Even an empty room. Don't forget I'm a Kokoro, our speciality is earth. It's only natural that we have a great sense of smell.”

  His jaw clenched avoiding Taichi's probing stare. "You're imagining things! And why are you still following me? Leave me alone!"

  Ignoring his demand, Taichi pursued, shifting his tone. "So it got me thinking. If the Chika clan is willing to go so far as to hide the existence of your fiancé from the entire realm... then she must be someone exceptional."

  Yasushi's breathing grew shallow and his steps faltered as he brushed against the wall's rough texture. Eager to end the conversation, he lengthened his stride and placed distance between himself and Taichi walking by a series of shoji screens.

  "I mean, why else would you guard an empty room… unless the room wasn't actually empty."

  At his wit's end, Yasushi arm shot out to brace against the wall, startling Taichi while blocking him from proceeding forward. Simultaneously, emerging from the utility room, a female servant rushed by, maneuvering the decorations in her grasp. Her silk robes stirred disappearing down the intersecting corridor, unaware of the boys’ position.

  “Taichi…” Yasushi whispered, his patience worn thin. “Your mind is playing tricks on you. She doesn't exist, so mind your damn business! Let it go and head back to your room!"

  Taichi playful nudged him, thrusting him forward. "Come on!! We're practically best friends! It's not nice to keep secrets from one another."

  Like a match to kindling, Yasushi regained his balance, spun around and grabbed him by his collar. Exasperated by Taichi's continued dismissal, he pushed him up against the wall. His forearm firmly pressed against his chest, their faces hovering inches apart. "I said drop it! I made it up. I'm a liar! I've lost my mind!! What else do you want me to say??!”

  Taichi patted him on the shoulder, unphased by the aggression. "Yasushi... relax...I told you I believed you, didn't I?"

  Staring into his steadfast eyes, Yasushi's frustration gave way to resignation, acknowledging Taichi's stubborn sincerity. Letting go of his collar, Yasushi paced back and forth muttering under his breath as his thoughts churned.

  This is insane! I'm going there to apologize, not to show off. But... Taichi has been by my side since we were little. He wouldn't betray me. And it's still dark… no one will be awake to see us. I can apologize to Kana anytime, but when will I get another chance to prove I wasn't lying? To show him what's mine? Kaname belongs to me, after all. She's been given to me, raised for me. She’s my future wife! My responsibility…My possession. If I decide he can meet her, then he should. She exists for my happiness, doesn't she? If I want to share that truth with my closest friend, that's my choice to make!

  "Okay. Fine.” Yasushi grinned, halting his pacing. “You can come, but you have to stay hidden! If anyone sees you..."

  Taichi lifted his hands in surrender, interrupting him. "I know! I know. Don't worry, I'll be invisible!"

  I mean seriously, what's the worst that could happen???