CHAPTER 37: THE AZURE PRINCE, PART II

Lan Yue stood in the middle of the throne hall, covered in mud, holding the blushing Ayame in his arms. Shu An stood to his right, visibly tense, nervously shifting uneasily in place as he tried to calm the storm of anxiety devouring him inside. Yan Mo stood on Lan Yue’s left, watchful, his eyes sharp.

Minutes passed in heavy silence filled with nervousness and tension.

At last, the royal couple appeared King Shion, his face calm and unreadable, and the beautiful, kind queen they had met earlier.

Shion first made sure his queen sat down on her throne, his gaze soft with affection as he did. Only then did he take his seat – a larger, more ornate throne beside hers.

His gaze fell on Ayame, whose legs were gone. Beneath the purple veil covering his eyes, fury flashed.

Yan Mo twitched just a little, feeling that gaze upon him. He could tell – this was a man who’d do whatever it takes

"An unannounced delegation is quite a rarity these days," Shion said politely, though his tone carried an edge.

Shu An bowed deeply. He could feel the suspicion radiating from the king – Shion likely thought they were the ones who had cut off Ayame’s legs and then had the audacity to pretend to be her saviors. They were starting out at a disadvantage.

Still, Shu An stuck to the plan and recited the carefully prepared introduction:

"Mighty King of Hoshigane," Shu An spoke up – his pronunciation flawless, not a hint of foreign accent in his voice. "We have come to request an alliance. We are a small principality that once bordered the Kingdom of Tora – modest in land, but rich in natural resources. Two neighboring empires have their eyes on us. When we heard how effortlessly you defeated Tora, we didn’t hesitate to come and ask for your protection."

"And you think having a stranger hold my sister before my eyes will help your case?" Shion shot back, then met Ayame’s gaze. For some reason, his sister wasn’t afraid, nor did she resist Lan Yue’s touch. "Still, I thank you for finding her."

"B-b-brother... they’re... t-telling the truth..." Ayame suddenly spoke, catching everyone’s attention, even Haru’s, who until now had stayed silent out of nerves, unsure how to act. "Th-they s-saved me... tha-that... it did t-to me... it’s... here..."

Shion sighed softly.

"Forgive my harshness, but sometimes distrust is what saves entire nations."

"That is true, honorable king," Shu An replied, bowing again. "But I can vouch that my lord is not one who walks in shadows with a dagger in hand."

"Then let him speak," said Shion. "I know you serve as his translator, but I wish to hear him myself – to judge his honesty and see if his goodwill is true."

Shu An bowed once more.

This kings has quite the authority for someone so young, the old official thought bitterly. We’re the ones who have to beg, play a show of virtue before him, and bow our heads. Still... sometimes a single humiliation can lead to a hundred victories.

As Shu An turned to pass on Shion’s request to Lan Yue, Yan Mo noticed the queen leaning closer to whisper something to her husband.

"My love, don’t you think you’re being a little too severe?" Haru whispered softly, his voice quiet enough that only Shion could hear. "These people saved Ayame and came here to ask for an alliance. They don’t seem bad..."

"It’s not harshness, it’s caution," Shion whispered back. "But perhaps you’re right. Thank you for the advice, my love."

Shion looked back toward the Qianlun delegation. Shu An finished speaking to his lord. Lan Yue, understanding the situation he was in, handed Ayame to Yan Mo. He knew every, even the littlest gesture now could influence the king’s decision, so he stepped forward and bowed deeply before the royal couple and stayed that way for several minutes until Shion finally spoke:

"Thank you for your respect. That’s enough."

"Mighty King Shion," Lan Yue said, meeting his gaze. "I rule a small nation. What matters most to me is the peace and well-being of my people, who are mostly traders and craftsmen, not warriors. I chose you because I see in you a noble ruler and the strongest ally. You conquered the Kingdom of Tora without senseless slaughter of civilians - that shows reason and compassion. So I ask this: even if you care nothing for me, please protect my people. That is all I ask."

Shion didn’t understand his words, but he understood his heart. Before him stood a younger, idealistic ruler who genuinely wanted peace.

"Translate," Shion ordered Shu An.

The official bowed even deeper than Lan Yue had, then translated every word faithfully.

"So be it," Shion said at last. "You will grant us access to your natural resources, which we will gladly make use of. And as for the alliance, it shall be sealed with marriage."

His eyes shifted to the startled Ayame.

Shion has changed, she thought. He decided my fate without asking... but I guess I understand. I’ve only caused trouble lately. Still, he’s not trying to get rid of me... right?

She met her brother’s gaze – and found her answer.

No. I know deep down he wants me to stay here, but he needs to do what’s best for everyone.

Ayame hissed in pain.

Yan Mo frowned; Lan Yue turned toward her, worried. Shu An smiled faintly – the young prince had just shown honest worry for the sister of King Shion himself.

In her mind, Ayame saw "he wicked smile of a face that was half Yuri’s and half Egri’s.

You’ve used my power long enough, Ayame. It’s time to give it back.

"Are you all right?" Lan Yue asked, worriedly.

Ayame met his eyes – and felt the last of her mana and power leaving her body. She felt lighter... emptier. The chaos in her mind quieted even more, though it didn’t vanish.

She looked him in the eyes. In exchange for her lost power, she could finally understand him.

"Head... hurts..." she whispered in his language.

Everyone – even the royal couple and Shu An, always calm in situations like this – looked surprised

"Incredible, Mighty King Shion. Your sister learns so quickly," Shu An said, then translated exactly what Shion had said.

After that, Lan Yue bowed deeply.

"Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! My people will finally be safe!"

"You won’t return with just Ayame," Shion said suddenly.

Then a burning pain flared through his head. In the darkness of his thoughts, he saw golden draconic eyes staring straight at him.

Let your queen do something for once. Send her to oversee everything. Why should you do all the work? She married you – let her share the burden of rule!

Shion’s mind snapped.

"My queen will accompany you," he announced. "He will supervise the wedding and the signing of the agreement on my behalf.

"Huh?!" Haru exclaimed, staring at Shion in shock and rising anger. "Sweetheart, you can’t be serious! We’ve barely seen each other, and now you want us to split apart again?!"

"Haven’t I taught you that we have marriage arguments in front of foreign envoys?" Shion replied, his tone sharp. "If you want to stand by my side, Haru, then learn what it means to rule – to share my burdens."

Haru’s lips trembled.

Why... why is he being so cold all of a sudden? So harsh?

Ayame looked at her brother, uneasily. She had a feeling what was happening. Even without her magic, she could feel Hayate’s aura. She turned her gaze to Haru.

"It’s... in the castle..." she said weakly, hoping he would understand, but Haru only looked more confused.

"B-But m-my parents were supposed to arrive soon!" Haru insisted.

"Then they’ll wait until you return. Their son will be on his first diplomatic mission, after all. Haru, what did I say about arguing in front of guests?"

At that moment, Haru felt like Shion valued etiquette and the opinion of the envoys more than he did him.

It hurt more than he could have imagined.

"Fine! Whatever you say! But I’m taking Gari and Maldie with me!"

"Maldie stays here. Someone has to care for the children," Shion said curtly. "Now, go tell them. As for you," he added coldly to the guests, "why are you still here? Shouldn’t you be heading to the courtyard instead of eavesdropping on our conversation? Or should I take that as an insult?"

Shu An delivered a long, flowery apology and the group left. Yan Mo, at his lord’s request, passed Ayame carefully into his arms.

"What the hell’s gotten into you?!" Haru shouted, rising from his throne, tears spilling down his cheeks, his lips trembling with rage and sadness. "Fine! I’ll go wherever you send me! But I won’t write you a single damn letter! I’d rather stab myself in the eyes with a quill!"

With that, he stormed out toward the royal chamber.

Shion sighed, cold and unmoved – at least on the outside.

No, Haru, wait... It’s not me... something’s controlling me.

Please don’t cry because of me. My heart’s breaking.

Haru, come back... I want to kiss you, hold your hand, just be near you...

Please don’t go... Don’t go...

I just want to enjoy your warmth and our days together a little longer...