CHAPTER 40: CLAWS, JEALOUSY AND DECEIT, PART IV

"S-Shion, who did this to you? You don’t remember, do you?" Haru said on the verge of tears.

He hugged Shion tighter, but began crying, his body trembling and losing balance.

They both fell onto the bed. Shion slept lying on him, and Haru had never cried so loudly or with such overwhelming sadness.

"Shion... who did this to you?!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, then stopped himself.

None of their children woke up, they were sleeping peacefully, as if they understood why he was crying.

Even knowing that Shion was the one taken advantage of against his will, it hurt like cheating. Haru could never imagine his husband doing that with someone else. At the same time, he understood Shion was the victim, but his heart shattered into pieces.

Haru couldn’t bring himself to do more. He held the sleeping Shion tightly, crying until he finally fell asleep – from exhaustion, with dry eyes and a raw throat.

I’ll make anyone who did this pay. It’s probably that damn new secretary – everything was fine until he showed up.

I’ll kill him.

He thought angrily, on the edge of sleep.

*

Haru had another visitor in his dream. This time it wasn’t Egri – Yuri or anyone he knew.

A figure with a demonic aura stood before him. At first, it bowed and introduced itself as Hoshizuma.

Haru felt like he had heard the name somewhere before, but couldn’t remember when or where.

"W-why are you talking to m-me?" he asked uncertainly.

"It’s simple," he replied with a grin. "Ayame’s power is gone. Or rather, returned to its source, because your daughter took what belonged to her."

"Huh? So she used Egri’s power?!"

"More or less. The same goes for Shion’s cursed gaze... it will return to her soon, but even I don’t know when."

"I still don’t get why you’re telling me all this.."

"Well, without burdening you with too many details, here’s the main point: your daughter, me, and the one who took used Shion were, or rather, once were – the three most powerful beings to ever walk this world. Each of us seeks a way to be reborn in a new, stronger body. ’Egri’ chose you as her parents because she saw potential in the Hoshigane line. That you became her mother was pure coincidence."

"But what does that have to do with..."

"The third of us, named Hayate, saw potential in Shion. He’s the only one who can’t be reborn, so he has to ensure he leaves an heir. That’s why he tainted your marriage, and as far as I know, Egri or Yuri, as you call her – would hate to be raised in a broken home. So, here’s my deal, Haru."

Hoshizuma paused. Haru swallowed, his body trembling slightly.

He was scared, but burning with anger, wanting to know what Hoshizuma was offering.

"I’ll give you one of my powers. Permanently. It’s not overwhelmingly strong, but it should be enough for Hayate. This will be my last gift to humanity before I’m reborn. While Egri chose her mother by chance, I shaped mine for years."

"Huh? What does that even mean?"

Hoshizuma grinned demonically.

"You might soon figure out the true meaning of my words, Haru. In any case, I’ll give you my power, but under two conditions. First: don’t kill any innocent life with that power. Second: never, ever leave Shion."

"I wasn’t even considering that second one!" Haru exclaimed, clearly offended. "And as for the first... I wouldn’t hurt anyone who..."

"Good. Then go, avenge your pain. Punish that idiot, he doesn’t have much time left anyway. You’ll only hasten the inevitable."

"B-but why are you helping me? You must gain something from this, right?"

Hoshizuma smiled again, this time gentle and kind.

"Well, if he dies, half of his power will go to Yuri’s soul, and half to me. Some remnants might remain in his offspring, if any appear at all. Anyway, it’s a necessary sacrifice so we can protect you from the arrival of the fourth."

"Th-the fourth?!" Haru asked, increasingly confused by both the words and the situation.

"Yes. The fourth of the primordial beings, or as some call it, the Flames. He is coming, and we must be ready: in beautiful, new bodies, with stronger abilities and minds than ever before."

"I don’t understand any of this..."

"For now, you don’t need to, Haru. What matters is that you’ll understand when the time comes. I’ve already told you too much. Good luck," it said, extending a hand.

"Wait, what kind of power is this?" Haru asked, a hint of panic in his voice.

"Ah, right," Hoshizuma said, putting his hand down. "Sorry, my mistake. I’ll give you the magic of starlight, which you can use for both offense and defense. Just trust your intuition, and the power will take the shape you want."

Haru looked down at his feet with determination.

Finally, I can do something. Finally... I can protect Shion and our children and the palace... I won’t have to run anymore.

Hoshizuma extended his hand again.

Haru wanted to ask about what would really happen to his daughter, about who she will become, but he didn’t get the chance.

The dream turned into a hollow void.

*

He woke up at dawn to the sound of one of the children crying. Haru looked over the bed – Shion was lying beside him, still holding him close. His face showed relief.

"Sorry, darling, I have to get up," he said, gently moving him aside.

"Mhm," the king murmured.

Haru went to the cradle. He checked on their son – he was hungry and needed changing. The baby drank milk from a bottle since Haru couldn’t breastfeed.

After feeding him, Haru sat back on the bed and let out a loud sigh. He placed his hand on Shion’s waiting hand.

"Don’t worry," he whispered. "I’ll deal with whoever tried to take you away from me. Now... I can do it myself."

Haru got up. Just as he reached the door, Maldie appeared.

"Sorry, I’m a bit early. For various reasons I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d come to work earlier, heh. I just had a feeling you’d need my help. Wait, where are you going?"

"To punish the servant," Haru replied coldly.

Maldie looked straight into his eyes – she had never seen so much hatred in Haru’s beautiful honey-colored eyes.

"Thanks for coming early. Take care of the kids and don’t wake Shion, he had a rough day yesterday," he said in an even colder tone.

"Haru... why are you going to that servant? What did he even do?"

Maldie noticed his lips trembling and that he was trying to hold back tears.

"He hurt Shion. I know who did it, and I’m going to punish him," he replied, then after a pause added, "Now, can you move, Maldie?"

"O-okay. Good luck. Unfortunately, Gari will come at her usual time. But still, Haru, how do you plan to punish him? You’re so delicate and fragile and..."

I can’t tell her what really happened.

I don’t know if she would even understand, but probably yes, especially after what she went through with Ayame...

"Something unexpected happened yesterday, and I’m not as weak as I look," he replied, keeping emotional distance. "Now please, let me go."

"Alright, if you say so. If anything happens, call me or Shion."

"Thanks for worrying about me, but it won’t be necessary," he said, passing her in the doorway.

Maldie closed the door behind him.

I’m worried about him. What happened to him?

Haru isn’t acting like himself... What must someone have done to Shion?

But I know every servant in the palace, so it must be someone new...

Maldie approached the bed. She looked at the sleeping king but saw no serious injuries, until Shion turned his head in his sleep.

And then she saw the hickey on his neck.

That mark said more than she wanted to know.

For someone as in love with Shion as Haru, there was no greater crime.

Shion would probably have reacted the same way.

Maldie sighed with sympathy. She felt for Shion being used against his will, and for Haru, she couldn’t even imagine what he was going through now.

The maid glanced at the door.

Should I stop him? Maybe I should talk to him longer?

But he looked so determined and exasperated, and on top of that...

Her thoughts were interrupted by the crying of both children.

*

It was the happiest morning of Hayate’s life. Happy, but full of pain.

He had to hold back from shouting, but in the end he managed it.

Hayate laid the egg, whose father was Shion. He had no doubts.

He wrapped it in a blanket, placed it on the bed against the pillows. With parental love, he looked at the egg. It was burgundy-black, like a mix of his parents’ hair colors.

"You’ll grow healthy and beautiful, I can see that," Hayate said with a smile. "Finally, I extended my legacy! I hope you’ll be like me, my little one," he said happily.

Now, no matter what happens, I can die peacefully. But... I’d like to raise it.

Be there as it grows. I wonder how many traits it’ll inherit from Shion – after all,

he was the only one with the potential to strengthen the dragon gene.

A true dragon will hatch from this, stronger than its parents, not some weak half-breed, hehe.

I really feel fulfilled, even though this is only the beginning of my journey as a mother

"Keep yourself warm. Good thing dragons don’t have to sit on their eggs, it would be too annoying," Hayate muttered to himself. "I just have to make sure you don’t get cold. And now, time for a bathroom break," he said, stretching and yawning.

When he lazily opened the door, he saw Haru at the entrance.

His eyes burned with hatred, and magical starlight mist swirled around his hands.

D-did he find out? But how? And that power...

...Hoshizuma, you freaking bastard!

Hayate thought, just seconds before Haru unleashed a bolt of magical starlight at him.