It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Endzeit

Desperate whines echoed throughout the long, twisting pipes hidden within the thick walls of the Tsukinami castle as the darkness embraced the silent kingdom. The heir to his father's throne was seated upon the cushioned windowsill, staring out at the crimson sky in a deep, tense thought. Dried blood decorated the cuff of his long coat, Shin's blood to be precise. He could still smell the fear that boy had felt. Still, an eye was better than a life. Carla Tsukinami let out a long, sturdy breath. His pale lips were dry and sore, his eyes heavy and ears ringing softly as he rubbed his forehead. A loud shout sounded - Shin slamming his shoulder into the wall, cursing their mother for her wailing cries. He'd had enough.

"If you don't stay quiet, Father will kill you," Carla had said softly as he appeared before the rusty bars of the dungeon's coldest cell. Krona kneeled before him, her sweat-smothered forehead propped against the icy rail. Her golden eyes flickered, dark lips parted as she panted desperately. Blood dripped from her lips, soaking her loose dress as she stared up at her beloved son. The woman said nothing, sliding her slim arms through the thick gaps. She was beckoning him forward. "What is it?" Carla never meant to be so curt towards his mother - he adored her, truly. His eyes widened as a thick metallic stench filled the dungeon.

"What have you done?" A dagger had been embedded into her stomach, nearly black liquid pooled from her stomach, dripping to the concrete floor. "Mother-" She wasted no time, tearing the fabrics of her dress and wrapping it around the handle of the dagger before yanking the flimsy weapon out.

"Kill... him," she gasped, groaning as she held the knife out for Carla, "endzeit..."

"Mother?"

"Save us..."

Her head slammed against the railing, blood pooled around her, soaking through Carla's thin slippers as he took the clothed handle into his hands, eyes wide. Just like that, the boy's mother had died, her dying wish still parted on her lips.

"As you wish."

-_-_-_-

"What are we going to do?" A weak whisper left her lips as she tapped her long nails against the last remaining china cup. Reiji stood before her, a neat letter held between his fingers as he looked down at his auburn-haired wife. Timid, she glimpsed up, catching his eyes with hers.

"You will attend the interview," Reiji said, "you'll continue lying and as you do so, I will buy tickets to send us home." She merely nodded, now staring at her blurred reflection in the red liquid. The cut on her cheek had healed completely, shocking her immensely. She was meant to heal fast, but she'd never healed this fast before.

Her mind began to wander. She'd felt a lot stronger lately, ever since the first meal Reiji had made her. The redness of her cheeks had died down, she could feel her power bubbling within her. She noticed Reiji staring at her, making her quirk an eyebrow up.

"Is something troubling you?"

"You look healthier," his thumb had brushed her cheek gently, a satisfied smile on his lips. Suspicion raced within her veins, making her heart stop as she sat up straight.

"What have you done?" Her hand flew to her throat, eyes wide as he pulled away, eyebrows furrowed.

"Is a husband not allowed to care for his wife's wellbeing?"

"That's the thing, you don't care."

"I might. Can you fold the laundry? I must start lunch before you head off to the station."

"If I must." She rose slowly, smiling at his irritation as he opened the non-broken cupboard and fished for some bread.

Everything was okay until she caught the scent of his putrid blood and the sound of a sizzle straight after.