Shangri La Pt. 1

119: Dangerous Answers

After being escorted straight to the King's chambers, both the Princess and Young Prince were still cautious of what could be happening now that they'd been requested–by the Betta King–to be seen. 

"Do you have any idea what the King will tell us?" Momo nervously asked. 

"Not really, but hopefully we can leave this place without any problems after this." Shoto answered. 

What he least expected was for an icy cold hand to reach out and grab his own hand, easily making him jump without expecting it. He looked down at his hand to see the hand holding his own belonged to the Princess, making him look up at her. 

"Momo." 

"I was really looking forward to seeing the gardens at home that day before I was captured. I... I should've been more careful." Momo started. 

"Ah– This isn't your fault, and you shouldn't be blaming yourself for letting this happen. I should've been more careful as well, and I shouldn't have left you alone that day." Shoto responded, which started to raise questions for the Princess.

"But... How did you know I went missing? When did you notice?" 

"Not long before we were supposed to meet in the gardens, one of your servants came and found me and explained to me that you'd gone missing. We tried looking for you, but we eventually had to ask the Great Pisces for help." Shoto answered. 

"And... Did the Great Pisces look into the future?" 

"Yes... I was lucky we noticed before it was too late, as the Great Pisces rushed for us to leave and head here as fast as we could. I haven't really had that much sleep from all the traveling, but I was more than willing to–" 

"Wait wait wait a second!" 

"Hm? What is it?" 

"You– What did you mean when you said 'we'?"

"Sorry for the late arrival~" 

The couple instantly turned to the door to see the White Lotus' entering the room as well as the Betta King arriving last. 

"Due to all the freshwater that was still in the main hall, we had to be careful not to come into contact with it." Zeri clarified, but Momo could only look at the Young Prince with questioning eyes. 

"More on that part later. But now we're here to focus on... what exactly?" Shoto asked, leaving everyone to turn their attention to the Betta King specifically. Kuro knew this was to happen, as he started to nervously chuckle at the fierce gazes he was getting. 

"Ah– Hahaheh? Right, I suppose I should clarify why I asked to speak to you both right away." Kuro awkwardly laughed, only to cough and clear his throat.

"Ahem– Right, well... I owe the two of you a deep apology for the actions me and my Kingdom have made towards you two." Kuro started as he actually bowed to them instead of making them do so. Shoto didn't like where this was going, as he only stood in front of the Princess–like he was her shield–and glared down at the King. 

"And why are you saying this now? Earlier, you said you realized that your assumption of Momo being a Siren was wrong, so what makes you believe that we should believe you in what you're saying?" Shoto questioned. 

"Ah! Yes, yes~ I should answer that right away, but first... Young Prince, do you remember what I told you about what happened to my father?" 

"Hm? You mean the night your father was killed?" 

"Yes, I specifically told you something that went missing from my father's body when I found him later that night." Shoto could only stand there and go into deep thought as all the information he'd been given these few long hours were still rummaging through his mind, and then, it hit him.