Sacrifices For Love (Soukoku)

XXVI

"Dilapidated building..." The blonde haired glanced up at the indeed dilapidated looking bakery, the sign board with the bolded words, 'Bakery', slightly tilted, as if it was going to fall off. The blonde's eyes narrowed as he turned to see the competing bakery that looked way more appetising, pink sign board straight and exterior of the bakery shouting 'come to us' and indeed, there was a line forming.

The blonde hesitated as he went into the bakery. Despite the daunting exterior, the interior looked way nicer. True to his highness's words, the inside had a very cozy vibe to it. 

He was immediately welcomed by one of the chirpy looking staff who was currently serving cups of coffee.

The blonde chewed on his inner cheek as he caught sight of one of the guards back from his kingdom, wearing his coat, specifically designed for the guards.

As he was trained, the guard whipped his head around, alert as they met eyes. The driver internally cursed at himself, wanting to leave but he had to follow strict orders given to him. He hesitantly walked over, nodding his head at the guard and glancing over the treats presented in the glass cabinet. 

"Hey, aren't you one of the personal drivers?" The guard called out to him as the blonde hesitantly nodded. He didn't expect to be recognised due to the multiple drivers in the castle. Their drivers community was smaller than the guards after all.

Speaking of that, he side glanced the guard who was looking him up and down suspiciously. He turned to smile awkwardly at the other, pulling out his identity card for the other who smiled back, seemingly happy that the blonde was cooperative.

"Takeshi Rui. And you are?" 

The blonde shyly mumbled, "Kobayashi Ryo..."

"Then, Kobayashi-san. What are you doing here?"

"His highness gave me a few orders." After all, he wasn't going to tell this 'guard' everything. He had learnt from a hard lesson that not everyone is who they seem to be.

Surprisingly, the guard merely nodded, bided the other goodbye and left.

Ryo watched as the the other walked out of the store as he sighed in relief. He had some huge anxiety issues. Now, time to buy some pastries...

---

Noticing the ginger standing outside the infirmary, in the hallway, Takeshi contemplated on turning around. Due to a previous incident of him being clumsy as always and accidently harming the prince's partner, he had being targeted by the other. 

He hated it but couldn't say otherwise. It was indeed his fault after all. 

He adored Dazai though, the kind man had saved him his job and was the total opposite of his lover. 

Despite his efforts to turn around and walk away as quietly as possible, the ginger caught him as he called out, "Hey you!"

Sighing in sadness, the guard approached the other dauntingly, bowing a perfect ninety degrees while greeting the other at the perfect volume. He had mastered both the bow and the greeting under Chuuya's picky attitude. 

"Report on what happened here when I arriving here."

"I arrived with Dazai-sama along with the princess of Hoshizora kingdom who claimed to be the doctor's assistant. I left afterwards to get some food."

He lifted the paper bag with a muffin up to show the other.

The ginger nodded, eyes glancing over the other and asked, "Did you happen to see my driver there?"

"Yes, your highness. He claimed to be following your orders."

Chuuya turned, not even acknowledging the other as the brunette beside him smiled at him, seemingly grateful hat he was the one who had brought her son to the infirmary as fast as possible.

Takeshi smiled back, she was kind just like her son. 

This happy and wholesome moment was quickly over when the atmosphere of the hallway suddenly darkened, tension overwhelming the three individuals outside the infirmary. The queen didn't seem to be fazed by it but her eyes narrowed, her smile vanishing as if noticing the seriality of the situation for the first time.  Takeshi noticed how Chuuya's shoulders tensed. 

The ginger hid it well but due to the amount of training he had to go through as a guard, he could see the ginger inhaling deeply, lips pursed tightly as he turned to face the newcomer. He only then noticed this 'newcomer' was the king. 

Takeshi flinched when the king glanced at him, eyes narrowing dangerously as if contemplating on what to do with him. The pressure he felt from the other's stare was immense as his eyes widened when the ginger moved to stand in front of him, covering him from the king's intense gaze. He couldn't help but sigh in relief, the queen seemed to notice that as she silently pulled him to her side.

"Your majesty, it is good to see you again..." The ginger said, confidence laced in his words yet it sounded so feeble compared to his usual self.

"I can't say the same. What happened at your side of the kingdom?"