We'll Never be Royals

✥︎ 7 ✥︎

A Smile in the Sea of Storms

Akaashi Keiji
Present Day

The air was grim; dark, grey clouds draped over the sky. The kingdom was loomed into a darkness, flutters of snow falling from the sky.

Murky eyes stared through the window, eyelids rimmed red and eyes still glossy. The color of the sky matched the endless sorrow that swirled around in Keiji's eyes. He blinked slowly, face fallen short of no emotions.

What once was his room was now empty, save for the furniture. The palace was quiet today, and if Keiji hadn't known any better, he would've thought somebody died. Well... In a way, somebody did.

Keiji didn't feel dead, but he didn't feel alive either. He just felt nothing, which was far less than how he has been feeling the past two weeks. The tears felt like they had been endless, the rage that bubbled in him as he stirred in his bed. The pleads that fell from his lips, begging his father to let him stay.

Now that the day has come, he felt nothing.

It was all happening so fast. It was all so sudden.

Soon, just within the next passing week.... Keiji would no longer be the Prince of Sinnan. No, he would be the Queen of Fukurodani. The thought had his skin paling even more, his chest stifling with the fear and heartache of leaving his people.

"You're doing this for them, remember?"

Keiji slowly dragged his eyes away from the window, meeting beautiful green eyes instead. Akinori was staring at him with a quirked eyebrow and a soft smile.

"But I don't want to leave," he whispered, a tear dripping down when he blinked. "I want to stay with you."

Akinori raised his hand and placed it against Keiji's cheek, the touch so soft it was like it wasn't even there. "I'm always with you. Remember?" Keiji nodded, eyes slipping shut as he squeezed his hand. He felt the jagged edges of carved wood in his palm, pressing sharply against his skin. The attached string was wrapped around his wrist, securing its place in his palm.

"I know," he whispered, reaching up to place his hand over Akinori's hand. All he felt was his own, damp cheek. He sighed out a shaky breath, more tears falling against his will.

Quietly, the door to his room creaked open. His mother smiled, though it was hollow and sad. Her eyes glossed over with unshed tears. "It's time to leave, Keiji." The boy nodded, wiping away his tears before standing. He sucked in a breath, holding it for a moment before releasing.

There were four carriages waiting in the courtyard. His father sat in the first one, face solemn. His main advisor sat across from him, his lips moving as he discussed something with the king. The other three were filled with the rest of his fathers council and Keij's siblings.

His mother smiled, it was far more believable this time. She was the queen after all, and a queen must be strong. Keiji followed her eyes to find who she was smiling at. At the closed gates, hundreds of citizens swarmed, watching as they prepared to ship off the Jewel of Sinnan. Their faces were sorrowful, and tears were shed on their faces. Some looked hopeful, hopeful that they would finally be safe. That they would finally be free from the holds of death and war.