The Sleeping Potion

Faust led the trio through a dimly lit corridor. He opened a door for each one of them and patiently waited for them to say their good nights to each other before leaving.

Then the blond medicine man went back to the chamber to view the dead prince. He could clearly remember their last conversation.

Flashback...

"It's so cold and damp here... " Faust noted as be approached the cell where the death row prince was imprisoned.

"It's alright. I'm used to the cold. Brings back lots of memories from my espionage days," Prince Yoh smiled at him.

"A spy with a hidden agenda. If not for that short stint, you wouldn't have met the Princess of Kouku. I wonder how things would have turned out if your paths did not cross... She wanted to see you, you know. It's very unfortunate that she had been dragged by her future father-in-law back to camp."

"Is Anna alright?" he stood up and held on to the metal bars.

"I hope so. You should be worrying more about yourself than other people."

"My hours are numbered, Faust. I don't need to worry anymore. It's already clear what's going to happen to me."

"Such a waste of life... We have lost Eliza and Amidamaru, too..."

The prince lowered his head. "I am sorry for all the grief I have caused you... "

Faust closed the gap between them and whispered, "Then don't cause anymore grief.. I want you to live, Yoh but you have to die first." He took out a vial from his pocket. It's all that was left from his research. "Do you trust me?"

The prince nodded and reached for the vial.

"Drink it all. You might feel a bit disoriented when you wake up but this will save us from our misery."

End of flashback

"That is if you wake up. I hope you will. " Faust spoke to the unmoving body. He closed his eyes and said a little prayer to the Great Spirit. He had not done that in so many years. Overdosing on his medicine can simulate death because it can slow down one's heartbeat. But there was a high probability that the prince might not be able to wake up. The king knew the risk but he wanted his heir to live even it means cheating death. Moreover, he wanted to catch the mastermind behind the killings. The guy was already in their midst. He just needed to reveal himself to them.

"May the Great Spirit have mercy on us, all." Faust ended his prayer.

Inside one of Kasai palace guest rooms...

The Kaminari prince took of his shirt as he prepped himself to sleep. It was a tiring journey from Morphia to Kouri and from Kouri to Kasai but he was glad that he made it and finally found his beloved fiancée. He was ecstatic over the idea that she was just in the next room and tomorrow he would be seeing her again.

He let himself fall on the soft bed but his drowsiness dissipated when he heard a faint knocking on the door. He thought he was hearing things but a familiar voice called out from outside, "It's me..."

He opened the door to see Anna in her night gown, rubbing her hands together to keep them warm.

"Ren, can I sleep with you tonight?" The blond girl asked in a casual tone. It sounded more like a demand than a request.

The prince felt chills when his fiancée welcomed herself into the room. He had never expected it to be this soon. He initially thought they had already done it but it turned out to be a blurry one night stand while he was in a drugged state. He brushed away the thought of losing his virginity to somebody else other than his fiancée. He wasn't sure how his future wife would react if she finds out.

His heart beat fast as the Kouku princess lied down on the bed and tucked herself underneath the sheets. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

She was getting impatient he could tell. He had to act soon or she might change her mind. He quickly locked the door and climbed up the bed to join her. The Kouku princess raised an eyebrow as he hovered on top of her. He removed the blanket covering her, lowered himself to close the distance between their bodies until the tips of their noses met.

Anna's eyes grew big when Ren captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Though she was shocked, she thought it was just appropriate that her fiancé should be her first kiss. She would let it pass but then the Kaminari prince started licking and biting her neck. He began feeling her in places he dared not touch before. For a moment her mind went blank. The blond girl closed her eyes so she could remember what it was like to long for Ren - - - his confident stance, his sleek hair, his boastful laugh... his sheepish smile, his kind eyes, his carefree attitude... Her fiancé slowly morphed into that dark-haired boy she had known for a short while.

"Anna, what's wrong?" She heard him ask. She opened her eyes and saw Ren staring anxiously at her. She had not realized that tears were already trickling down her cheeks. Her fiancé was wiping them with his hands, looking a bit guilty. She turned on her side to avoid his worried gaze.

"Did I scare you? I'm sorry if I was too bold." He moved to his side so they were both facing each other.

"You dummy.. What were you thinking? I just want to sleep beside you.. I'm afraid you'll also leave... like him... I just wanted to wake up tomorrow with you by my side.."

The prince pulled her closer so she could rest her head on his arm. "I promise you, I won't. We will go back to our kingdoms and start a new chapter there. I can't wait to marry you and have little feisty children with you. But for now, let's call it a night. I know we both have stories to tell but tonight I just want you to rest and dream of nothing else but me and Kouku... I love you so much, Anna..."

The girl did not respond. She had already dozed off in the warmth of his body.

Prince Ren kissed her hair and stared at the ceiling for a while. What the dead boy's brother said was true after all. He was too late but he would work hard to claim his princess back.