X Dynasty~ Tale of the Black Prince

Kai's POV

Retiring for the night as my cousin's servant--the Prince Regent, I decided to head to the rooftop rather than on my room.

I love to stargaze and reminisce at the same time these several nights I stay in my cousin's mansion.

I sat on the roof, basking on the moonlight while my mind took me back to where father confessed to us that he was a former prince.

---Flashback---

"You still can't let her go, can you?" Father inquired while placing a caring pat on my shoulder.

"Father..." I trailed off, I sighed. Father is right, it's been months since Nana got married to the Crown Prince but my heart can't still let her go no matter what.

"I know." He shut his eyes chuckling. "Let's go inside, I have something to tell you," Father said as he escorted me inside our humble home. On the inside, I can already observe my mother and my little sister sitting, waiting for me and my father. I took a seat near my mother. Her amethyst-colored eyes staring at me while taking the seat between her and my sister Matsuri.

"I have something to tell you all. I guess that it will surprise you all but it's the truth." Father commenced.

Matsuri, being the talkative ones asked. "What is it, father? Did something happened?"

"Matsuri, stop asking questions. Let your father finish his announcement." My mother, Yuri, said. Her stares tell that Matsuri needs to shut up for a while.

Father took a deep breath, then released it. "The truth is..." he wavered and glanced at mother. "I am a Prince....a Crown Prince." Father admitted.

"You.What?" My mother gasped. Even her, she can't speculate what she just heard.

"Yes, it's the truth. Your grandfather, Kazu Suzuki was the Emperor before the current Emperor. I am the abandoned Crown Prince. The royal family before was peaceful. No war, no snatching of thrones. I and my big brother are happily living at the palace with our parents, not until the throne was snatched from our father. I am ready to take the throne when the current Emperor commenced the war between the former Royal family and their family. Big brother decided to become a Prince Regent, he declared that he prefers to become a Prince Regent so that we can be together even on court liaisons. He wants to protect his little brother. That's why they gave me the title Crown Prince, dubbing the title Black Prince later that year. Since all I wear that time was black or something dark." He explained, glancing at our mother honestly. Still showing an indication of sadness glistening in his eyes.

I didn't know that father had such a dark past. And what's more unexpected is...I am supposed to be the Crown Prince?

"So it's the truth...Where's your big brother now father?" I asked, wondering what happened to my uncle after the catastrophe.

He sighed, slightly shaking his head. "He died in the hands of the current Emperor. I don't know where his son is now. But I am sure he's still alive since he's the one that protected by the royal guards the most."

"When I got out of the Palace, I run on wherever my legs can carry me. The Palace was such chaos at that time. Father instructed us to run, for we were outnumbered by their fighters and assassins, other families didn't dare to defend us. But my brother fought until the end. Leaving only me, his wife, and his only son. We were accompanied by the remaining loyal guards." My father reminisces. Black hair started falling on his face, covering his eyes.

"We are approaching the gates but then assassins began assaulting us. Issa's mother covered us up, she entrusted my nephew to me. Assassins and the fighters outnumbered us, so they leave me no choice but to give my nephew to my trusted guards then mislead the assassins. They believed I have my nephew with me, but the truth was, it was just a blanket. They never noticed that my nephew was not with me." Father continued his story to us, I began to comprehend everything that occurred in the past.

"I forfeited my consciousness, they reckoned I am dead so they just let the river where I fall carry my body on wherever its tides want. Good thing your mother found me and saved my life." He said, peeking at our mother lovingly. So that's where the two of them met.

"Eh? So we have a cousin?" Matsuri asked. "Yes we have, and he's older than us," I answered in the place of father.

Father went to his and mother's shared room. After a while, he took out a small chest. Then uncovered the Palace map and half-onyx; half- azure-colored jade. He handed the two things to me then what he said that evening was the sincerest statement he gave to me this year.

"Go, use this map. You can pass into the palace without patrols catching sight of you if you'll use the confidential tunnels and my brother did. Go and look for your loved one, look if she's doing alright or if she's longing for you. Or if you two are ready to let each other go." He said, passing me the jade and the map filled with dust and sketches of confidential tunnels.

"Father..." I trailed off with slightly tearful eyes then snuggled my family.

"Go for it, brother!" Matsuri motivated me.

"It's your fate my son, make the decision that you won't regret on your entire life." Mother muttered then hugged me back.

"And also, if a young man that is barely older than you will recognize this jade, he's your cousin," Father added before I leave the house.

"Yes father, I'll keep that in mind!" I said then bidding goodbye to them.

-----

After several dusks 'till dawn voyages, I eventually reached my destination. But...I came out from the wrong route?!

I saw escorts eyeing me, I accidentally came out of the restaurant.

"Ahh, thief!!" The waitress cried out then throw the plate she was holding at me.

"H-Hey, I am not going t-to steal anything from you!" I responded. Casually catching the plate she threw.

"It's lunchtime but what are you all doing? Can't you all just mind your businesses and eat your foods?!" Harsh voice scolded from the top floor of the restaurant.

All of them stopped. Black boots touched down the floor. Without perking up, I can already sense that his cold eyes are glaring at me.

"Double-colored jade?" He asked silently, cautious that someone might hear what he just asserted.

"Ah, my father gave this to me," I countered, more likely whispered.

Without saying anything, he grabbed my wrist. His hands were strong! "I'm sorry, this dummy warden of mine came uninvited here." He explained, apologizing directly to the restaurant personnel.

When the apology got accepted, people in the restaurant went back on what they were doing.

'Woah, he can command them? Is he that powerful? He's also strong!' I thought, glancing at my wrist being clasped by this tall black-haired man.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" He asked me, motioning the guards around him to leave. The guards look at each other, but then heeded his command.

"Huh?" I asked confused. 'Should I ask him if he's my cousin? No that's kinda creepy!'

"This double-colored jade. Why do you have it? Did you stole it?" He asked again, gesturing on the jade that was dangling on my belt.

"I told you, it's from my father," I responded honestly, gulping the tea that was given to me a while ago.

"So you are my cousin? I have this kind of jade too, from my late father." He said, taking out another piece of double-colored jade.

I enlarged my eyes, two jades are an excellent match for each other. They are supposed to be plain-colored jades, but original owners split the two jades, making unique-looking jades.

"I am your cousin!" I verified, then explained why I was here and why I knew that he was my cousin.

"The Crown Princess?" He reckoned, leaning his back on the chair.

"Yes," I answered back.

"Well, I am not certain about that since I just got back from the military headquarters. I am a Prince Regent and General you know... I just heard from the capital that the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince are on decent terms. Nothing more, nothing less." He responded, providing more information about himself. So he's an influential one.

"I see..." I trailed off.

He sighed then closed his eyes. "Let's see first if she loves you and never forgot you. Send her a confidential letter." He implied, not enthusiastic in the topic.

"I take your recommendation, Your Highness. Also..." I began. Opening his eyes, I proceeded. "Do you mind if I'll stay at your mansion Your Highness? I'll disguise as your maid and will also work as a maid." I implied, hoping that he will agree.

"Deal. Let's go." He declared passionless then yanked me out of the restaurant.

---Flashback end---

After that, I can feel my eyelids getting heavier and heavier by the second so I decided to climb down then go to bed. I have to get up early tomorrow to serve my cousin. He appointed me as his maid so we can be together most of the time, to assure that I will not cause chaos on the Palace.

-----

Morning came, I woke up earlier than I anticipated in a lighter mood that yesterday.

So instead of going back to sleep, I just get out of my room then prepared myself to go on duty. My cousin won't be back at the military headquarters since he will get married soon, he has to get ready for his wedding.

All he will do while waiting for the day of his wedding was to assist the Emperor and the Crown Prince to deal with the court and political liaisons.

As his "personal maid", of course, I have to stay with him most of the time. Meaning I'll be spending time on the Emperor that snatched the throne from our family and to the Crown Prince that wedded the love of my life.

My cousin called me, implying that we will be presiding to the court now. I sighed, it's gonna be a long day again.

Thinking about the love of my life, I thought about the decision I'll do in the future.

Mother is right, I have to make the decision that will satisfy me. A decision that I will never regret in my whole life. Glancing at Nana, she seems happy with the Crown Prince.

If she's happy why should I interfere with the relationship they have? As long as she's happy, I am happy too. So that means...I have to let her go, or else I'll be the one to get hurt. But, part of me says that the decision I made will make me regret it. I don't know, my mind's a mess right now.

"Hey, come on." My cousin called me again, motioning that the meeting has wrapped up and he needs to go out and eat.

"Yes, Your Highness." I countered, trudging my feet near him.

We are about to go straight to the capital when a familiar voice rang in both of our ears.

"Hey, wait." The Crown Princess, Nana, said. Making us stop for a while then ask her what does she needs.