A Secret?

Approximately five years earlier...In the Saldio kingdom.

"..."

"Wakey wakey big brother."

"Mm..."

The girl pokes him in the cheek, expecting him to wake up from his slumber.

"Come on! If you wake up later you will miss breakfast!"

"Just let me sleep a little more..."

The boy covered himself with the sheets so that he wouldn't be disturbed. The girl, that was his sister, got upset.

"Well okay Akihiko if you wanna act like this again then so be it. Bleh!"

She shows her tongue, trying to make a silly face in order to make fun of him. With that she leaves the big bedroom, which was mostly empty with the only furniture being the bed, a wardrobe and a desk. The girl started preparing for breakfast at the dinning room. Akihiko falls in a deep slumber again.

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Hiyori POV

Hiyori was mad that she couldn't wake up Akihiko. She started walking towards her own room. When entering she slammed the door in anger. After that she went towards her wardrobe and started picking her outfit. Not many choices but it's enough for a girl her age. When picking her outfit a maid would always enter the room and help her dress herself. Today she put on a typical blue colored dress, fit for a girl of royalty. 

"Is Akihiko awake Hiyori?"

"No...he is asleep. I tried to wake him up but it didn't work."

"I see. I am sure that he will wake up sooner and later so you can two play."

"I don't need him! I have plenty of friends unlike him!"

"Is that so? That's good to hear. Okay you're done, you can go visit your father."

"Thank you ma'am."

Hiyori headed straight to the dinning room to see her dad. When entering the dinning room she saw a few familiar faces. There were five people sitting at the table in total. Her dad, her mom, her uncle and aunt and lastly her big brother, who was an honorary knight and proved himself among the five kingdoms. There were two maids sitting next to her father to serve the food.

"Good morning Hiyori! Come sit with us."

A bright smile appears on Hiyori's face. She walks towards the table and takes her seat next to her big brother. The family would always gather like this during breakfast and dinner, in a way this was quality family time. 

The maids served the food, which was mostly meat but there was a garnish of mushrooms and different kinds of vegetables such as cucumber, carrots and tomatoes. The whole family started eating and talking with each other. Suddenly Hiyori's brother faced her.

"Hey, where is Akihiko? Still asleep?"

"Ugh...Yes. I should've forced him to came by pulling him but he was like a rock and he even covered himself with the sheets! Can you believe that?!"

Her dad, that was from the other side of the table started facing them and joined the conversation.

"Akihiko has these days where he sleeps a lot, I wonder why..."

"Could he be doing something during night time?"

"I doubt but we shouldn't remove the possibility. I don't find it a big deal I have to say."

"Napkins, your majesty."

A maid interrupted the conversation, offering napkins to the king.

"Oh, thank you very much."

Hiyori stood silent and started wondering if it's possible that Akihiko could be doing something during night. He couldn't be going outside, after all, the kingdom is guarded during night and only merchants or knights could leave at that time. Hiyori went into thought. It has happened a few times for the past month so there has to be something behind it. Hiyori decided to try this night.

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Later today, Hiyori went towards Akihiko's room. She looked around the room, trying to find a clue or something that may answer her question. She checked the wardrobe, removing each piece of clothing in order to find something. Nothing. There was nothing suspicious in there. She then checked under the bed but nothing was there either. Hiyori opened the big window and looked outside. She could see most of the kingdom very clearly but again, nothing out of the usual. A maid entered the room after hearing weird noises in it. The first thing she spots are Akihiko's clothes on the floor and bed and then spots Hiyori looking through the window. She quickly runs towards her, grabs her arm and pulls her towards herself.

"Hiyori what is this?!"

The maid was looking with a confused yet angry expression. Hiyori looked around and realized the mess she made.

"I'm sorry I just-"

"Spare the details, help me with the mess."

"Yes ma'am"

Hiyori lends a hand and helps the maid put the clothes back in the their original place, they also fixed the sheets and closed the window. The maid points at the bed, hinting Hiyori that she should sit. She does exactly that.

"Now tell me, why are you in your brothers room, throwing clothes and what not?"

"Well I...I was searching for clues!"

"...Clues?"

The maid tilted her head in confusion, crossing her arms under her chest.

"Yes! Clues. Recently Akihiko has been acting weird. Waking up later than usual. I feel like he is doing something at night."

"Is that so?"

The maid sits next to Hiyori. She puts the palm of her hand on Hiyori's shoulder.

"Are you worried about him?"

"...Yes of course I am..."

"Have you tried asking him if he does anything during night?"

"Once but he answered with a "no I don't do anything" and stuff."

"Maybe it's something he doesn't want to tell you yet, or anyone really. I myself have a brother that used to hide stuff from me. I would always be worried about what he is hiding or why he is hiding it from me. After all, I'm his sister and I found it weird. You probably feel the same at the moment."

"Yes..."

Hiyori leans her body towards the maid's shoulder and rests her head on it.

"Believe me, he cares about you. You shouldn't worry abut him that much."

"...I am still curious about what he is hiding."

"Well, if you wonder that much I wish you good luck on finding out what he's hiding from you, and his family too I assume?"

"Yes. No one from the family knows."

"Try being the first one then."

The maid smiles and pokes Hiyori's nose with her finger. Hiyori giggles. 

"Will do!"

Hiyori jumps from the bed and leaves the room. Before leaving she turns around and faces the maid.

"Thank you, i will find out for sure!"