As always, Kyou was unflappable in the face of crisis because fretting was for fools. He preferred to assess the situation before acting — a habit that had saved his life countless of times.
Pushing off his throne, Shuhei walked leisurely towards his brother, leaning down to whisper, "I saw you at the auction."
Kyou pierced him with a wintry stare, cutting to the chase. "Why do you let it thrive?"
"It's simple. Slave peddling brings in good business for the state. Without travellers entering our province, Donggu is in danger of declining into poverty. It takes a lot to maintain our rope bridges and ensure the townsfolk's safety." He shrugged, as if they were discussing the weather. "It's the hazard of living in the mountains. Everything is...expensive."
"There must be another way. Our grandfather abolished slavery because it was inhumane. No one has the right to own anyone."
"Don't you?" Accusation dripped from Shuhei's tone. "You're the Emperor of Xi. This entire Kingdom belongs to you – myself included."
"I don't own you or the people." Kyou denied evenly. He knew how brutal life was and it made victims of everyone but, that wasn't his role as the Emperor. "You know that Shuhei. Or have you changed drastically over the years? Where's the brother I knew who never belittled my dreams?"
Shuhei waved his hand dismissively. "He died a long time ago. Emotions and sentimentality never got him anywhere. The old man saw to that." Pasting on a brittle smile, he circled to Inka. Lifting a pale finger, he traced her cheek with undisguised awe.
Inka flinched, unable to move away from the guard's restrain.
"Your likeness is uncanny," he mused, meeting her lovely silver gaze. "You look just like the woman I loved. You have the same fire in your eyes."
Unwritten pain shadowed his gaze and voice, compelling Inka to ask. "Loved? What happened to her?"
He blinked; bitter anguish disappearing. "She died to save me from my old man's wrath. He was against our marriage you see, so we eloped. We were hunted down, and Catrina killed herself to protect me, or so she believed."
"I'm sorry," she said earnestly, the feeling of loss fresh in her memory. "I too have lost my loved ones."
His hand shot out to grab hers, startling her. A glint of madness entered his brown eyes, making her wary of his intentions.
"Don't touch her!" Kyou barked fiercely. "She isn't Catrina."
Shuhei ignored him, gentling his voice as if she were a bird he didn't want to scare away. "What is your name, little dove?"
"Inka," she answered before adding, "Your Majesty."
"Shuuhei will do." He insisted, an idea forming in his head. "Tell me Inka, will you accompany me for a few days if I agree to release Kyou and the others?"
"Don't do it." Kyou commanded at the same time she answered yes. He cursed under his breath.
Pleased with her response, Shuuhei nodded at his guards to release everyone. Kyou was beside Inka at once, shielding her with his body — a male protecting its mate. The sight summoned a derisive chuckle from Shuhei. "Is the Emperor falling in love with a mere slave?"
The question brought a rush of colour to Inka's cheeks, and she expected Kyou to deny it. Unexpectedly, he yanked her into his arms and crushed his lips against hers. It happened so fast; her mind failed to catch up. She released a muffled protest, but he was undeterred. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pressed their bodies closer. Through her thin silk shirt, she felt his delectable heat and shuddered in response. Embers of desire spread from her chest down to her belly, like tendrils of pulsating warmth.
Her hands flattened against hot, male flesh, feeling the muscles contract beneath her touch. Kyou's kiss was a bruising force, demanding her to open to him – to surrender.
Her lips parted and he swept right in, tangling their tongues in a mating frenzy. Pressuring his thumb on her lower chin, her mouth widened for his exploration, and she couldn't suppress the moan that escaped.
Rei couldn't contain his widespread grin at the Emperor's possessive display of ownership. He couldn't help but notice the black scowl overwhelming Shuhei's smug indifference. When a bear was provoked, one couldn't blame it for retaliating, Rei reflected wryly.
Kyou nudged his lips against Inka's one last time before pulling back. Their eyes met and he was pleased to find her pupils dilated with lust — for him. Her body went limp, and he didn't miss the tell-tale blush creeping up her neck. He pressed another kiss on her forehead before facing his brother. "As you can see, this is our relationship. So I won't allow you or anyone else to harm her or touch her." His tone strictly final.
Shuhei's eyes glittered with ire. "It's not like you to be so crass."
"I thought a demonstration would be more effective," Kyou rejoined curtly. "I don't share what's precious to me."
Inka turned crimson at his revelation or was it a confession? She had no idea that he…cherished her. He had the strangest ways of showing it. Either way, she didn't believe him. They weren't in love, and it sounded farfetched at this point of their 'relationship'.
"Ughh, what's going on?" A guttural groan shattered the tension. All eyes turned to the forgotten man slung over Rei's back.
Ryuu clutched his pounding head, realizing he was hanging upside down. Beyond spooked, he struggled wildly. "What the — put me down!"
"Stop moving!" Rei snapped and tossed him to the ground.
"Ouch!" Ryuu yelped, rubbing his sore bottom. "Where the hell am I?"
"Kairyuu, is that you?" Shuhei glared at the unkempt man, recognising those long, brown strands. "What happened to you? You look a frightful mess."
Ryuu stiffened at the familiar censure of his older brother's voice. Like a puppet on strings, he awkwardly turned to face Shuhei. "Dearest brother! What a coincidence!" His brilliant smile reeked of apprehension. Meeting his kin was never on his list of 'adventure'.
"Wait a minute!" Inka's hands shot out, confusion filtering her expression. "You're brothers?"
"Unfortunately, the last time I checked; we still are," Shuhei commented wryly.
"If Ryuu is related to you then," she paused, piecing the information together. "He's a King, isn't he?" Inka glared at Ryuu – angry and accusing. "What is the name of your state?"
Ryuu swallowed fearfully at her menacing expression, altering her sweet personality. His mouth unhinged and closed repeatedly.
"He's the King of Shiryuu," Shuhei stated, rolling his eyes at his brother's helplessness. "Shouldn't you know that, Princess of Ashina?"
She blinked in surprise. "H-how do you know me?"
The smile on his face made him appear much younger as he evaded her question with a candid remark. "The mountains of Donggu are my eyes and ears."
Inka decided he was a latent threat. The King of Donggu struck her as a man who disposed of his enemies by unearthing their secrets and using it against them. But he wasn't the issue at hand. Turning to Ryuu, she eliminated the distance between them and plucked his ear.
He shouted, holding onto his aching flesh. "What are you doing!"
"All this time, you knew what I've suffered! As our King, don't you have something to say to me or my people? Where have you been when we needed you?" She exploded in his face, anger souring her gut. "I've heard every rumour about you — a no good libertine, an irresponsible lazybones and a vain peacock. In the end, you're just a spoilt prince who doesn't know how to rule a nation. You left us to fend for ourselves while the nobles abused their power. I'm disappointed, Ryuu." She released him with a hard shove, disgust tightening the lines of her face. "Kairyuu or whoever you are! Don't talk to me unless you're ready to apologize!"
With that she stormed out of the main hall without a clear direction in mind except to get away. She had never been so livid. King Kairyuu knew her plight, but he didn't care. She couldn't understand or forgive a man who ignored the hardships of his people. His neglect ultimately gave rise to corrupted nobles like Lord Daifuku and resentful spirits like Kusunagi. This led to innocent lives lost — mainly children. If he had cared even a little, perhaps her parents would still be alive.
"Inka!" Kyou intended to pursue but his Commander stopped him. "Settle this situation with your brothers. I'll watch over her until you're done."
Shuhei burst with laughter at Kairyuu's stupefied expression. The rusty sound echoed throughout the hallways, startling the passing servants and footmen.
"Are you done laughing?" Ryuu grumbled, unfolding to his full height. He smoothed the crick in his neck. "I haven't been yelled at since mother caught me stealing when I was a boy."
"Serves you right," Shuhei mocked. "I've heard tales of your crumbling province. I wonder what you're doing here instead of saving it. Soon, Shiryuu will turn into the sand it sits upon."
"That's none of your business," Ryuu brushed him off, finally realizing that Kyou was present too. "What are you doing here?"
"That would be my question to you." Kyou's forgotten rage returned with a vengeance. "I came from Shiryuu, learning the mess you made and where did I find you? Being auctioned off in a slave den!" His voice rose with scalding contempt. "Have you lost your pride as a King!?"
Kairyuu's unhappy scowl meant Kyou had hit a sore spot but, his brother refused to engage. He was not in the mood to be lectured — by two people no less. "I have nothing to say to you."
"That's your problem, Kairyuu. You're always deflecting and denying reality. We need to talk — all four of us." Kyou was utterly serious. "For years I have neglected everyone but, I don't intend to anymore. Our provinces are suffering because of our father's mistakes, and I don't want our mothers' discontentment to ruin our chance for reconciliation. My fight isn't with you but the growing calamity that threatens to destroy our Kingdom."
"If that's all you came to say, you're boring me to tears," Shuhei feigned a yawn. "You may leave now. What the old man did to my mother or Catrina was unforgivable. As long as I live, Donggu will never hold hands with Beihai."
Clenching his fists, Kyou forcefully tamed his anger. He knew when he decided to convince his brothers to forgive their father and to overlook his years of transgression, it would be like moving a mountain. The chances were slim but, he didn't want to give up on the glimmer of hope. "I'm not leaving until you change your mind."
"Stay if you want, it doesn't bother me. In fact, the longer you stay, the more time I get with Inka."
"Stay away from her!" Kyou was quick to bare his fangs. He went nose to nose with his brother. "She's mine."
"It's a revelation to see you acting like a caveman over a woman. The Crimson King falls for a savage beauty. What would the old man have to say about this?" Shuhei taunted, smiling viciously. "A little bird told me about your engagement to Minister Heika's daughter. Something tells me your savage beauty won't stand to be a concubine. I'll willingly open my arms to her."
The image of Inka and his brother embracing lit a primal fire within him and he fisted his brother's coat. "Watch your mouth, Shuhei. You may be the King of Donggu but I am the Emperor of Xi."
"And behold, he uses his title and influence to threaten me!" Shuhei sang, adopting a theatrical woe. It thrilled him to spite his young sibling, despising anything related to the old man.
"You're impossible, Shuhei. I hope that one day you will realize that I am not your enemy."
"The spawns of the Devil Emperor are my enemies!" His brother spat — pain and anger lend his brown orbs the illusion of fire. "He killed everyone I loved and one day I will witness his Kingdom and the son he loves be destroyed!"
Having used up his quota of patience, Kyou retreated with a firm bow. "Like I said, I won't give up. Think about it brother." His eyes flicked to his advisor. "Come along, Jin."
-------------------------------
"Damn that Kyoutarou!" Shuhei cursed aloud, his thoughts in a jumble. He hadn't expected Kyou to extend a peace offering. He was shredded by bitterness and hope.
"I don't wholly agree with him but, I think he has a point," Ryuu reflected quietly.
"Don't mince words with me, Kairyuu."
Ryuu shrugged. "Being on good terms with the Emperor of Xi is a wiser choice than being his enemy. Our brother is a patient man but, he too has his limits."
"And who are you to talk? Your province is an unholy mess."
"I won't deny it." Ryuu was remarkably calm. "I knew the consequences of leaving Shiryuu. I never wanted to be King anyway. It always felt like father's miserable bribe for my forgiveness. Unlike us, Kyou tries his best for the people, and he doesn't do it in half measures."
Shuhei couldn't believe his ears. Crossing his arms, he asked sullenly, "I thought you hated him?"
"I am envious but, you can't hate a man who is good at being a ruler. Have you been to Beihai? It's a fruitful province and probably the closest thing to peace a nation can attain." He sighed ruefully. "Our conflict was born from our parents' hate but even knowing that, I'm powerless to stop it."
"It's unlike you to put so much effort in your thoughts," Shuhei scoffed without rancor. "But Kyoutarou's a love child born of affections. He doesn't understand our pain. The old man never loved our mothers; never made his mother go through the insanity they endured."
"All I can say is that our lives are going to change," Ryuu reflected, recalling something from the past. "Do you remember the prophecy about Kyou's birth?"
"What about it?" Shuhei asked testily.
"I think the prophet was wrong on one account. It's a woman who ultimately encouraged the Emperor to take the final step into changing the Kingdom. And that final step that stands in his way is the three of us."