[Journal #9!]
[That's about all I could remember from my past. Yani was always quick to act tough then cry to me later. But it was enough for his father to choose him to be the next king. I was proud of him since he went through a lot. Also, I lost Journal #8 to fire. Each journal records the year I spent in this world, so it sucks I lost one. I can't believe I only just turned 20! Many tragedies occurred within these eight years that I struggled to overcome, if it weren't for my master and support for the other servants, I likely wouldn't be as stable as I am now. Yani's doing an amazing job as a sole ruler! After the massacre of the previous rulers, he stepped up as the next King of the Black Rose Kingdom. He's ruling like his mother, but sometimes he behaves like–]
Aki stopped his fast writing after his bedroom door swung open. He shut his journal and placed his arm on it instinctively.
The ebony princess peeked her head out with a bright grin on her face. That smile never meant anything good.
"Hey, Aki! Tell my bro I'm going out with Maria, cuz' I'm bored of studying! I'll finish it later or something!~" she grinned before heading out. Her heavy heels stomped as she went down the stairs.
Exhaling a sigh, Aki stood up and headed towards the tea room. Where Yani would spend most of his time alone to read. The door was already open, so he welcomed himself in. "My king? I've come to inform you that Lady Ryuu has left to visit princess Maria," he informed him with a slight bow.
Yani stared at his cold tea before looking up at him. "Good. While you're here, you can stay and braid my hair. I don't care for the style today."
"Yes, master…" Aki did as he was told and began picking up a few sections. Making sure his touch was as gentle as possible.
"You haven't acted like your usual peppy self. You'd always smile and be ecstatic to braid my hair." Yani frowned swirling his pale fingers around the rip of the cup. "Your smiles always made my days…" The king spoke before turning his head back to face Aki.
Fear ran down Aki's spine seeing the emotionless stare from his master's teal green eyes. "I-I'm sorry master! I suppose these gloomy days get to me sometimes!" Aki said as he forced a smile. Once he finished braiding his soft hair, Yani sighed in annoyance and stood up from his black and silver chair. His cold hand cupping his cheek as his thumb caressed the side of his cheek. Aki was used to Yani being dangerously close to his face, but every time he felt more and more uncomfortable.
"Shall we go for a walk? I planned on visiting Dreue's kingdom for a drink." Yani asked.
Knowing he couldn't refuse, Aki smiled and nodded in agreement. "Of course my king, shall we be on our way? Or using a portal?" he suggested as he climbed off of his bed. Yani walked behind him, standing too close. Aki shivered to feel his master's soft breathing against his neck. It felt as though his master's eyes burned through his weak body.
"Heh. You're always fun to mess with, Aki." He stood beside him. "We should walk. It's only a kingdom over, teleporting will make my subjects think I'm lazy." Yani proceeded to walk out as Aki followed. Picking up a parasol on the way out.
Every day was a test to see how strong Aki was. Knowing that one brief moment of weakness could easily get exploited and get him killed. But he kept his composure and walked with a smile. But it was soon when they were outside. Nothing but dark gloomy skies and occasional heavy rain. Those that lived in the kingdom always looked skittish. Afraid of the kingdom's alarm sounding to warn of another attack. It hurt seeing such hopeless eyes every time Aki left to run errands.
He shivered at the sudden chilly breeze as he opened a silk black parasol to cover Yani. Even in the gloomy weather, Yani ordered Aki to always hold a parasol for him.
Aki escorted the king down the broken, stone path towards the central market. The only place to easily go from one kingdom to another via walking. He often ran into other royals who were trying to kill time.
"I hate walking through here…" Yani commented as he kept his eyes focused on the exit to his kingdom.
"This place is always attacked by the Red Rose Kingdom. I can see why you would be tired of this. We don't have the resources to constantly rebuild after so many trivial battles, nor the time to respond to every attack they made. I just wish we could catch a break," Aki sighed. Every breath he took, his lungs were aching from the chilling air.
Yani hummed in agreement. "Adkin refuses to back down even now. That bastard just won't quit till he's dead."
The pair continued down the path until they were in a bustling market. Residents dressed in different colors mingled and traded goods. It was the only place where they were equals to each other.
"We can make a delicious meal together my king, you liked my stir fry from last night, right?" Aki asked as he looked at the fresh goods.
A small smiled appeared on Yani's face, remembering the warmth of the food he ate. "Yeah, we all enjoyed it. So I might participate in helping you tonight." Aki grinned brightly.
"I can make it for all the other rosebuds as well! We can ask prince Dreue and little Arrow to join us!" Aki offered. Being in a more welcoming atmosphere made him feel giddy inside.
Yani began walking towards the path leading to the Yellow Rose Bush. "Dreue only joins in dinners that relate to business. So save your breath, the two of us can enjoy it."
Aki didn't try to refute him and only followed with the parasol over them both. Meaning he had to stand quite close to his slightly taller master.
As they grew closer to the yellow kingdom, Aki could already feel the heat through his dark clothes.
What he never understood, was how each kingdom had a fixed season. Even though the Yellow kingdom was beside the Black Kingdom, only the Yellow one felt like summer while the other was always freezing.
The Yellow Rose Kingdom was known for its industrialization. All that lived within it were obsessed with working and creating goods to sell. They produced the most manufactured goods out of all the other kingdoms. Furniture, convenient necessities, they even had businesses. The two royals of this kingdom were prime examples.
In the center of the kingdom was a large-scale tavern. On the sign read: 'ROSES THORN'. It's quite modern compared to other dining industries. Aki opened the door for Yani and quickly followed him in. Sighing in relief as he felt the air conditioner circulating.
The place was packed with groups of patrons filling up tables, likely on break. There was also a young man with curly white hair sitting at the counter and talking loudly to the man working behind it.
"I'm telling you! It's a perfect idea! How many places can say they use hot peppers in their drinks? It'll make this place boom for sure!" He laughed.
The man he was speaking to turned around with an icy blue glare. He was dressed in a yellow bartender's uniform and was cleaning out a glass.
"The reason no one uses it is that it's idiotic! Just because you like two things, doesn't mean you can combine them! No worker in their right mind wants a spicy beverage when they want to cool down! But maybe you need one to melt that frozen brain of yours." He snapped as he pushed his glasses up his nose. When he saw Aki and Yani, he cleared over the counter with ease and knelt before him. "Good day, my king. Would you like a table in our private section?"
Yani sighed. "I told you, Dreue, you don't need to kneel when you're working. You can stand, I'll sit at your counter." Dreue stood up and went back behind the counter.
The man with white hair turned around and suddenly became quiet. "Good day. It's a pleasure seeing you, my king. It's nice seeing you as well, Aki!" He smiled.
Aki sat beside the male and leaned over the counter. "It's nice seeing you as well, Prince Snow! Tell me about this idea of yours?" He asked while Yani sat beside him and ordered a drink.
"I gave a few ideas! Ya know cuz his usual drinks are so boring! I wanted to give him some ideas to make things more interesting! Like creamy, spicy alcohol! Dreue's creamy spicey poppers are always popular! If two things taste good they have to go together! Like chocolate and sushi!" Snow explained. Just the idea made Aki nauseous.
"Yeah… he should consider it!" Aki assured him. Snow's round, brown eyes shined with excitement.
"Ha! Even Aki agrees! So you gotta do it!~ I want a creamy spicy cocktail!" Snow sang before finishing the rest of his drink. His breath was minty as always.
Dreue groaned and grabbed a fistful of his purple afro. "Don't encourage him. I already have a new set of drinks I want to try. You can sample them tomorrow, just stop talking about the cocktail!" He set a drink down in front of Yani and Aki. "What brings you here, my king? I apologize for failing to be more prepared."
Yani took the blue and green drink and sipped it. "I just wanted to leave for a bit. It's mostly for Aki, he wanted to make a special dinner tonight." He smiled at Aki.
"Yeah! I'm making stirfry! Would you guys like to join us?" Aki offered with an optimistic look.
Dreue glanced at Yani who was glaring at him. The male cleared his throat. "I can't today, unfortunately. I have to assist Arrow with the Smithy. There are certain materials he's lacking to create a new weapon. Maybe another day."
"I'm busy with… stuff…" Aki glanced at Snow who was turned away from them and focusing on the wall of liquor behind Dreue. "I hope you guys have fun…"
"Aw, well that's okay! There's always next time!" Aki enjoyed his fruity beverage in one chug. Yani was sipping his drink in moderation until it was empty.
"I'm getting tired, so I gotta go." Snow placed a few silver coins on the counter and left suddenly. He was always quick to leave when Yani was around. Dreue became busy with other patrons, so it was only Yani Aki could speak with.
Yani was glaring at his cup and mumbling to himself.
"Master, glaring at a cup won't refill it!" Aki laughed.
But Yani didn't laugh with him, he instead looked at him with troubled eyes. "Why do you always want to invite others? We can enjoy cooking together and sharing a meal, isn't that enough?" he asked in a bothered tone.
Aki sighed at his childish comment and nudged him slightly. "Master. I love eating with you! You're great company since the other two eat in their rooms. But I think we can sometimes share it with the royals. Does it bother you that much?"
Taking advantage of how dimly lit it was around the counter, Yani leaned against Aki and closed his eyes.
"Yes. Because I should be the only one you should eat with. You're mine after all…" He whispered before sitting upright.
"You're so funny, my king," Aki sighed with a smile.