Aki had brought down his singular suitcase where Yani was already standing with an annoyed face. He was behaving like this ever since Aki informed him he was going to visit the Red Rose Kingdom. It was the one kingdom Yani never wanted him to go.
"Master, I won't get to see you for two whole days. Can't you at least send me off with a smile?" Aki asked as he placed his hand on Yani's shoulder.
Yani's intense expression only grew more hostile as he heard that. "I don't want his impure hands touching what's mine. It pissed me off just thinking about him, you being alone with him only drives me insane."
Aki rolled his eyes. "Yeah. You make it known every single time I leave. But as your servant, I must protect my king and his kingdom. If a few days with Adkin does that then I don't mind!"
"Killing him would eliminate the entire issue…"
Even though his tone was quite serious, Aki just smiled. "Yeah, you wish. That would cause a revolt to break out in the red kingdom. Now can you please open the portal? I don't wanna walk there."
Yani did as he was asked. Opening a portal right below Aki's feet, causing him to fall through and land on the doorstep of the Red Rose Kingdom. It hurt falling on the stone ground but forced himself up anyways.
"Well, he's mad…" Aaki grumbled as he dusted himself off. Unlike the Black Rose Kingdom, its counterpart occasionally got sunlight. It was also in perfect shape with not a single scratch insight, which was all thanks to Silvath.
Aki picked up his suitcase and pulled down on the silver rope that rang a loud silver bell. A minute hadn't even passed when he heard someone running down the stairs and tried pulling it open, but a force shut it with a loud slam. Aki awkwardly waited for a moment before the door was slowly opened. Showing Silvath in his red and silver suit sporting a welcoming smile.
"Welcome, Aki! It's a pleasure to see you. I'm sure you're already aware of your request?" Silvath asked with a smile as he stepped aside to allow him inside.
The lobby shimmered from the silver chandelier with bright red flames. Much like the other rose kingdoms, the main colors were red and silver. Red showed more prominently to represent the kingdom with silver being the color to represent the origin.
The only way Aki could remember was to relate them to countries and continents. Which meant the Black and Red Rose Kingdoms are countries that reside in the silver continent.
The castle was so clean that Aki always felt out of place to stand in a bright kingdom when he was dressed in such gloomy clothes. Adkin was sitting on his lounge couch with a sketchbook in his hand. He didn't even glance up at Aki.
"Adkin? You have a guest. Greet them properly," Silvath spoke in a stern tone.
Adkin got up from the couch with the sketchbook protectively held against his chest. "Change your clothes, just looking at you makes me depressed…" He walked across the room and went into a dark room with a burgundy door that was worn out. It was the only unappealing thing in this room.
"I apologize for his behavior. He's been quite… sour after the encounter with your master. Every time we make progress, they always cross paths." Silvath sighed as he stared at the door. "I just want him out of that room for good…"
"Then I should get out of these clothes. I'll escort myself to my room since I pretty much have the layout down." Aki excused himself before hurrying up the stairs and went into his guest room.
It was well furnished, far more decorative than his room. He already had folded clothes on his bed. Lifting the red T-shirt made him grin brightly. It had a silver rose on it with grey sweatpants.
What made him always eager to see Adkin was the clothes he provided. Aki was forbidden from ever stepping foot onto Earth ever again. Yani never explained why, but Aki wouldn't dare to question him.
Adkin, along with all the other royals were required to experience life as a human by Yani's orders. Aki would stay with Silvath and Shade and learn how to properly serve in the Rose Garden.
Because of the arrangement and Adkin was quite generous, he told Aki stories of life there and would spoil him with souvenirs. It was a secret they shared and was the only rebellious thing Aki couldn't give up.
When he came out in his given clothes, Adkin was already waiting for him in casual wear similar to Aki's.
"You look a lot better in this. Do you wanna play now?" Adkin asked before holding out the folded device he kept behind his back.
Aki eagerly nodded as he took it from Adkin's hand. "I think I'm starting to get better at that plumber brothers game!" he exclaimed as he opened up the device that lit up.
Adkin just chuckled with a grin. "For the last time, they're not 'plumber brothers' but you're getting there. Okay, let's game!" He walked past Aki and flopped on the beanbag chair adjacent to the bed. Aki sat on his bed as he saw the game was already set up.
One of the other things Adkin showed Aki was the technology he never got to see. All he knew was a lot was too large to hide in case Yani wanted to drop by to make sure he was okay. But Aki was happy with anything he was given that was from Earth.
"Oh no! Adkin I fell in the lava again!" Aki groaned as he saw their life counter go down. "We only have one life left. It's my fault. I keep forgetting the controls…" he sighed.
Adkin smiled as he picked up Aki's character. "It's fine. I'll just carry us to the end. You'll get used to them again."
"I can't believe they let this poor princess get kidnapped by some dragon! They should do a better job!" Aki commented as he watched Adkin carry him to the flagpole. "I only remember them as little pixels! I can't believe how much it's changed!"
"You said ancient when you talk like that! Sure you're only a year older than me?" Adkin questioned as he chose another level for them.
Aki groaned as he saw more lava on this level. "Technically, I should be a bit older. But since I age here instead, I'm only twenty! It's kinda crazy when I think about- shoot I did it again!" Aki swore as he fell in the lava again. Taking their last life.
"It's okay." Adkin continued playing. "I guess even dimensions have their time zones. Six months here is a year there. It makes taking college such a pain. This exposure requirement made by your shitty king only makes my days harder…"
"I wish I could take them for you. College sounds fun!"
Adkin just shrugged as he got up and sat with Aki. "It's such a waste of time. Sending us off to get an education that doesn't apply here."
Aki glanced over to him. "Yani's just doing it so you all can enjoy what it has to offer. Even if you don't like it, he's doing it for the betterment of all royals."
"No. It's sketchy as hell. I think he just wants to keep up busy so he can keep you here all to himself. He only ever thinks about his own needs."
There was a knock on the door that gained both of their attention. Silvath swung the door open. His hair was tied back and sleeves rolled up. "Adkin. I warned you about leaving your collection get messy. Go organize it."
"It's not even that bad! You're just being a neat freak cuz Aki's here!" Adkin complained as he closed his game console.
"Either you clean it up or go to your study to finish your assignments. I have no time for you to push back any more work and use Aki as an excuse!" he warned. Adkin begrudgingly got up from the bed and stormed off to his room. "Would you like anything to drink, Aki?" Silvath asked in a sweet voice.
Aki shook his head as he got up as well. "No, but thank you! I'll just keep Adkin company!" He rushed past Silvath and went into Adkin's room.
Adkin always kept his windows covered, making it much harder to see even with the dim ceiling light. His bedroom was modern like Aki's, but Adkin had a collection of skulls. He had almost a row upon rows of skulls that resembled humans, but Aki never had the stomach to question why he had such an eerie collection.
"All he ever does is yell at me! I had a few things outta place and he acts as if I sinned!" He ranted as he picked up fallen bones and put them in their proper place.
The prince never had his collection a secret, sometimes he carts it around the market as a bold warning to how he treats anyone who wrongs him. Aki knew some were assassins sent to off him, but not all of them were…
Aki stood behind him. "Adkin, he's just doing his job as your guardian. He does get strict with you, but it's because Silvath wants you to be the best king you can be. Even if he–"
"That bastard will never make me king! All Yani wants his full power all to himself! Do you think he'd ever want to listen to what I have to say?!" Adkin shouted as he slammed the skull he held against the shelf. The sound of the skull cracking made Aki cringe.
Aki had to calm his heart before speaking. "I have no grounds to say much about this. I just wish you'd have more trust in him."
"How can you even trust him!? Do you even know why he won't let you even visit Earth?" Adkin questioned as he walked towards him.
"I have no grounds to question him. He's my master and is doing it in my interest. You've seen how poorly I am at games, there's no way I'd adapt well on Earth…" Aki crossed his arms, feeling a bit defensive at such a question.
Adkin glared at him harshly. "No. It's not because of that! He's doing it because–!" he suddenly stopped as he took a deep breath. His facial expression softened as he exhaled. "You were fascinated with all the small things I show you whenever you'd visit. Yani doesn't want you to have the desire to go back. He just wants you to be lost in this wonderland until you're too afraid to let go of his hand…" Adkin placed his hand on Aki's shoulder. "You see this world through rose-tinted lenses and refuse to take them off." He then left the room without another word. Leaving Aki to process his words carefully.
After a while of standing in Adkin's room award, Aki went back to his room to rest. Questioning if Adkin had a point or just wanted to make Yani look bad.
He had to consider Adkin's words as well as Yani's intentions in such a short time.