Aki was left speechless as he stared at Yani. He was dressed in his usual attire and seemed unaffected by the heat. Or maybe he was too pissed to focus on it?
Adkin stood slightly in front of Aki as he glared at Yani.
"I'm surprised you found us. Did you really search for the day and got lucky? Or did a certain third eye help out?" Adkin asked. For once, Yani for once seemed shaken by his question. Though it dissolved back to his usual demeanor.
"Aki, come to my side. It's time to go home," Yani ordered. "If you come now, I'll lessen your punishment just a bit."
His feet began moving on their own, knowing better to try to defy him directly. Adkin grabbed his hand and pulled him back.
"Don't try to change the subject. How did you find us? Silvath would never snitch on me and is the only one aware of my plan. Did you ask 'him' for help?" Adkin smirked.
Yani became visibly annoyed as he grit his teeth. "I answer to no lowly hybrid. Know your place when speaking to a king!" He took a step towards them. "Aki. Now."
"…Adkin, we should probably go before we make him more upset. I-I still had an amazing day with you. Thank you again…" Aki smiled wearily at him before walking towards Yani. "It was my fault for agreeing, master. Please only punish me for my disobedience. I persuaded prince Adkin to break the rules for my wants…"
He looked up at Yani who was smiling at him. "Don't worry! Little Adkin will be given a reasonable punishment." Yani caressed Aki's cheek before looking past him to see Adkin. "Perhaps I can visit Lady Slygrove, the chancellor of his school. I'm sure we have pressing matters to discuss."
"Wh-what the hell?! You are getting my school life involved because I made Aki happy?!" Adkin shouted. Aki looked back at Adkin and saw tears forming in his eyes. "I spent so many nights studying and preparing just to get into that place!"
Yani laughed at his question. "Happy? Do you honestly think just one day is enough for him to be happy? Of course not! Like an addict, you would want to sneak off and do it again and again. Tracking you down on Earth was not easy. You'd only get smarter to learn methods to evade your contract. Human desires are such a pain, that's why I did what I could to erase them…"
His words only made Aki feel worse. With what resistance he had left, he stood away from Yani. "Desires aren't something that only humans have! Every living thing has them, royals are included. Adkin only wanted to make me happy, but why can't you do the same? I thought you were my friend!"
Yani's smile dropped as he sighed. "I do want to make you happy. But you aren't on vacation from Earth. You're working to pay me back for saving you from perishing in that fire–"
"You're the one who caused it! You want to sound like my savior, but you aren't!" Aki shouted. Their arguing began drawing a crowd to surround them. Adkin placed his hand on his chest and closed his eyes tightly.
"We're drawing attention. Come, let's just go home…" Yani held his hand out to Aki.
Aki was still bothered by the question of how Yani found them. He didn't want it swept under the rug with ease and wanted to comfort Adkin. "Only if you tell me how you found us. You got to have your way of ruining our futures, answer me that at least…"
Yani sighed as he lowered his hand to his side. "A certain Observer agreed to locate you with the promise of bringing you back to safety. We both agreed it would be best that you don't get attached to a place as dangerous as this." Yani kept his eyes fixed on Aki, his eyes were a somber emerald green. "…Alright. Adkin. Take Aki to my house for now. I rather not speak with the gawking public. I will be waiting…"
He then turned on his heels and walked through the crowd where he easily disappeared. Aki could barely stand on his feet if it weren't for Adkin standing with him.
"Are we… going to do as he wants?" Aki asked quietly.
"That bastard might be planning something, but trying to run again won't work. C'mon…" Adkin hurried through the crowd and Aki followed close behind.
"You already know where he lives?"
Adkin nodded. "It's not like I want to. It's a requirement…" he unlocked the car and went inside. "I hate this feeling of relief. Fearing that bastard pisses me off even more…"
Aki got inside and was fidgeting with his ring. "Master seemed more forgiving towards the end at least. When I saw him, I was afraid of getting you in trouble for doing this. Rest assured I'll make sure I take full responsibility for whatever awaits…" he sunk into his seat after speaking his words. Allowing the long ride to be in silent dread.
As Aki watched the streetlights pass by, he recounted the many questions he doubted he would get an answer to. But the one he was most curious about, was the Observer.
In the Rose Dimension, an Observer is a being that watches over the world and rarely interacts with it unless necessary. They aren't treated like gods, since their powers are limited, but they are acknowledged to be feared like one. Both Adkin and Yani seemed to know this Observer while Aki had no clue of his existence. It wasn't are for them to keep secrets from him, but knowing an Observer that can see both worlds was quite unusual.
He stared at the building and saw them resemble much larger houses than the apartments he saw before.
"Does master live in one of these houses? Even I can tell they're expensive…" Aki commented.
Adkin sighed with annoyance. "Yeah. Since we have to work to buy our own homes, you can imagine how successful that bastard is here…"
"Yani works? He never told me he worked on Earth. Or that any of the other royals were working…" Aki hugged his stomach as he looked away. "It's kinda weird being so out of the loop with everything. B-but I don't have the right to feel upset. I snuck away from him to go here anyway."
"I'm not sure what relationship the two of you have. All I can suggest is talking with him. But you'll have to do it alone, I doubt he'll let someone as vile as me into his humble home," Adkin mocked Yani's cold tone. "I'll wait here until he tells me to screw off." He stopped in a large driveway and parked the car beside a much nicer-looking black one. "Be safe, please…"
Aki smiled at Adkin who looked worried. "I'm gonna be just fine, Adkin. No matter what, we're ending this night with pizza!" he grinned before leaving the car. The path towards the pure white door wasn't far, but it felt endless with every step he took towards it.
He stood in front of the door with his hand on his chest. Aki's heart wouldn't ease no matter how hard he assured himself things would be okay. He knocked on the door and waited.
The door opened after a while of waiting and Yani was standing there in different clothes. He wore a plain T-shirt and matching loose pants.
"Please come in." Yani stepped aside as he gestured into the home.
Aki wasted no time walking in and admire it. It felt as though he was stepping into the past. The interior design, stair placement, and doorways felt too familiar. It wasn't until he laid his eyes on a toy panda bear that was on the couch.
"Master is this place…?" Aki trailed off as Yani sadly nodded. He closed the door behind him and sat on the couch. Aki felt uneasy as the memories forced their way inside his head. The fire, screams, the blood, and the pain. He turned his head away and covered his mouth as he gagged.
He was standing in a perfect replica of his childhood home. The home that he lost along with his peaceful life in that blazing fire.