Trial One~Time348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX749VFnOJf
They returned to the palace and Seibel showed Tekina and Kaito to their room. Once inside, they noticed that Ein was bringing luggage into the room. He closed his portal and stood by the neatly arranged pieces of luggage.
"I...brought...your stuff, " he said quietly.
The way he timidly pointed to the luggage made him seem like a meek child. The two thanked him and Ein scurried off to find Illya. Kaito dropped onto the bed, a long sigh heaving from his chest as he flopped onto it.
"What a day."
Tekina laughed weakly. "Yeah...I told you she wasn’t so bad."
"I still think she’s crazy...just...fine you win. She’s not so bad." He huffed as he propped himself up on one elbow.
She smiled and began to sort through her things. "This...is going to be a big adjustment...I wonder how Nikiro is doing."
"I’m sure he’s fine. We’ve raised him well enough. He knows how to manage on his own. Besides, he’ll be here before you know it."
"Yeah...but..." Her voice trailed off.
Kaito stared worriedly at her for a moment before an idea popped into his head."You know what. It’s been a stressful day for the both of us...so why don’t you come here so I can help you unwind!" He grinned as he patted the bed.
Tekina regained her composure almost immediately and before he knew it, Kaito was met with a pillow to the face. She continued using her telekinesis to bombard him with cushions, resulting in him toppling off the bed.
"A simple ’no’ would have done!" He groaned as he got up.
Tekina opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Tekina stood up and opened the door slightly, she cautiously peeked around the door but relaxed when she noticed that young boy was standing in front of it. His hair was that of golden strands of light and at the ends were the cool caress of violet fields.
"The whole palace is buzzing about the two foreign scientists that came to stay with us. I came to see what all the fuss was about...not much apparently."
That last part was almost inaudible. Tekina shrugged it off. "The whole palace huh? Well, news sure travels fast here. I'm-"348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkZY6lUW8m
"I know who you are." The boy interrupted.
Kaito pushed himself off the floor and stumbled over to the door that Tekina had now fully opened. He leaned against the frame behind her.
"You're real snappy for such a little guy." He teased.
The boy scowled. Tekina sighed. "So...who exactly are you?"
The boy placed a hand on his hip. "Ugh. Can’t you tell? I’m Avarice. I’m the idiot Queen’s fourth son."
"Idiot Queen? I’m guessing you don’t like your mom very much?" Kaito stated.
"Wow, how’d you figure that one out!" Avarice remarked sarcastically.
"We’re having breakfast together. Luke will come to get you in the morning. He’s a tall guy with dead eyes and long silver-blueish hair."
With that said Avarice sauntered down the hall and around the corner. Once he was out of Sight Tekina closed the door. She sighed and rubbed her head. What a long day it had been for the pair. They were almost killed, served lunch by the woman who almost killed them, then offered a place to stay with more than a few questionable residents. Deciding to sleep it off, they hopped into bed and before they knew it they drifted off into a well deserved, deep slumber.
•~•~•~•~•~•~•
The air was filled with the sounds of birds chirping and waves crashing against the shore. Sin, although not a morning person, sat on the bouldered cliffs adjacent to the docks. He spent his time leisurely chatting with the mermaids and enjoying the cool morning breeze. A mermaid swam closer to the shore and pushed herself up so Sin could reach her. He took a strand of her hair in between his fingers and played with her long, locks as he gazed at the docks.
"Your Highness? You seem to be distracted...Is something wrong?" Her enchanting voice drifted into his ears and brought him out of his trance.
"Not at all, dear." He leaned in, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.
The young mermaid giggled. She attempted to hide her face behind her chalky-white fingers, her cheeks became a colour to rival the rose-pink hue of her nails, and shone through the gaps. The other mermaids swam up to Sin, tugging at his sleeves, desperately vying for his attention. The man chuckled and continued to fool around when just out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a ship anchoring at the docks.
"Highness, aren’t you eating breakfast with the Queen today? Are you hungry?" Another mermaid, with short, ash blonde waves of hair, drifted with the guidance of his arm.
He smiled down at her. "That’s right. They’re probably getting ready right about now." He pulled away from them earning whines as they lunged forward in an attempt to keep a hold of him.
"Are you leaving now? Stay a little longer!" The ash blonde begged.
Sin observed the docks a little longer. He watched as guards escorted a young man off the ship. He had captivating, deep blue eyes and silver locks, red at the tips, like a vibrant flame.
"I would love to but I have something else I have to do first. I’ll come visit another time!"
With a wink, Sin rose from the rocky cliff and within seconds a pair jet black dragon wings sprouted from his back. He took to the skies leaving the mermaids and their protests afloat in a powerful gust of wind.
•~•~•~•~•~•~•
"So this is the place huh?" A charming, yet husky voice exclaimed.
The guard who stepped off the ship with him, Hayate responded dryly. "Yes. My lady should already be in the dining hall with your mother and father. Let us hu-"
He was cut off by the loud flapping of wings and a gale of rushing wind causing them to shield their eyes. When it passed, their eyes fluttered opened and their gaze was directed to the silhouette in front of them.
"So this is the son?"
Hayate nodded. "Yes. It is. This is Nikiro Hatake."
Sin pulled one hand behind his back and took Nikiro's hand in his, bowing down to place a kiss on it. "Well then, it’s nice to meet you Nikiro. The name's Zur-Sin."
Nikiro was slightly taken aback by the action. He eyed Sin up and down. From his toned chest that peeked out from his unbuttoned blouse to the elaborate crest on the sheath of his regal sword. The golden rings on his hair glistened as he stood straight and threaded his fingers through the dark locks, an impish yet attractive grin playing at his lips.
"Nice to meet you."
There was an awkward silence that followed.
Sin cleared his throat, swaying on his feet to fight the warmth that began creeping through his fingertips."Hayate! You may leave. I’ll take care of escorting our guest."
"Are you sure your high-"
"AHH! SURE! I’m so sure! Very sure! Totally sure!" Sin cut him off and waved dismissively.
Hayate raised an eyebrow but did as he was told nonetheless and said farewell to Nikiro who was just as confused as he was. When Hayate was out of sight, Sin jut his thumb towards himself.
"Today’s your lucky day Nikiro!"
Nikiro chuckled. "Oh? How so?"
"The one and only Sin is here to give you a tour of your new home!"
"Oh yeah?"
Sin bowed dramatically. "But of course! So where would you like to start? The village? The shore? Maybe you’d like to see the palace?"
Nikiro placed a finger on his chin and thought for a moment." Then...let’s start at the village."
Sin perked up. "Village it is then!"
•~•~•~•~•~•~•
Was he now in trouble for missing breakfast? Yes. Did he care? No. Was he probably going to get an earful for whisking away the son of a worried mother and parading him all around the town? Probably. The pair walked through the bustling streets. that were noticeably more busy than usual.
"You came at the perfect time! The villagers are holding a festival this week. Today marks the fortieth year that Solaria’s been a free country. It’ll also be the Prince’s birthday in about five days. They’re holding the festival for those five days."
Nikiro observed the colourful streamers and the decorations that were scattered among the shops and sides of the streets.
"On the last day, there’s gonna be a parade!" Sin exclaimed excitedly.
"Wow. Looks like he’s really loved. How old is he going to be?"
"There’s actually three of them, triplets, turning twenty one."
"Ah, I see. You know them? You seem to know a lot about them."
Sin laughed. "Not at all. Everyone knows about them! I am but a simple solider in service to the Queen!"
Sin confidently spouted a completely unnecessary lie. Despite his carefree attitude to most things in life, he had always been a little paranoid. Being treated differently because he was royalty or worse, being taken advantage of for selfish desires weren't his worst pet peeve but they were certainly up there. Besides, if they were going to live together from now on, it would only be right for him to get a feel for what his new friend would be like. As the boys passed by a flower shop whimsical chatter rose in the air and six women poke their head’s out when they passed by. They emerged from the shop one by one and hovered around Sin.
"Good morning Sin!" They sang in unison as they clung to him.
"Haha! Morning ladies! Don’t push! My arms aren’t long enough!"
They wrrupted in girlish giggles as they swooned over him. Nikiro laughed. "Well, you seem to be popular!" He teased.
The girls turned their attention to Nikiro."Who is he?"
"My friend. He just arrived in Solaria this morning!"
Three of the girls skipped over to him and did their best to get as close as possible.
"Haha! He’s handsome! Does he have a girlfriend?"
Nikiro gently pushed them back, maintaining some distance, mostly out of courtesy. "Nope. I have a boyfriend."
The girls stopped swooning. "A...boyfriend?"
"Yep." As soon as the words left his mouth he wanted to take it back. 348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3d4RrjgPT
It was never something that was entirely approved of back home, but like Sin, he was willing to test the waters and see just what his new home would be like. The girls resumed their fawning over Sin after a few disappointed whines escaped their lips.
"Aww! What a shame. Then he’s better suited for Sin!"
Nikiro tilted his head in confusion. Sin caught Nikiro’s curious gaze and chuckled softly. "Everyone here’s used to that stuff. Let’s just say I don’t just have a thing for the ladies...if you catch my drift."
Nikiro caught on quickly. "Oh so...so you don't mind?"
Sin waved the girls off and responded nonchalantly. "Why would I?" Sin took notice of the way Nikiro’s face contorted ever so slightly. "Solaria is a land free of judgment!...or so they say...either way, that stuff is a-okay in these parts...for the most part...I mean it kinda just developed naturally over the years y'now? Especially since the Queen has a reputation for taking a liking to both sexes."
Sin pat his back and ushered him along the path. Nikiro was understandably surprised when a strange man came knocking at his door saying his parents were now living in some far away palace. He had his doubts, what with all the stories he had read about the place, but now he couldn’t help but think that he wouldn’t mind living here after all.348Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz0rvbLASl
