Chained to old wounds

CH104

Tsuneo

I blinked at that, trying to keep my surprise off my face. Hope filled me. Was my mother really coming back?

You mean… You mean she’s coming back?

Of course. Why would think that she wouldn‘

I shook my head. A staff member, a new girl, came to me and filled my water cup. I thanked and a drained it quickly. People came in, pushing carts full of food with them. I started to eat, trying not to be saddened by Morgan’s absence and savoring the quiet that hung over the room. The tension didn’t bother me. It never had. Let them fear me. Fear was useful–it kept people obedient, kept them from crossing lines they shouldn’t.

If more people had feared my father, I doubted that Kai would even exist…..

“You started eating without me?” I looked up as Kai came in. His little feet rushing toward me. chuckled as he pouted up at me.

“I thought you were taking a nap.”

He rubbed his eyes. I picked him up and set him in Keiji’s seat. Someone gasped in horror, but 1 ignored it and waved a servant over to fill his plate. Kai swung his feet under his chair, his small hands gripping the edges of his plate as he stared at me with wide, curious eyes.

“I was, but still.” He pouted. “I was looking forward to eating

“Well, I havent taken a bite yet.”

With you.”

“We should have fruit first,” he said. His small face lit up with an innocent smile. “Do you like peaches?”

“I do. Would you like some?”

He nodded. “They’re my favorite. They’re really good!… But aren’t they out of season?”

“Not quite,” I said. “There’s a farm that supplies the palace that grows peaches year round thanks to the fairies.”

“That’s so awesome,” he said.

1/4

I waved the new girl over. She brought a bowl of fruit.

“They’re best cut up, Kai said.

“Yeah? How should they be cut?

“First, you’ve got to do it in halves and then…

I followed his instructions, cutting a peach for him. His bright little voice cut through the awkward silence that filled the hall. I couldn’t help the slight twitch at the corner of my lips. Kai was the only one who talked to me like this, unafraid, oblivious to the weight of everything surrounding us. It was probably strange for them all to see me following directions from a five year old as if cutting a peach into eighths instead of half would make it taste better.

Soon, his little plate had a pile of peach slices. I sprinkled just a little sugar on them as he instru We drank tea, then I picked one up to taste, pretending that it was the best version of

or had.

ging his legs even faster. “See! I told you they were the best like this!”

od,” I conceded, chuckling. I reached for one of the slices, holding it between my cks. “Thank you for teaching me the proper way.”

He lifted his chin proudly. “Lady Morgan says that even crown princes can learn something new.)

I chuckled. “My wife’s wisdom knows no ends…”

The table remained silent except for the soft clink of utensils and the murmur of servants. No one else dared speak. They avoided my gaze, each of them too wrapped up in their own discomfort to even feign normalcy.

The hall remained heavy with silence as we ate.

Then, of course, one of them had to say something. It didn’t surprise me who it was that had the gall to talk. He always has more pride and arrogance than sense.

“Don’t you think its disgraceful? I look down the table. Kaito, my older brother, spoke loud enough to make sure I heard, not that it was hard. “After all your talk and that farce, to be acting like this? He’s not even trying to hide that it was all a rouse for that human…..

“Care to speak up a bit louder?” Tarofu asked, taking over before I had a chance to even think about it. It seemed he enjoyed these sorts of reaction. “I don’t think everyone can hear you.”

Why are you humoring him? I asked.

2/4

CH104

Watch and learn young one. There is more to dealing with coat pilities then mate

He sneered. “You don’t scare me.”

“Your foolishness is well documented.”

He flushed and jumped to his feet. Turning Ari haman was cruel! I don’t how you did it. We’ve always known there was something off about you

I believe the correct term is exemplary. Beyond yr comprehension-

“You’re just-

“Superior, even.” I leaned on the table.

You must learn to deal with the enemies in your own house, Tarofu said. He is a coward. weakling, there are many in this world like him. Consider it practice for the Convening

Why not just tell him to shut up?

Because, dear Tsuneo, you must some times play the cards you’ve been dealt. They do not see you as their brother. They do not see you as anything more than an oddity. A favorite. Disarming them requires them to see a different side of you. Your interactions with Kai are already rattling their cages… Playing the role of a snarky younger brother will go along way.

Toward what?

Toward gaining eyes into whatever schemes they may have.

That gave me pause, but I sat back and watched, trusting Tarofu’s wisdom

“It was uncalled for to embarrass a member of the royal family in front of servants.”

… like you’re doing right now?”

One of my sisters snickered, but caught herself when Kaito glared at her.

“The only one embarrassing us is you.” He thrust his finger in Kai’s direction. “It’s strange, isn’t it? How Ari gets punished, and Kai is still sitting here, I wonder if Father is ever going to stop coddling you and let it be known that he is your son!”

Before Tarofu responded, Kai looked up from his last peach slice with a frown of confusion.

Tsuneo’s right. You’re a fool.”

3/4

CH104

Another sister burst into a fit of giggles. Kaito glared at Kai..

“How dare you—

“I’m not Tsuneo’s son.” He wrinkled his nose. “Tsuneo’s not old enough to be my father. Father is a lot older… Like his dad’s dad’s age.” He paused and frowned. “Well… at least he looks that old. I mean really old.” He looked at Kaito. And, don’t you know that it’s not nice to insult people? It’s not smart to insult people who could kill you either.”

I smiled as Kaito’s jaw dropped open. Kai looked up at me with a wide–eyed, innocent look.

“Why do they think that you’re my father? We’re cousins.”

Kaito blinked, clearly not expecting the correction. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself.

“… cousin?” Kaito’s confusion mirrored the rest of the table’s.

guess

Kai nodded. “Yep. My father always calls Tsuneo’s father brother….” He frowned. “I that makes your father, my uncle, right?” His eyes brightened and he looked up at me. “Do you think he’d let me call him uncle instead of Your Majesty?