CHAPTER 27: THE MIGHT OF HOSHIGANE

In less than a week, Shion and his army had reclaimed the lost lands.

It wasn’t a simple counterattack, nor even a glorious victory.

It was a merciless slaughter of their enemies.

Shion finished off the last of the enemy generals, who had been captured and held down so that King Shion could execute him personally.

There was more theatre than actual necessity in it, but that was exactly what was expected of him.

Shion pulled his bloodstained sword from the general’s chest and sighed.

He looked over the battlefield, their own losses were minimal, while the army of the Kingdom of Tora lay thick and lifeless, covering the once-green meadow. The soldiers of Hoshigane stood proudly behind their king, tending to a few wounded comrades.

The field of corpses neither disgusted nor frightened him. He didn’t focus on the sight, his thoughts were of Haru, and his delicate body. That alone kept him from losing his mind.

"My lord," said one of the generals, the same who had spoken with him in the tent earlier, "what are your next orders?"

"Isn’t it obvious?" Shion replied, slipping easily into another of the deeply ingrained masks he’d learned to wear at court, he’d learned to wear at court. He knew exactly what his men wanted to hear. "We march for Tora’s capital. They’ll regret ever raising a hand against us."

Shion turned toward his army and raised his sword high toward the sky.

The dark clouds broke apart, and the heavens brightened.

It was an unmistakable sign.

Perhaps some gods despised him, but someone, or something, was clearly on his side.

He decided to take it as a good omen.

"Before this day ends," he declared in a proud, commanding voice, "we march upon the Kingdom of Tora! They will regret ever daring to lift their blades against Hoshigane. Their swords shall shatter against our shields! Their cities will fall beneath our might! The echo of their names will fade, replaced by those who shout with pride the name of Hoshigane upon the battlefield! We will return victorious, or I am not Shion Hoshigane!"

The warriors cheered loudly, raising their weapons high and shouting his name.

This isn’t the real me.

I’ve mastered the art of hiding my true self.

Only Haru knows who I really am, when we’re together in our chamber, our bodies and souls naked.

They know only the version of me I let them see, the one they need.

But you... you know the real me.

I’m sorry I never told you how much I love you, Haru.

Please, don’t worry. I’ll return to you soon.

I’ll return to both of you.

Have you already chosen a name for our child?

*

News from the front, along with Shion’s first letter, arrived at the palace two weeks after the army’s departure.

Over the moon about the victory, Haru was in high spirits that day. And now, at last, the first letter from Shion had come.

Sitting on the bed, Haru unsealed the message and began to read.

It was brief in form, but it carried everything that mattered most:

Haru,

I keep thinking of you, your sweet smile, your gentle heart, your delicate body.

It helps me stay true to myself.

Don’t worry, I’ll return to you both soon.

In the evenings, I often wonder if you’ve already chosen a name for our child.

Please, eat well and take care of yourself.

– Your Shion.

Tears welled in Haru’s eyes as he immediately set about writing his reply, placing Shion’s letter gently on his desk.

Even when his own life might be in danger at any moment... he still worries about me.

It’s so... sweet.

Deeply moved, Haru picked up his quill and began to write back:

My sweet Shion,

You have no idea how much I worry about you, my love!

Yes, I already have names for our child. If it’s a boy, I want to name him after you, so he’ll grow up just as strong and proud.

If it’s a girl, I’d like to name her Yuri, because she was born from pure love.

Please, come back as soon as you can. I want you to hold our child in your arms in the very first moments of their life.

You don’t know how much I cried after you left... I couldn’t sleep.

I miss you so much.

– Haru.

P.S.: I wrote this poem recently. Before the ink even touched the paper, my tears had already fallen on it, because I miss you that much.

Haru wiped away a tear and attached the poem to the letter, folding both pages neatly into an envelope.

A moment later, Maldie entered his room.

That day, she’d only lightly applied his makeup, just enough not to draw attention.

She hadn’t put in her usual effort. She knew Haru wished to look his best only for Shion, otherwise, his strong make up could easily be taken as provocative.

Soon after, joined by Gari, they headed to the banquet arranged by Ayame.

Shion’s sister knew that the ministers and nobles were silently expecting her to host a celebration, to properly honor the young king’s military triumph.

*

Hoshizuma finished kissing Shien, his tongue meeting the god’s.

When he finally pulled away, Shien, now in his more feminine form, looked at him, breathing heavily.

Hoshizuma took him by the chin and smiled wickedly.

"I have a new task for you, Shien."

"I’ll do anything you want me to," the god said breathlessly, his eyes burning with passion. "Just... please, don’t stop."

Hoshizuma’s grin widened. He kissed Shien again, shortly but with passion.

"You’ll return to Shion’s palace," he said, voice low and commanding. "Help Haru and Ayame with... something, and in doing so, earn their trust. That way, you’ll be allowed to stay there longer."

"Yes, Hoshizuma," Shien gasped, his eyes sparkled with desire, almost hypnotized by feelings for him. "Please... don’t stop..."

"Of course not," Hoshizuma murmured with a lustful smile. "Before we part, I’ll give you a proper farewell."

He didn’t hesitate, letting his tongue explore Shien’s mouth again.

*

Haru sat at the banquet beside Ayame, with Gari and Maldie on his right.

"Let’s raise a toast to the victory of our glorious king, and my brother!" Ayame declared, lifting her goblet high. "Queen Haru, would you...?," she asked.

"Ah, yes," Haru said shyly, rising to his feet. "Ahem... I can’t express how proud I am. King Shion will lead us on the path to victory. He’ll return to the palace, and then we’ll all celebrate the birth of our child together."

At certain moments, his voice trembled.

Haru hesitantly raised his glass to his lips, but at the last second, Gari knocked it out of his hand.

"Boss, forgive me," she said quickly. "But I caught a strange scent from your drink. All my instincts screamed that I shouldn’t let you drink that."

The spilled liquid on the floor looked like ordinary dark red wine.

Ayame stared at the stain, then closed her eyes. She couldn’t use her powers for too long, as doing so risked falling asleep in the middle of the banquet, which would only cause awkwardness and offend the nobles and politicians.

She browsed through the memories imprinted within the palace and finally was certain of one particular thing.

"Haru..." she said, her voice trembling with dread. "Someone put an abortive poison in your wine. The banquet is over!" she shouted in fury, standing up. "Everyone, leave. Now!"