CHAPTER 48: I’M WITH YOU, NOW AND ALWAYS

Shion the Second woke up early, the first one awake. He glanced at Yuri’s bed and let out a sigh. He kind of regretted missing the chance to sleep together with his parents and siblings. At first, he’d been annoyed, but deep down – somewhere in his heart – he was grateful his mom hadn’t woken him.

Despite the responsibilities on his shoulders, everyone supported him in their own way—or at least, he could feel it in these little, subtle gestures.

Shion yawned and, still half-asleep, stepped out of the room.

"Good morning, young master," Sayaka said, standing at the door. "Is anyone else awake yet?"

"Nooo," he replied, yawning again. "I don’t know if you want to wake them up. Better wait a bit."

"B-but I brought them breakfast," Sayaka said shyly.

"Huh?" Shion only now noticed the huge silver tray with a round cover, which she was carrying on her tiny, skinny arms, trembling under the weight. "Tell them I hope they enjoy their breakfast. And watch your step this time!"

"Thank you for the warning," she said, laughing.

"Alright, I’m off to Dad’s room. Same as always," he said, scratching his back as he walked away.

"Have a good day, young master," Sayaka said, stepping into the room.

Her foot caught on the threshold, but she managed to stay on her feet and didn’t drop the heavy tray. With a relieved sigh and a soft thump, she set it down on one of the desks. A little flustered, she turned to Haru and the other two kids.

Thankfully, the noise hadn’t woken them, but she still had to do her job. She went over to Haru’s bed and gently shook his shoulder.

"I-I brought breakfast, Your Highness," she whispered shyly.

Haru slowly opened his eyes.

"Time to get up, my sweeties," he said, trying to wake Asahi and Yuri.

Asahi was the first to wake up. He stretched loudly and sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Oh, Sayaka, you’re already here! Awesome! What’s for breakfast today?"

"Maybe the young master wants to see for himself," she said, bowing and gesturing invitingly toward the tray.

Excited, Asahi ran up to the silver tray.

Haru got up second.

"Wake up, sleepy princess," he said with a smile, giving her a little shake.

But Yuri frowned. She began to shiver in her sleep.

"Sweetheart?" Haru asked, worried.

Asahi, having just lifted the silver cover and seeing a mountain of scrambled eggs on his plate, turned back and glanced worriedly at Haru and Yuri.

All Haru got in response was Yuri trembling even more.

If only I could get into her dreams... I’d tear apart whatever’s hurting her myself. Hang in there, my precious girl.

"Sweetheart, get up!" he said, his voice trembling slightly. He tried waking her up again, but it didn’t work, so he lay down beside her, holding her as tightly and closely to his heart as he could.

"Should I call a doctor, my lady?" Sayaka asked anxiously.

"No, she’s not sick," Haru replied. "But thank you for worrying. Just make sure Asahi doesn’t scatter his food everywhere."

"Mom, I’m not doing that anymore!" the boy said, his mouth full.

"To be honest, it still happens sometimes, just like it did with me," Sayaka said, laughing a little nervously.

"Darling, I’m here," Haru whispered gently, hugging quivering Yuri. "I’m here. I’ll protect you."

*

Meanwhile, Yuri’s dream changed. The warm, golden, starlit mist she had been drifting through with Asahi slowly faded – and so did Asahi himself.

"W-where are you?" Yuri whispered, frozen in fear.

She could feel the breath of that terrifying woman right behind her. She knew she was there, but she couldn’t turn around.

And then... she was gone. The golden mist, filled with sparkling shapes, returned, but Yuri still felt uneasy.

She knew the woman had gotten away somewhere in the palace.

Suddenly, she saw through the woman’s eyes. She charged into their parents’ room, but their father was still asleep.

With a howl that cut through both ears and soul, the woman thrust her two long, thin fingers into his eyes.

*

Yuri woke and looked at Haru.

When their eyes met, Haru noticed two sparkles in each of her golden eyes. There was no time to think, as Yuri immediately burst into tears.

"Sweetheart, I’m here. You’re being so brave. Just hug me."

"Yuri!" Asahi shouted, turning to her. "Hang on, Yuri! It’s going to be okay!" He quickly finished his breakfast and ran to her bed. Asahi gently placed his hand over Yuri’s – the one she was holding onto Haru.

"M-mom... d-dad, something bad happened..." Yuri whispered, terrified.

"What? Impossible!" Asahi exclaimed.

"I’ll come to him soon. Everything’s okay, Yuri. I’m here. Your brother’s here, and so is Sayaka. You’re loved and safe."

"D-d-d-dad... please, mom... come to him, something really bad happened..." she muttered under her breath, panicked.

Haru sighed.

"I won’t leave you," he said, lifting her from the bed. He got up, holding Yuri in his arms, her small body curled up and snuggled against him. "We’ll go to him together," he said, smiling at Asahi.

The boy grabbed his other hand.

"I want to know if something happened to Dad too! I want to go with you!" he said, determined, though his voice shook.

"Yes. We’ll go to him," Haru said, heading toward the exit.

"B-but w-what about breakfast, my lady?" Sayaka asked.

"That can wait. Stay here, just in case one of the kids wants to come back."

"As you wish," she said, bowing low.

*

Shion the Second went to his father’s office...

...it was empty.

What? Dad isn’t awake yet?

He looked at the desk; not even the usual documents were there. King Shion usually brought them from his room. That just proved what he suspected.

Ugh, I’ll have to wake him up myself. Did he really oversleep?! I can’t believe it – Dad is always so hardworking.

And then a worrying thought hit him.

What if something happened to him?

Shion the Second rushed to his parents’ room.

*

King Shion slowly rose to sitting position. He thought he had opened his eyes, but all he saw was darkness.

He slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again – still, all he saw was emptiness.

The king heard footsteps in the dark and the patter of little feet. He smiled, thinking it must be their children.

"Darling!" a familiar voice called out. "Darling, Yuri had a dream that something happened to you."

"H-Haru?" the king looked around. "Where are you? I can’t see you."

"Oh god..." Haru gasped in shock.

Yuri let him know she wanted to be put down. Haru gently lowered her to the floor. Together with Asahi, they ran to Shion.

"Dad, can you see us, Dad?" Asahi asked again.

The king felt the warmth of his children’s hands on his own. Asahi placed his hand on the left, Yuri on the right. Haru noticed that Shion looked at Asahi directly – but nothing happened.

He stepped closer to his husband, watching him with care, worry, and sadness. His eyes were dull and faded – emptier than ever.

"It’s all my fault!" Yuri cried, tears streaming. "I didn’t stop that woman!"

"No, you can’t blame yourself, sweetheart," Haru said, his lips trembling.

"I’ve lost my sight," Shion said in a grave tone. "I’ll never see your beautiful, bright faces or eyes again..."

Haru saw tears sliding down Shion’s cheeks, even though his lips didn’t quiver and not a single sob escaped him.

It was a quiet, heartbreaking cry.

Haru placed his hands on Shion’s shoulders.

"No matter what, I’m here for you. I always have been, and I always will be. We’ll get through this," he said, his voice shaking with emotion.

I wanted him to lose that cursed gaze... but not like this! Haru thought, Haru thought, fighting back tears.

Shion the Second just hurried into their parents’ room.

One look at their faces, at how everyone was gathered around Dad, and he knew exactly what had happened.