“Does this mean the Elders are with you? Do they know of your desire?”

  Antares shook his head, “No, I have only told them I desire to take back the grimoires. They do not know I plan to use it, or that I am aware of what it is, they have been keeping a secret from all of Aurum since before the age of God-King Gilgamesh.”

  Satori’s face hardened in response to the cold truth littered throughout Antares' words. It was not just Ichika, even Iliad was going through its own trials and tribulations. Was this malignant air of restlessness passing through the other realms as well? The king could not help but lament how all of these growing fires across Aurum had begun to appear so soon after the death of King Barranagan. As though with the absence of the Stygian King now fate was allowed to weave a new story through the lands. Once again Satori failed to understand Hyperion’s departure, with all they knew. He could not understand why his master would abandon them all, his realm, his people but most importantly his little Antares.

  Whatever it was that Antares knew was sure to shake the very foundations of their world. That the only solution that Antares could imagine was the path that led to a possible Fourth Great War. It was a dire outcome that unnerved Satori as he wrestled a myriad of thoughts in his head. Before long he turned his attention back to the Stygian King who remained stoic as he gazed towards the board. His eyes suppressed any and all uncertainty as though he had, had too long to come to terms with the path he walked. As though he was resigned to it. Satori was filled with guilt.

  “What future could you so desperately wish to avoid, that you would potentially plunge Aurum into another war, little one?” There was a deep sadness in Satori’s eyes as he came to realize the burden on the Stygian King’s shoulders.

  Suddenly the door to the room they were in cracked open.

  “Father? Is this where you’ve been hiding?” Crown Princess Nanako Sugawara stuck her head out of the door. Breaking the growing tension in the room.

  King Satori’s third youngest daughter burst into the room with a youthful exuberance. Being only twenty years old, she carried herself with a child-like naivety that was doubly impressive and cute. She sported the same pale skin as her mother, and shared much of her foxy features, even her slightly pointed ears too. However she did not have any of the tired circles that hung to her mothers eyes. She did not inherit her fathers towering height, nor his massive frame. Instead her father’s eyes were the gift she was blessed with and his playful smile. A worthy blessing that brought out a permanent teasing look in her eyes.

  “You know if Lord Hiroto finds out you’re-” Nanako stopped as her eyes turned to the man sitting across from her father.

  “King Antares, allow me to introduce my playful little Nana.” He presented her as he tried not to think about his Lord Regent’s reaction to his nightly activities.

  Nanako was smitten, he was every bit as beautiful as she had imagined. In fact greater than, she was sure now more than ever as she stood a few feet away from him. From the moment she had seen him on the first night of the celebrations she had cursed her luck that she was not one of the candidates that could marry him. Had she known he was looking for a wife so soon after his return she would have ran to Iliad herself. Instead she was forced to watch from a distance the man her father had spent countless nights regaling her about his many stories, had chosen another to stand by his side. She wondered what good her fathers relationship with the Stygians were if he could fail her so easily.

  “It is Nanako father, I am twenty now.” She reminded him, she hoped she looked as regal as she felt in front of Antares. “King Antares, it is an honor to finally meet you. I’ve heard a great many things about you.” She bowed deeply, as she had to refrain from admitting to being his biggest admirer.

  Satori curiously looked at his daughter, “I am surprised you are so calm Princess Nanako. I was made to believe you would profess your lo-”

  Antares was slightly caught off guard at the speed in which Princess Nanako closed the gap between her and her father. In an instant she was by her fathers side as she cupped his mouth shut. Her gaze a terrifying one, the Stygian King was sure that was an expression she had inherited from her mother.

  She turned to him with a curt smile.

  “It is an honor to meet you Princess Nanako,” Antares bowed. “To meet a famed jewel of Satori’s is a blessing in many ways.

  Nana blushed a deep red as she subconsciously tightened her grip on her fathers mouth and nose, further suffocating him. “Please great king, I am unworthy of your beautiful words.” She bowed again.

  Satori clawed free from his daughter's grasp, the distance calls of his ancestors fading away as he regained the ability to breathe freely.

  “Please forgive me Princess Nanako, I had planned to borrowed King Satori for a game or two.” Antares lowered his head, as he finally gazed around to see the morning sun rising through the large open windows. “And it seems I have overstayed my welcome.”

  Nana stifled a growing scream within her, her father had spent all night alone with King Antares and not once thought to invite her to join him. This was a betrayal she could hardly stomach, one she would never bring herself to forgive him. She would certainly have to regale Taka with when she returned to Ichika, she alone would not share in this heartbreak. The Crown Princess of Ichika steeled herself, more than she had ever been required to and responded with the grace expected of one in her position.

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  “There is no need to apologize to King Antares,” Nana leaned in covering her mouth, “Father does not have friends and I have tried multiple times to find him some, so this is a welcomed sight.”

  “Not this again,” Satori rolled his eyes. “Your mother doesn’t have friends and you do not chastise her for it.”

  “Mother has friends,” Nana corrected.

  Satori scoffed, “Like who?”

  “There’s Lady Fumi and Lord Taro, and Lady Tsuru.” The princess listed off, “Lady Masako-”

  “Your mother and Lady Masako are not friends.” Her father stated flatly.

  It was Nana’s turn to roll her eyes, “Okay I named three! That is more than you have!” she wagged her finger in his face.

  Antares sat back and enjoyed the bickering between father and daughter as the day came alive. It was not long after that Nanako drew him into the discussion, using the opportunity to converse greatly with him. As well as boasting about her mother, the Thirteenth Lunar General, Lady Inari Huli Jing. What Antares had known of the woman was sparse, only that she was considered incredibly formidable, thought of to be by many as Ichika’s strongest weapon behind her very king. Antares listened intently as Nana spoke of her mother, a part of him could not help but wonder if he were to ever have children if they would speak of him like this. With so much love and admiration, would his children with Reza be this way? The Stygian King’s cheeks warmed at the image of a plump Reza stroking her belly. He quickly banished the childish thought.

  “Now that is enough from you my little flower, I think the Stygian King has heard enough about your mother.” Satori hushed his daughter.

  “He’s only talking like that because mother refuses to marry him as long as he is King of Ichika,” a sleazy grin plastered on her face. “Although I do not know why he is choosing to respect her wishes, if he just asks she will say yes. I suppose there is more to the rumors to it. Did you know even Lady Masako-” She leaned closer to Antares sharing with him what she knew. Imperial gossip was her favorite past time.

  “Crown Princess Nanako Sugawara, future head of the Sugawara clan,” her father announced her full title. Unamused by her antics.

  “I am leaving,” she put her hands up in defeat as she walked away with a snicker. Her twin tail braids of white and brown hairs flowing in the wind.

  King Satori stood up stretching, “Not so fast young lady.” He turned to Antares, “Shall we pause our game here, my dear king.”

  Antares looked at the board, committing the game to memory. “Of course, I will remember.”

  “Good, hopefully we can finish it the next time you come to Ichika.” The Sword Saint yawned while looking at his daughter with a playful grin. “You and Reza of course.”

  Nanako flinched before carrying on but as she reached the door she stopped and turned around. She walked up to Antares and bowed deeply. She was well aware how immature she could be and was sure that must have played a role in why she was not properly examined by the Stygians. However it did not change how she felt about the Stygian King. All her life her father had told her plenty about him and what kind of man he was like. The way he spoke of him and the look of proud admiration was all she needed to know that such a man would be worthy enough to be her husband. Though she was quickly made aware that would not come to be. She was jealous of Princess Reza; she did not harbor any ill will. From the little she had met her, she was glad that someone so kind and so lively would be able to stand by Antares' side. If there was someone worthy enough to bring forth the eternal peace that so many had hoped for it would be her and him together. So she would pass the privilege on to Reza with her blessing.

  “I look forward to one day having both you and Princess Reza visit Ichika. She is a lucky woman that I think worthy enough to stand by your side. I know you both will bring lasting peace to our homes. That your brother Crown Prince Hyperion believed in and my father too.”

  Antares was thoroughly impressed by the level of class and dignity shown by the Crown Princess of Ichika. He was slightly overwhelmed by her blessing and the weight behind it. The genuineness of it was wasted on him he thought. He had viewed his actions as simply something he had to do, that fate had thrust upon him in the absence of his brother. But here before him Princess Nanako chose to look at what was to come and the beauty of what laid ahead. How long had it been since a Stygian King visited Ichika, five hundred years maybe more? Iliad had been closed off for too long.

  “Crown Princess Nanako Sugawara, I look forward to viewing the cherry blossoms within the Imperial Palace with you.” Antares allowed himself to hope and it showed on his face with a wonderful smile.

  Nanako was stunned speechless at the expression he carried. Thankfully her father came to her rescue, ushering her away as they headed towards the door. Try as she might, she could not stop blushing.

  “As grim as things may seem King Antares–it took many people in my life to see it, Lord Hyperion included.” Satori looked back with a smile. “I hope you know you are loved, certainly by the two of us.” He waved back lovingly.

  Nanako did all she could to force her father out of the room, her embarrassment reaching its apex. Before long Antares was left alone in the resting area as he smiled to himself. It was only on a whim that he sought Satori. He was glad he did, the entire night had been more than ideal. Nearly perfect in all regards. He wished Hyperion could see how his student had grown into a wonderful man and an admirable father. He terribly missed his elder brother and the calm presence he often carried.

  He moved over to the large window and watched the sun rise. Soon enough Faye would be awake and they would have much to talk about. He could not shake the look she gave him the previous night and hoped all was well. He caught himself hoping again for the second time in successive moments. It seemed the more he lingered in the south the more human he was growing. Perhaps it was better to hope than believe all was as fate ordained it to be? If that were the case, it would mean that his hope for his brother's return was true and he could allow himself to believe Satori’s words. And perhaps for the first time in five years, no, for the first time in over two decades since the day he lost his mother. Antares would accede that he deserved to be loved, even if he did not truly believe it.