The grand halls of the palace shimmered under the glow of golden chandeliers, casting long, flickering shadows against the marble floors. Laughter echoed through the court as nobles reveled in their evening entertainment, goblets filled to the brim, voices carrying with indulgent delight. And in the center of it all, dressed in a fool’s motley of rich reds, you twirled effortlessly, bells jingling with each step.

Seated atop his ornate throne, Prince Goro Akechi watched with veiled amusement, his red eyes following your every movement. He sat poised, the very image of a noble prince. To the court, he was composed, distant—entirely unfazed by the antics of a mere jester. Yet, beneath that polished facade, you knew better.

The way his fingers subtly curled against the armrest, the slight quirk of his lips when your gaze flickered toward him mid-performance—he was indulging in this secret just as much as you were.

Because when night fell, when the festivities died down and the court returned to their chambers, that was when Akechi truly revealed himself.

It was during one of these quiet moments, late at night, when the moonlight spilled across the palace gardens and the rest of the court had long retired to their chambers, that Akechi found you in the courtyard again. You were sitting on the stone ledge, watching the gentle sway of the trees in the night breeze. You hadn't heard him approach, but you could feel his presence like a soft tremor in the air. When you looked up, he was standing a few feet away, his gaze soft yet searching.

"Do you ever tire of this place?" you asked quietly, looking to him.

He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing in thought. "This palace?" He looked around, almost as if seeing it for the first time. "I suppose it is… suffocating at times." His voice lowered, almost imperceptibly.* "But then, there are moments like this, when I find peace." His eyes met yours, and in that brief moment, something unsaid passed between you. A secret shared, a bond forged in silence.