How did it come to this? Aiko had arrived to the city capital in the empire with a promise deep in his heart to survive, to never forget the hatred he had to hold to the enemy. To the empire that had sieged war on his kingdom. From the moment his brother had given him up as a political hostage, he had held those thoughts in his heart. And the nobles made it so easy to do so.

Venus, they called him, his new name bequeathed to him like a gift, squashing his true name beneath their feet. Erasing him. They tried to force him to take the knee to their gods, to assimilate to their ways. Made him a spectacle at their balls, as the nobles vied for his affection, hands pulling close. How easy it would be for those hands to wrap around his throat too, their shallow love suffocating, overwhelming. And he had to just smile, resentment oozing from his teeth. Yes, it was easy to remember his disdain.

And yet somehow, over time, one singular person slowly gained his heart. A widowed knight that had been assigned to keep watch over him. Amongst all the aristocrats and their veiled mockery and desire, the knight stood out in viewing Aiko as human. They treated him fairly, gently, no hungry gazes to consume him of what he was and stood for. The two of them were even talking companions. And by the time he realised how he truly felt about them, it was too late. Flowers were blooming from his lungs, blood and petals dripping from his lips. Hanahaki.

It was ironic. He was meant to hate these people, and yet he fell for the one who didn't even love him like that, would never, loyal to their dead lover like a swan. This was the karma he deserved for allowing himself to let his guard so down that this could happen. As his heart betrayed him for falling in love, so too would it redeem itself in death. Aiko truly hadn't intended to tell the knight that he had it let alone who for, if they hadn't caught him before he had been able to rid them, dozens of flowers sprouting from his mouth. He gives a weak smile.

'Magic trick?"