Assured of his victory, Shiyuu slowly closed the gap between himself and his prey. As he carried on with his gleeful monologue, Genyou kept his eyes pinned to the half brother a year his elder.
“An assassin is making his way to our dear crown prince as we speak. I will be the one to intercept him, but the story wouldn’t make sense without a culprit. You’re going to fill that role for me. Fret not! You’ll be taking the stage as a corpse, so no need to memorize any lines.”
None of the eunuchs or military officers meant to be on patrol were anywhere to be seen. They were probably in the ninth prince’s pocket. If Genyou fled outside, he would be killed, but he didn’t have any allies on the inside either. His back was to the wall. He opened his mouth on pure instinct, only to force it shut a moment later.
“Next time you’re in danger, promise me you’ll ask for help.”
Who was there to call for?
“Should you ever call upon me, I swear to come running.”
So much for that. The man was stuck in a crisis of his own when it counted.
“To arms!” shouted Shiyuu, and his men sprang into action. Some came swinging their swords, some brandished daggers, and others at a slight distance nocked their arrows. It would be more than a little tricky to evade all those attacks.
What good was your advice, Ei Gomei?! Genyou internally berated the crown prince.
Then a voice rang out, “What is going on here?!”
A cluster of lights appeared from the cloister that led to the Palace of the Golden Qilin on the western end of the inner court. The glow was so bright that Genyou had to squint. As it turned out, several men with torches were storming their way.
“The youngest prince is under attack. Apprehend the assailants!”
As soon as Genyou recognized the owner of that resonant voice, his narrowed eyes flew wide open. It was Gomei. He had shown up alongside his bodyguards.
“They might be in league with the assassin. Take them alive!”
No sooner did that shout leave his mouth than the skilled military officers charged forth. As the tides turned, Gomei rushed to Genyou’s side before anyone else could, holding out one of his strong hands.
“Are you all right?! Some of these men use ranged weapons. We’re making a break for the Kou Palace!” Gomei grabbed Genyou’s arm and broke into a run, dragging his little brother along with him. He fired off a slew of orders in a single breath. “Run! Stay down! Grab hold of my hand!”
As Genyou kept pace, a few words escaped his lips before he could stop them. “How am I meant to grab your hand when you’re already holding mine?”
Despite asking Genyou to call for help, Gomei had come running before he could so much as speak.
“Hm? Oh, right, you told me to stay away. Sorry, I acted before I could think.” Gomei offered that unabashed apology, only to exclaim a beat later, “Ooh! Your voice changed! Congratulations, Genyou!”
“Is that really your biggest concern at the moment?” Genyou shot back, feeling like it would be a waste of time to pass himself off as mute around this man. “You should pay a little more attention to what’s happening—”
“Get down!”
Just when Genyou had resolved to give his brother a piece of his mind, the words died on his tongue as he was yanked to the ground. A silhouette whizzed right past his face, and a dull thwack sounded close to his ear.
Gomei had shielded Genyou and been shot in the arm.
“Tch!” Scowling, Gomei wasted no time yanking the arrow free. He applied pressure to the wound, then turned to Genyou with a smirk. “You should pay a little more attention to what’s happening around you, Genyou.”
“Brother!”
“Looks like the enemy has thrown caution to the wind. We have to hurry,” said Gomei, his voice more serious now, before picking up the pace.
Genyou said nothing in response, too focused on dashing down the path to the Palace of the Golden Qilin. He was out of breath. His heart was pounding. He clutched a hand to his chest, unsure whether the running or the panic was to blame.
When Gomei noticed it, he chuckled and gave his brother a clap on the shoulder. “Don’t lose your head over something like this.”
Heat crawled up Genyou’s throat. That was the moment when he knew that Gomei was the real deal. His words, his thoughts, and his actions were all genuine. If he promised to rescue someone, he would come through no matter what. He was a born ruler, and the only one worth believing in.
As Genyou watched Gomei run from behind, his back looked so indescribably broad. However dark his surroundings, this man would cast a powerful light on any path he walked. He was the embodiment of a full moon—no, perhaps even the sun.
Unfortunately, the moment he made it through the gate of his home palace, Gomei crumpled to the ground. “Ggh!”
“Brother? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.” Each time he tried to get up, the strength would leave his body. After two or three attempts, he finally collapsed onto the paving stones. “Urgh… Aah…”
Gomei’s body was convulsing. He clutched his upper arm for dear life, right around where that arrow had hit him.
It had been poisoned.
“Wait, Brother…” Instinctively, Genyou raised his voice. “Brother?!”
His cries grew steadily shriller. Forgetting all about his self-imposed speaking ban, Genyou shouted in the direction of the Kou Palace. “Hello?! Is anyone there?! Get over here! You have to help my brother!”