Chapter 1: The tragedy

10 years ago, Rakushou, Kou Empire's capital.

" Hakuyuu-dono! Hakuren-dono! Where are you?! " A seventeen-year-old Kouen yelled, scanning through debris and burnt wood, looking for any sign of the two blue-haired princes. The young general had just returned from his expedition, he immediately rushed back to the palace the moment he heard of a fire inflicting one of the palace's wing.

" Kouen... over here... " A weak voice replied, belonging to a man who was entitled as the first prince.

" Hakuyuu-dono! " Kouen clasped the wet cloth over his mouth, trying to inhale less of the smoke caused by the fire.

Kouen had rushed back from his post as soon as he heard of the fire, and arrived just in time to witness the wild flames engulfing the whole building. Sparing no time to run around, Kouen jumped into the pond beside the garden to soak himself up, and ran straight into the flames, searching for his cousins.

" K-Kouen... this fire is Gyokuen's doing.. s-she is the leader of Al-Thamen... That witch... set t-this fire in order to kill the emperor and us, his sons, to usurp the throne. " Despite the grave situation, Hakuyuu was calm, but his raspy voice indicated that he'd inhaled too much smoke.

Just then, the man shoved something-or someone, into Kouen's arms. He looked down, to see an unconscious Hakuryuu, his small face scarred and breathing ragged.

" Hakuryuu-dono... " The red-haired teen whispered, cradling the boy in his arms.

" Take him. G-Get him out of here... Kouen... I'm begging you... please, take care of Hakuei and Hakuryuu.. in mine and Ren's stead.. " Just then, a part of the ceiling was about to break down, and Hakuyuu, noticing this, pushed Kouen away from him, along with Hakuryuu in his arms.

" But what about you and Hakuren-dono?! You'll die if you stay here, your highness! " Kouen was getting desperate, he couldn't bear himself to see the deaths of the two people he looked up to the most-his cousins. It was most likely that he would blame himself for not being able to save them in the future.

" Worry not.. Hakuren is just unconscious from blood loss. I'll definitely... d-do something to get us out of here.. Ko-Kouen, tell Gyokuen that both Hakuren and I... died in this fire... tell her that you weren't able to save us, and that our bodies were burnt. And someday... we'll return in order to restore the Kou empire... until then... see you again, cousin.. " And with that, a pillar fell in front of Kouen, separating him from the two imperial princes, making him wanting to grieve and scream as loud as he could. The only thing preventing him to do so is Hakuryuu, whose presence reminded him that he needed to get both of them out of the building.

' Hurry. Hurry. I have to get him out of here. ' Was the only thing that ran through Kouen's mind as he wheezed, trying to find the exit. His vision was blurring, the smoke had risen up, and a broken part of the debris had hit him on his face, injuring his eye. Still, he spared no time to rest, as his younger cousin's life depended on his decisions, he was racing against time.

Looking around, Kouen suddenly heard voices of soldiers nearby, indicating that he was close to the exit. Gathering the last bits of his strength, He kicked a large block of wood aside, and broke the door down. The soldiers and servants were surprised to see their General Kouen in tattered clothing, his face covered in ash and an unconscious Prince Hakuryuu, a fresh scar on his face. The state of his clothes were the same as Kouen's, except the former had blood stains on them.

" Kouen! Thank goodness you are alive! Where are my sons and husband? " A worried-looking Gyokuen came into Kouen's line of sight, but he knew better than to trust her facadé. Hakuei followed behind her mother, some of her hair was burnt by the fire, but other than that, she was safe and sound.

" Forgive me, Gyokuen-dono.. I... wasn't able to save Emperor Hakutoku, Hakuyuu-dono and Hakuren-dono.. the three of them had passed when I found them... " A bitter taste remained in the teen's mouth as the words left his lips. He believed that both Hakuyuu and Hakuren would survive, yet it was best to tell the wretched woman that they died. And it seemed like she believed him, judging by the look on her face.

" Oh! My sons! And my husband! What about Hakuryuu? " She began to wept, but Kouen noticed the slight upturn of her lips, which disappeared as soon as it showed.

" He's alive.. Hakuyuu-dono had protected him from the fire., " Kouen revealed the boy in his arms, still unconscious as they were speaking.

" Hakuryuu! " Hakuei, who had been hiding behind behind Gyokuen, dashed forward to reach for her younger brother, beating her mother to it.

Kouen could see the slight frown that was forming on Gyokuen face, hidden behind her sleeves. She certainly was displeased by the fact Hakuryuu survived the fire.

It was the last thing he saw before his consciousness slipped from his grasp.

' Hakuyuu-dono, Hakuren-dono, please be safe. '