Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, only the plot.

Beta'ed by: MysteryPT

Guest: I have included Ouka. Though there's no Teito this time ^^;

Chapter 12: Second Flight

The Truth of Scarlet – was the title of the book Krowell was currently engrossed in. He wasn't exactly focused. Nor was it truly enjoyable. The book was filled with unproven deduction about the truth behind the Scarlet Day. Some was silly even. Still, it provided him with slight distraction from the throb resonating all over his limbs.

Zehel certainly lived up to his reputation. Never in his life was he hurt this badly. And he was even called a prodigy. They were often compared but Krowell never dwelled too long on the idea. They were bound by friendship. And it was strange that now Raggs decided to wage the war.

And talking about that…he had to make a visit to Kreuz soon. His second brother might have dig out some important clues. But before that…

"Ouka, there's nothing I can do about Teito right now. Why can't you understand?"

The girl sat on the sofa a few meters beside Krowell's bed. Her knees were drawn to her chest and her head rested on top. Angry scowl was directed to Krowell for a full 10 minutes now.

"You could've killed all of them and sweep Teito away!"

Fighting the urge to sigh again, Krowell closed his book. His head throbbed from upcoming headache. But instead of his temple, Krowell chose to massage the bridge of his nose. His eyes were tired much.

Ouka didn't understand about their situation, nor did she tried to understand. Well then, how would he proceed to shut this girl up, Krowell thought tiredly. He had begun regretting his decision to take this girl out.

"Ouka, I don't blame you for not understanding our country's political situation, but at that situation, provoking them was a bad move."

Krowell tried to stay calm. He really did. Patience was a thing he often practiced naturally. But each of Ouka's answer and reaction triggered annoyance; Krowell couldn't help but feel a little bit of irritation.

A prince fighting with a girl was not a pretty sight, Krowell decided. Instead of answering her, Krowell called his raven subordinate. "Find her an attendant."

The order came, crude and short. If it was anyone other than Hyuuga, the other person might have hated him. Not that he had that many friends either. His style often made people misunderstood, but he had no qualm to change. It was their own problem whether they hated him or not. At least, in his own army, he was a well respected leader.

"Konatsu's fine with you?"

Krowell considered the option for a while. The boy was slightly impatient, but maybe it would do him well for this assignment. Being with Ouka, Konatsu's patience was challenged. If it went well, Konatsu may become a better person at managing his emotion. Krowell smirked mentally.

"He's fine."

Hyuuga seemed to read his thought. The raven grinned mischievously and saluted the prince before excusing himself.

The day had yet to turn late. From behind the cover hiding the every windows, Miroku could still see a little bit of light peeking from the creak. Within the cover of darkness, Miroku sat unblinking. His eyes had long adjusted to the lack of light. And with indifferent eyes, he watched the blank look of the king.

Just a step more. Just another thing and he would be the ruler of this world. No one would be able to oppose him. Not Raggs. Not Barsburg. He would be invincible. And all he needed was one thing.

A smile graced his lips which were eaten by time. They were graying and wrinkled. But when he smiled, they smoothed just a tiny bit.

"Miroku-sama."

"What is it?" he asked and as usual, bothering not to turn to look at the other party. "Have you had good news this time?"

The man's lips curved in the darkness, and no one but himself could see or feel it. "Indeed, I have." He said with proud and triumph adorning his tone. It was hard to please his master but with this, he would surely be rewarded handsomely. What a big mistake his thought was. Miroku was never an affectionate man; never was and never will.

"The third prince had acquired a girl from the tower."

As the man expected, the news caught Miroku's attention. Swiftly turning his head, the spy watched with a smile at the light in Miroku's eyes. Licking his lips, the man spoke again, "And I have kindly invited the girl, sir."

With a snap of his finger, another man came and opened the door, revealing a young girl with pigtail and palest purple of eyes. She was brimming with confidence and her presence immediately filled the room the moment she stepped in.

"So I heard you'll help me to take Teito back?" the girl promptly asked. She hadn't bother to introduce herself. Instead, she looked irritated but hopeful.

"This Teito, is...he a friend of yours in the tower?" Miroku wasn't sure Teito was a male. His information network had mentioned about a boy in Barsburg's care, so it was rather easy to deduce the gender. If he could coerce this girl to work for him, it would be easier later to get the other one. And finally, his plan's preparation would be completed! All he had to do later was to crush both countries and made them his.

"He is not my friend. He is all I am. As is I am his."

Miroku was taken aback momentarily. The mental strength and confidence the girl emitted was no joke. Truthfully speaking, she might be the first to speak to him that way. It was refreshing, Miroku smirked.

"Then I will help you to get him back." Living secluded in a tower didn't make her instinct dull it seemed, Miroku thought, for she was giving him a suspicious stare. Maybe not without a good reason. "With a price, of course."

"Name it then."

"You must help me to obtain my wish. That is all."

For a moment longer, Ouka's suspicious stare lingered. "What is it that you want?" she inquired.

"Let us talk about that in a place more suitable, miss...?"

"Ouka."

"Ouka. I promise you I'll get Teito back for you." And the deal was made.

Ouka never knew that Miroku had never intended to play fair with her. It was not a lie that Miroku would help Ouka to take Teito back. The thing she was never told was that Miroku helped her to get his hand on both children.

"A toast for us," the old man passed her a glass with clear liquid. It smelled like apple. A very, very sweet poison. And Ouka willingly - rather happily - drank it all down.

A week after the fight, Krowell was now standing idly with unfocused gaze as the royal doctor did his job. He had told the physician that his body was recovering really well and didn't need another check over. The old man, however, glared and told him to shut up and quickly inspected his wounds. The doctor was probably one of the very rare person in this kingdom to dare to say things like this to him.

"Doc, that's quite enough," Krowell almost barked the order. The old man scrutinizing and getting paranoid over healing wounds were annoying. Really, really annoying. "I'm meeting Kreuz today."

The doctor was a bald man with little hair and shorter than Krowell by much. Putting him and Teito side by side, Krowell would say the doc was taller only by a few cm. The older man had to move a step back to crane comfortably.

"Well, well, Krowell, that is a very good news indeed!" the man slapped his shoulder playfully. Not that it hurt, but in front of his subordinates, that wasn't a very wise move. But most of them already knew that the doctor regarded the three siblings like his own children ever since the previous king's and queen's death. "I see you're getting along with your brother! It is sad that Krom's withdrawing himself from the two of you though."

"What do you know about it, doc?"

The doctor heaved a sigh. His long white overcoat rustled as he pocketed his hands and shook his head. "That right hand man of his resolutely refused to let me meet him. Though," he paused; eyes darting across the room where Hyuuga stood idly.

"He is fine." Krowell answered after reading the look.

The doctor then nodded and continued. "Some guards overseeing the castle gate told my attendants that Miroku's men had been going out a lot. Some of them actually saw one of them made a purchase at a medicine shop downtown."

"Medicine?"

The man nodded but looking grim. "I bribed the seller to sell me the same stuff. They are poison, Krowell. Although I don't know what they are making with it, but a certain weed they used has stun property. It is ingredient used to aid healing but at wrong hand, they are commonly used by criminals to hypnotize the target."

"Meaning that Krom is most likely not his own self;or rather, is a puppet currently?"

"Highly possible."

"Hmm...has you told Kreuz about this?" The older man nodded. "Then I have to visit him sooner than I thought."

Meeting his second brother wasn't something Krowell liked to do. He didn't hate Kreuz. The man was too kind and too caring, it made Krowell almost snort in disgust. And Krowell rarely ever snorted. Still, he had to get Kreuz's help. Alone, Krowell and his elite soldiers may end the fight with piles of bodies for burial. At times like these, Kreuz and his good-to-bone mercy would be helpful to prevent the gore.

The doctor, seemingly able to read his mind, mimicked his frown. "Restrain your kids, Krowell. You don't want to work this old bones to his grave."

At which Krowell responded with a wry chuckle.

It was a good thing Miroku kept abundant spare of the medicine. It was handmade and highly difficult to create one with good effect. But once he did, he could control anyone. This medicine; or poison, depending on how you see it, was truly a miracle item. Just sip from it and the girl had already fallen under his control...maybe not totally, but with a little bit of persuasion, Ouka had agreed to do his biding.

"Teito..."

The girl's eyes were not blinking and they were dull, reflecting nothing. Though, her desire to get the boy was so strong, it overrode the effect of the hypnotic nectar.

"Don't worry Ouka, you will get him. So will I." He said with a wide smile. "And now I have no more use for the King. Let us depart, my dear Ouka. Shall we go to fetch Teito?"

For a beat second, it looked like light returned to those dead eyes. This girl was truly possessed by the thought of monopolizing the boy. Be possessive as she might, in the end both of them would fall to his hands, Miroku thought with a big grin.

"Teito, let's go." Ouka's head bobbled up and down like a broken doll. It was most probably her effort to nod.

Miroku ignored the highly disturbing scene, opting to turn his back and finally walked out from the dark room. Since he had no more use for the King, it was time to make his escape. He had prepared everything. All he had to do was to find the secret door leading directly outside. Behind him, following his quick step, Ouka followed obediently.

Krowell didn't bother to knock his brother's bedroom door. Kreuz's guards silently let him pass through, never forgetting to form a perfect salute.

"Kreuz." He greeted his brother coldly that was much to his disgust, was replied rather warmly.

"Brother. Welcome," Kreuz flashed his usual kind smile. "I have been waiting for you. Shall we go?"

Krowell was slightly taken aback. It didn't sound like Kreuz to be so direct. He was usually more long-winded and always trying to speak unimportant daily activities with Krowell.

"Do you even know what I wanted to talk about?" Krowell sarcastically asked. He knew Kreuz was clear on the purpose of his visit. But Krowell simply refused to let the older brother to guess his move. He hated Kreuz too much to feel sorry. Looking back defiantly, Krowell knew it was very childish, but couldn't help himself but do it anyway.

Kreuz on the other hand never raised his voice or lost composure. With a knowing smile he sat back. "What is it then?"

"Have I ever tell you that I find your attitude greatly disturbing?"

The smile did not disappear. In fact, it turned into amused grin. "I am pretty confident to say that you're not here to tell me something I already know. It's about elder brother, isn't it?"

Krowell gave him his sharpest stare despite Kreuz not caring a bit.

"Doc has told me earlier. I have prepared everything and so, if I may surmise rather rudely, you wanted me to be the decoy, no?"

The third prince felt his eye twitched. But he wasn't about to show any change in countenance. "Indeed, you are sharp, brother. What have you found?"

If Kreuz noticed the sarcasm behind the words, he did a good job of hiding it, Krowell thought.

"There are two children."

"Pardon?"

"Two children, in the tower that you found."

This time, Krowell couldn't hide the change of his look. He was about ready to kill, if not for the fact that this person was his own very brother. "I won't ask you how in the world did you manage to find out about that."

Kreuz kept his kind smile plastered. Then with a snap of his finger, two elegantly carved cups were presented to the table in front of them. Krowell could smell herbs and flowers in the tea. His brother, ignoring his darkening look, raised his own cup to his lips and took a small sip, savoring the unique flavors.

"The thing about that tower is that the barrier won't work for ones from the royal line of either Barsburg or Raggs. I can read soul, you know. And I also know of your obsession for the tower."

"Does that mean you can see it?"

Kreuz took another sip of his tea. Then, he crossed his arms. "Clear as day. And I feel the same tugging you probably feel. All of us did."

"All of us? Krom as well?"

At the mention of their oldest sibling, Kreuz smiled sadly. "He did," Kreuz smiled sadly. "He did. The truth is, Krom had always wanted to go and reveal the secret himself. But he can't. He has a heavy responsibility for this kingdom and her people."

The news didn't made Krowell's countenance to change, but inside he was stirred. "He gave up. What about you?"

Kreuz didn't looked at him. His gaze was far, staring past the sea of trees and snow, toward the bewitched tower. "I wasn't the type to go without properly investigating the place."

"I know that. Go to the point already."

His brother merely smiled, unaffected by his rude remark. "As I investigate deeper, I found out about the truth."

"What?"

The older man turned and locked eyes. His usual tender gaze was now serious. "The truth about Scarlet Day."

Krowell looked up at his brother in disbelieve. All this time he spent for research when the truth was there all along, in front of him. Not that there was any way he could know though.

"Did you even plan on telling me?" Krowell couldn't help but ask sarcastically.

"I did. But not now. Let's just focus on saving big brother first, okay?"

The third prince searched his second brother's eyes for a while. The latter never wavered. Finally, he nodded. "You owe me the whole truth. No hiding anything!"

"I promise, brother. Let go."

Together they rose and exited the second prince's residential quarter. Behind them, several elite guards followed them in silence. Kreuz seemed not to mind them though, so Krowell shifted his attention back to the long stretched corridor in front of them.

It was really strange when the king's chamber area was so silent and lacking of maids. Their oldest brother had always loved festive, and thus his quarter was always bustling with business. But now, it was as dead as a cemetery. They didn't even get an ounce of resistance.

After fifteen minutes of walking and turning some corners, they stood in silence, staring at the wide door of gold engraved wood. It was their brother's sleep chamber.

Kreuz turned to him, communicating with his eyes. Let's go, he said.

Together, they opened the door. It gave them a loud creak of joints. The room was eerie. Their memories of Krom revealed a very kind man who loved light and crowd. As he was loved by both, unlike Krowell who was more of the creature of darkness. But this room, it was even darker and heavy than Krowell's room. Thick curtains sealed the light and the room smelled of medicine.

"Krom, brother, are you there?" Kreuz started. His feet walked toward the massive bed. "Brother!"

Krowell rushed to his second brother. What he found there was Krom, sitting in his own bed. He was still the same brother he remembered, but all light had disappeared from his eyes. Those dead eyes stared blankly into the space. He was a doll. A marionette without string.

R&R is greatly appreciated!