The children of Khun Eduan are always magnificent in their own way. It’s not surprising in any way. The Family Head is a fine warrior and his brides are always charismatic. Moreover, the environment works in favour of the fittest. All these make it impossible to find an unworthy child of Khun–a needle among hay–and eventually make everyone a possible enemy. That itself, Maschenny used to argue, was a flaw itself. If everyone was magnificent then the word simply lost its meaning. It was pure arrogance, as most things were when it came to the true daughter of Khun Eduan, but it was true.

Marco’s mother had raised him with a similar belief; there are always bigger fish in the sea. The strongest child among the Khuns was Princess Maschenny, the strongest Khun was Eduan, the strongest of the Ten was Jahad and so it went. If being the most powerful was the only way to survive, Marco would have eventually met his demise. Instead, to ensure his survival, he had always managed to stick close to a powerful ally.

No, he had no allies. Marco always followed leaders. What had begun as a tactic had grown to admiration and devotion. Marco fought and bled for those who would catch his interest, for those he respected, he was always prepared to give his life. Being a leader, however, was something much more remarkable. Being a trailblazer meant they weren’t thinking about their own survival but about ensuring their rise.

This was what he had first seen in his brief time with Maschenny. Someone who had the power to change everything, someone who stopped at nothing. Yet somewhere along the line, her hunger had been too much for nothing. There had never been a need for a noble cause but her endless bloodlust was bound to be the thing that would bring her down and Marco would hate to be caught in the crossfire.

He assumed, out of all people, someone like Maria would agree yet the girl had appeared trailing behind Maschenny two days after her victory in the competition. Maschenny had spared neither of them a glance as she had entered Eduan’s personal quarters slamming the door behind her. Maria hadn’t been standing directly behind the doors but Marco had still winced at the sight. His sister had taken a place across him, trying to fix her posture, entirely silent with only a nervous smile.

This had been the first sign of the end.

The second had come in what had been a quiet morning before the soulmate of his father had learned about Yuri Ha getting a weapon from the King while her own daughter had simply disgraced her name. Maria had rightly and foolishly tried to defend her sister, had even tried to reason that the soulmate system made their competition meaningless from the start. She had been met with various threats–to the point Marco had to step between them–before Maschenny had urged her to wait outside. Making an enemy of Eduan’s wives, especially his rightful one, was similar to making a gamble on the type of death you’ll have; violent and extremely violent.

Behind closed doors, Marco had studied the enigma that was Khun Maria and had found no answers. There had been talks about the great manipulator who tore up the Agnis branch but all Marco could see was a childlike reflection. “You’re holding her on a high pedestal,” he had told her. A friendly advice. A warning.

Maria had dared to look confused, “And what’s wrong with that?”

Neither of them had continued the conversation but Marco had bid her farewell before she left.

Some years down the line, Maria dies like she was meant to; on a mission she shouldn’t have gone, in a fight she never could have won only to prove herself. It didn’t matter whether she was doing it for Maschenny or everyone like Marco who looked at her with doubt in their eyes. The result remained in front of them–clear as day–undoubtedly definitive. Everything else about the event, or rather the consequences, however, was a different matter.

“It’s very far-stretched, don’t you think?” Eduan asks unamused. Marco can see the tension in his posture despite the misleading tone in his voice. It’s the most serious he has seen his father even if he had multiple serious talks with Maschenny in the past. In fact, Marco could still remember how he had openly mocked his daughter–a Princess–just a few months ago. No, his worry had nothing to do with Maschenny but rather her partner.

Khun Aguero Agnis, one of the abandoned sons, had walked in right next to Maschenny with unmatched determination and a foreign air. But perhaps most importantly, he had tossed several items to his father’s feet. Marco’s first thought had been that a bribe was the worst trick in the book until he saw Eduan’s expression.

The bastard had offered up things he had stolen from their treasury.

And this was what made the Family Head grant them an audience.

“You’re confused,” the Agnis kid told Eduan, “we aren’t asking for your insight on it. We already know our assumption is right.”

“That the target was the Family?”

“That the target was only one Princess and every other attempt after didn’t pose any real threat to the Princesses.”

“Which makes us believe that the purpose of this ordeal was to start the war sooner,” Maschenny smiled baring her teeth, “care to add anything, Father dearest?”

“I assure you I–”

“wasn’t the one who pulled the strings. Yes. It’s obvious. This kind of plan belongs to a coward,” a small pause, “and someone spends time thinking instead of drinking and reproducing.” Marco held back a chuckle.

“It was more of a fishing tactic to see if you knew more than you let on.”

“I see you’re both your mothers’ children,” Eduan focused his gaze on the Agnis child, “I don’t remember yours but you must have her cunningness.”

“I’ve been told I’m worse.”

“Hm, then, I believe our talk is done. Though I’m sure you have more things to return.”

“I’m afraid this will be all you get. Along with an offer.”

Maschenny leaned in and whispered something too quietly for Marco to hear. Eduan burst into laughter. “I’m touched you worry about my well-being but I’ll have to decline,” he grabbed a grape from the plate at his left, “if you’re proven right, I’ll gracefully admit defeat.”

Maschenny shoots Marco a quick glance before nodding at their father.

.

The Silver Palace is once again within reach. Less than twenty steps are separating him from the entrance but more than enough doubts to keep him in place. Bam had never been after someone’s heart, he had never wanted to be followed, but his soul was crying out at that moment. His body wanted to run, to chase, only to find itself too tired to move. The Silver Palace was always within his reach but Aguero would remain unobtainable no matter the doors he crossed.

“Stop moping, turtle.” Rak said sternly as he lightly headbutted his sides, “This is not what your leader has taught you!”

“You haven’t taught me anything though.” This earned him another hit.

“You haven’t been paying attention!” Letting Rak join him on his walk had been a terrible idea. “This is not a hunter's behaviour.”

“I thought I was a turtle.”

“A hunting turtle,” Rak explained without actually giving a proper explanation, “someone who can go see that stupid blue turtle and tell them the truth.”

“That I was framed?”

“That you’re stupid for lying in the first place!”, his gaze softened, “It can’t get worse than that. He can’t kill you.”

That fact brought little comfort. In a strange way, he would have preferred for Khun to have the ability to kill him. It would have been easier for him to show what he was willing to sacrifice just for the slim chance of a happy ending. It would have been the most effective way; if only Bam could approach and show the truth behind the lies. At least this is what he told himself.

In reality, Bam had always been a coward when it came to things that mattered.

On cue, a flash of blue appeared by the gate. Khun Ran was looking at the distance presumably waiting for someone. Their eyes met but neither made another move to acknowledge one another. There was a slim chance Aguero hadn’t told his younger brother everything he had learned judging by the way Ran was staring at him. There was visible annoyance–just like when they had been introduced–but also a hint of pity.

His Pocket dinged, a sense of deja vu rushing through him. “We need to talk about White,” Bam read out loud, “Rachel.”

“Of course, it’s that blonde turtle again.”

“She’s a victim in this one too.”

“Hmph!”

“I’ll meet you back at the house.”

“I’m coming with you!” Rak announced leaving no room for argument as he began walking away, “This time your leader will take care of things!”

“It’s the other way!”

.

The room wasn’t as spacious as he had imagined. It made sense in a way, with the amount of rooms they had, they couldn’t be big as well. Still, one would expect someone as important as the Spear Master would be living somewhere better. Or at the very least somewhere able to properly store both his weapons and personal belongings. Whether Asensio was a man of no interests other than his job or simply someone forced to become like that, Aguero didn’t know.

“I had my theories,” Marco mumbled as he grabbed a package of gums, “but then I saw Maschenny leaving so I brushed them aside.”

Aguero shut the closet storing three of Marco’s spears with a low hum. Both Khuns stood across one another with friendly smiles and kind gestures though only a fool would be able to ignore the tension in the air.

“We were supposed to have this talk together but something important came up.”

“Then I assume you’re not here to see your mother.”

“I’m afraid it’s just business today.”

“A real shame, then. You came for nothing.” Marco sat on his bed and popped a piece of gum in his mouth, “You can tell Masch that my priorities always lay with the Family.”

“And yet you serve someone like Eduan.”

Marco gave him a humourless laugh, “As opposed to Maschenny? Maria died on her stead, did she not?” –Aguero flinched slightly– “Word of advice, little brother, those stronger than you are stronger for a reason. You don’t need to understand them to know they see further than you can.”

Aguero remained silent so Marco continued, “The only difference between Maschenny and Eduan is that father has prevailed after everything whereas she is still a child trying to sit at the adults’ table.”

This time it was Aguero’s turn to laugh, only his laughter was genuine and absolutely irritating. “What a pathetic way of thinking!”

“Yo–”

“I was right though, you make an excellent ally,” he laid against the wall, “Say, do you know that Eduan openly swore loyalty to FUG and he’s only pretending to be on a neutral side to lure in those loyal to the King?”

“Such a thing never happened.”

“Oh, I know. I’m just telling you what the Jahad loyalists know. Or, if we’re being honest, what I made known to them. You know, if I was in their place, I’d think this is the perfect time for an attack against the Family Head. Who knows! This might even earn the King’s favour.”

“Are you out of your mind? The majority of the Family is loyal to Jahad. This could turn into a civil war before FUG even thinks of making its move.”

“Well then, seems like you’ll have your hands full.”

Marco clenched his fist. He let out a sigh, “And if Maschenny takes the lead–”

“Maschenny will vouch for father.”

“Huh?”

“In return, you’ll need to help us with something.” –Marco observed him carefully– “Don’t look so anxious. It’s nothing.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“No, it’s literally nothing. You’ll just be in our debt.”

“And if I betray you when the time comes?”

“Maschenny says you can be stupidly loyal. Besides,” there was a dangerous glint in his eyes, “the good of the Family is in our best interest.”

.

Bam had been surprised to see Rachel living in a place like this. There were many times when he had wondered where his dearest friend had ended up but her living an extravagant life like this one had never crossed his mind. Of course, the house they had met in paled in comparison to the Silver Palace but it still brought Bam’s own apartment–the one he shared with other six people–to shame.

Rak had briefly stopped glaring at Rachel and was instead focused on the plate of cookies in front of him. Though the fact that the two of them did not get along–despite this being their first and only real meeting–saddened him, he understood Rak’s overprotective nature. Rak had been his first real friend after Rachel and the one who had witnessed first-hand their fallout. It was normal for him to still be weary of the blonde girl but Bam hoped he would eventually forgive her as he had.

After all, once the initial feeling of betrayal had died down, Bam had understood that Rachel would never hurt him on purpose.

Rachel smiled warmly as if reading his mind, “I do feel awful for all the trouble you got in because of me.”

“I’ve told you already, there is no reason to feel guilty. I shouldn’t have let White get a hold of you in the first place.”

Rachel smiled, her eyes drifting towards Rak who was stuffing his mouth with food. “You’re always like this, Bam. Always looking out for everyone,” she took a sip from her teacup, “it’s one of the things I’ve always hated about you.”

The cup fell on the floor shattering into three large pieces. Yet that sound was drowned off by something heavier falling on the floor. Bam was immediately on his feet, running towards where Rak’s limp body had fallen. “Know that this is a less-than-ideal outcome.” Rachel said while taking one of the shards to make a big cut on her cheek, “I was counting on you doing more. I was counting on that Khun getting mad with grief and arranging your death. After all, they’re supposed to be bastards. But no, I had to get the factory-reject.”

Bam let out a big sigh of relief when he found Rak’s pulse, weak but steady. He turned towards Rachel but no words came out. The girl, the one he used to trust the most, flashed him another smile. “Then again, this must be why he’s your soulmate, right? A great misfortune. See, I told him, he should have gone for Yuri but then Maria came along and she was a much easier target. And then,” she clapped her hands, “we even got a nice little family trying to avenge her. If only you hadn’t been soulmates, it would all have worked out in time.”

“You,” his eyes widened, “you have been the one behind everything.”

  “It would be rude to get all the credit. After all, if you hadn’t taken that weapon, I doubt your sweetheart would have believed us.” In a flash, Bam ran to her and grabbed her by the throat. Rachel continued looking at him amused for a few seconds until her entire demeanour changed. She lifted her arms and tried to free herself though she wasn’t putting any real strength to it. “H-Help me!”

Before Bam could react, something sharp hit his head and soon he found himself on the ground, a heel on his chest and a needle near his eyes. “Jue Viole Grace,” a woman with dark hair dressed in white and red said, “you’re under arrest for the murder of Princess Maria Jahad.”

.

“How have the tables turned,” Shibisu smirked as he placed his card on the table. Without breaking eye contact, Anaak sighed and placed her own card on top of it. Another Wild Draw 4. Hatz followed suit, making the sum that of twelve cards. “You can’t stack!”

“Everybody stacks in UNO.”

“It’s against the rules.”

“Didn’t you stack in the previous round?” Kiseia cut in, changing the page of the magazine she was reading. “Admit defeat and preserve your dignity.”

“It’s too late for that.”

“Anaak! Show your father some respect!” –Hwaryun offered him a pat on the back– “Betrayed by my kin!”

“Isn’t it almost time for your favourite show?” Hatz asked causing Shibisu to stop his dramatic act and turn on the tv at full volume. Anaak gave him a nod of approval and they continued their match.

“Kiseia,” –the Khun girl hummed in response– “your Pocket.”

Kiseia followed Hwaryun’s gaze and saw her Pocket lighting up, a soft sound escaping it though it was almost impossible to hear with how loud Shibisu’s show was.

Then, there was only ringing in their ears.

.

“Turn it down, won’t you? We’re trying to be stealthy.”

“I’m only being contacted for important things.” She looked at the caller’s ID and saw Aguero’s name, “But I suppose it can wait.”

Hachuling seemed satisfied and continued making his way through the crowd. This had been their first and biggest lead; Hachuling tracking Jinsung’s Pocket. Though if they were being technical, Hachuling had been trying to track it for quite some time without any luck which meant the device had only been activated now. Presumably by the true culprit behind everything who had foolishly thought he could escape by train.

Not only a coward but an idiot as well. Maschenny was seething at the thought of someone like that being the mastermind behind her troubles. Although she had assured Hachuling she wouldn’t take any drastic measures, she was ready to make the bastard pay tenfold before even thinking about sending him to justice. After all, at the end of the day, if a mere human like Jahad could play King and God, she could play judicator and executioner.

“Here,” Hachuling said as a wagon approached the platform.

“How underwhelming,” Maschenny mumbled under her breath, “I’m stopping it.”

“It’s already stopping! And we don’t want to alert them.”

“Let them be alerted, I want to feel their fear.” She threw a spear on the tracks, getting it stuck on the wheels and stopping the train a few feet away from where it was supposed to be. The other people in the station had suddenly become aware of the Princess’ presence. Ignoring her brother’s curses, she jumped on the platform and gave the door a light kick to open it. All around her were the faces of regular people, people who couldn’t possibly be who she was looking for. The annoyance was almost too much to handle until–

“You,” it wasn’t her voice that had quietly breathed the word. Of course, it wasn’t. Even if it was momentarily, she knew that her ability to speak had been lost as if every word that yearned to leave her throat was forcefully shoved back.

She heard Hachuling panting from the exercise. He was behind her for sure. Probably frozen in place like her.

“Jinsung Ha.”