Malia

Captain Jared and some officer? Let me act surprised.

"So if this was all happening under Gus' nose, that means Vaea doesn't trust him, since he's getting other people to do his dirty work," Malia realized. "We need to tell him. Do you remember their names? What exactly do you remember?"

Finn watched over Malia's shoulders. People were running out of the community hall. He took her arm and dragged them away. "Let's go somewhere else to talk. No offense to everyone else but you're dressed like you could buy this entire neighbourhood. That's not the kind of attention we need right now."

They ducked into a bend between the limestone houses, with someone knocking straight into Malia. The force sent her hat flopping off her head, and she looked up into a familiar face that sent her blood boiling.

Sud's mouth plopped open like a fish as his eyes went wide. "M-Malia? W-What are you doing here?"

Malia clenched her fist and forced a smile. "Hey, Sud. I bet you thought you'd never see me ever again, huh?"

Sud stared at her like a cornered dog, his eyes darting around nervously. He twisted and tried to break into a run away from them, but Malia launched her arm out and caught onto his collar. He was yanked back, the force of her pull sending him falling straight onto the stone path. Malia pushed him up against the wall with her boot in the centre of his chest.

"Oh no you don't," she said with a hiss. "Running away again? I'll make sure you don't get any reward money this time."

Finn stared in confusion at the scene, checking behind them if anyone was nearby. "Malia, what are you doing? What's the deal with this bloke?" He asked.

Sud shivered under Malia's hold, infuriating her even more. He was a little weasel. "This asshole was the one who betrayed us. He's the reason Sina's treehouse was burned down and the reason she lost EVERYTHING!"

"I-I'm sorry!" Sud whined out. "I-I was scared. I didn't want to go to jail!"

"So you betrayed Sina? I was not your problem at all. You could have perfectly gotten away with being an accomplice! Sina gave you your share and you still abused her kindness by outting her to the police. You're scum!"

"I really am sorry!" Sud cried out. "Please just let me go! I learnt my lesson! I won't tell anyone I saw you I promise!"

Malia gave a twisted smile. "Damn right you won't. You won't get the chance to."

Sud's face went pale at her threatening words. He even got chicken skin. Finn took her by the shoulder warningly. "You aren't going to kill him, are you?" He asked. "Not to be a killjoy but this isn't the time nor place to murder someone."

"I'm not a murderer." Malia scowled, then smiled at Sud again. "I won't kill him, not yet anyway."

"That sounds like a very murderous thing to say," Finn said.

"No please!" Sud started fake sobbing. He was making noise but absolutely no tears were present on his weasel face. "Don't hurt me. Your mother will be disappointed and everyone will shun her! You don't want that to happen, right? Please, Malia, I know you're better than this!"

"How dare you bring up my mother, you bumhead!" Malia shrieked in rage. She raised her fist and was about to pummel the top of his head but stopped herself. "You know what? Fine. I won't hurt you."

Sud's "sobbing" halted and his entire face brightened. "Really? Thank you thank you so much! I knew you weren't that b—"

Malia didn't give him a chance to finish, swinging her foot across his face. Sud was knocked straight out, his body falling limp onto the path. Finn blinked slowly.

"I'm starting to think you have a problem with violence," he muttered.

Malia rolled her shoulders back and bent down to pick up her hat from the floor. "I only have a problem with traitors. And people named Vaea."

"Fair enough."

They left Sud in the alley and continued on for a good spot to talk. Eventually Malia pulled Finn into a bar just outside of the district. It was close to the flea market and more wealthy neighborhoods of Kahele, so naturally it was filled with everything from tourists to policemen.

Mokes Place, it was called. Malia's father used to say only tough people frequented the bar. Local troublemakers who shouldn't be messed with. The bar was typically quiet in the afternoons, it was at night when it became notorious for brawls. It was the perfect place for them to sit down and plot.

Eyes watched them as they entered, Finn garnering more attention for his appearance. Malia lead them to the back of the bar to a secluded booth. Finn stared in wonder at the seashells and maritime decor that graced the walls and interior.

"Damn, this place is nice. You're a better tour guide than Halo. I was supposed to see the beach ages ago," Finn said.

"I don't have any money so I can't treat you to a meal, but that's not what we're here for anyway," Malia replied with a snort. "Now get to talking. You said Captain Jared and that police officer were the ones that kept you locked up?"

Finn straightened himself, leaning in like some kind of gang boss.

"So I'm sure you know already, Vaea was the reason I ended up in the warehouse in the first place. He hit me over the head after going off on a tangent about how much he wants to make Halo miserable. When I woke up, I was tied up in a barrel. I tried to escape but when I got out, Captain Jared splashed me with this liquid in a bottle."

"A potion?" Malia interrupted with wide eyes. Finn nodded.

"One of those things, yeah. It made me tired instantly, I felt my arms and legs go lame—"

"—must have been a Weakening Potion."

"You tell me. Anyway, I watched him and that policeman stuff me right back into the barrel till we got to the warehouse. They were with that merchant, talking all sorts of schemes. The day I arrived a batch of people were taken away and cleared out. I didn't get the exact name, but the Merchant called where they were going The Forbidden City."

Malia couldn't believe her ears. To think that they had missed the people they were taken away. Now only the Goddesses knew where they were and if they were still alive.

"That's sick," she uttered in disgust. "I can't believe people that far up are involved in shit like this. I knew they were awful people but wow."

Finn sighed. "I don't know much about anything when it comes to this country, but I will say, getting kidnapped is not one of the things I expected to happen to me."

Malia took her hat off and ran her fingers through her hair, causing the sage strands to fall in her face. "We need to find Halo and Gus immediately. We need to tell them what you know. Gus will be able to get us info on Captain Jared and that policeman."

"And then what?"

Malia gave Finn a look. "Then we save the people who got taken away, duh. If there's a codename for the place they went, someone has to know something."

Finn nodded simply. "Righto. Though I doubt the two of us can go to the palace and request an audience. We'll just have to wait."

Waiting. Malia hated it. The waiting game was a set up for failure. She could only imagine what those poor people were going through. She wondered if they had been slower with their rescue, would Sika and everyone else be shipped off as well.

"Do you think they're okay?" Malia asked softly. "I bet they're sad and miss their families."

Finn had a distant look on his face. Malia interpreted it as sad, since she hadn't seen much expression from the guy.

"There was a man who was screaming on the way out. I was in the back and I could still hear his screams all the way outside. He wanted them to take just him. I think they kidnapped his daughter as well. And he begged endlessly. Wherever they are, I know they're suffering."

Anger and sadness hit her at once. Malia wanted to cry out of frustration. It wasn't fair. And no one would do anything about it unless they did.

"The first time I got in trouble, Vaea let his guards beat me while I was tied to a pole," she confessed. "I broke Captain Jared's nose when he attacked one of the people who live in my district. Vaea laughed at me and told me he'd watch me and all those I care about. If he's willing to do this to you, someone he barely knows... I can't even think—"

She stopped herself from finishing, not wanting that thought into the air. It made her sick, she genuinely lost all appetite. Finn could only stare at her thoughtfully, not even needing more information. He knew what she was getting at.

She just wanted to talk to Halo.

"We need to do something now," Malia said and stood up from her seat. Finn's eyes widened. "I'm going to see Halo."

"What? At the palace?" Finn blinked slowly.

Malia nodded. A burst of energy was in her veins again. She wasn't sure if it was the panic or determination. Maybe it was both.

"I'll break in. You don't have to come with me, but I don't think we can delay this info anymore."

Finn held out a hand to calm her down. "Hold on, before you march over there and make a scene, think about things first. Let's make an actual plan."

But her thoughts were already running away from her. Malia couldn't help herself when she started. Once her thoughts manifested into action, she couldn't simply stop in her tracks.

"Maybe I should turn myself in," she suggested. "Then I'll be able to tell both him and Gus."

Finn groaned. "You'd also get executed. You know I'm starting to see why your other friend makes the plans."

"Hey!" Malia scowled, but couldn't even really be offended. There was a reason Sina fool-proofed her plans. But that didn't change the fact that they needed to do something very soon.

There was a loud crash in the bar, coming from the complete other side. A large, muscular man stood up from his seat, squaring up with another man under the light.

"Hit me!" One of them shouted. "Come on, hit me. I'm worthless right? So just hit me!"

"Relax, hupo! I just asked you to stop crying so I could actually hear myself think. You crazy or what?" The other guy asked incredulously.

Everyone awkwardly paused in whatever they were doing to watch the scene. They were so far back so Malia couldn't see the other guy properly, but something in his voice was familiar.

"Look, I really think it would be better if you just hit me," the second man said. "I won't stop crying until you do. So make me!"

"Is that... Halo?" Finn rose up from his seat as well. His eyes nearly popped. "Oh, chuffin' Hell it is."

"That's Halo?" Malia could barely get her words out before Finn jumped over the booth and ran for the two men. Malia scampered after, lifting her dress awkwardly to not fall over.

And by all that was Holy, it was in fact Halo begging some man to punch him.

"What's going on here?" Finn asked when they got there. Halo's face was drenched and swollen with tears, and he reeked of alcohol. He could barely stand up either, he was leaned against a pillar while the other man awkwardly stood away from him.

"This guy started begging me to beat him up and all I asked was that he cry quieter," the man said with a scowl.

Why was Halo crying? Vaea must have said something mean. Malia cursed him in her head.

"Well, thank you for not punching him!" She flashed a smile at the man. "He's our friend and by the looks of it, very drunk. We'll get him out of your way."

Malia and Finn took Halo by his biceps, throwing both his arms over their shoulders. They carried him all the way back to their booth, making Halo sit against the wall next to Malia.

He flopped over onto the table, sobbing softly against the top. Malia and Finn shared confused looks.

"Well, I guess I don't have to break into the palace anymore," Malia said awkwardly. She lightly tapped his shoulder. "Halo? Are you okay?"

"I wanna die," he sniffled. "Please kill me."

"Did Vaea hurt you?" Finn asked him worriedly. "What happened, Halo?"

Malia had never seen the Prince cry. She'd seen him distressed, but never this distraught. It was hard to watch.

"S-She loves him," Halo choked out. "S-She's always loved him. I'm nothing. I've always been nothing."

"What?" Malia muttered. He was talking in riddles. Who loved who? There could only be a few women who'd make him cry, right?

Realization dawned on her face.

Finn noticed it, raising an eyebrow at her. "Do you know what's going on?"

"Leilani. He's talking about Leilani," Malia said, then rubbed Halo's shoulder comfortingly again. "Who does she love?"

Halo sat up quickly, making her hand pull away. He looked up at them like a man possessed by the most depressed demon you've ever seen. His eyelids drooped, and his face shone with tears.

"Vaea," he muttered. "She loves Vaea."

"She cheated on you?!" Finn and Malia both asked in unison, making heads turn in the bar. They shared another look of complete confusion. This couldn't be true right?

"What do you mean, Halo?" Malia asked. "Did you see them together or something?"

He wrinkled his nose, sniffling. "No, she told me herself. I want to hurt him, Malia. I want to hurt him so badly. He took her away from me."

Finn ran his hand over his face. "I can't believe this actually."

"Me neither," Malia muttered in disbelief. "Her entire family was exiled by him, why would she be in love with him?"

Halo let out a distraught laugh. It was joyless, and sounded like he would break into sobs all over again. "It was never me," he said inbetween the chuckles. "She always loved him. I was just... the placeholder. They... they made a fool out of me."

Halo turned his body to Malia, leaning forward till she could smell the rum on his collar. "Can you kill them for me? Or something?" He asked whoozily. Malia couldn't even answer before he fell onto her, his body landing over her lap.

The immature side of her became giddy. The Prince of Kukoa was on her lap. But then the sane side of her started calling the other side crazy. Halo was clearly in pain, now was no time to entertain that crush of hers.

It's finally my time to shine.

Shut up brain!

"He can't go back to the palace like that," Finn said. "He'll say something crazy. Does he have his wallet on him? Let's go to a hotel or something."

"There's a inn nearby, but it's really creepy," Malia said, feeling the prince's pockets. She pulled his wallet out and tossed it at Finn.

"Anything will do. Let's get Mr Heartbroken out of here."

They lifted Halo out of the booth, carrying him all the way out of the bar. To any passerbys, it just looked like a foreigner and some rich lady carrying their drunk friend.

As the sun started to set, darkness loomed over the streets of Kahele. The orange glow of lamps fell on the path as they walked toward the inn. The sound of distant waves from the beach could be heard. Luckily they were outside the Kiribati district, so there was no overwhelming police presence that could demand to know your whereabouts at any given moment.

The Shishi inn was on the left to them, looking rundown and abandoned as usual. It was the go-to inn for non-wealthy tourists. It's like crickets could be heard as they stepped inside, the receptionist even asleep at the counter.

"Let's pay tomorrow morning," Malia whispered. She snuck around the counter and stole two keys from the wall, tiptoeing back to Finn. He shook his head at her but said nothing.

She hadn't really thought of their sleeping arrangements, assuming that Finn would sleep in the same room as Halo. But when he took the single room, Malia was left to wonder what to do.

"Do you mind putting him to bed?" Finn asked her when he unlocked his door. "Or would that be weird for you?"

"Isn't he your friend?" Malia asked, not being able to stop herself.

"Isn't he your friend as well?" Finn narrowed his eyes. "Nevermind, I can't trust you."

"Nononono," she quickly said with a smile. "I never said I wouldn't. I'd do a lovely job. I'm great at dealing with people's feelings."

Finn snorted. "I'll ask your other friends if that's true. I'll come get him right after I take a shower. You lay him down while I do that."

Malia wanted to argue, but Finn had wrapped Halo's arms around her neck so she could barely stand up properly. She dragged him into the other room, plopping him onto the bed with difficulty. He ended up sliding off the edge and hitting the mat-less wooden floor.

"Oh damn, Halo I'm so sorry!" She whispered and tried to pull him back up. Halo only blinked slowly, seeming to have woken up as she propped him up on a pillow. He looked up at her face, reaching out to touch it confusedly. Malia froze as his fingers lightly caressed her cheek.

"Am I dreaming?" He asked softly. Malia's heart was suddenly beating very fast. "You're so beautiful."

Malia gulped. Oh, this was a bad idea.

"Go to sleep, your highness," she urged him gently. "You've had a bad day."

"Why doesn't she want me?" He asked, his lips pouting. His dark eyes glossed over under the light like he would cry again. "Am I not good enough?"

Malia frowned at his words. "Don't say that," she said. "You are good enough. You're awesome."

"But she doesn't want me?"

Malia sighed. Why did she have to be the one doing this. It felt unfair, this was close to torture. She'd rather hang out with Sud.

"I don't know what happened, Prince. But whatever happened, it doesn't mean you're worthless. It just means that Leilani doesn't know what she lost."

It's like Halo didn't hear a word she said. "I still love her," he sniffled.

Malia didn't know what to say to that. Instead she grabbed the duvet, pulling it over his body until it reached his neck. She gestured to a chair nearby.

"I'll be on that if you need anything. Tell me if you want to throw up, kay?"

"Are you an angel?" He called after her as she walked away. Malia only smiled.

"Only yours, if you'll let me be."

Silence. The Prince passed out. Malia released a hidden breath. Thank goodness. She hoped to the Goddesses that Halo wouldn't remember a single thing tomorrow.

***

Vaea

Vaea took a long sip of his glass of peach wine, smiling as he gazed outside the window in his office. It wasn't often that he was this happy, but when it came, Goddess it felt like being on top of the world.

I win. You lose.

He glanced at the picture of his father and mother on the wall. A smirk found his face when he met his father's stern eyes. Even though he smiled, you could still see the strictness behind his artificial gaze.

"People are going to forget you," he said confidently. "They'll forget everything about you. But they will remember me. The boy who defied fate. The Unwanted King that brought this nation to victory. They'll forget all about you, father."

The painting didn't respond, unfortunately. But Vaea wished that it would. He wanted to see his father burst a vein at how far he'd come. He wanted to rub it in his stubborn face. It was a shame he had to die before he saw Vaea bring his worst nightmare to life.

He chuckled to himself. To think that Makoa always said he would be the failure when Halo existed. The boy who couldn't memorize government structure or any law to save himself from a beating, but who would remember the types of rabbits native to Kukoa.

Where did that moron run off to anyway?

Oh yes, he went to Leilani. Vaea swallowed the last gulp of his wine. Mm, surely by now Leilani would have made her intentions clear. Halo must have been failing miserably.

"Oh how I wish I could see it," Vaea sighed to himself. He eyed his father again. "Old man, you need to watch over your eldest son. He's a bit of a loser. Why don't you guide him to a woman he's actually worthy of? He's making a fool of himself, as usual."

Why did anyone ever think he had a chance at literally anything?

A knock came on his door at that moment, making Vaea roll his eyes. He sent out people into the town to check the state of his affairs, and it was about time they got back.

Instead of seeing Captain Jared when the door opened, it was Nayako, one of his trusted maids.

A smile reached his eyes. "Is her room prepared?"

Nayako bowed her head and nodded. "Yes, your majesty. Miss Hira's room is fully prepared with all her necessities. She may move in whenever she pleases."

"Perfect!" Vaea cheered. "I think we should properly celebrate this, shouldn't we? I'm going to be a married man soon."

He put a finger to his lip thoughtfully. "I should probably make it known to the palace first, shouldn't I? Do you reckon people will approve?"

Nayako had been the first and only person to catch Leilani and Vaea when they snuck around. It was a summer evening, and Vaea's father had invited the Hira family for supper. Leilani took many 'breaks' to refresh her hair and make up, and often times those breaks occured in Vaea's room when he fell 'ill'.

Unfortunately Nayako walked in on Leilani nursing Vaea back to health. It was embarrassing, but after a lengthy explanation, she knew she had to keep her lips sealed.

"If you say a single thing, I'll make sure your son gets transferred to the front line at Holova this instant. You think he'll survive there? He'll become cannon fodder like the rest of the Feiglings."

Nayako smiled with obvious discomfort. "I am sure there are people who will be happy for you, your majesty. Miss Hira and you are a good fit. She will make a fine Consort."

"Mmm, you're right. But the only way I'll really know is if my mother speaks to her. How long do you think I should hold out before allowing her to return to the palace?"

Nayako's smile faded quickly. "Your majesty... Consort Finui's return will garner lots of negative public opinion. Perhaps—"

"I can't keep caring about what they think," Vaea interrupted abruptly and rolled his eyes. "Do you think I want to get married without my mother? The people will overcome their bias. Once upon a time they couldn't handle me becoming King either."

"Yes, but your majesty, you didn't murder anyone..."

Nayako's voice drifted as Vaea sent a glare her way. She immediately started frantically apologising. Annoying, Vaea thought. She could have at least had the guts to stick to her words. He hated cowards.

"Nayako, why don't you do something worthwhile and go feed Halo's bunnies some avocado?" He sent her off, waving her out of the room. Nayako immediately took her leave, still apologizing under her breath.

Before she could close the door, Captain Jared slid between the gap.

"Finally!" Vaea groaned and fell into his chair. "I've been waiting all day on news. Tell me it's good or I'll be very upset."

Captain Jared sighed, a long sigh. Vaea knew he was going to get the world's longest story.

"Your majesty, Tane said the big-landers aren't happy with what happened at the docks. The people are aware as well. All the stock have returned to their respective families—"

"Do they remember your faces?" Vaea interrupted, already scowling.

Captain Jared shook his head. "We never exposed ourselves to anyone, your Majesty. They don't remember anything. But... you must know two things. You won't like either of them."

Vaea massaged his temples and sighed. Goddess, imagine a world where his plans weren't ruined by his stupid brother. "Tell me the worst first."

"Malia Lui was at the scene."

Vaea's body paused in its action, seeming to rapidly heat up. It's like all the blood in his veins rushed to his head, making them pulse with his quickening anger.

"What?" He forced through clenched teeth.

Captain Jared frowned. "It seems like Marshall Na failed to arrest her once again. She was at the warehouse. One of the stock claimed to have been saved by her. She was even rallying for her return to the community."

Augus and Halo were at that same... did they... were they... no...

There was no way Halo could have betr—nevermind.

"Of-fucking-course!" Vaea spat. "I wonder how she could have escaped our impenetrable dungeon. It must have been him. I fucking swear—"

How would he make him pay? He had no proof. But he would get it. And when he had solid proof his brother was a definite traitor, he could do what his mother warned him to do for months.

"Do you think she saw Marshall Na there?" Vaea asked, his jaw tight as he glowered at Captain Jared. "Do you think they're all working together?"

"The problems started when Prince Halo returned, your Majesty, with all due respect," Captain Jared said. "Marshall Na would not betray you. He is not that foolish. He knows you and respects you far too much for that. I think he doesn't know what he got into. He would not align himself with the likes of Malia Lui no matter what. I remember him saying he would do anything to catch her, even lure her out."

Vaea's temples throbbed. This was too much to process. "So Halo is the problem then. Of course he is. He didn't want me to kill her so he must have snuck her out of the palace. I don't understand this at all, why risk execution yourself for some lowly Sai wench? Is my brother really that foolish?"

"It must have been because of that foreigner as well, your Majesty."

Vaea hummed. "You're right, he did throw a damn hissy fit when I told him the foreigner was gone."

Damn it. So Halo was really going to be a nail in his thumb then?

"Fine, that's the game he wants to play? He's forgetting I'm a lot smarter than he is." Vaea let out a haughty laugh. "I bet once I follow him, I'll be led to everything. That's what you're going to do, Captain Jared. Make sure some people follow my brother from now on. No matter where he goes, you make sure to trail him."

Captain Jared nodded. "Understood, your Majesty. What of Marshall Na?"

Vaea bit on his lip. "You know what? I'll deal with Marshall Na. Let's see how much slides by before he starts to fail."

Captain Jared noted everything down. "Another thing you should know, your Majesty. The Continentals were upset that you didn't meet the quota for the month. Because of the lost stock, they're refusing to pay the full profit."

Vaea gritted through his teeth. Another direct problem caused by that green-haired witch. He wished he could grab her by the throat and evaporate her entire air supply.

"They should be lucky they even get to trade in this country," Vaea scoffed. "Those disgusting foreigners think they can deny me, the King of one of the greatest islands in the Golden Isles—a full profit? I don't care if their stupid quota wasn't met. They enjoy far too many benefits in this damn country to deny me anything."

Captain Jared looked lost. How fucking useless was he too. "What do you wish for me to tell Tane, your Majesty?"

"He has to rectify this obviously!" Vaea snapped. "It's not my fault these stupid foreigners decided to use local gangs as fucking security. Now it's my fault their warehouse got destroyed? May Alya and Avani look down on them."

"How much of the stock was lost anyway?"

"About everyone who was at the warehouse at the time, your Majesty. So about fifty people. They were meant to work at the Continental stronghold."

Vaea rolled his eyes again. "They're so weakboned they need our people to work for them. Our poorest too, how pathetic are they? Anyway, tell Tane I refuse to reimburse them. They were negligent, and should have hired stronger security. I won't take responsibility for what some terrorist has done."

"Tane said there would be consequences—"

"Consequences? On my land?" Vaea's voice rose. "You tell those Continentals they'll take exactly what I'll give them. If they don't accept my conditions, I'll be glad to strike horns with them. Assure them that I've never lost in my life."

He had never lost before—and he wouldn't start now.

***

A/N: Some light (?) and questionable fluff + Drama as per usual XD