In contrast to Tenebris, the halls of Umbra were open and free, an observation Taehyung noted when he glimpsed the marble thresholds towering over him as he strolled through the vacant courtyards dotted with wilting flowers swaying under the gleam of the stars.

Autumn had arrived later than Taehyung had expected. In Tenebris, the first hints of the changing seasons were stark: the shifting winds, the crisp breeze, the lack of common birds roaming the sky. But in Umbra, the changes were quite subtle, a shock for a kingdom famed for its everlasting winters and frost-barren wastelands. The only implication of the upcoming age of Caidus was the sprouting frost lilies. They were indigenous to the Scorching Frosts down south but had traveled northward by the high winds and the migrating flocks. Or so the Umbran legends claim.

Many differences divided the nations even when Taehyung only considered one season—one aspect of thousands. But nothing could compare to the contrast as clear as the dark sky: the celebration of Caelic tradition, the celebration of Caidadh.

Taehyung wasn't one fond of tradition. Tenebrans, in general, had no interest in Caelic practices, and that was a following of a precedent set by King Tenotus long ago during the first waves of Lux's Conquests of Light. After establishing the Tenotus Wall stretching across Tenebris, the kingdom and its people were isolated from the rest of Kartas. And visiting Umbra had opened Taehyung's eyes to that fact more than ever before.

Nonetheless, he enjoyed the walks in the castle and tried to ease his mind from his current troubles, but that plan didn't work. It took more than a calming walk to unsee the sight of death, especially one of a beloved. Taehyung's face itched, remnants of the Royal Council washing over him. He shook the reminders away.

Mourning would help no one, and a silent pact seemed to form within the castle walls. According to his guards, news of the sovereigns' deaths didn't spread to the commoners. The decision was Mother Erna's and a Sapientian ambassador named Sanon Ashkiba's, the same man who had called Mother Erna the day of the assassination.

It was a smart move on Mother Erna's part that made Taeyhung admire her further. She was living up to her name, and Taehyung was glad for it.

As for the other princes, there couldn't be a greater mess. While Taehyung spent his time wandering the castle halls and taking in the autumn scenery, he had gathered some information from the whispering servants, who were shy but delighted when he approached them with a boxy smile.

They told him every rumor bouncing between the guards and servants, from Jimin waking up from his injuries to Yoongi marching to Mother Erna's chambers only to be rebuffed. It was fascinating how fast rumors spread. Despite the differences between Tenebris and Umbra, that one human trait remained the same.

At night, though, there were no servants to approach and charm with a smile, so Taehyung marveled at the nascent lilies and pondered the other princes in his head. It was best to keep low and gather as much as possible about the other princes. The more he knew, the more he was prepared, and the other princes must be doing the same since it was only a matter of time before the princes of Vita and Lux arrived.

Missives to each respective kingdom were sent, detailing the assassination and imploring the princes to travel to Umbra immediately. By now, the one to Lux was long overdue, and the Prince of Lux should already be here, yet he was nowhere to be found. It wasn't a surprise. Everyone expected as much from Lux.

On the other hand, the one to Vita would have just arrived, and the next heir to the Vitan throne would be on his way to Umbra. If he took to the skies, he would take less than a week to reach the far south. By land, a fortnight.

Whatever the Prince of Vita chose, it didn't matter. Time was of the essence, but the Prince of Lux was a cause for delay. No one expected him to come, anyway.

On the topic of missives, Taehyung's mind wandered to the letters he sent home, and he wondered if his siblings were in good health. Only they would be informed about the sovereigns' deaths. And for extra measures, Taehyung had advised them to increase the guards at the wall and the port cities to the east. There was no saying which kingdom was next, but Taehyung could prepare.

And Umbra was following suit. The guards in the castle increased, most notably around Jimin and Mother Erna—although, near her, they kept their distance. Sylvia was also on close watch. Apparently, she had survived and was now the only witness. If she awoke, she could identify the perpetrator, if the murderer who killed the sovereigns was the same as the one who attacked her. Taehyung highly doubted it, but he couldn't help but let his heart pursue hope.

And that was why he walked through the halls every day and night—because he hoped he would wake from a horrible nightmare. But he was only disappointed because he never woke up. His nightmare continued its routine with nothing special occurring until Yoongi appeared, turning the corner ahead and stopping in his tracks at the sight of Taehyung.

The encounter wasn't exactly a shock—Taehyung was on one of the routes to Mother Erna's chambers—but it was the middle of the night. So it was an unfortunate coincidence that Taehyung cursed when Yoongi scowled and slowly walked forward.

"I heard you roam the halls aimlessly day in and day out. I didn't expect you to roam at night," Yoongi said, a little smug for a person doing exactly what he was denouncing Taehyung for.

Taehyung didn't know how to react, so he threw a hit of his own. "I heard you frequent Mother Erna's chambers, begging for something she refuses to hand you."

There was a twitch in Yoongi's eyes and a second of confusion that was quickly swept away with realization. "So you associate yourself with the servants."

The vaguest hint of contempt rang through the air. Holding in a scoff, Taehyung retorted, "I'd rather associate than be shunned."

Yoongi's eyes narrowed as a moment of silence passed. Taehyung stared at Yoongi, who returned his gaze with disdain. Rolling his left shoulder and adjusting his sling, Yoongi grumbled. "How like you to resort to cheap jabs at my pride."

Taehyung bristled. "Is there something you have to say to me?"

Yoongi's glare was paralyzing. "To you? No."

"Then why even approach me?" They stared at each other, the dark brown of Yoongi's eyes glinting red. Taehyung flinched. It reminded him of their first encounter all those years ago, and connecting the dots, Taehyung finally scoffed, shaking his head. "The past is in the past. Whether you forgive history is not my problem. Search for someone else to take your rage out on."

Clenching his jaw, Yoongi raised his head. "History is not to be forgiven. It is to be taught and remembered, so those who learn can scorn the mistakes of their ancestors and rise to become someone who can surpass them. But how unfortunate it is that history is so easy to change with just a quiver of a pen. You of all people should know this the best."

Taehyung stilled, his eyes going wide. They stood opposite each other, the moonlight glaring over their hair, the breeze weaving between the marble pillars of the halls, shimmying between them and rippling over the fabric of their clothes.

A stiff, tense silence reigned until Taehyug broke the lull in the conversation and said, "I say forgive but not forget. That ideology of yours traps you in your own chains."

The beginnings of a smile threatened to curl on Yoongi's twitching lips. "That which is forgiven is bound to be forgotten, and if chains are the price I pay, then so be it. There are many misdeeds I must remember before letting them go so soon."

Seeing the glowing wrath in Yoongi's eyes, Taehyung remembered the blazing flames licking up his arms and the piercing scream ringing in his ears. He stepped back. "I see."

Eyeing Taehyung, Yoongi clicked his tongue and brushed past him. Before walking the rest of the way, without turning around, he said, "I don't expect you to understand me because I don't understand you. But I'd appreciate it if we never crossed paths again. Seeing you doesn't do me any favors."

When Yoongi disappeared behind the corner, Taehyung released the breath he had been holding and slumped against the wall. Running his palms down his face, he groaned as he slid to the ground.

In the courtyard, the frost lilies swayed in the howling winds, waving at him like hands in a crowd. He scoffed. "Was that fun to watch?"

The wind blew harder, and the lilies waved faster.

"Of course," Taehyung grumbled, tilting his head back against the wall.

From recounting the same thoughts he had for what felt like a decade to actually initiating a conversation with Yoongi of all people, Taehyung's calm walk was officially ruined. As he stared at the blank sky, he wondered, of all things, how his siblings were doing.

* * *

Two was out by the gardens, where she and Jungkook promised to meet, kicking lost pebbles into the bushes and counting the number of times they bounced off the ground. Her current record was eight, and she was trying to beat it. She kicked another one, and it skipped seven times before dying to a roll. She clicked her tongue.

Jungkook was late, and that surprised her again. When she thought of royalty, she thought of punctuality, but apparently, Jungkook didn't believe that. Recalling the Royal Council and how the King of Lux was the last to arrive, Two couldn't help but draw parallels. Kicking another pebble, she muttered, "Well, the apple didn't fall far from the tree."

The moon was veiled by gray clouds, a benefit that would hide them in the streets, and before they faded, Jungkook needed to arrive. But he was nowhere to be found. Two peeked over the bushes but couldn't see the tuft of brown hair anywhere.

"Where are you, Princeling?" she huffed under her breath. There were no more pebbles, so she resorted to kicking the grass instead as she peeked at the tower a couple of times. The windows were devoid of light, and a pair of guards exited from the tower's front entrance, changing shifts with another.

The possibility of Jungkook getting caught crossed her mind, but she was quick to shake that thought away. It was his castle. He must know his way around. Fixated on the tower and guards, she didn't sense the person behind her until a finger tapped her shoulder.

She flinched. Immediately, she twisted the person's hand, knocked them to the ground, and pinned their arm behind their back. When the adrenaline cleared, she noticed it was Jungkook. Then, she noticed he was whisper-shouting in agony, but that was outmatched by the pain lancing up her shoulder. Gasping, she lost her hold on Jungkook's arm and fell to her side, clutching her shoulder.

The blood contract on her forearm glowed red—Two could see the faint light beneath her sleeve. The pain was more potent than she had anticipated. With a noise of pain, Jungkook sat up.

"I apologize for startling you," he said, half out of breath, half stunned.

Two scowled, about to scold him about how he shouldn't have approached her in that manner, but holding it in, she waved it off and shook her head. The longer she stayed here, the more she was reluctant to add to the ever-growing list of her treacherous acts against he who had her life in his hands. "Just be more cautious next time. Are you ready?"

Jungkook, who was massaging his shoulder up until that point, stilled. He hesitated but nodded with resolution. "Yes. I'm ready."

Then it was time. Standing, Two offered a hand and lifted Jungkook to his feet. They faced the garden wall. Two gulped. There was no turning back now, and all she could do was hope Lucius didn't kill them.