War of Hearts
Song by Ruelle, Yume! TsumuYane
CW: angst, drabble
“The last time I let you go, a lot of people died.”
The man in a fined suit strides over to the woman holding a blood-covered sword. His strides were purposeful even in a dark and hidden room. The memories of fire and screams tore through his mind and his found family got dragged into flames. Never again. “You're not walking out of this one, Ayane.”
The woman laughed, the sound became a sharp contrast to the man's heart. “Hm, shame. And here I thought you'd enjoy my show.” She looked at the sword and pointed it towards his chest “How else was I supposed to get your attention? ...Mr. Tsukioka”
This wasn't what the man intended. He didn't assume that the woman he loves will transform into an assassin of greed.
“Wait- you're a prince? And an assassin?! We've been on three dates and you've not bothered to tell me until then?” She asked eye-widened and her lover nodded in a shy state “Why?”
“It's very simple, my princess.” He approached her and held her hand which made the princess' heart skip a beat. “I want you to be my Queen.”
“What? Wait a minute, Ayane, you would ask me to betray my crown and my country?” The crowned prince looks with a worried face at the woman on her knees and tears on her cheeks. “Please! I can give you anything you want. Whatever you want right now, I can double it. You can have more land, fame, wealth, anything-”
”-No, your Highness!” Tsumugi said in a raised voice. The princess looked up. He went down and held her hand, already crying about how his lover is acting. “Please, don't bargain with me. I am to be king someday. We have ended our relationship a long time ago and my days of assassinating finished. I will not kill him as he is also my friend.” Tsumugi held on to Ayane's face as she sobs more.
They were both referring to Prince Chigasaki, the princess who will be marrying. They got arranged by her mother when they were young and Ayane didn't know about it until she was 18. “I accepted your past and present wholeheartedly.” Tsumugi presses his lips together and refuses “But I don't want you to get involved in something dangerous. Please understand.” He leaned to her for a hug and she responded. But then Ayane hears a chuckle and a light stroke on her hair.
“But honestly, Ayane, would you trust someone who turned their back on their home- their country for a long time- in secret for selfish gain?”
The princess immediately pushed him away. He has the smug look that he shows whenever he intends to kill or overpower his enemies. “What?”
“Who is to say they wouldn't betray you for someone better the first time they got?” He says as he remembers the time the prince showed him a picture that he didn't know. It was Prince Itaru and Ayane together in the secret part of the forest. Ayane stood up immediately and backed away “No, you're mistaken! He only-”
“He only what? Kissed you? Philandered with you? Do you think I wouldn't know why you killed him and some of his people? My darling, your reason for the murder is quite simple.” Tsumugi walked to his side counter and pulled something from the drawer. “The door is open, Ayane. It's either you leave or die. Your choice.” She looked at the dagger on his hand in fear. She looked for the doorknob and opened it, scurrying away.
The crowned prince sighed as he puts down the dagger after the princess left. “I'm sorry, Ayane.”
After a few months, news spread throughout every kingdom. There are still no answers for the thousands of mysterious murders located different villages. It said that the killer named 'Bonnie' is responsible but the police haven't found any evidence.
“The kind of name sounds new when it comes from your mouth,” Tsumugi responded. She laughed again but he only smiled at her “And I say you've got my attention very well, former princess. You've done a job well done in reducing the population in my country.”
“You say it's your country, but you got banned from the kingdom. I didn't expect that you would guess the killer in a short time.” She scoffs “Well, it had to be done. Not only did I gain your attention, but I also helped you with your problem.” Ayane responded.
Tsumugi shifted the sword away and went near the woman. Ayane can feel his breath when she looked at him and felt her hair tucked behind the ear. She blushes at the action and he laughed the way his lover had become savage but still a little soft for him “I guess I have no choice. Would you like to accept my offer of help, Bonnie?” She smiled at his question. She raised up her hand to his face and caressed it “Very much so, my Clyde.”