Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Heated Encounters
Aki stared at his window which displayed another gloomy day with darker clouds than usual. It would likely get only colder for the day. In his warm sheets, he dreaded leaving it to embrace his cold room.
"I just want to take a break, this weather always ruins my days…" he complained before forcing himself out of bed and making up his bed. There was no greater motivation than miserable, slow mornings.
"If you want a break, then you're in luck."
"Holy mother! Master!?" Aki exclaimed as he turned around. Seeing his master leaning against his door frame. He was still in his silk sleepwear and his hair was in a messy bun.
"While you were sleeping, Prince Snow dropped off two vouchers to a newly built bathhouse in the White Rose Kingdom." He raised his hand to show two white tickets.
Aki's heart sank at his words. "New? Don't tell me the other one was destroyed!? Were they attacked?" He asked in a panic.
The White Rose Kingdom was one of the safest places to live in and Snow took great pride in that. If something happened to it, Snow would be distraught.
Yani chuckled slightly. "Calm down. The kingdom is just fine. Snow wanted a bathhouse just for us royals. So he commissioned some yellow roses to help. It's strictly for us, but he said servants were allowed to join."
Aki smiled a bit in relief. "Then are Lady Ryuu and Lord Yang going with you? I can prepare breakfast before you all depart." His master frowned at him.
"I'm not in the mood to deal with them. Ryuu will bring not only Maria but Shade and the list goes on. Yang will refuse the invitation if I'm going to be there. So it'll be just us," Yani explained. "You wanted a break, so it can be just us."
"Oh! In that case, let me make breakfast for them at least! I'd hate to fail to at least serve them food." Aki attempted to walk past Yani, only to be stopped by his arm.
Yani stared down at Aki with his lifeless eyes. "Aki. They're grown. They can feed themselves for a day. So let's just go."
"You're so selfish, master. But it should be fine. If I don't feed them, I'm sure Shade can handle it. Let's go! I'm excited to see what it looks like!" He exclaimed.
Yani smiled and held his hand. "Of course I am." He then raised his free hand to open a portal. He wasted no time pulling Aki through the swirling abyss.
In only seconds, Aki's cold body grew warm from the steaming building. They stood in a lobby with color-coded lockers.
"Hm. I guess it's unique. Even I must admit it's quite creative. Though he's always been imaginative," Yani commented as he opened a locker with a black rose painted on it. Inside was a stack of black towels and a change of swimwear that were black with grey trimmings.
Aki approached it and reached for some shorts. "Wow! I can't believe he'd do something so sweet! Though it's a shame Snow can't even enjoy it for himself. I'm sure always living in coldness is unfortunate…"
"I did ask why he did such a thing he can't even enjoy himself. Snow said he made accommodations for himself. Since being in even warm weather makes him nauseous, he has a room for himself that's an ice bath." Yani took a pair of shorts for himself.
"I'll be sure to send him a gift of appreciation! He's outdone himself, I'm certain this was a pricey project." Aki went into a small changing room and began changing. "Would you like to send one as well, master?"
"Just inform him that I'll be paying for his drinks for the rest of the month."
"The month's ending in a week!" Aki groaned. From the other booth, he could hear Yani laugh. "You're evil…" He sighed before stepping out.
Yani did shortly after and bluntly stared at Aki's legs. They were covered in long scars that went all the way up. "I can fix them for you."
"Oh no, it's fine! Really. I like them the way they are! They remind me that I'm still human." Aki placed his clothes in their locker along with Yani's. While putting their clothes away, he saw the door to the red rose locker was open.
"You're human alright…" Yani walked towards the bath with Aki by his side.
The bathhouse was large enough that you could have your own space. With the large greenery and stone flooring, it had a zen aesthetic that made Aki more relaced. There were tables and benches in the corners with trays of miscellaneous goods.
The two males stepped into the warm water and relaxed with ease.
"Ugh, this feels amazing!~ Wouldn't you agree, master?" Aki asked as he looked over to Yani whose eyes were already shut. "Would you like your hair down?"
Yani leaned a bit towards Aki until their shoulders touched. "No. I don't feel comfortable letting it down right now."
"I understand." Aki scanned the water to see they were the only ones. "I think it would be fun to have everyone else here! Even someone as tense as Dreue could loosen up here."
"They always want your attention so I don't agree." Yani looked down at Aki. "I prefer just being with you."
"No wonder I felt sick, you're already here dirtying the place." A rough voice came from behind. They looked back to see a slightly younger male with bleached blond hair and dark roots. His red eyes were already glaring at Yani.
Aki beamed a smile as he waved to the male. "Good morning, prince Adkin! What a coincidence to see you here as well!"
Yani only glared back at Adkin. "Of course you'd be here. I couldn't even enjoy five minutes of peace. Why don't you screw off, you hybrid mistake."
Adkin raised his middle finger but dropped it as an older man walked into the room. His long, silver hair was braided and draped over his shoulder. Eyes of shimmering gold giving Adkin a stern look. Both of their swimwear was bright red.
"Master. You promised you'd be on your behavior if we went. Do we already have to go back home?" He asked in a scolding tone before smiling. "Good day my King and Aki. It's a pleasure to know we get to share with you both."
Aki only grew more excited seeing more familiar faces. "Hey, Silvath! I'm glad to see you both."
Adkin and Yani scoffed in unison and crossed their arms.
Adkin was the sole prince of the Red Rose Kingdom and Silvath is his guardian as well as his servant. Adkin is only nineteen but runs his kingdom quite well thanks to Silvath. The only issue was his attitude and petty attacks against the Black Rose Kingdom.
Silvath was the first demon to be summoned and had served the Red Rose Kingdom for eons. Though he still looks like he's only in his later 20's. He raised the current generation of royals after the… incident. He even helped Aki grow accustomed to his new home and how to help Yani.
The hatred between the Black Rose and the Red Rose Kingdom goes back to the beginning of time it seems. It was unfortunate they couldn't break out of the hateful cycle.
Silvath sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "If you don't mind, we'll be on the other side of the water–"
"I want to sit here." Adkin got in the water and sat beside Aki.
"Like hell you are. Back off," Yani snapped as he glared at Adkin who glared right back.
"Don't act like you own the place. This isn't even your kingdom," Adkin argued.
Yani gritted his teeth. "Don't forget Aki's my servant. Which means I own him."
As the bickering continued, Aki took the chance to sink into the water and move away from them. He instead sat on the other side where Silvath was.
Silvath smiled slightly at Aki. "I apologize for the poor timing. After we received the tickets, I was hoping we'd be the only ones here to avoid conflict. Adkin can never keep his mouth shut…"
"Don't apologize, Silvy. Yani was the one who insisted we'd show up right away. I just hope they can be civil enough to avoid getting physical…" Aki glanced back to the other side where they were still arguing. "How's he been?"
The demon leaned back at the question. "He's been more focused on his studies and managed to visit the Smithy without me being called. But you're all he talks about on some days."
Aki frowned a bit. "Is he having nightmares again? I can request a day off to spend time with him."
Silvath sighed as he stared at the water. "I keep trying to encourage him to spend time with other royals. But I fear he'll only make the effort if you're with him."
"But he's still going to Earth, right? Surely he has friends in school?" Aki hoped to see any positive reaction, but the grey-haired male just shook his head sadly.
"I'm not sure why he's so antisocial towards humans and roses. It seems like he doesn't want to fit in with either." He buried his face in his hands and groaned. "It's probably my fault. In all my years of serving countless generations, I've never raised someone like him."
Aki placed his hand on Silvath's shoulder and showed him a cheerful look. "You're not to blame. His mother chose to have a kid with a human. His existence may be the first, but you did an amazing job at raising him. I mean, I'm only human but you raised me when I was young. All he needs is reassurance and support!"
"…I think I know why he enjoys being in your company so much, Aki. I'll continue doing my best." Silvath sunk more into the water with a more relaxed look.
Aki wasn't sure what he meant, but it did feel positive. When he looked back at the two royals, they finally separated into two corners of the same side. He smiled and closed his eyes to enjoy the silence.
With time to think, Aki's mood instantly turned sour as the second tragedy in his life struck. Only two years after he lost his family, he had to experience the loss of more lives...
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