Chapter Text
Hizashi glanced back at the castle as he strode through the courtyard, ensuring no one had seen him sneaking out or decided to follow. He saw no one at the windows or on the path behind him, so he faced forward trying to put on an air of confidence, he didn’t want Overhaul to sense any fear or hesitation from him.
As he passed through the main gates a figure emerged from the shadows to Hizashi’s right. Lord Overhaul was tall, dressed in the finery of his title all colored a deep purple. Over his purple attire he wore a dark cloak lined with brown fur, and his hands were covered with white gloves. Over the lower half of his face he wore a long, hooked plague mask, Hizashi had never seen the man without it. The man seemed not to notice the cold at all and Hizashi had to suppress a shiver as the snow began to fall more heavily around them.
“So, this is where you’ve been hiding,” Overhaul drawled, his voice echoing hollowly through his mask.
Hizashi turned on the man, fixing him with a determined glare, “I’m not coming back with you. The engagement is off; you and my father can make your deal some other way.”
“Straight to the point,” Overhaul seemed unconcerned. “I was unaware of any cancellation to our arrangement. Only that you slipped away in the dead of night without a word, what was your poor distraught fiancé supposed to think?”
Hizashi gritted his teeth, “You don’t care about me; I’m only a means to an end. The only thing you’re worried about is the wealth and power you’ll lose out on if I don’t marry you.”
Overhaul shrugged and turned his head toward the castle, “Who would have known there was a castle out here in the woods? I’ve heard all sorts of monsters lurk the halls and stalk the surrounding woods, preying on those who lose their way.”
“How did you find me, then, if it’s so well hidden.” Hizashi asked.
Overhaul flicked his gaze to Hizashi, his yellow eyes sharp, “I got a tip from one of the villagers, a bookkeeper. He said there was a suspicious man who fit your description associating with a local street urchin who often snuck out here to the woods.”
Hizashi cursed himself, the shopkeep must have glimpsed his face under his hood when he was confronting him about Hitoshi. “You need to leave, now ,” his voice was hard.
“What sort of fiancé would I be if I left my betrothed in a horrid place such as this? The beast who resides here may decide to tear you to pieces. It should be dealt with before it harms you or any one of the villagers nearby.” Overhaul stared into Hizashi’s eyes as he spoke.
Hizashi’s heart skipped and he clenched his fists, “No! He’s not a beast, and he wouldn’t harm anyone!”
“Oh, but he’s already harmed you, and he’s taken a child from the village,” Overhaul motioned his head toward Hizashi’s hand, where a small part of his wound from the wolf attack peeked out from under his sleeve.
“No, that wasn’t…he didn’t—” Hizashi stammered, struggling to regain his composure.
“As I said, it should be dealt with bef—”
Hizashi lunged forward, gripping Overhaul’s furred cloak, “Don’t you dare harm him!”
Hizashi saw a glint of metal from the corner of his eye, and he felt the tip of something sharp press into the skin on his neck.
“Step away,” came a new voice.
Hizashi slowly released his grip, taking a few steps back, the point of the dagger stayed pressed against his throat. He glanced to his left to find another man had joined them, wearing a hooded pale cloak that draped over his head. The hood was high enough that Hizashi could make out his features, shrap gray eyes and thin lips set in a frown with a white fringe resting over his forehead; he recognized the man as Kurono, Overhaul’s attendant. Hizashi had only ever seen the man once, but he knew he was never far from Overhaul’s side. He had been so caught up in Overhaul’s presence that he had forgotten about the man.
“This is how things are going to go,” Overhaul adjusted his cloak and dusted himself off with his gloved hands as he spoke, “You have until tomorrow at midnight to bid farewell to your beastly friend. At which time you will meet me in the village and come back to your father’s estate, where we will be married as agreed. If you choose to stay here, I will have no choice but to involve the villagers. I’m sure they would be eager to rid themselves of the beast that threatens their families.”
Hizashi’s heart sunk to his stomach at Overhaul’s words. From the man’s reputation and the finality of his words, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill Shouta if he didn’t have his way. Nothing would stand in the way of Overhaul’s ambitions.
“Fine…” Hizashi growled, “I will come back with you and marry you as agreed, but you must promise no harm will come to anyone in that castle if I agree to this.”
“You have my word,” Overhaul said, his yellow eyes boring into Hizashi’s.
Kurono removed the dagger from Hizashi’s throat and moved to stand beside his master. The two turned and made their way down the snow-frosted path, where Hizashi noticed two horses were tied to a low hanging tree branch.
As they mounted their horses and began to depart Overhaul called over his shoulder, “I will see you tomorrow, my betrothed.”
Hizashi watched helplessly as the two rode away into the darkness.
****
Hizashi made his way quietly through the castle halls as he headed to his now shared quarters with Shouta. His head spun and his heart ached after his confrontation with Overhaul; just as he had begun to make a life for himself here and it was all dashed in an instant. Hitoshi, Eri, all of the castle’s servants, and Shouta...he couldn’t risk their safety because of his stupid mistakes.
Hizashi poked his head through the door of Shouta’s room to find that the man had discarded his ball attire in a neat pile on the armchair and had settled into bed. The man lay curled under the blanket on his side of the bed, his soft, even breathing told Hizashi that he had fallen asleep waiting for him to return.
He tip-toed into the room, quietly undressing himself of his attire and changing into loose fitted pants and shirt before making his way to the bed. He carefully lifted the sheet on his end of the bed and slid underneath, careful not to jostle Shouta too much.
“‘Zashi?”
Hizashi winced quietly, he had been hoping to avoid any conversation with Shouta tonight.
“Was waitin’ for you,” Shouta mumbled sleepily, “Must’ve fallen ‘sleep, sorry.”
Hizashi scooted closer to Shouta, feeling his warmth spread over him, “It’s okay, Shou. Go back to sleep.” He tried to keep the tremble of emotion out of his voice.
“M’kay,” Shouta murmured. Soon Hizashi heard his soft breathing once again and he sighed with relief.
Hizashi lay awake for a while, relishing in Shouta’s warmth as he stared at the ceiling. How was he supposed to keep his promise to Shouta now? This would break the man’s heart, possibly shatter any chance of him breaking his curse. Hizashi gritted his teeth as anger washed over him, if he just had some more time he was sure they could find a way to break it, but Overhaul’s threat was clear. At this point Hizashi could only see two choices: leave with Overhaul and keep everyone safe, or refuse and watch all those he loved killed by a mob of angry villagers.
Hizashi had no choice, he couldn’t risk Shouta’s or anyone else’s safety. He had to leave with Overhaul.