Haru sneezed in the middle of the market, sitting on the cold cobblestones.
The powdered cinnamon in the bag he'd just bought spilled all over his head.
One of the porters carrying the prince's palanquin bumped into Haru. The prince, his face partly hidden behind a piece of purple cloth, glanced at him.
The same breeze that lifted Haru's hair revealed the prince's eyes.
They were empty, lifeless. The purple mixed with black in them.
The prince turned his head to the side, looking sad.
I'm sorry… I should've been more careful. Now, again, another innocent person will die because of me…
He forced himself to look back, expecting to see a corpse – but Haru was still there, alive and well.
Half-confused, half-intrigued, he stared at the ruler with honey-colored eyes.
That person… survived my gaze?
"Why are you standing in the middle of the street? Move, peasant!" one of the porters yelled.
Haru quickly got up and gathered the rest of the spice into the bag. He bowed as low as he could. The prince, who hadn't seen Haru fall before, caught the scent of cinnamon.
"I-I'm sorry, Your Highness," he said shyly. He was about to leave when the prince suddenly said:
"Wait."
"H-huh?" Haru's surprise slipped out as he froze mid-step.
"I… I've finally found the key," the ruler said happily. "We're taking you with us. You're the only person who can look me in the eyes and not die."
"Huh?!" Haru exclaimed, shocked. "I-I mean, thank you so much for the chance, Your Highness," he blurted out quickly, bowing.
What the hell is going on here?! What's the head of our country doing in a godforsaken village like this?!
"Lead me to your house. I want to thank your parents in person."
Haru stared blankly at the prince, not knowing what was happening, but remembered his manners in the prince's presence.
He bowed and said he'd be happy to take him there. The prince got off the palanquin, telling the porters to stay put.
The servants couldn't believe it. The prince had decided to visit someone's house on his own.
t was an honor that anyone would envy.
When Haru got home without the spices, but with the prince by his side. His mom paled at first sight. Wide-eyed, she invited the prince inside.
Haru's dad, a local official, bowed to the prince and thanked him a hundred times over for the visit.
A little later, they were all sitting down for tea.
"Oh my god," Haru's mom said happily, "I know our son looks prettier than a lot of girls, he's so delicate and feminine. I figured plenty of people must have a crush on him, but the prince himself…"
"What the hell, Mom!" Haru stood up quickly, annoyed. "I mean… respected mother, please don't say that in front of our ruler," he said as he sat back down.
The prince's expression stayed detached, unreadable – hidden beneath the veil.
"It's not like that," the prince said calmly. "Your son turned out to be the key to my curse. The key we've been searching for all this time."
"Son, I'm so proud of you!" Haru's father joined in, bringing some snacks. "You'll become the pride of our family!"
Why is everyone acting like this is totally normal?! Am I the only one who has no idea what the hell is going on? Haru thought.
"Here you go," the prince said, opening a small pouch he'd placed on the table. "Consider this a token of my gratitude."
This pouch alone must be worth more than our house! Has he lost his mind? I'm not that valuable! Haru thought, shocked.
"Please, go ahead and take some," Haru's dad insisted, pointing at the snacks.
"Thank you, but I'll pass," the prince replied in a reserved but polite tone. "Well, that's all from me," he said, then turned directly to Haru. "Take what you need. From today, you'll live in the palace."
"Y-yes, Your Highness," Haru mumbled shyly, then headed toward the stairs.
Haru went upstairs to his room. He started packing; he didn't have many things.
"What does this pretty guy even think?! That he can just come and take me like some object? And why are my parents even agreeing to this?! What the hell is this whole 'key' thing about? I get it has something to do with his family curse, but still… damn it, I don't like this!," Haru thought aloud.
"Well, at least you called me pretty," the prince said, lightly amused.
"Hmpf! If you were ugly, I'd probably just refuse and be done with it!" Haru shouted in a burst of emotion, then shivered.
He realized too late that the ruler wasn't just in his head.
His face went red, and he froze for a moment, startled, before turning around.
The prince was standing in the doorway of the room.
"Y-Your Highness, I-I'm s-sorry, I…," Haru stammered, his cheeks burning from stress.
"Relax," the prince said calmly. "Don't pretend to be someone you're not."
"W-why did you come here? I mean, Your Majes–"
"Since you're going to be my key, I wanted to see if the chamber I'll give you is better than your current room."
"T-thank you for caring about me, sir," Haru bowed deeply.
What the hell is this guy thinking?! We barely know each other! He hasn't… fallen for me already, right?! No, I'm just telling myself that - he's just being nice!
Haru put all his things into a hand-sewn cloth, woven by his great-grandmother.
As they were leaving the house, his mom handed him a rose-embroidered, gold-and-red, silk handkerchief.
"My mom gave this to me right before my wedding. Good luck, Haru!"
"What?! Mom, I'm not getting married! What's with all of you today?!"
Haru felt the prince's cold gaze on him, a look that carried a silent command.
He said goodbye to his parents once more, then they returned to the palanquin.
"Sh-should I walk beside you with the porters, My Lord?" Haru asked, unsure how to act.
"No. You'll sit next to me. You're surprisingly slim and small for a grown man, so they'll have no trouble carrying you. There's enough room for both of us."
"Your Highness, I don't know if I'm w-worthy…"
"You're the only one who could meet my gaze. That's the sign that you're the key. And since you are, you deserve any special privileges."
"A-alright the-then… I h-hope I won't be in the way."
Haru felt his cheeks heat up as he slid into the seat next to the prince. He stayed to the side, not too close. When the porters lifted them, his legs hung off the edge. He tried to sit up straight, hoping he didn't look too ugly.
He glanced at his clothes.
What does he see in me? I'm wearing a plain linen shirt that's way too big, reaching down to my knees! I look awful!
Haru rode in silence toward his new home. He couldn't get a word out – too many emotions were running through him.
Haru tried to peek past the piece of fabric covering the prince's face, but his noble, serious profile gave nothing away.
*
A week later…
Haru sat in his room while one of the maids, Maldie – a short blonde with a surprisingly deep voice – was putting the final touches on his hair.
"All done," she said proudly, letting out a relieved sigh. "Now you're ready for the banquet."
Maldie handed Haru a mirror so he could see himself.
Oh, what a beauty… ,he thought, convinced that Maldie had jokingly given him a magical mirror that showed someone else.
He touched his face.
Wait… is this really me?!
He couldn't believe it. His hair – silky and shinier than ever. He was dressed in a golden kimono that matched his eyes. The makeup brought out the warm honey tones in them.
"What are you waiting for?" Maldie asked with a smile. "Go! It's a party in your honor!"
"O-okay," Haru nodded, then left the room.
In the hallway, his heart was racing. He passed maids and noblewomen who couldn't stop staring at him.
Approaching the doors of the throne room, Haru had to calm his racing breath.
He expected a hall full of cheerful people, dancing, laughter, and fun.
Instead, he was met with deadly silence. The guests froze, paralyzed by fear.
A strange, humanoid figure with a covered face was holding a sword to the prince's throat.
The sword's point was dangerously close to the ruler's skin.
Haru couldn't move, his heart skipping a beat.