Kai and I enter the hall and the rebellion is obvious. Some servants are crying, others looking pleased, the majority look how I must do. Confused and stunned as to what they should do. Luckily Kai knows what to do and takes charge of the situation. I watch him give orders for everyone to carry on as normal and most obey. The ones who don’t stare coldly at Kai and a lot walk away, disgusted.

            “What was that about?” I ask.

            “Not everyone here is grateful for the rebellion.” Kai explains. “For instance that man glaring at me over there? He was selling drugs on to the lords. We’ve destroyed his business. That woman crying over there, her husband died when he tried to fight back. You missed the battle, but I saw some of it.”

            “Oh.” I say. It had never occurred to me that not all of my class would be happy for the change.

            “Come on, Yoshiki has arranged a meeting for this morning.” Kai says, taking my hand and leading me towards the ball room. People of both classes are giving us looks. They know about my relationship with Reita and I think they’re shocked I had the courage to cheat. Not that I’ve done anything with Kai, we hadn’t got much further than kissing.

            We enter the ball room and Yoshiki is waiting on the platform where the orchestra plays. He looks like he hasn’t slept all night and he probably hasn’t. Besides him stands Toshi and another rebel I don’t recognise. I’m surrounded by so many people and I wonder if they’re all rebels or if some are just servants who are curious as to what will happen next.

            There are very few nobles here and I realise that most are under captivity. These must be the ones on Yoshiki’s side. The ones who know their positions remain theirs.

            Eventually Yoshiki decides he’s waited long enough and he begins to speak. After his initial greeting and description of what his rebellion stands for, he declares himself temporary king. It’s like I feared and I give Kai a panicked look.

            “It’s only temporary.” Kai whispers and I nod. It’s true somebody has to rule until the next king is declared, it might as well be him. Besides, there is just something about Yoshiki that makes you want to trust him. You can’t help but believe in everything he says. It’s even having an effect on my sceptical mind.

            As for the permanent king, I’m rooting for Uruha. Not because I completely trust him or think he’s the best man for the job. I support Uruha because it’s his birthright and he deserves a chance to prove he’s capable. But of course first Yoshiki has to be convinced that Uruha doesn’t deserve demotion and now is not the time.

            Apparently now is the time to deal with the former king, Reita. My heart speeds up as I see him dragged onto the stage. I can’t help it, my body responds to Reita no matter what the circumstances are. I’m puzzled at the bruising around his eyes, he wasn’t in the fight. He was locked in his room. Somebody must have given him a beating at sometime, maybe one of the guards who locked him in the dungeons. I glare angrily at Yoshiki. It’s not his fault but I blame him anyway. It was one of his men who did this to Reita. I don’t know why I’m so angry, maybe it was Reita’s words from the night before. He looks so weak now, it’s hard to believe he’s the one controlling my life for so long. Reita looks up and he’s scanning the crowd and then our eyes meet. I can see him mouth two words ‘help me’ and then his eyes widen in hurt and then anger before he looks away. It’s only then I realise I’m standing with Kai’s hand still in mine. I feel guilty and, despite the fact I know he can’t do anything, scared.

            Yoshiki begins to list Reita’s crimes which includes rape by oppression, arson, the unfair treatment of criminals, damage of other people’s property… the list seems endless and I stop listening. Reita surely can’t have done all this bad stuff! He has a jealous temper and likes his own way but he has a good heart underneath. I’d seen it last night.

            And then Yoshiki reaches Reita’s sentence and I realise what he meant by ironic punishment. For his rape charge he’d have his own body used by anyone who wanted. For every person he’d physically hurt he’d be whipped. For his destruction of others belongings he’d be forced to destroy his own things. And the list goes on.

            I can hear people cheering, but Kai remains quiet and thoughtful. I’m horrified by Reita’s punishment which will last several months. It sounds too harsh. Too cruel. A death penalty would probably have been kinder.

            I can’t listen to anymore. I turn and leave and Kai follows me. Behind me I can here the next lord been called up, one of the royal advisers but I don’t care. I only care about Reita.

            “Ruki. I know it’s harsh, but he deserves it.” Kai explains as he follows me but I ignore him. He’s one of them and right now I hate them all. “Ruki.” Kai cries, grabbing my hand. I yank it away from him and begin to run. He follows for a short distance but I hear him stop. I don’t. I run all the way to the prince’s room where I know Aoi is. He’s the only person I want to talk to right now.

            “I need to talk to Aoi.” I announce to the guard prepared to attack him if necessary.

            “He refuses to leave the room.” The guard explains.

            “Well let me in then.” I demand.

            “I’m sorry, I can’t.” the guard explains, “Aoi is only allowed in by special orders from Toshi. He refuses to leave the prince’s side and Toshi decided it was harmless enough. Aoi is free to leave of course, but not to return. That’s probably why he won’t come out.”

            I argue with him, but he’s stubborn. He won’t even let me in for a few minutes. And then I hear footsteps from down the hall.

            “Let him in. He needs to speak to his friend.” Kai orders and I give him a grateful look because he seems to understand. I just can’t talk to any rebellion ally right now, it doesn’t mean I hate him. In fact, I think I love him, but it’s Aoi I need now because he’s on nobody’s side except mine. Well he’s on Uruha’s side too however he’s my friend first, Uruha’s lover second.

            “I can’t let him in.” the guard complains and begins to explain everything to Kai.

            “Let him in.” Kai repeats. “He needs to talk to his friend. I’ll take responsibility.” And to my surprise the guard relents, Kai must be higher up than I had originally realised.

            I enter the room to find Uruha in Aoi’s arms on the bed. To my relief, they’re both dressed, I’d had visions of walking in on them doing something I’d rather not see. Uruha looks like he’s had very little sleep and gives me a confused look but Aoi can tell something is wrong and gives me a worried look. I sit down on a chair and slowly, emotionlessly explain what I had witnessed. As I reach the punishment part Aoi looks angry but his anger is soon erased by Uruha’s tears.

            Sympathetically Aoi hugs Uruha too him as he cries for his brothers fate. The prince is shaking and I realise he’s not just sad, he’s scared. Well of course he is. If that can happen to his brother what will happen to him?

            “Shhh, it’s okay.” Aoi whispers giving me a dirty look. Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to explain this in front of the prince.

            “He’s my brother.” Uruha cries. “He doesn’t mean to be bad. Tell them Ruki, I know you’re one of them. Aoi told me while I was locked in here.”

            “He has good in him.” I agree carefully. “But….”

            “You have to stick up for him! You must have some feelings for him.” Uruha cried and I shake my head. “But he loves you…” Uruha whispers. “Like I love Aoi…”

            “Uruha, he hurt Ruki.” Aoi explained. “Not just once, multiple times. Ruki doesn’t love your brother, he’s scared of him.”

            “But Reita… why would he hurt the man he loved?” Uruha asked confused.

            “It started the day I tried to leave him.” I explain. “That was the first time. He beat and raped me and told me I belonged to him until he got bored of me and let me go.”

            “No…” Uruha whispered in denial.

            “You said it yourself, the other day. Reita was jealous of your and Aoi’s love.” I pointed out.

            “Don’t you even like him?” Uruha asked.

            “Sometimes. He wasn’t always bad.” I confess.

            “Then help him. Please, Ruki.” Uruha begged me and I find my heart melting.

            “His punishment does seem too harsh.” I agree. The words Uruha wants to hear. “Only I don’t know how to help him.” I add.

            “Help him escape.” Uruha begs. “You and Aoi. Please….”

            “I don’t think I can.” I say shaking my head but Uruha is insistent and as he talks a plan unfolds. We can rescue Reita, send him away from here. He can find a town far enough away that nobody realises he was once king.

            There’s only one problem. We need Kai’s help and I’m not so sure he’s going to give it.

            I leave Uruha’s room and Kai’s waiting for me. “Did Aoi help?” Kai asks and I nod my head.

            “He helped.” I confirmed taking Kai’s hand. “But we need to talk.”

            “Okay.” Kai agrees, looking a little panicked.

            “It’s not bad.” I reassure him. “We’re not breaking up.”

            “Good. You had me worried.” Kai admitted. We say no more until we reach mine and Aoi’s room and I’ve shut the door firmly behind us.

            “It’s about Reita.” I explain. “But first I need to know I can trust you.”

            “If you want to rescue him I won’t say anything.” Kai announces. “I’m mad at him for what he’s done to you but I know you have some feelings for him. I can’t help that man, I won’t help that man. But I’ll turn a blind eye if you do.”

            “Kai. It’s one little favour.” I beg.

            “No. Don’t make me help you help him.” Kai orders.

            “I just need those drugs you used to send the nobles to sleep.” I beg and Kai shakes his head. He won’t even give me this.

            “If I help you, what’s going to stop you choosing him over me?” Kai asks and I realise he’s jealous of Reita. I can see why too. Reita’s the one I sleep with, Reita’s the one I’m trying to help. What have I done for Kai other than mistrust him?

            Silently I reach for my top and pull it off and Kai gives me a look of surprise. I reach for my trousers and begin to unbutton them.

            “What are you doing?” Kai asks confused.

            “Giving myself to you.” I respond confidently. “In return for those pills.” Kai stares open mouthed as my clothes fall to the floor and I wait for him to make his choice.