Two years after Prince Heiko witnessed the death of his father during the 91st Battle of Tyton, and subsequently, the defeat of his kingdom, he was sent to the gates of the victor, armed with nothing but empty words and a command from his elder brother to form a treaty of peace. 

Two years after General Celestino Adesso released the arrow that felled the great king of Simo, he is presented with the youngest of his sons. Though barely a man at seventeen summers, the prince was far from wet behind the ears. In fact, his tactful yet brazen form of statecraft vaulted him far beyond his years. Coupled with his draconian mannerisms, and a knack for callous pleasure, it was only a matter of time before Celestino caught a whiff of something sinister. 

But Prince Heiko was no fool. He was betting heavily on that sharp nose. He wanted a sense of dubiety to gnaw at the general. He needed to create mistrust in his elder brother in order to build credence in himself. Because he knew of Celestino Adesso, and of the illustrious king he served. He knew they wouldn't trust him over his elder brother any more than they would trust a raincloud to bring sun. He knew that to those men, he wasn't honorable, and because of that, he was forced to play the games he was known for. The ones that conspired in the dead of night, the ones that spoke no words but shifted kingdoms. The ones that could obtain the allegiance of General Celestino. Little did the young prince know, however, allegiance was not all he would obtain. But no matter how much Heiko wanted to offer the man what he desired, he could not - not while bound to the gods. 

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He was a cruel young man, Cele thought, heart racing. One moment he claims that they cannot do so much as forge a simple friendship, and then... this? 


Was he doing it on purpose? Was this revenge for calling him frigid? 


"Before a Muse may enter into the Temple of Muses, they must recite The Rise of Ozik." 


He barely heard the old priest's proclamation - or Heiko's recitation of the ancient Simonese poem in their old dialect, for that matter - and, while it was embarrassing to admit, didn't shake from the daze he had been struck into soon thereafter. 


It did not surprise him to hear, later on, about the young prince's consummate diction and timing, but in that moment, he was trapped, like a fly in honey. 


Even wise to how wily the prince was, and how he made it quite clear he wanted very little to do with the Ilysian general, it was difficult to fight away unsavory fantasies when his name on Heiko’s tongue dripped so sickly sweet. It struck him all at once, like too much of a strong wine. 


Or a nasty hit to the back of the head. 


His mind did clear a bit by the time the old priest, Faas, led them through the temple arches, but the true clarity made impact only when Faas gestured one of the temple maidens to take Heiko down a separate, darker corridor. 


“I bid you good rest, child." The priest took one of the prince's hands in both of his, squeezing them slightly. "Resolution will come swiftly." 


“He's to be alone in his chambers?” Cele demanded, his voice resonating against the stone walls far more sonorously than he ever intended. 


Heiko looked over, his jade eyes widened ever-so slightly. He must’ve been surprised by the sentiment, which left Cele even more ruffled than he was to begin with. How could the bratty prince really be surprised by his concern after that night with Cuilin? Even if Heiko claimed he had a plan. 


But with a simple upturn of his lips, none of the questions applied anymore. Sincerity and candor were struck from the board, leaving nothing but the lippy, deceptive young man he had met in Ilyos. 


“Oh, poor thing," he cooed. "My ulf doesn’t want to leave my side.” 


“Oh, no, no,” Faas cut in before Cele could, shaking his head with an anxiously pressed brow. “I'm sorry, Heiko, but your ulfa cannot sleep in your chambers until you are fully reestablished into Musehood.” 


"I see.” Heiko frowned, feigning disappointment, before settling wicked eyes on Cele. “My pitiful ulf, sleeping without his Muse. Don’t worry, my pet, you will see your master again in the morning.” 


"I suppose," he managed through his teeth. "I'll have to make do." 


Heiko exhaled a single chuckle, before turning and disappearing down the dark hallway. 


"Jan, my dear," Faas spoke once his old eyes could no longer discern Heiko from the shadow he advanced into. "Please deliver these men to their chambers - one for the challenger, and one for the ulfa." 


Cele had forgotten Jan had been with them, and watched as he entered into center stage, offering a slight bow to the priest. 


His words were low and harmonious, trained in the echoing and enhancing ways of the temple walls. His movements were fluid and almost ethereal in nature. His poise was proud and privileged. 


His beauty was brilliant and, without question, molded by the hands of the gods, and yet... 


He could not even hold a candle to the mystifying creature called Heiko Achterecht. 


{A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed. Sorry for the lack of update yesterday, and the short chapter today (hence no paywall! Yay!) but I'd much rather provide short, quality episodes than long, crappy ones. And hopefully I'll be able to come back full swing tomorrow! Oh yeah, and did no one have anything to say about the letter??? 


Devising the Board - 14