Chapter 29 – The Weight of a Name

The echoes of the gunshot still seemed to linger in the air, even as the music returned, even as the chatter resumed. But the weight of what had just happened hadn't left anyone's mind.

Haruto sat on his throne, one leg lazily crossed over the other, his fingers tapping against the armrest. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched his supposed brother disappear from sight.

He didn't need to ask. He already knew who his real father was.

It wasn't a name worth uttering.

A name meant nothing to him.

But the past? The past was coming, clawing its way toward him, demanding acknowledgment.

And Haruto had never bowed to anything before.

The Shift in Atmosphere

The celebration resumed, but the tension was unmistakable. Conversations whispered behind raised glasses, stolen glances shot his way. The most powerful men in Japan had just seen Haruto draw a gun at his own blood.

And not just any blood.

The son of the man who once ruled from the shadows.

Satsuki leaned toward him, her voice low. "That was hot."

Haruto smirked. "Everything I do is."

Takashi chuckled, taking a sip from his glass. "You just declared war without saying a word. Bold move, boss."

Haruto leaned back, sighing. "It was getting boring anyway."

His eyes flicked toward his father—the man who raised him. The man who now sat stiffly, his hand clutching the glass of whiskey as if it were the only thing keeping him grounded. His face was unreadable, but Haruto could see the tension in his fingers, the slight tremor in his grip.

So, you knew all along.

Hemari hadn't moved from her spot. She was still staring at him.

Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something—but she didn't.

Instead, she walked. Slowly. Toward him.

Haruto arched a brow.

Then, in front of everyone, Hemari placed her hands on either side of his throne and kissed him.

A deep, slow kiss.

A statement.

The entire hall froze.

The prime minister. The top business tycoons. The political elites.

All watching.

Satsuki grinned. Takashi let out a low whistle.

But Haruto? He simply smirked against her lips, kissing her back with the same deliberate slowness, as if savoring the moment.

When Hemari finally pulled away, she looked down at him, her eyes sharp, her expression unreadable.

"I don't care who your father is," she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. "You're still Haruto."

Something flickered in his gaze.

Not gratitude. Not warmth.

Just… acknowledgment.

Then, Hemari turned toward the audience—toward her own mother and Haruto's father—and she simply smiled.

As if nothing was wrong.

As if she hadn't just kissed the devil himself in front of the world.

Haruto's smirk widened.

His queen had just made her choice.

The Aftermath – Shadows That Linger

The rest of the party played out as if nothing had happened. The rich continued their discussions. The powerful made their deals.

But Haruto could feel it.

The shift.

The moment the night ended, and the guests finally started to leave, Hemari's mother dragged her away without a word.

Haruto let her go.

For now.

But he turned his gaze toward his father—the man who had raised him, provided for him, molded him into who he was today.

He was standing stiffly near the exit, his face still pale.

Haruto stood from his throne.

Walked toward him.

Stopped just a breath away.

"You knew," Haruto said, voice low. It wasn't a question.

The man's fingers twitched. He didn't deny it.

Haruto chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm guessing my real father told you to take care of me like a discarded toy, huh?"

No answer.

Haruto's smile faded. "Don't test me, old man."

And with that, he turned, walking away into the night.

But before he left, he said one last thing.

"If he wants to see me—tell him to send someone stronger next time."

To be continued…