Thirty-Five ✧ The Pain of Betrayal

                                    

                                          
Reiji woke, slowly passing the border between sleep and wakefulness and becoming aware of the warmth beneath him—the soft sheets and the cozy bed that would soon be exchanged for a banig, less comfortable than a mattress but cooler and preferable for the upcoming peak of the summer season.
When he finally opened his eyes, he peered into the brightness of the room. It was already midday, but no one had come to rouse him, and he was thankful for the needed rest.
His eyes moved across the coral rock floor, drawn to a movement at the balcony where Gat Kiyo sat on a chair and gazed out at the city under the high noon sun.
"Have you no other things to do?" Reiji murmured.
Gat Kiyo flicked his head to him. "Other than waiting on you, My Matu?" He smiled as he stood up, poised as an attentive servant, wearing his zarok—red and black bandana on his head.
Being waited on was a luxury that Reiji was grateful for. Though sometimes he wished he would wake up to no one watching him or insisting on helping him put on his clothes, as he worked to understand the role of a Kaharaza, he found that he would not have time to care for himself when he was taking care of a whole kingdom.
Reiji became absorbed for the past week since the Kahani allowed his involvement in political matters. He became responsible for almost every governing affair in Daracka—from the small hungry street sleepers to the large trades and businesses between Zircka and Vurcka. All was overwhelming, but he didn't expect it to be exhausting.
Governing a kingdom required more than just great ideas. It was more complex than he thought it would be, and he grew weary in only a short time in his new role.
Reiji looked at Gat Kiyo, willing a smile to his face, gratefulness showing in his eyes.
As he propped himself up on his elbows, he glimpsed a plate of fresh mangoes on the table behind his attendant by the balcony. The sweet scent of fruit hung in the chamber's air.
"I'll ask the servants to get you a proper meal," Gat Kiyo said, catching the direction of Reiji's gaze. "Will you require anything else?"
"A bath," Reiji said as he felt the damp sweat on his back and neck. Daracka's northern parts, Kazima included, always had milder weather than the south, but the hot season made even the north too warm and humid.
Gat Kiyo pressed a hand over his chest and bowed. He then turned and left the room, leaving Reiji to prepare himself for what was left of his day.
Reiji pushed out of his covers and padded to the table by the balcony. He picked up a folded napkin to wipe the oil from his face and bare chest. When he finished, he hung the napkin over his shoulder.
The glistening ripe mango invited him to eat, and he popped a cut piece into his mouth, savoring the sweetness as he licked the dew off his fingers.
"Prince Reiji," a female voice spoke beside him, and he flinched, turning around with alarm.
A girl stood on the balcony with him, a hood covered her head, and a half-mask hid her nose and mouth. Only her dark green eyes were exposed. She waited for Reiji to regain his composure before raising her hand, and a tiny piece of paper rolled into a scroll appeared between her fingers.
Reiji cleared his throat as he almost choked on the mango and swallowed. He recognized the girl and stepped toward her, taking the scroll with eagerness. He'd not expected any response to his latest message so soon.
"What is this?" he asked, but the girl did not answer. She was only a messenger—a Ghost from a network of spies he had under his employ.
"May Matu!" Gat Kiyo reentered the chamber. Panic laced his voice.