*ISAIAH'S POV*
My stubborn beating heart was searching for that book through that snow.
"Your Highness, may I know the reason for your sudden visit?" It was Neo. He was bowing and asking me that question like he didn't know already.
"Show it to me. That book." Neo looked hesitant. His eyes spoke of uncertainty and nervousness.
"It is with Head Priest Hadeon, Your Highness."
My head turned backwards. And there it was.
Hadeon was holding that book. He was smirking, and his eyes were mocking me.
"Give me that book, Hadeon."
"Why?" That was the first time Hadeon's voice felt annoying.
"What do you mean, 'Why'? It is mine."
"Yours? Let's see... It doesn't have your name written on it though."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
I marched forward. My face twisted in anger. I swore if something happened to that book, I would cut Hadeon's throat.
"Let's see what this book is about that made our crown prince all fired up." He said as he raised that book high so that I couldn't reach it.
"Legacy of Chand. I see."
My hands grabbed the sword hanging on my waist and slashed it through Hadeon's arms. My mind was foggy at that time, and my heart desperately needed that book.
Of course, it would. That book was the only string that attached me to Red Moon.
Hadeon's face twisted in pain as he fell to his knees. He looked up only to find my face blank. I grabbed the book that fell out of his hands.
Neo came running. He screamed for others to come and take Hadeon away. And after all that, when his eyes slowly turned to mine, I could feel him say crazy.
I wanted to say that I am crazy. Crazy for Red Moon. And I would stay this way throughout this lifetime.
"Your Highness, may I know why you were so aggressive?" Well, it was his voice which sounded aggressive.
"Aggressive? I just gave the punishment that Head Priest Hadeon deserves."
"For what?"
"For interfering and disturbing a royal's personal life."
Neo went silent. Not in a good way.
"Your Highness, I understand your anger. But please be considerate of the situation. This is the second time that Head Priest Hadeon's hand was injured. His continued absence from the palace would cause chaos."
"Hadeon's hand is his responsibility."
"Your Highness...."
"I would like to go now."
Neo was pissed, and some people on the sides were also whispering something about a good crown prince gone crazy and everything.
I looked at the book as I walked towards my horse. I tried opening it, but it was sealed as Alysaa mentioned.
I was just about to start riding when I sensed someone's gaze. I turned towards my side. Something moved fast enough to disappear in a few seconds. But slow enough that it took seconds.
Red Moon. It was definitely Red Moon.
*RED MOON'S POV*
"He got the signal." Neo signed.
I ran. Fast enough that Isaiah wouldn't be able to catch me. As expected, within a few minutes, I could hear Isaiah's horse marching towards me.
Well, Isaiah has fallen right into the trap.
"Fuck... Who did this?" Isaiah's voice now sounded more like Isaiah than it did earlier.
I stopped and slowly started walking towards the trap. Neo was more useful than I assumed he would be. I heard Isaiah's horse painfully crying and also Isaiah comforting it.
Isaiah's eyes were already up in the direction which I looked down from. When our eyes locked, I could hear Isaiah's excitement and nervousness. He was a different Isaiah than he was just a moment before.
A whole different person, I might say. His expressions to his voice. He looked younger too.
"Red Moon, why are you-"
"I didn't expect you to fall for that since you are crown prince. But, I was wrong. Disappointing."
Isaiah fell silent. His eyes still fixed on mine. He smirked as he said,
"Well, what can I do? You are beautifully distracting."
You are beautifully distracting.
Beautifully distracting.
Distracting.
I have heard that. Many times. From his mouth.
My head started aching, and my body twitched for a moment. I thought I might even collapse there. But before I did, I felt a hand grabbing me.
Isaiah. That hand was Isaiah's.
"What... are you doing? How... did you get out?" My voice was at its weakest in years. Pathetic.
"How can I leave my beauty out in the open?"
"Since when did I become yours?"
"Since you got to know that I am your soulmate."
That young man had too much energy.
My eyes slowly closed down just like my mouth. I was not in the state of arguing with Isaiah.
I let go of my body. My senses also slipped out of contact with the world.
It had been years. Years since I had time to be like this. My life since I could remember after he died was either chasing some scrolls or reading some books. That was my life.
And sometimes, when I tried to rest, he would always haunt me. As for when something reminds me too much of him, my mind hurts and my body collapses.
Just like now.
My eyes shot open. When I looked around, Isaiah was already carrying me on his back. I should have been the one to carry him.
"Put me down, Isaiah."
Isaiah looked at me and smiled.
"Well, since you are awake, I want to ask you if you eat well or not? You are a bit lighter than expected."
"PUT. ME. DOWN."
Isaiah's smile dropped. He put me down and just stood still until I opened my arms towards Isaiah as I said, "Come here."
Isaiah looked as if I said something impossible.
"I know you are stronger than me, but in the state you are in-"
"Do I need to repeat myself again?"
Isaiah came into my arms. He felt light. Lighter than someone his size should be.
"I will feed you once we get there," I said as I started walking.
"You should eat with me."
"We will see."
That's when I realised Isaiah had been going in the wrong direction than we were supposed to go.
I sighed as I started running. Isaiah's face twisted a bit. He looked nervous. Not the good kind. His hand slowly wrapped around my neck as he said,
"Are you alright-"
"Shush."
It took about 1 hour before we reached there. Isaiah looked as if he reached some sort of heaven. Well, it must have been for Isaiah.
"If you had told me that you wanted me to be here, I would have come happily."
"Do you know the way here?"
"Uhmm, no?"
"Then?"
"But, at least you wouldn't have to kidnap me."
"Kidnapping is better since you wouldn't open your mouth again and again just like now."
Isaiah fell silent. He pouted and started sulking for some reason. I opened the door and signalled him to come in. Isaiah just shook his head and continued sulking.
"Behave while I am still being nice."
"No."
I had played this game before. With Isaiah especially.
I just sighed loudly and closed the door.
Isaiah took about 30 minutes before he knocked and begged for me to open the door.
"30 minutes is too short, don't you think?" I said as I opened the door.
"I didn't know you lived in mountains." Isaiah was shivering. His hands wrapped around himself.
"Well, no."
I slowly took out the bucket of hot water and towel that I had prepared. I gave it to Isaiah and went my way to cook something.
"Did you know this would happen?" Isaiah asked.
"I know that this crown prince is not the type to just die in the cold."
Isaiah went silent again.
*ISAIAH'S POV*
"Since I am the one on the losing end. I want to say something too." That was perhaps the bravest thing I had said in that situation.
Red Moon stared at me for a moment. He sighed and said, "Go on."
"1 hour... 1 hour each day. You will have to come to the palace and sit next to me while I am working. You can read Chand Scroll in that time too."
"1 hour is too short."
"5 hours."
"Deal."
My lips couldn't resist smiling at that time.
Thank you, Red Moon.