*ISAIAH'S POV*
Red Moon's face was blank as if I said the most simplest thing in this situation.
I already had my speculations about Red Moon having a past lover. Well, it would actually be more surprising if he didn't have one.
And now that I have heard his story, I feel like I could never possibly be on the same par as the general he mentioned. On contrary, I am no less than a mere bug at his side. Soulmates or not, it doesn't matter anymore since who was I to begin with?
My heart, body and soul wants Red Moon but only my brain understands that I can't have him.
"Living with you is too much. You are also a crown prince, you have a lot to do." Red Moon's voice slipped into my ears.
Now I think about it, Red moon was always focused upon me being a crown prince. Well, he used to be prince himself so it makes much more sense.
"Then what do you want to do?" I asked
"I searched about Chand Scroll and it is said that you can permanently take off the seal if you perform a ritual."
"A ritual?"
"Yes, this ritual consists of the soulmates writing letter about each other with their blood. After that, the letters will be burnt and ashes will be offered to the Chand Scroll. If the Chand Scroll considers the letters are sincere than it will be opened for the couple permanently. Any one of the two can read it until their death."
That's when my greed took over.
"Okay, I will do it, but"
"What?"
"Since I am the one on the losing end. I want to say something too."
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.
For feeding the greed of this mere person.
*FEW DAYS LATER*
*ALYSAA'S POV*
"Alysaa, promise me that you wouldn't lecture me about this."
When I heard His Highness say that I knew he did something extremely terrible.
"I will try my best. But, it depends on what you did."
"Well, it isn't exactly ba-"
A crimson-gold silhouette descended through the window. It shone like the moon itself or perhaps it was indeed... the moon?
"Red Moon?"
I believed for a moment that I had in fact gone blind and visualising everything for my own bliss. However, that illusion of mine shattered when Red Moon spoke to me.
"You are Alysaa, right?" His voice was like the fresh crimson roses blooming in the full moon.
"Y-yes." I stammered to say.
I turned to His Highness, begging for an explanation with only thing functionable in my body, my eyes.
He looked nervous as he said "Well, I was going to tell you about Red Moon. He will be visiting during my work hours from now on. To be exact, 5 hours each day."
I wanted to say a lot.
I had complaints about everything in that arrangement. I knew for a fact that if I, someone rumoured to be a state, felt unmistakably distracted by someone like Red Moon then it is without doubt sure that someone like His Highness had no chance to be focused.
But, in front of Red Moon, my words seemed to dissolve like sugar in the water.
Red Moon smiled before he said that it was nice to meet me and he looked forward to getting along. Then, he sat down in one of the guest chairs and started reading the scroll that he had held in his hand since earlier.
"Are you really sure you wouldn't stare at him until he goes?" I whispered to His Highness.
"Well... that was what I was thinking." He whispered back.
Red Moon looked at us.
He just continued to do so until His highness walked and sat on his seat.
"Alysaa, any reports about the Golden Eyes?" His highness seemed relucted to ask.
I nodded and give him report until Her Majesty, the Empress, walked in.
She had Golden Eyes in her hands and was frozen on the spot when she saw Red Moon.
I could feel her processing between reality and a dream just like I did for entire 5 minutes.
She still looked dazed even when I and His Highness greeted her.
"Isaiah, am I dreaming or is there Red Moon here?" She looked like she wanted the answer to be no. But, unfortunate for her, it was yes.
When Her Majesty finally realised that what she saw was not blissful illusion. She bowed and greeted Red Moon. Red Moon just sat there smiling faintly as he said that there was no need for such courtesy.
Her Majesty pulled me to the side and whispered "Why is he here?"
"I don't know myself. I just know that he will be here for next 5 hours."
"5... hours!? Isaiah definitely wouldn't be alright."
"Only God can save us now."
His Highness must have caught the last two lines as he started glaring at us. While Red Moon just ignored everyone and was immersed in his scroll.
"I didn't realise Red Moon and Isaiah were close enough to visit each other like this" I whispered to Her Majesty. She was nervous and it was a rare sight to see.
A women like Her Majesty would just laugh even when there is a war. And seeing her like this made me realise that she needed distraction right now.
"I think, they have made some kind of deal." She whispered back just like I planned.
"Why do you think so?" I asked her.
We continued talking in whispers until His Highness came and dragged Her Majesty out of the room. When they came back, Her Majesty had really off expression. It wasn't negative nor was it positive. It seemed like she wanted to hide her emotions.
"Alysaa, I need to talk to you after you are done with your work with Isaiah." She whispered to me.
I nodded and continued with my report to His Highness.
***
"Wait- NO" A voice rang the side.
Me and His Highness was busy with our work when we heard that. As we turned, we saw Her Majesty's worried expression. She looked terrified. When we went over we saw...
Red moon's- Red Moon's hand-
BLOOD.
BLACK BLOOD.