Chained to old wounds

CH114

Tsunco

“On his way,” Father said. “Apparently, he had a tough time getting to sleep last night.

Mother squealed. “I wanted to meet him earlier, but it’s better for little ones to get as much sleep as possible.

Then, Kai arrived, rushing towards Morgan.

“Lady Morgan, you’re awake!” he cried, throwing his arms around her. “I really missed you.”

Morgan hugged him back. “I missed you, too. I hope you weren’t too lonely?”

He shook his head. “Tsuneo kept me company sometimes, and I’ve been learning stuff.”

He lifted his head and looked over at my mother. “What’s going on?”

Mother came around the table and crouched down in front of him.

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Kai. I’m the king’s wife, Haruka.”

He blinked up at her in wonder. “I know who you are… my father talked about you sometimes.”

“Oh, I’m sure he did. Welcome to the royal family, dear.” She offered his hand. “How about some

breakfast? You want to sit next to me?”

“Can I?” He shuffled his feet. “That feels like a really important spot…”

“Well it is, and I say you can.”

Mother led him to the chair beside her and lifted him into it.

She had clearly taken an instant liking to him, and he seemed to feel the same. At least that meant he wouldn’t be looking at Morgan like a replacement maternal figure. Morgan almost seemed relieved.

I leaned toward her and whispered. “Happy to just be a big sister?”

Morgan flashed me a grin. “I have a lot of experience in that department, you know?”

Morgan

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Tsuneo chuckled and started to fill my plate.

“You’re such a sweet boy,” Haruka cooed, her voice Billed with a sense of tenderness.

Kai blushed, his eyes darting away. Thank you,” he replied, hi fee barely a whisper.

I smiled, my heart filled with a sense of warmth. It was great to see Kai getting some maternal

affection.

She sept her gaze over the table.

“I convened breakfast this way to speak about a few family matters… starting with Keiji.“

His mother scowled. “Unless you’re going to have your son executed for murder we have nothing

to talk about.”

Haruka scoffed. “So dramatic, and an enabler as usual. Where are their bodies?”

“What difference does it make to you?” She snarled.

“It makes no difference to me, I would imagine it makes all the difference to you,” Haruka said. They’re your children. Have you started making burial arrangements?”

Her eyes glossed over.

“What burial? Your monster of a son killed Keiji who knows where and tore my daughter in half.”

Haruka sighed, draatically. “If your children weren’t doing things that angered a man who could kill them, they’d be here irritating us all with their presence the way the always did. And if you find their bodies, you won’t need a burial or a memorial service.”

She snarled. “You may have come back from the dead, but the celestials are not granted multiple blessings.” She sniffled. “The only reason you are here is because the king prayed for return when he would not pray for his own children!”

Hayato’s eyes widened, but before he could speak, Haruka did.

“If you would like them to remain on the edge of life and death, that can be arranged, but you go to far insinuating that Hayato does not love all of his children. Your daughter tried and failed to kill my son, and your son kidnapped and planned to violate his wife. If he were any other man and she any other woman, you would not think it strange that he killed them, so don’t feign some moral high ground. You have none.”

She looked at me. “If their bodies are recovered and properly contained, it would help them revive

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faster. They are born celestial, after all. Until they are exited, they cannot die.”

Everyone was silent, their eyes wide with disbelief child went through all me. I had assumed that Keiji would remain dead.

“How do you know this? Hayato asked, his voice barely a whisper.

She smiled and looked at Tsuneo Queenly secrets, and your can hardly ensure that he won’t get any ideas like Elia if you let him revive and disappear into the wilds.”

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Who was Elia, and why did Hayato seem so uncomfortable at the mention of him.

I looked down the table and noted that it wasn’t just Hayato, but several others. I narrowed my

eyes.

“I suggest that Hayato and Tsuneo manage the recovery and collection of the bodies,” Haruka said. “So they can properly stand trial for their crimes. In the meantime, Morgan and I have a few house matters to deal with.”

I frowned. “House matters?”

Starting with Anya.

Images flashed through my mind, and I nodded. We finished breakfast. Tsuneo went with Hayato to his office and Haruka and I walked Kai to his lessons before heading to Doctor Shang’s office.

Doctor Shang looked stunned to see Haruk, but he bowed. “Your Majesty…”

“Hi, dear,” she greeted, pinching his cheek. “You’ve grown up quite well, haven’t you?”

He flushed. “Hi… Uhm, what are you doing here? And welcome back.”

“Here to see Anya. Is she awake?”

He grimaced and nodded, leading us outside and down the hallway to Anya’s room.

My heart ached with pain. I had seen flashes of memories through Pyra and the palace of her suffering, of the torture she had endured at Ari’s hand. I admired her strength, but I knew that Pyra was hoping to formally heal her.

When we entered the room, we were met with a sight that chilled me to the bone. Anya lay in bed, wrapped in bandages and surrounded by light.

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“I’ve just made her comfortable as I really wasn’t sure where to start. She’s suffered a lot of damage. I believe Ari used some sort of poison on her.”

My eyes stung with anger. Her body was bruised and scarred, her eyes filled were closed as if she were just sleeping. She was so broken. Could Pyra really save her through me?

Haruka knelt beside her, her hand resting gently on her shoulder.

“Anya,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Its me, Haruka. If you can hear me, I want you to

open your eyes,”

Anya looked up, her eyes wide with surprise though hazy with pain and sleep.

“Your… Majesty?” She whispered, her voice barely a whisper.

I smiled, drawing closer as Haruka stroked her hair.

“I’m so sorry for what happened,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “We’ll do everything we can to help you heal.”

Is eves welled with tears. “I can’t… I don’t think…”

here for you,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “We’re here for you. I promise being mortal ill the be least of the suffering she endures for what she’s done.”

Haruka looked up at me. “Time for your first lesson in being a royal phoenix.”

I blinked. Pyra seemed curious at the back of my mind. Then, Haruka held up her hand, fluttering her fingers. A soft golden flame started to rise from her fingers.

“Your fire is the life of the kingdom.”

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