***

Rishe headed up the stairs in pursuit of Theodore. This building appeared to have once been an inn, and she sensed no one else inside but the three of them. They were on the third floor—Theodore seemed to be on the fourth and still climbing. Catching up, Rishe found the doors to the roof left open.

She stepped out into what once must have been a space for hanging laundry. She pictured the tableau of dozens of sheets softly fluttering in the wind.

Tonight, all was silent. Theodore stood under the spill of a starry sky.

“Prince Theodore?”

He flinched like a scolded child, then turned back to her with a pout. “Oh, do you have another lecture prepared? Perhaps on running away? Should I have run down and out instead of up?”

“I know you weren’t trying to run away.” If he wanted to escape, he would have just left.

Theodore huffed. “I wanted to speak without my brother present. I’ve shamed myself enough as it is.”

The prince strode over to the roof’s edge, propping himself up against the railing. His eyes were wide and earnest. Gone was the petulant look of a boy intent on dodging his truths.

“You know, my brother doesn’t ever take credit for the brilliant policy changes he makes to improve our country.” Theodore smiled. “Eventually the citizens find out, though. But they never say. Or they credit our father.” His sleek hair fluttered in the wind. “On the other hand, there’s an unnatural number of rumors about my brother. Do you know what I’m talking about?”

“About how cruel he was during the war?”

“Exactly,” Theodore said. “You’re from another country—you’ll have heard all about it. Why do you think the crown prince of the victorious nation is infamous everywhere?”

The answer he was looking for was obvious. “Because Prince Arnold himself intended for such rumors to spread.”

Theodore nodded. “That’s what I think too. He hides his meritorious deeds and spreads the contemptible. He’s ruining his own reputation. I can’t imagine he intends to participate in politics for much longer. And there’s more.” He slowly shut his eyes. “He has no attachment to his position as crown prince. He’s arranging his affairs so that he can disappear whenever he wants to. I know I’m right—I’ve watched him for so long.”

Rishe said nothing.

“I don’t know the next phase of his plans, but we can’t let him just disappear. He’s too important. Don’t you agree?”

Theodore had no idea what kind of future Arnold would choose. He had no way of knowing that Arnold wasn’t planning to step down from politics—he was going to incite a massacre. But Theodore’s sense of impending crisis was spot-on.

“Everything I’ve done has mimicked his moves,” Theodore said. “If he plans to entrust the nation to me and then disappear, then I’ll disappear first. I’ll save him from his own stupidity.” He gazed at Rishe with the eyes that matched his brother’s, then smiled gently. “This is the only kindness I can offer him.”

Rishe had so many things she wanted to share. And to ask. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because just now you said that we’re afraid of the same thing. Assuming you’ve figured out what I’m thinking, you’re afraid of him disappearing too. I suppose that makes sense. Your position as his wife would be in jeopardy if something happened to him.”

On the contrary, but Rishe kept that to herself. She couldn’t tell him she knew his brother would kill her in five years.

“I thought it would be worth confirming your fears.” His gaze went flinty. “Maybe I could finally frighten you off.”

Another roundabout motive. This was getting annoying. Rishe wished these brothers would tone down the emotional manipulation.

“Don’t look at me like that. You stole my beloved brother from me. I’m allowed my revenge. Not that he was ever very brotherly to me. But I’ll still be gratified if this leaves you hopeless of ever preventing the future you fear.”

“May I get a word in?” Rishe asked, just as a strong gust of wind blew across the rooftop. She clutched Arnold’s jacket to her shoulders so it wouldn’t fly away. “I won’t be afraid of the future anymore.”

Theodore looked at her with surprise. Rishe felt as if the ground were contorting under her feet.

The medicine’s wearing off. I just need a little bit longer.

“Your brother must be planning something momentous. I intend to use all my power and every means at my disposal to stop him.” She took a deep breath and balanced herself, trying not to wobble. “I won’t hesitate. I will take all the help I can get, no matter what debts I incur. One can’t be picky when faced with an opponent like him.” She pierced him with her gaze. “Naturally, that includes you.”

“Me?” Theodore swiftly covered his confusion with a sneer. “Such confidence. My brother truly chose well. But I don’t think you’ll be able to stop him. Nothing I say will influence him. The most I can do is obstruct his plans.”

“That’s what you’ve been doing for the past two years, am I right? Putting your own position at risk, dirtying your hands. But if you truly wish to help your brother, I suggest focusing on your own life. On what makes you happy.”

“What?” This time Theodore couldn’t downplay the bafflement. “Why is my happiness related to his future?”

“Prince Arnold would not wish for a future in which you were unhappy.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“Of course it does,” Rishe said. “You’re the only brother he has.”

Theodore stared at her.

“Why do you think Prince Arnold came here alone in the middle of the night?”

“To save you. Obviously.”

“His Highness knows I wouldn’t go quietly. And that I can save myself.”

And he knew that Theodore wouldn’t treat Rishe cruelly.

“If you had been anyone else, I am sure Prince Arnold wouldn’t have come. He’s the crown prince—he can’t rashly follow the directions of kidnappers. He came here because it was a demand from his little brother, nothing more.”

“Stop it. I don’t need to hear this from you,” Prince Theodore said, voice strangled. “Are you trying to say that he loves me? That’s ridiculous. I’ve learned not to hope for such things.”

“Prince Theodore—”

“He doesn’t spare me a single thought. Even our father hates me. I’ve done nothing to earn his respect. But it’s fine.” Theodore sighed and smiled. “Brother saved me once. I owe him my life. I doubt he even remembers it.” He looked over his shoulder, gazing beyond the railing. “It’s my own choice what I do with my life.”

Rishe made a questioning noise.

“I should have skipped the schemes and done this sooner. I can’t believe how badly I screwed up.”

Rishe shuddered as she realized what Theodore had come up here to do. With an almost playful smile, he began to lean backward against the railing.

“Your Highness, don’t do this!” Rishe lurched over to him, her vision wavering as she fell.

Why now of all times?!

She couldn’t even muster the strength to get back on her feet. Her head pounded like a struck bell.

Theodore looked down at her with a satisfied smile. “Thank you, Sister. I wasn’t expecting your concern to make me happy, but it does.”

“Wait!” She desperately reached out her hand, even though he was meters away. “DON’T!”

A shadow rushed past her.

The figured grabbed Theodore by the arm, yanking him off the railing. Theodore gasped in recognition. “Brother?!” He gazed up at Arnold, stupefied.

Arnold’s back was turned to Rishe, so she couldn’t make out his expression. Still, what he did next surprised her.

Smack!

Arnold grabbed Theodore by the collar and slapped him across the face. “What the hell were youthinking?”

Rishe had never heard Arnold shout like that before. Theodore pressed a hand to his cheek, gaping up at his brother.

“I—” Theodore’s voice was choked down to nothing. “Th-this is it. This is the only way I can help you. I’ll never matter to you!”

“Don’t be a fool.” Arnold’s tone was frigid. “What kind of idiot would throw his life away for someone who has never done a single thing to earn his esteem?”

Despite his words, Rishe was sure of her conclusions. Arnold kept Theodore at a distance out of love.

“Don’t do something like this for my sake,” Arnold growled.

Theodore was about to say something, but he gave up, on the verge of tears.

Rishe sighed in relief, forcing herself to her feet. “You’re right, Your Highness.Thatwas stupid.”

Arnold slowly looked back at her.

Enduring her throbbing headache, Rishe said, “The feeling behind it is real. It’s not foolish for him to want to help his older brother.” Her breath shook, going shallow. “Isn’t that right, Prince Theodore?”

Theodore now sat on the ground, clenching his fist. “She’s right.”

Arnold blinked. “What are you—”

“It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” Theodore’s numb confusion was gone, replaced by determination. “I want to stand by you. I want you to need me! If there’s any way I can help you, I’ll do it, no matter what.” His eyes—the same eyes—pierced Arnold’s. “Because you’re my only brother, and I care about you.”

Arnold didn’t reply. Rishe wished she could see his face. She watched them both attentively. Before long, Arnold released Theodore’s collar and slowly stood back up.

“Don’t ever do something stupid like this again.”

Theodore grimaced as his brother pushed him away once more. Rishe’s heart ached as she realized these two might never understand each other.

But what Arnold said next surprised her. “I’m pretty sure I’ve told you this once before—don’t put your life in danger needlessly.”

Theodore’s voice trembled as he asked, “You remember that day?”

“Of course I do.”

Theodore choked, tears welling up in those big eyes to trail down his cheeks. His voice quivered. “I’m sorry.” He repeated himself over and over through his tears. “I’m so sorry, Brother. I’m so sorry, Sister. I’m so sor—”

Arnold looked at an utter loss. “Okay, we get it already. Stop crying.”

“But…!”

Rishe felt light with relief.Thank goodness.Theodore’s crying face was that of a small child who had finally plucked up the courage to make amends.If he can cry like that, he’ll be all right.

Arnold turned to Rishe and knelt down beside her. “Are you hurt?”

“I knew you would come, Your Highness.”

“I came because of something you said.”

She wondered what it was. That Theodore might disappear from Arnold’s life? Perhaps it had sounded like a threat, even if Rishe had been speaking metaphorically. “I’m glad you two have made up.”

Arnold stood in silence and held out his gloved hand to Rishe. She smiled as she took it. The taut string of tension that had been keeping her on her feet slackened. “I’m really ha…”

“Rishe?”

The strength left her, and she finally lost the fight against unconsciousness.