The chamber was quiet lit only by the low golden flame of a single candle. Incense coiled from a jade holder, curling like a spirit mid-dream.
Emperor lifted the candle slightly, inspecting its flicker.
From behind the silk screen, Daita paused. He had come to leave the report on the pedestal and leave quietly. But before he could step back, the Emperor's voice came,
"It's over. You can come in."
Daita stepped inside, bowing. "Your Majesty."
The Emperor didn't look at him, only studied the flame. "You're later than usual."
"I waited until the courtyard guards changed posts."
"A habit you learned from your father, I suppose."
There was silence for a beat. The candle shifted.
Then the Emperor sighed, setting it down.
"Speak. What does the Crown Prince want now?"
Daita hesitated just enough to sell the act. Then he gave a slow exhale, as if reluctantly breaking a silence he wished to keep.
"He's been…different lately." He kept his tone low, laced with concern.
The Emperor turned slightly, not surprised. "Go on."
Daita approached the edge of the dais, his voice low. "Restless. More than usual. There's something in his eyes these days…"
The Emperor's head turned sharply, eyes narrowing. "…His eyes?"
Daita blinked, then quickly corrected himself. "I—I meant his mind. His mind, Your Majesty." He cleared his throat. "Like he's listening to a voice no one else can hear."
The Emperor finally looked at him. "Does he speak of dreams again?"
Daita gave a quiet chuckle, masking tension. "Worse. He asked me—no, insisted—that I gain him access to the sealed Lotus Chamber during the Bloom."
That made the Emperor pause. He sat back, folding his hands. "That door hasn't been opened in a hundred years."
"I reminded him of that," Daita said, letting a subtle edge creep into his voice.
"But you know how he is—once he sets his mind on something, there's no moving him. According to the top thirteen informants…" He paused, then added with quiet weight, "He doesn't chase the prey. He lets it walk straight into the snare.' He's cunning, Your Majesty. More than before. And with age… he's growing more disobedient and…Reckless."
The Emperor's expression remained unreadable as he slowly set the candle down.
"And you?" he asked finally. "What do you think?"
Daita scoffed lightly. "I think he's gone too far this time. Whatever he's chasing… it's pulling him away from all reason. The chamber won't give him peace—it'll only feed that fire in his head." He took a breath. "But if you don't let him in… he might try to break it himself."
The Emperor's fingers tightened briefly on the armrest.
"You truly believe that?"
"I believe he's nearing a crack. The Bloom always stirs him—but this year? He barely sleeps. He mutters names in his rest. He asked me if I knew how to silence an echo."
The Emperor's jaw stiffened. "I gave him too much freedom…"
Daita bowed again. "He listens to no one now. Not even me." There was silence for a long moment. The Emperor's voice was a murmur, but it echoed like a riddle left unsolved. "So… he seeks answers in a dead room. Among bones and forgotten words."
The candlelight trembled as if stirred by those very spirits.
Daita stepped forward, bowing just enough. "Let him," he said softly. " The Lotus Chamber holds nothing but dust and faded breath. If he wishes to chase ghosts…" he trailed off, just long enough for implication to settle like ash. Then subtly, surgically he added, "…perhaps the silence will finally speak louder than his defiance."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, studying him.
"You think it's harmless?"
Daita allowed himself a quiet smile tinged with something darker, heavier.
"Not harmless. But contained. Let him chase old myths if it keeps him from tearing at the present." He let the moment breathe, then tilted his head just slightly, voice softening into concern:
"Or… if you're worried about his highness getting himself into danger, we could restrict his movement further. Tighten the circles. Close off access to the Lotus Chamber entirely."
The Emperor frowned, gaze tightening.
"He'd only find another way..."
Daita bowed slightly deeper, hiding a glint in his eyes.
"Then let him tire himself within the circle we've drawn. A wolf caged in a temple of bones is still a wolf but one who forgets how to hunt."
There was silence. The Emperor's fingers traced the edge of the brass candleholder.
"Fine. Let him have the chamber. If it keeps his fire turned inward, so be it."
Daita's lips barely moved, but a flicker of satisfaction passed behind his eyes, too brief to be caught unless one was looking. He stepped forward, voice low. "But… Your Majesty, what exactly are those myths? The ones we've only heard whispers of. If I knew more, it might help me keep a sharper eye on him."
The Emperor waved a hand, almost dismissive though not without the weight of old caution. "Those myths are never true. Stories for those who still sleep with incense and lullabies." His tone darkened slightly.
"Even I find it difficult to believe the tale," he said quietly, "the one that claims the fragment of the Lotus Heart sealed in that chamber was once the very heart of a Heavenly God—that its pulse still beats beneath the stone, waiting for the remaining nine pieces to be reunited."
He turned away, as though dismissing the thought like dust brushed from an ancient relic. "Just make sure he stays far from the sealed stone—and from whatever remains of the forbidden summoning texts. They must never fall into his hands. I only hope he doesn't do anything ridiculous with what lies there."
Daita bowed, the movement fluid and respectful. "Not on my watch, Your Majesty." He straightened, just enough for the light to catch the faintest edge of his smile. "After all… what could possibly be awakened in a room that's been silent for a hundred years?"
The Emperor nodded, half to himself. Behind his robes, Daita's fingers curled ever so slightly.
I do not know whether it is the Lotus Heart… or the bones of those who died guarding it, But whatever sleeps beneath that silence and whatever the Crown Prince asked for in whispers only a fool would overlook.
Your Majesty… you should never overlook what the Crown Prince sets his eyes upon. He does not waste time laying traps where no prey will tread. Because he is not the wolf. He is the one who built the cage and then left the door open, so the wolf would step inside willingly.
Your Highness… what are you hunting this time?