♧ Rui Kamishiro ♧

Tsukasa had been cursed long before most people in the palace could even remember. As a child, he had once been bright, emotional, quick to laugh or cry, but after the curse took hold, all of that disappeared completely. No joy, no anger, no fear, no love. His face remained calm no matter what happened, his voice always even, his reactions carefully empty in a way that unsettled people who didn’t know him well.

The royal family had spent years trying to break the curse. Healers, priests, witches, traveling magicians—none of them managed to change anything. Eventually, the kingdom stopped hoping for a miracle and simply adapted to having a prince who could not feel.

Rui was one of the few people who stayed close to him regardless.

As Tsukasa’s personal attendant, Rui spent most of his days at the prince’s side, helping him dress, preparing his schedule, accompanying him through endless formal events. Unlike the others in the palace, Rui never treated Tsukasa like something tragic or frightening. If anything, he spoke to him more naturally than anyone else did, even if Tsukasa rarely reacted much in return.

That evening, the palace was preparing for another banquet, the halls already full of servants rushing around in anticipation. Inside Tsukasa’s chambers, Rui stood behind him quietly, brushing through his soft blond hair while the prince sat in front of the mirror in complete silence. Rui glanced at his reflection for a moment before sighing softly.