Finding Truth

《23》

Today was the day. The day the royal family of the demon kingdom would be leaving for the human kingdom.

The ones attending would be the king, the archduke, the marquis, and the Èxi by default. The prince and princess are coming as well, already known as the children of the king, both inside and outside their kingdom.

"You can't appear." Sanemi said as he finished dressing up to more formal attire. Shiro stood behind him, his arms crossed wearing simple clothes. Genya beside him with an awkward smile, also wearing proper formal attire. "You already know that Muzan thinks you're dead. It's best if he keeps thinking that."

"I know that. I'm not stupid enough to show my face after being declared dead like I'm a fucking hero or some shit." Shiro grumbled, rolling his eyes. "I'm here for another reason."

"What is it?" Sanemi asked, turning around and facing his brother and son.

"How exactly were Kohana and Koharu born?" Shiro asked, straightening his figure. "And how did you turn my uncles into demons? Turning humans into demons isn't possible."

"Shiro... it's best not to dwell on those things..." Genya said, his tone serious, glancing over his brother with a frown. The frown told him everything he needed to. "Why don't we just go meet with everyone else?" He asked, his smile back as he gestured to the door. The two nodded. "Then, let's go. I already prepared the carriage!"

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The carriage, as expected, was grand and luxurious. There were three in total and a lot of horses. The main carriage would be where the royal family would be. The second for the archduke, and the last for the marquis and his daughter. The other Èxi would be going by horseback. Of course those are not normal horses. They are... what people call... war horses. Trained by the Èxi themselves, so expect great things from those horses.

"You'll be riding with me, Shiro." Genya said with a smile, gesturing to his carriage with the royal crest on it. "You'll be playing as my adopted son, so you can get inside the banquet hall without getting stopped. So, don't go exposing yourself."

"Alright." Shiro answered, getting inside the carriage. But as he does, a familiar someone approached them. "A-ah, A-aiko!" He stuttered the moment he saw her. She looked pretty, wearing the light pink dress with a black chiffon on top. "Y-you... um... great... haha..."

'Wow, he sounded just like me back then.' Sanemi thought as he listened to his son's conversation as he spoke to the other Èxi. 'Man up kid.'

"Thank you, your highness..." Aiko replied with a smile. Although something about her tone seemed... sad. But before Shiro could ask, Aiko gave a bow. "I shall be on my way. And you look great as well, your highness."

"...alright..." Shiro muttered, giving her a wave as he got inside. Sitting in front of his uncle in an awkward silence. "..." It was so quiet. The carriage still hasn't moved.

"Shiro." Genya spoke up, surprising the teen. Shiro hummed, urging him to continue. "Do you... do you hate Ne- older brother?" He asked, pausing at the old nickname. "Do you hate what older brother eventually did to your mother?"

"..." Shiro was not able to answer. It took him a minute to think about Genya's question. "I... I don't." He said, his eyes glancing over to the window where he could see his father speaking with the Èxi. "My mother doesn't regret meeting him. And she was... happy. So... I don't... hate him."

"That's good then..." Genya said with a soft voice. "You know, when you got here and stayed in the castle, brother was with us on the island. He wasn't talking to anyone and just drowned himself in alcohol all day, barely able to do his job. He kept saying that you would hate him if you were to see him... so he ran away..."

"...ah... no wonder..." Shiro said with a sigh, but despite his sigh, he was still smiling. "He's a pretty dumb king." Genya chuckled, leaning over to the boy and giving him a pat on the head. "Hey, I'm not a kid."

"I know." Genya replied, giving the boy a hug. "I'm just glad you're here. Brother was so excited to see you again... but shit happened. And now this coronation..." He pulled back, giving him a serious look. "Let's do our best."

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Muzan stood proudly as he stood in front of the gates of the castle, waiting for his guest to arrive. Besides him stood his brother and one of the guardians, Kagaya and Himejima. There are also a few officials from other countries sent as the monarch's proxy. A few of the high nobility also gathered to observe the exchange that was about to happen. Although, the high priest was not present due to... an emergency....

And it didn't take long until they could hear the galloping of horses and as well as the cold and daunting aura that followed. The demons have arrived.

They could see the carriages and the horses, some backed away and some prepared spells to cast. The two royal guards holding into their weapon thighly, ready to protect their king, their names were Sekido and Karaku.

The carriage came to a stop, and one of the Èxi jumped off his horse and opened the door open, and a surge of powerful magic came barging out, sending a surge of fear to the humans.

"Your majesty, your highnesses, we have arrived." Tengen said with a smirk.

"Hm, seems like it." The kings muttered as he stepped out of the carriage. He stood tall and proud, his face as cold as ice, right besides him stood the twins, the same cold and emotionless looks on their faces. "Muzan."

"Your majesty," Muzan chimed with a smirk. "I'm honored you could make it."

"Well, it was an enemy's invitation, how could I not." Sanemi replied coldly. "It was idiotic of you, but I praise you for your confidence." He crossed his arms as the Èxi stood behind him, besides him was his brother and Obanai. "Now then, shall we get inside."

"We shall." Muzan replied, snapping his fingers and the footmen immediately stood besides him. "Go take the guests items and place them in their rooms. Don't slack off and taint my name."

"Yes, your majesty." They said.

At the back of the group stood three figures, Yuichiro, Muichiro and Koichi. The three of them posing as Obanai's servants. Their eyes were glued on Sanemi as they waited. Sanemi tapped his finger on his leg and they got the message.

'Find (Y/N)'s body.' they nodded and helped the footmen to take their items inside.

It was the only way they could freely move without raising suspicion. They had to hide their identity, they couldn't use magic cause they would be immediately found out inside the capitol.

The same went for Shiro. He had to drink a weird potion that Kanae gave him and it changed his eyes. His hair wasn't the white puffy as usual, it was straight and wavy, the same color as Genya's, his eyes weren't lilac anymore, but just a dark shade of purple.

He wanted to stab Muzan. He was standing right in front of him. He wanted to take his revenge. But he needed to be calm. Everything was still a mystery. They needed to solve those first before making a move.

"Let's go, brother." Kohana whispered, walking past him. "Father and the others are already walking. Don't be too distracted."

"Alright." He replied quietly, turning his head and examining each and every person. All of them he could recognize from his lessons. And there was someone else he could recognize... 'Zenitsu? He's... representing his house? What about his brother?'

Within the group of adults stood a friend he recognized. Zenitsu Agatsuma. He was crying, as usual. He was scared of the demons, actually. 'I WANT TO GO HOMEEEE!!!'

||A.N||

Ehehe, there's gonna be som juicy events later on :)