Royal Palace – Renju’s private chamber, late at night

**\[Renju sits by the window, looking at the moon. His fingers twitch slightly as he holds Saien’s old handkerchief.]**

**Renju**

(whispers)

Saien...

Where did you go?

**\[A loud knock interrupts the silence.]**

**Royal Guard**

Your Highness, excuse me.

**Renju**

(quietly)

Speak.

**Royal Guard**

We've received word from the capital…

Saien is missing. His home was left unlocked. His things are gone.

**Renju**

(eyes widen slightly, but expression remains cold)

…When?

**Royal Guard**

Three days ago. No sightings since.

We suspect he’s left the city.

**Renju**

(turns away, voice low)

So… he really left.

**Royal Guard**

Do you wish to send men to search?

**Renju**

No.

**\[The guard hesitates]**

**Royal Guard**

Your Highness?

**Renju**

(sternly)

I’ll look for him myself.

**\[He stands, gripping the handkerchief tighter]**

**Renju**

He thinks I threw him away.

But I only wanted to protect him from the danger tied to me.

**Renju**

(voice cracks just a little)

And now… he’s alone.

Carrying pain that should’ve been mine.

**\[He walks toward the door, cape swaying behind him]**

**Renju**

Prepare my horse. No guards.

**Royal Guard**

But, Your Highness—!

**Renju**

If he sees a prince… he’ll run again.

I need him to see *me*—not the crown.

**\[He stops at the doorway, staring out into the night]**

**Renju**

Wait for me, Saien.

This time…

I’ll choose you. No matter the cost.

**\[Scene – Early morning in the village: Saien’s cottage]**

**Saien**

(stretches)

Today’s plan: breakfast, a bath, then rest.

We’re settling in, little one.

**\[He finishes the last of yesterday’s food, then fills the wooden tub.]**

**Saien**

(soaks, sighs)

This feels… peaceful.

**\[Later, wrapped in a thin robe, he props a book against his knees.]**

**Saien**

Just a chapter, then I’ll nap—

Yawn… maybe two…

**\[Book slips. He dozes off. When he wakes the window is bright—mid-afternoon.]**

**Saien**

Oh no… emptied the pantry.

Shopping it is.

### In the village marketplace

**Saien**

(clutches a small purse of silver)

Bread, rice, vegetables, dried fruit.

Nothing fancy.

**\[He weaves through the crowd. A tall figure in a travel cloak rounds a corner; they collide.]**

**Saien**

Ah—! I’m so sorry!

**Cloaked Man**

(nods once, voice low)

No harm done.

**Saien**

(thinks)

His scent… familiar?

**\[The man slips away. Saien shrugs and heads toward the produce stalls.]**

---

### A short distance behind

**Renju (in disguise)**

(under his breath)

He looks healthy… thank the heavens.

**Renju**

(to an attendant, whispering)

Become a vendor. Offer him something kind—nothing that links back to me.

I only need to know he’s safe.

### Back at the stalls

**Friendly Seller**

(smiling)

Good day, traveler! First time shopping here?

**Saien**

Yes—just moved in.

**Friendly Seller**

Then a welcome gift. *On the house.*

(fishes out a small, ornate charm carved from peach-wood)

**Saien**

(confused, but touched)

That’s… lovely. Are you sure?

**Friendly Seller**

Our village believes new beginnings deserve blessings.

May it guard you and… those you cherish.

**Saien**

(blushes, accepts)

Thank you. Truly.

### A little farther up the road

**Saien**

(carefully tucks the charm into his pouch)

Such generous people here.

**\[A carriage clatters past. Inside, the cloaked man sits rigid. A breeze lifts his hood for a heartbeat—Saien glimpses a familiar jawline and silver hair.]**

**Saien**

(stops mid-step)

Wait… that—

No… it can’t be.

**\[The carriage turns and disappears between trees.]**

**Saien**

(heart racing)

…Did I just see Renju?

(shakes head)

Impossible.

He chose a different life.

**Saien**

(curls fingers around the peach-wood charm)

Still… thank you, whoever you are.

### A hill overlooking the village

**Renju (in disguise)**

(watches the cottage roof in the distance)

He smiled today.

That’s enough—for now.

**Renju’s Attendant**

Are we returning to the capital, Your High—?

**Renju**

Not yet.

I’ll protect him from the shadows…

until I can stand beside him in the light.

**\[Fade-out with the sound of evening cicadas.]**

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