“Yes highness.” Akito murmurs automatically when he's addressed by his groom to be, earning a scowl from the emperor. While his wife talks happily of their time together at the beginning the emperor addresses the young soldier. His nerves already rubbed raw with fright having the emperor draw that disappointed face on him freezes Akito completely, not even daring to breath as he speaks. 

“You two are to be wed soon. Don't tell me he's insisting you call him 'highness'?” His voice is gruff, clearly disapproving of the idea, and his brows are knit into a scowl.

Swallowing hard the youth flushes, shaking his head rapidly. “No, no,  just, that's how I was always taught, I'm just not used to. . .” His head falls as he tries desperately to not have a panic attack right here in front of the entire royal family. Hi head snaps over as Hoko gives out a cry of disapproval and as his eyes land on the scene something snaps inside and without warning he stands. A noise comes from him that isn't even vaguely human and with effort Hoko pulls himself from Hironori's grasp and he races after Akito as he races from the room.

The empress watches, stunned, but the emperor looks a mix of sheepish and upset. He turns to Hiro. “What have you been filling his head with? He's acting like I'm going to eat him alive! He was just fine before you came in, you must have said something!” His tone is accusatory but unsure, as if he's not really blaming the prince but needs someone to blame anyways.

~*~*~*~*~

Out in the hall Akito's bright red has dulled into a shade of pale gray and he races full speed for the front door. He doesn't belong here. All he's been doing is making a fool of himself. He can't even make it through a meal without panicking and fleeing. How is [b]he[/b] suppose to become a ruler!? It's too crazy to even entertain. He doesn't really blame Hoko, he should have kept better track of him and the things around him. He was acting on Akito's orders, distracted as they were.

In no time he's in the stable, saddling a horse with a few stable hands standing there spluttering and panicking. He doesn't hear them though, too focused on getting out of here, back to where he belongs. Before any of them even think to alert the palace Akito is gone, racing along the main roadway off palace grounds. The horse slows in the trees, but not completely. As a palace horse it's used to the darkness, but still needs to pick it's way a bit. It doesn't matter, none of it matter, all the young soldier cares about is he's getting away from all the strange frightening mess and is headed to his home. . . .