The massive doors of the Imperial Palace opened with a bang, and the sound of Magnus Grimwood's boots echoed through the marble corridors. His countenance was cold, almost icy, as he advanced through the hall, surrounded by his trusted men of personal guard. The servants and imperial guards watched him from afar, fearing to cross their way. The Grand Duke of the Empire, the only one with such a title, was not a man from whom one expected warmth or empathy. His crimson red eyes, as sharp as the blade he carries at his waist, were dark with a restrained anger.
He had received the urgent message less than an hour ago: Eugene and Cadec were publicly attacked by rebels.
For Magnus, the fact that an attack occurred in broad daylight, in front of several people, and that his younger brother was involved... that was an unforgivable affront. His cold and calculating mind had already worked out some possible scenarios, as he had done with the late Count Moutuni.
Hired rebels?
Who would be behind such an attack?
Who would dare to challenge not only a Grimwood, but also the First Prince?
Magnus was not a man of useless assumptions. He would deal with it the only way he knew: with strength and precision. And, if necessary, blood.
Upon arriving at the doors of the throne room, he was immediately greeted by an imperial guard.
"Your Grace, the First Prince and the young lord Grimwood await you in the interrogation room. The rebel prisoners have been captured and are awaiting their inspection."
Magnus did not answer him. With a dry nod, he advanced, the sound of his boots echoing through the vast corridor. His men were left behind, but Magnus knew he wouldn't need an escort inside the Palace. There, power was on his side. He was a force in himself.
Upon entering the interrogation room, he found Eugene sitting in a corner, still visibly shaken but safe, wrapped in a cape that Cadec had given him after the attack. Beside him, the First Prince was standing, his expression serious and focused. Even slightly wounded, Cadec kept his alpha presence intact, with his clothes slightly misaligned after the fight.
Eugene stood up as soon as he saw Magnus enter, but the look the Grand Duke gave him was enough to keep him in place. Eugene knew that at times like that, Magnus was not his loving brother. He was the tireless protector, and his priority was to ensure that those responsible paid dearly.
"Mag..." Eugene started, his voice slightly trembling, but Magnus raised his hand, silencing him.
"Are you hurt?", asked the omega in a cold but sharp tone, while his eyes quickly examined the brother from top to bottom for injuries.
"No... just... shaken, I think."
Magnus nodded, pleased to know that Eugene was physically fine. He then turned to Cadec, his gaze glaring at the prince.
"What about you, Your Highness?"
"Just a minor injury, nothing I can't handle" Cadec replied seriously, with no room to complain.
Magnus narrowed his eyes, as if he was still assessing the extent of the damage. He respected Cadec, not only as a prince and his best friend, but also as a brave warrior. However, what happened to him and Eugene was unacceptable.
"Where are these worms?" Magnus' voice came out cold, almost like a promise of death.
Cadec made a gesture to one of the guards, who opened the door at the back of the room, revealing the five rebels tied up, with swollen faces and bleeding, visibly the result of a preliminary interrogation. They were thrown at the feet of Magnus, but the Grand Duke barely looked at them. His eyes were fixed on Cadec.
"I myself captured two of them" Said the prince without ostentation "The others were detained by the knights who arrived soon after."
Magnus took a step forward, his eyes finally turning to the rebels prostrate on the ground. His lips curled in a cold smile, devoid of any mood.
"You were sent to attack the First Prince and a Grimwood" He said softly, contrasting the coldness of his gaze "If you thought it would go unpunished... have been deeply mistaken."
One of the rebels tried to lift his head, but Magnus' gaze stopped him. The Grand Duke circled around them, his slow and calculated steps.
"Clearly you are only disposable pieces", he continued, standing in front of the group leader, a man with a deep scar on his face "But who sent you?", his voice was low, but full of threat.
The rebel of the scar just smiled defiantly, his teeth dirty with blood.
"Do you think I'm going to tell you something, Grand Duke?" he roared "My fate is already sealed. No matter what you do with me."
Magnus smiled again, a rather dangerous smile.
"Ah, but it matters, yes" he said, picking up a dagger he always carried around his waist "I have methods that will make you wish you had spoken before."
The silence in the room became dense. Even Eugene, who already knew the dark side of Magnus, felt a shiver. The Grand Duke was not known for his patience with enemies. When it came to the safety of his family, he was ruthless, and everyone there knew that.
"Bring him to the special interrogation chamber" ordered Magnus, with his eyes locked on the rebel.
Two guards immediately dragged the man out of the room. The other prisoners seemed increasingly terrified, which did not go unnoticed by Magnus.
"I will deal with them" said the Grand Duke, without addressing anyone in particular "I will rip off every name and detail of who is behind this attack. And when I know..." he turned, his icy gaze turned to the prince and his brother "they will pay dearly."
Eugene tried to hide his nervousness, but it was difficult in the face of Magnus' intensity. He knew his brother was capable of anything to protect him, and the idea of seeing that ruthless side of Magnus in action was both comforting and frightening.
Cadec, in other hand, knew that the Empire needed men like Magnus — those who were willing to get their hands dirty to ensure the stability of the crown. He would not object to the Grand Duke's methods, especially when the attack had been a public affront.
Knocks on the door drew the attention of the three. Cadec raised his eyes to the door and ordered:
"Enter."
An imperial knight saluted and then reported:
"His Highness, the Eighth Prince has arrived."
"Let him in."
The rider took a step back and turned giving way to the alpha of golden hair and delicate body. Lucian raised his light-blue eyes to all involved in that room and saw the men thrown to the ground. He just raised his eyebrow without questioning anything.
As soon as he saw him, Magnus felt something in his chest. The crimson eyes noticed the soft clothes and wet hair too. Still irritated by the attack, he felt that he could become even more humorous depending on what had happened to his husband.
"May I know why you are wet, Lucian?"
The clear eyes fell on the Grand Duke and Lucian only tilted his head.
"A small incident during the tea party. But I don't think now is the right time to talk about it."
Ah, he was right. It wasn't time. Magnus even wanted to fill his husband with questions, but he had to deal with those rubbish first.
Containing his own will to change the subject, and staying focused on what mattered, Magnus approached his younger brother and stroked his shoulder.
"I want you to take care of Eugene while we take care of these bugs."
Lucian agreed with his head and extended his arm to Eugene, who held hesitantly. Before they left, the golden-haired alpha turned to Magnus.
"Sometimes human cruelty is the key to delving into the most feared truth" Opening a naive smile, Lucian winked at him before leaving along with Eugene.
When the door was closed after the two left, Cadec stared at the door while still keeping his arms crossed.
"What did he mean by that?"
Magnus opened a malicious smile, containing a hint of pride as he digested his husband's words.
"For me to have fun."
Cadec raised his eyebrow, somewhat skeptical, but he limited himself to facing the other rebels prostrate on the ground. He would take care of those four while Magnus interrogated their leader.
"Your Highness" Magnus went to Cadec, a little more formal now "I promise that the people responsible for this will not go far. Neither in the Empire, nor outside of it."
Cadec nodded, fully understanding the meaning of Magnus' words. It was a promise of vengeance and justice at the same time.
"I trust your skills, Magnus. I know you will do the necessary."
Magnus tilted his head slightly, a gesture of respect.
"I always do, Cadec."
With that, he left the room, the sound of his boots echoing again through the corridors. He already had a plan in mind, and his ruthless mind was ready to hunt down any traitor who dared attack his family.
For Magnus Grimwood, there were no limits when it came to protecting his brothers — and the Empire of Roveaven would soon feel the weight of his wrath.