The chaos in the Imperial Palace was absolute. Explosions and screams echoed through the corridors, mixing with the frenetic melody of hurried steps and shouted orders. The ballroom, once a scene of glamor and gossip, was now a field of uncertainty, as nobles gathered in small groups, mumbling nervously.
Just as it had happened during the hunting festival, mercenaries and rebels came armed arresting the nobles inside the party hall. Their strange weapons that seemed to spit fire blew up the palace to the point where some structures gave way.
The imperial knights appeared ready and managed to prevent the nobles from being wounded. The Emperor was quick to order the knights to take the nobles to a safe area, previously prepared. Although they managed to stand up to the sudden attack, the fight between mercenaries and rebels against the imperial knights was similar to a civil war.
In the back of a less crowded wing of the palace, Stephen moved stealthily through the corridors, determined. His steps were fast echoing against the walls now marked by cracks. The smell of smoke and dust invaded their nostrils, and the sound of swords clanging and cries of panic filled the air. Each explosion made the ground tremble under his feet, but he moved on, guided by a purpose that he could not ignore.
As he advanced, his mind was divided. Why did he still care about Maverick? After all that had happened, after all the confusion against the Eighth Prince, why were he risking his life to free someone like Maverick? It would probably clear your debt...
The key to Maverick's cell was in his possession. Stephen had found it in the chaos of the attack, on the belt of a fallen guard. He did not know if the man was alive or dead and, honestly, at that moment it didn't matter.
When he reached the ward where Maverick was being held, Stephen paused for a moment. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his decision. The hall was dark, illuminated only by unstable torches that cast dancing shadows on the walls.
As the door opened, the shrill sound of the lock echoed like a cry in the oppressive silence. Inside, Maverick was sitting against the wall, his head low and fists clenched. When he heard the door open, he looked up slowly.
"Stephen!" Maverick's voice was low filled with despair, but soon he hesitated and looked away "Did you come here to laugh at my misfortune? I was pathetic in front of you..."
Stephen shook his head, advancing cautiously.
"I've come to get you out of here. The palace is under attack, it's not time for a knight like you to be stuck here."
Maverick hesitated and let out a short laugh, although there was no sign of humor in it.
"After all, you still want to save me?"
"It's not about you, Maverick. It's about what is right."
Stephen took a few steps into the room, realizing that Maverick was showing no signs of leaving. Still, that alpha's dark eyes were stuck in Stephen, filled with a mixture of challenge and pain.
"You attacked the prince, Maverick. Why did you do that?"
Maverick looked away, clenching his fists.
"It has nothing to do with you."
"Don't lie to me" Stephen stepped forward, his voice steady "I know you did it for me. And I want to know why."
Maverick rose slowly, his movements rigid. He stared at the omega, and for a moment, seemed about to explode.
"I wanted to protect you, Stephen!" Maverick finally shouted, his voice echoing through the room "You're all I have. All I have left."
Stephen remained silent, surprised by the intensity of the words.
"All you have left? What..."
"Do you know how I felt when I saw you looking so affectionately for another man? Even more a man who is already engaged... I would rather have a sword through my chest than continue to watch you plunge into deep feelings for someone who does not even appreciate it back."
As he had imagined, Maverick had feelings for him. However, Stephen had no idea that it was something so profound as to commit a serious crime of pointing his sword at an imperial family member. Breathing deeply not to be carried by the emotions of the alpha, Stephen clenched his fists remaining determined.
"What I feel for His Highness is a gratitude for the help he gave me during the Hunting Festival... as well as helped me some other times. I know very well my place, and it is not next to someone as brilliant as him."
"Don't make me hear such words..."
"Please, Maverick" Stephen held his arm and looked at him intensely "in the same way I'm grateful that you helped me get back to my family. I am grateful. But to see you throw all your effort to become a knight... and point your sword at the prince. How do you expect me to watch this without doing anything?"
Maverick hesitated, his expression hardening again despite his arm warming to the touch of the omega.
"She said that just being a knight would not be enough to protect you" Maverick said between teeth "She showed me how wicked that prince could be... he attacked you publicly even after his husband announced pregnancy..."
"Maverick that was an accident caused by a servant" Stephen is quick to explain "His Highness never touched me, he was always very respectful. But who could say such things to you?"
The alpha clenched his lips hesitating to reveal. Stephen sighed and flashed his fingers on Maverick's arm, becoming more anxious and impatient.
"Maverick, my friend who always helped me would never be taken by mere words. Tell me the truth, before what remains between us turns into bitter memories that I desperately wish to forget."
It was a veiled threat, he knew that. Stephen knew that using your feelings against Maverick would make him desperate. The certainty came when the alpha approached him and held him firmly, without disguising despair by shaking his head rejected his threat.
"No... please... the princess knew how much you mean to me. She said that the prince would hurt you if I continued to be hostile so openly, and that therefore I needed to be by his side to ensure his safety. Having the strength of the First Princess, I could challenge the prince and then..."
Stephen felt a lump in his throat. He never suspected that his friend would be manipulated by the First Princess, although he was surprised at the sudden appearance of the two together in social events. But to hear it now...
"Did you do this for me? Maverick... I have never been threatened by the prince. In fact, we hardly speak apart from social events. I have never been in danger."
"You knew how I felt about you, Stephen. You always did. And yet, you preferred to flatter those who despise us."
"Maverick, this is not about us…"
"Of course it is!" shouted Maverick, the explosion of emotion taking over his body. He advanced, and Stephen instinctively retreated, realizing too late the intensity of Maverick's gaze.
"There was never a "we"..."
The words were like a dagger, and something inside Maverick broke.
"I should have killed that prince" murmured almost breathable, but overloaded with fury.
'May I know the reason for such an exciting meeting, Sageclaw?"
The couple looked back noticing the crimson eyes staring coldly. The sword was pointed at the prisoner, silently threatening him if he moved. Stephen shuddered at the dominating presence of Magnus Grimwood.
"I-I have come to free him, since Maverick is a knight and his strength is required."
"You really annoy me, Stephen Baragnon. Always around my husband like a fucking worm after a corpse to feed on. Who gave you permission to release a criminal who dared to point his sword at a member of royalty?"
Stephen could not answer, his legs trembled before the overwhelming presence of Magnus. The alpha, on the other hand, pulled Stephen behind him, keeping the sword pointed at his own neck.
"He has nothing to do with it. Aren't you being cheated by the prince too? He dared to dishonor Stephen even after his announcement..."
"So that's it? Want to die here, in the middle of all? I can arrange this, although it is a pity to lose a great knight."
"Your Grace, be reasonable!"
"Shut up. I will kill anyone who dares to hurt the one that belongs to me."
When Magnus raised his sword, Maverick dodged after pushing Stephen to the side. Rolling on the floor, the alpha managed to reach the door, where he saw his sword next to the fallen guard on the ground near a dead rebel. Quickly Maverick wielded his sword in time to defend himself against another blow from Magnus.
The metallic sound of the blades echoed through the room. The Grand Duke was an implacable fighter, and every move he made was strategic and efficient. The chaos of the battlefield was Maverick home, which made him respond quickly to Magnus' blows.
"You don't understand what he is!" cried Maverick, attacking again. "He's a threat!"
"The only threat here is your stupidity!" replied Magnus, deflecting and disarming Maverick with a fluid movement.
Magnus' blade landed on Maverick's neck, his crimson eyes burning with fury.
"For the crime of treason to the imperial crown, I, the Grand Duke of Grimwood, sentence you to death."
"Wait!" cried Stephen, but was ignored.
Magnus' sword slid gently to take the life of a knight he had once admired. The coldness in his eyes was so scary, even more with the blood that stained his face and clothes.
Stephen watched in horror. His legs could barely move. The horror stamped on his face entertained the Grand Duke, who turned to give his attention.
"As for you... this is my chance to get rid of you" Magnus walked up to Stephen and used the tip of the blade to lift omega's chin "I'm not good at dealing with jealousy, you know?"
"M-Mercy... I didn't covet the prince I just-"
"I did not give you permission to say my husband's title" Magnus narrowed his eyes.
"He wouldn't want you to do that..."
An evil smile appeared on the lips of Magnus, finding a psychopathic amusement in that situation.
"Ha... I really enjoy the distorted view people have of my husband. Let's get it over with, I want to meet my lovely husband to receive some compliments for getting rid of people like you."
Stephen's scream mixed with the sound of guns being fired by mercenaries and rebels who managed to infiltrate the Imperial Palace. Magnus took a deep breath watching the blade of his sword become even more stained with blood.
Finally got rid of Stephen Baragnon, the one who always stole the attention of a certain knight. Already the knight in question... Magnus observed Maverick's body, who one day had captured his admiration to the point of conjuring him to be his husband. But now Magnus felt nothing as he watched their corpses on the lifeless ground.
Only remembered a certain pathetic and weak golden-haired alpha, who hid his malice and cunning behind an innocent smile. Raising his eyes to the dark sky of the last day of the year, he smiled like a perfect villain that he was.
"Time to get you back... Lucian."