Cohlin rubs the Emperor's back with a worried look. The Emperor is straight-up sobbing, tears staining his face, palms and sleeves. Fortunately, nobody other than them can witness this sight. The Emperor was saying something, but was crying too much for him to actually say coherent words.
All Cohlin knew was that the Emperor was crying tears of joy, relief and pride.
The moment Cyris and Arthir announce their willingness to be engaged with one another with loving gazes, it was the moment that stunned the Emperor, then burst into tears once moved to his office. The Emperor didn't understand how it came to be...Their spars were considered their dates, their storytelling sessions as well and much more that he probably hasn't heard of.
But in the end, what mattered the most to the Emperor was his son's and son-in-law's happiness, and as well as the future of the Empire. The Emperor prays for their relationship to continue to grow and remain stable, according to several staff and Cohlin himself..."These two are meant to be."
He will trust that.
Ahh, but there are other matters he must settle.
Cyris's engagement with Arthir still hasn't been publicly announced to the whole empire. It's a piece of information only established inside the palace. Before publicly sharing their decision to be united, the Emperor wanted to deal with a certain kingdom first. He didn't want or need to be related to corruption. He's empire may not be perfect, but at least he cares and tries his best to improve everyone's lives, and has the capability to feel sympathy and empathy for his people.
Unlike them.
He also knew that Arthir would like to change his kingdom.
Before the wedding...
There must not be any possible disturbances.
The Emperor himself will make sure of that, and he's sure his son will too.
--
A few days later...
There was a piece of vast land far from the Empire. This land was divided into two like black and white. The first half was full of life, beautiful and full of riches while the second half was barren, destitute and abused. At the side of luxury, inside the castle in a large meeting room, there was a group of five people.
The man with a long beard spoke first. "It's been a month already, why hasn't there been any news from them?"
The woman beside him sighed, dressed in several dark purple robes and a face heavy with makeup. "Since they haven't kicked him out, that must be a good sign, yes? We have to make our move."
There were two boys, fairly tall with dark blue hair. The first prince of Aiziles easily agreed. "It's our only chance. We have to make this right."
"Shouldn't we wait until our little brother is carrying?" The second pointed out cautiously. "Well...That is if the Crown Prince actually accepted him. Unlikely, but with how long it's been without news...As mother said, it must be they tolerated his presence. The Emperor is desperate after all."
"We have to find out."
The fifth person in the room remained silent. He was wearing dark clothing, hood over his head with a face mask. He had weapons strapped around his thighs and waist. Suddenly, a sixth person decides to join them.
"Your majesties!" The servant said, kneeling on the floor. "Several rumors have been spread throughout the Bestetian Empire. It is rumored that the Bestetian Prince and Prince Arthir had been married for over a month now secretly."
"What!?" The meeting room erupted.
The servant continued. "And...Prince Arthir is carrying the Bestetian Prince's progeny."
"This is our time to act now!" The Queen slammed her fist on the table.
"Mother, have patience." The second prince says right after. "It's just a rumor. There is no confirmation."
"I shall confirm it myself."
The fifth man finally spoke.
Everyone's heads turn to him. The first prince crossed his arms and smirked. "Good idea. This way, we can get other information at the same time. Several birds with one stone."
The king nods in assent. "If that failure is truly carrying that monster's spawn. Then you are aware of what you must do immediately, hm?"
The fifth man nodded, bowing his head. "I do."
The second prince finally threw the towel with a sigh.
"Fine. Do what you must...and assassinate the Bestetian Prince, Prince Cyris."
--
The assassin moves quickly, arriving in the Bestetian Empire through not so legal means. He snuck himself in, boarding a trading ship on another planet. The Empire was not that easy to enter with such strict security, so it took more than just simple boarding and out to get in. It was a long and arduous process that took days and much preparation. That's why the assassin could not mess up his one and only chance.
The assassin observed as the Third Prince of Aiziles entered the clinic with the Bestetian prince at his side. They came out thirty minutes later, looking refreshed and happy with a maid. The assassin places a device in his ear, hearing their conversation from afar.
"I will prepare your herbal tea, your highness. Please excuse me." The maid said.
"Of course, thank you as always." Arthir smiles. The maid walks away, headed to the kitchen. Only the pair remains.
"Are you sure you're fine?" Prince Cyris asked, wrapping his hand around Arthir's waist, pulling him closer. This action...It basically confirmed that they were in an intimate relationship, but that was just it, nothing else.
Prince Arthir leans his head against Prince Cyris's chest, humming a soft tune to present his mood. "I'm alright. Just a little dizzy but I feel no pain overall."
"I'm sorry..."
"What are you apologizing for?" Arthir lightly taps the hand on his waist. "You know I can't easily be brought down by something like this."
"You're right." Prince Cyris still looked guilty. "But..."
Prince Arthir cups Prince Cyris's face and smiles brightly. "A precious gift from you...That's all that matters."
Precious gift...
Arthir's hand slides down his stomach and caresses it. "I'm happy."
Is he actually...There's no way.
The assassin decides to do another task for now while the couple is preoccupied. He hunted down the Bestetian prince's office, passing by a group of soldiers. He kept calm, hiding behind a pillar as they passed by. The soldiers chattered carefree.
"What do you think their baby will look like?"
"Combining their strengths...The child will surely be..."
"I'm getting shivers." One of them laughed, rubbing their own arms.
"Well, little prince or princess, they will be loved by the empire."
...
The assassin moves as soon as they pass, the new information being processed as he sneaks quietly. Is Prince Arthir really full with a child? To come out of the clinic, feeling dizzy, rubbing his stomach, soldiers talking about the heir...Is he truly?
The assassin couldn't shake off the thought, but he still couldn't count the current information as legitimate. He finds the Prince's office, moving inside with the motive of finding sources they can use against the Bestetian Empire and have an advantage over them.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps.
The assassin quickly hides behind the desk, crouching as he listens carefully. He peeked out from the side, seeing a very familiar face. It was Prince Arthir.
What is he doing here?
Arthir moves near the desk, looking for something. "I wonder if this is what Cyris is looking for..."
Suddenly, Arthir halts. Did he notice him?
Out of panic, the Assassin jumped out of his hiding spot to confront Arthir.
Arthir gasped. "Who are you!?"
The assassin didn't have enough time to pull out any of his weapons as he was rammed into the wall. Arthir pulls his fist, striking down at the assassin, but the assassin blocks his punch with his arms.
*CRACK*
The assassin screams in pain.
He had no idea the third prince was this strong that he actually broke his bone. The assassin knew it was futile to block against Arthir's attack, his shield would just fall apart easily. Arthir goes for another attack with the thought of leaving him alive for questioning.
Then suddenly, Arthir felt something cold press against his stomach, suddenly bursting into agonizing heat.
*BANG*
Arthir gasps, eyes trailing down to discover a hole in his stomach. No...No...please no...
He pleaded from within multiple times. His heart was crying out, screaming denial. The assassin drops aside, head hitting the desk then bouncing to the ground with a loud thud. Arthir presses his hand against his stomach and gasps sharply, leaning his body against the wall for support. I managed to subdue the assassin...but...
He couldn't check, his vision becoming blurry and dizziness slowly overcame his body. He bit his tongue, drawing blood in an attempt to remain conscious. He checked his state again, his attempt to stop his bleeding was in vain. "I have to..."
Cyris...
There was no one else in his thoughts other than Cyris. The man he...fell in love with. When he first met him, he cannot deny the fact that he disliked him at first. Reckless, arrogant, careless, and bloodthirsty. Marrying a war maniac is the last thing he wants, he had a country he needed to save from a civil war! But...watching Cyris grow, learn and be with him...He never had anyone like Cyris in his life.
Ever since the beginning, he was alone.
He hadn't realized how lonely and touch starved he was until he met Cyris.
Cyris made him realize his loneliness and desperation, but Cyris was also the one that filled that empty part of him. He realized how fussy he was with everything, and Cyris taught him what it meant to live in the moment, the adrenaline of competition and learning from each other.
At first, he pushed the feeling of loving Cyris away. Cyris wouldn't want to marry him after all, right? But he could never describe how his heart burst into so many emotions when Cyris proposed to him. Was he dreaming? He surely had to be.
But...
--
"Arthir...Let's get married."
"Arthir, as each day passes by, I grow fonder of you and adore you more. I desire to be your companion for life."
"I've fallen for you."
--
I've fallen for you as well. I feel the same, I've always yearned for you...I don't want to be alone anymore. Cyris I...
His consciousness slowly draining, eyes struggling to stay open.
"Cyris...I love you."
I just wish I could've told you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friend-san: Hello everyone, so ummmm....Fluffball ran away. So I guess this my note. I dont really know how to do this, but hey guys! So yeah, fluffball ran away and won't be coming back for sometime...not really long since all the chapters are out lol, but yeah, they ran away for now.
Friend-san: And I shall be the one to extend their heartfelt thanks as well as mine!
Friend-san: Ahem...Fluffball88: "Hello everyone! How are you guys doing? Thank you so much for reading chapter 8. Look, I understand what I have done to our precious Arthir, so that's why I ran away. Anyways-----Seriously, thank you so much for tuning in everyone! I'm glad to see all of you and I appreciate everyone's support, views, votes and comments! I'll see all of you in the next chapter!"
Friend-san: Thanks so much for reading Fluffball88's story guys and for supporting them! See you guys!