Chapter Thirty-Four

Bait. I-I was to be used as bait? What in sweet Mary's name was William thinking? D-Did he not care for my wellbeing? W-What if my assassin actually did come and inevitably finished the job? Why would he put my life on the line like that?

I felt like the world around me was disappearing, my fear rising as I seemed to forget how to breathe. Luckily, William rushed over to me and took my face gently in his hands, reassurance in those beautiful sage eyes of his. "You won't be left alone, Mel. Marvin and I will be hiding in one of the many secret passages in my room. We'll be watching you, but the assailant won't know that. If they come for you, not only will we finally identify them, we will come from hiding and arrest him for treason." He pressed the softest of kisses against my lips. "I would never put your life in danger like that. Marvin and I will protect you, I promise you that."

I took a breath and closed my eyes, placing one of my hands over his as I tried to collect myself. "S-So I won't be alone? You will be there to make sure they don't hurt me?"

William was nodding when I opened my eyes, the man pulling me against him as he held me tightly, pressing his face against my hair. "There's a secret passage across from the bed. It's hidden behind the fireplace as a precaution in case the castle was ever overrun. Marvin and I will be right there until you need us." He pressed another reassuring kiss against my head and pulled back, rubbing my cheek with his thumb. "I love you, Mel. I would never try something like this unless I had a plan. Do you trust me?"

I searched his light gaze and saw that he truly believed this would work. Finally, I sighed and nodded, resting my head on his chest, allowing his warmth to wash over me. "I trust you."

"I'm glad to hear that." He pulled away from me and ran his hand through his hair, the blond nibbling at his bottom lip before he nodded to himself. "I'll run this by Marvin tomorrow. I'm hoping he will be on board with this plan, seeing he's rather protective over you."

I smiled softly and wrapped my arms around myself. "Which honestly is a surprise, given our age difference. He...He was rarely ever home, and when he was, he didn't really have a lot to do with any of us...but I'm happy to know he cares."

"Marvin is unique in his own way, but he does care about you a lot," William spoke, soft gaze on me. He then nodded towards the door. "You should probably get some sleep. I'll go over the plan and refine it a bit more before we execute it." He pressed his lips against mine. "Everything will be ok, I'm at least confident about that. Goodnight, Mel."

"Goodnight, William." I paused at the door, glancing back at him as I nibbled at my bottom lip. "I-I love you too." I enjoyed the way William's cheeks turned pink, but I chose not to linger too long as I left the room and climbed into bed, snuggling close to Anthony's warmth before I let my gaze linger on his sleeping face.

I hoped this plan of William's worked. Because if it didn't...no...I couldn't be negative about this. I had to be hopeful that this would work, else my negativity could turn the tides. This would work. It had to. And maybe I could finally see the face of the individual who tried to kill me, and who hurt Anthony.

I sighed and tucked my head under Anthony's chin, my hand over his steadily beating heart as I allowed sleep to claim me.

Morning, admittedly, came rather slow to me as I finally opened my eyes, the bed empty as I yawned and sat up, looking around the room and spotting Anthony by the large window overlooking the kingdom, a stern frown on his face as William stared at him.

"It will work, Anthony. You know me, I would never put Melani's life in danger if there wasn't a way to prevent it. Marvin will be by my side in this endeavor as well, and you know for a fact just how capable that man is. He isn't Captain of the Royal Guard for no reason."

Anthony sighed and turned that teal gaze towards William. "It's not just that, William. Whoever this individual is, is just as trained as you and I. Not only did they manage to break into this room without our realizing it, they were also able to poison Melani's tea right under our noses. They're so adept at keeping themselves a mere mystery that not even the servant you questioned knew who made the tea."

"Do you have any other options, Anthony, because please, enlighten me." William sighed and stood up, placing an arm on Anthony's bicep as he stared into his eyes. "We have tried everything we can to catch this bastard, except this plan, and while I would rather not put Mel's life on the line, it is currently our only option. I know you love him. I love him to and nothing is going to happen to him. Not if Marvin and I can help it."

Anthony was silent for a moment, teal gaze clouded over in thought before he pulled himself out of his head and stared at the blond, a frown formed on his plump lips. "If you wish to carry out this plan...I want to be a part of it."

William shook his head. "It's still too soon, Anthony. You were poisoned merely yesterday and are still barely able to stand on your feet without waning-"

"Yet I am still standing, am I not?" Anthony stepped closer to William and cupped his stubbled cheek. "Look, I'm not allowing such a plan to take place if I am not there to help. If anything, while you and Marvin subdue the assassin...I can take Melani elsewhere, ensure his immediate safety. I want to help make sure nothing goes wrong. Just...please allow me this."

William's gaze softened and he finally nodded, pulling Anthony in for a sweet kiss before pulling away. "Fine. Just...please do not try to go after the assailant. I don't want you to put yourself in harm's way."

"I won't." Anthony stared at William through his lashes, his forehead resting against the blond's as he lifted a hand and gently grasped his arm. "I love you William. You are as stubborn as they come and yet I still cave to your wishes."

William smiled and pecked those lips once more. "And that is why I love you. Now," he pulled away from him and ran a hand through his blond hair, "I'm a bit wary about ordering breakfast, but Mel is sure to wake up any moment, and I've no doubt he will be hungry."

"I could always go into town and pick something up. I doubt the assassin would have thought to poison the food outside of the castle walls."

William shook his head. "No, I want you to stay here with Mel. I can get Thomas to grab something. "

Anthony frowned. "Are you sure he's reliable?"

William began nibbling at his bottom lip, eyes glazing over as he nodded. "He saved your life, Anthony, and he stitched Mel up. If he were the one after Melani, he would have poisoned the bruise cream, or botched his stitches, yet he did not. I-I think he is forthright, and I trust him for now. If anything, we can have him test the food himself, if you do not feel confident in trusting him."

Anthony stared at William for a moment, then nodded his head. "I can get behind those terms."

William pursed his lips and nodded. "Alright then. Let me inform Thomas of his mission and gather up Marvin to announce our plans, and hopefully he is on board with them because if he isn't...then who knows what may happen in the coming days."

A/N: Super early update (by early I mean the time cuz it's like....1am when I'm posting this lmao), but tahdah! This chapter basically wrote itself. Whether its good or bad, eh, who knows? But hey, it be a chapter.

Also, another question from Kitemite answered (they asked a lot of questions, but that's totally cool cuz I like drawing the answers), this time featuring the Prince himself! Yayo!

Remember! Don't be shy to ask any questions!

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Lemme know what you think!