Chapter Seventeen

Dom wanted a nice dinner in his new home so everyone could feast, and the citizens got started on cooking and getting the house in better order. Fortunately, they had some decent wine, so the Prince wouldn't be stuck drinking the ale that he disliked even though he said nothing out loud about it to the people.

A few guards kept looking at Remus since the announcement of his being free, and Tom found him outside when he was checking on Whisper in the stable.

"He really freed you and didn't say anything?"

"Why would he say anything?" asked Remus. "Lord Dubois never would have shut up for a minute if the Crown Prince of Rowland, freed and no longer enslaved, was in the group and sleeping in Sébastien's tent."

Tom scratched his head. "Ah. So everything you both said up there was true?"

"Yes."

"Do you both have any plans for later?"

"Not quite," fibbed Remus.

"That's your birthright that Quintus has stolen. I don't see a man shrugging and letting that go."

"I know," said Remus. "The problem is that we're not keen to raise tensions when the treaty hasn't been in place for that long. Do you think the Regent wishes for any kind of war right now? He came into his position during the war, and I'm sure he's not eager to start another. My position means nothing to him."

Tom nodded. "All right."

"Eventually, Quintus will hear that I'm free and working with the Prince. Sébastien turns twenty-five in less than three years. When he becomes the King, we can decide on a few things. Quintus has no more siblings to send off as a peace gift, and if he refuses to step down, we could start threatening war. Sébastien would have control of the entire army. We may not need a war because if he's afraid that I'll come after him and put him to death for our Uncle's murder, he could potentially flee and leave Rowland open. We wouldn't need another bloody war. We'll have to see, and it's too early to make definite plans."

Remus didn't like fibbing and twisting things, but he wasn't about to even tell Tom the truth.

"Okay." Tom paused. "Do you always call him by his first name?"

Remus cringed inside. He tried to always tack the title to his name when speaking of him to others because it was respectful, but he'd completely forgotten at the moment. "We're both of equal station even if I'm not in my rightful place."

"I don't really care if you are, but are you two…er…"

"For fuck's sake," said Remus. "Does everyone think I'm an animal that needs to drain my balls in a man if I'm around him for more than a day?"

Never mind that he'd spanked the Prince and thoroughly enjoyed it.

"No. That's Lord Dubois talking shit. I don't care if you are, and it's none of my business. It's just the familiarity…It's hard to imagine the Prince being so familiar with anyone."

"We spend a lot of time together, and we're both Crown Princes. He didn't want a slave to start with, and while I wouldn't say we're best friends, we've found common ground so we can work together. Despite our family troubles beforehand, it's easier this way."

"All right. Some of the men-" Tom paused. "I've done my best to stop it, but I know there will always be someone whispering in secret even though I'm their Commander. Lord Dubois's men are worse at times. Some think you're, er, keeping the Prince quiet in his tent at night, we'll just say."

No doubt by shoving his cock down Sébastien's throat. Remus wouldn't dare say how he wouldn't mind making the Prince grow noisy by sucking his cock. Not that it would ever happen.

"-and they're not exactly thrilled that the Prince prefers Rowland cum to Soleilian. Their words, not mine," Tom hastily added.

Remus rolled his eyes. "I doubt that's going to fully stop. Tell them to keep their mouths shut if you catch them. If they want to talk shit like teenage boys, they better do it in total privacy." He leaned on Whisper's stall and allowed the unicorn to nuzzle his shoulder.

"I just don't want you to be surprised in case you catch anyone. Are you going to stay with him in Biatano?"

"It's not like I have anywhere else to go."

"For what it's worth, I didn't give my opinion before since a Prince's guard should keep certain things to himself. I don't think you committed murder. The whole story sounded dumb."

"If more people don't believe Quintus, that'll weaken his position too."

***

Before they ate, Sébastien ordered the guards to stay outside for the night unless they'd been granted a room upstairs because he had a feeling some of the citizens planned to get ripped. The last thing they needed was drunken fighting.

Middies typically served the food on a long table if there was a huge celebration, and everyone, even lords, had to serve themselves. Lord Rochefort and Sébastien didn't mind. Lord Dubois looked like he'd swallowed two lemons since he had to fetch his own plate.

Sébastien was right about the citizens getting ripped. One passed out before the meal was over. Remus looked out the window after he finished eating and saw a naked man running across the lawn.

"Dear Elira."

"If you get that drunk and go streaking through the town, I'm not going to waste my time finding and fetching you," said Sébastien.

"Wow, thanks. You'd let me shame myself like that?"

"Mhm."

Remus rolled his eyes as he looked out over the hall. Some were still eating, and many were drinking. Lord Rochefort had joined a group at a table of some who'd finished early and were eager to play cards. Several were dancing while a few played instruments, and they were so noisy, he and Sébastien had a semblance of privacy to talk. "You did pretty well earlier."

"The Regent could have done this himself if he'd thought a little and made some effort."

"You're not supposed to succeed here."

"I know, but even if I croaked right now, Midland would never thrive under him."

A man stumbled up to the table and leaned on it in front of Sébastien. "You know what?" He belched. "Y-you're all right. For a Soleilian pig."

Sébastien gave him a nasty smile. "Thanks."

The man wobbled off. Sébastien wasn't exactly their number-one man, but at least they sort of had respect for him. Lord Dubois had left dinner early, clearly furious at Sébastien. Nobody missed him.

Remus slipped away from the table and went around to talk to some of the people. A drunk woman said she had a good idea to get him back home and into his Palace so he could kill the bastard traitor who was currently warming the throne with his unworthy arse. Remus could barely understand half of her slurring, but he was pretty sure it involved him dressing like a woman to sneak in. No war required. Afterward, he was supposed to return to Midland, swoop her up, and take her away to be his Queen.

"Erm, I'll keep that in mind," Remus fibbed. Like he'd ever try to cram himself into a dress or marry a woman twenty years older than him.

"You already got me," grumbled the man next to her, presumably her husband.

"Pfft." She rolled her eyes and took another swig from her tankard.

He asked around for news of Rowland. Rowing Rest didn't get much news or people from there, so no one had much info beyond him being sold. They couldn't say the state of the Kingdom or if the people believed Quintus.

"We didn't believe that shit when we heard it," one man told him. "You just got up one night, stabbed your Uncle, slipped back into bed like nothing happened, and planned to blame your twin?" He raised his eyebrows.

Meph had also said that seemed rather simple. "That's the whole story? There's nothing else that was added later or…?"

"I haven't heard anything else. I think a Prince would do something a bit smarter if he wanted a family member out of the way. Is Quintus stupid or something?"

"Er, no." Quintus had thought to get everyone on his side and he hadn't stupidly hurried. It was almost like at the last minute, he'd suddenly rushed. With everything so close, one might reach a bit and hope for things to settle once they had a hold of the thing they wanted so badly.

The Soleilians hadn't believed it either. Perhaps with enough men on his side to corroborate the story, Rowlands believed it. Remus couldn't be sure, and he'd still need an army to dislodge his twin.

To his frustration, nobody could tell him more. When he was talking to someone by the doorway, he noticed Sébastien giving him a suspicious glare over the edge of his wine glass.

Remus could fuck him over and haul ass. The Prince's crap about Remus having to stay and do what he was told was nonsense due to his fear of being betrayed. But Remus wouldn't. Not at this point.

He went back up to the table and sat in his spot, partly trying to show Sébastien that he wasn't about to sneak off. "Nobody knows anything about Rowland. That's what I was talking to the people about. They heard the same bullshit story the Soleilian court was told."

"Nobody believed it. Too simple."

"And rushed."

"If it was so simple to dispose of someone once you have enough men on your side, the Regent and I would have gone after each other in the dead of night with daggers."

"Funny how nobody there cared that an innocent man was being held as a slave."

"You're a Rowland. They wouldn't have pissed on you if you were on fire."

"Yeah, I know. It's still bullshit."

"You never told me what actually happened."

Remus shrugged.

"Well?"

"You don't tell me a lot of stuff. Besides, I'm sure you've guessed and figured out the gist of the truth hidden in the lies."

Sébastien lifted his chin as he turned his head and toyed with his wine glass. "It might help. We are to get your Kingdom back, correct?"

"More like, I'll do it," said Remus, and Sébastien lifted an eyebrow. "You know what? Let's not beat around the bush anymore. You know when we get to Biatano, you need to let me go. I mean, you need to let me leave. It's something I have to be alone for, and once I've got my army, I'll help you."

"So you plan to leave me there in Biatano, surrounded by people I can't trust?"

Remus shifted his boots because he had thought of that and wasn't entirely sure what to do. "I certainly can't take you. I suspect you're thinking of getting werewolves to help because the people of Midland aren't enough even if they start kissing the ground you walk on. The werewolves aren't going to be ready to fight for you."

"Maybe they will."

"I doubt it. If I go, they'd help me to take back Rowland because they know the Regent will come for them if he can, and they have nothing against me or my family. Then, I'd have my army back. I don't think the werewolves would want to follow me back to Soleil to fight for you. I might be able to convince them, but that's a big if."

Sébastien narrowed his eyes. "That's if you decide to come back." Each word came like an arrow.

"You don't trust me entirely either."

"I trust you more than some."

Remus wasn't sure if that was simply to pacify him or if he meant it. He had allowed the spanking, but his life was a different thing. He also hadn't said most of all, entirely, or anything too solid. More than some could mean he trusted Remus more than the cat who had just wandered into the hall, and that was it.

He also didn't exactly balk at Remus going away on his own and therefore being free with no chance of being taken back. He only complained about being abandoned.

Remus turned in his chair to face the Prince and spoke in a low voice, although still loud enough to be heard above the racket in the room. "Tell me honestly, Prince, and don't lie to me. Do you plan for this to end with both of us on our respective thrones and at peace, or are you going to stab me in the back in some way? Excuse me for not trusting you with every single fiber of my being. My twin already fucked me over."

Sébastien's eyes grew icier. "You're very bold to expect such honesty about a matter like that."

"That's bold?"

"If anything, I'm the one who needs to worry about being stabbed in the back. Quintus might do nothing even if he knew you'd left and were traveling across the realm. The Regent will never let me run away and be free. He'd never stop hunting me down if I tried."

"I could have already killed you multiple times over. Is that not obvious by now? Do you realize how many times I could have simply put a pillow over your face?"

"In Soleil. Not here. You could also be smart enough to wait until you're closer to home. As soon as you walk away, you could flip me off and never return."

"I could fucking leave right now, and by the time you find the least drunk guards, I'd be halfway across Midland. I'm also not your slave, so don't try that line with me either. Do you think the commoners here will help you find me? No. I could lie and say that my earlier words were under duress, and they'd jump to aid me and kick your fucking ass. Elira help me, there have been times when I wanted to punch your pretty teeth in, and when I first met you, I wanted to spank some respect into your ass because you seemed like nothing more than an absolutely spoiled little shithead. That was then. I'd rather we live and have peace in our homes. Maybe I won't get everything I want, but at least I'll get some of it, and I want that for you too with true peace between us and our Kingdoms."

Besides his birthright and Lupo avenged, he also wanted the Prince to wake up in his home or wherever he lived if he wanted a new place with no old memories. He wanted the Prince to not have to think first thing in the morning about what someone might be plotting, or how he'd get around something intended to kill him. He wanted the Prince to find someone he could trust who'd be gentle with him and give him whatever he desired.

Remus dared to imagine that being him and waking up next to the Prince in future mornings. He quickly shoved it away because the Prince would never want him like that. A little flash of repressed lust and daring to try something didn't mean anything in the long run. Not really. It had flared up so much because he'd been forcing it down. That's all. Clearly, he had no interest since they weren't going to speak of that night or repeat it again.

"I intend for this to finish with us both on our thrones," said Sébastien. "No knives in the back, and no last-minute tricks to take it all. I don't want yet another war or to take more than Soleil. We'll go to South Sea together and speak to the werewolves. You're not leaving me with the snake drawing closer."

"They might say no because of your presence and even refuse to help me. If we found a place for you to hide-"

"I let Vemer go the way he wanted, and I saved a baby."

"I-"

"We're going together, and I think you can talk to them and get them on our side because they'll trust you, and if we're together, perhaps I'm not such a werewolf hater after all. Did you think that maybe I don't really hate them all so much? I was angry before because no boy wants to hear that their oldest brother and Mother were killed in such a way."

Remus paused. "Hate doesn't die that easily. Not always."

"For everyone, it doesn't necessarily stay forever that easily," Sébastien retorted. "They were drugged. I can give my side, and they'll at least help you because your Father never bent the knee to mine and restricted their freedom. You and I are going, and there's no other option, because I'm not risking my life while I wait for you, and there's nowhere I can easily hide."

"Fine," grumbled Remus. He didn't have any ideas for hiding the Prince anyway.

"I still need to know how your twin did this. It might not help us, but information shouldn't be disregarded."

"Let's go outside and talk about it." Remus stood and noticed the Prince looking at him oddly. "I'm not going to put a knife in your back once we're outside. For Elira's sake."

"I wasn't thinking that."

"Sure."

Sébastien followed him out. The cat had found a drunk collapsed by the wall and curled up on him, unbothered by the rest of the carousing.

The air was cooler since the sun had gone down. It was a little more humid than Soleil, and he wondered how the Prince would fare in Rowland where it was generally hotter and snow was a rare occurrence.

"Where do you want to walk?" asked Remus.

"It doesn't matter."

They picked a direction and passed some guards drinking and playing cards by lantern light. Once they were out of the main grounds of the manor house, it grew quieter. Several were by the ship, and others were in the camp behind the house. They passed a clump of bushes where a couple was moaning and enjoying themselves.

Remus told Sébastien about the changing of the men around the grounds. He'd thought it odd that Lupo was changing them, but his Uncle had said Quintus had suggested it, and he'd followed his nephew's idea.

Some of the men had been changed by the war, and not in a good way. A soldier could develop a reaction to the trauma that was like melancholy in some ways. They'd seen companions and family die while facing death themselves. A few like that had been taken out and offered less vigorous jobs elsewhere.

Remus hadn't questioned that. A few new ones had been brought in to replace those dead in the war, and there had been a small influx of young men who were finally old enough to join the army. Since it was peacetime, the ones with promise could be trained as Palace guards.

Some were placed elsewhere simply because that particular hold had lost men and needed more. Remus did most of the work when it came to helping Lupo with running the Kingdom, but he'd let Quintus take over that. The second twin certainly wasn't stupid, and he'd be a help later. With Remus as King at the age of twenty-five, if he needed to travel somewhere, his brother could stay behind and run things.

And of course, why would he betray the family?

Remus had no idea of everything his twin had been doing in secret, but he'd obviously been working the new men to his side. Everything had seemed fine, and Remus still suspected nothing. He went to bed one night and was awoken by men storming into his room while the bell tolled.

"Those on shift were all on his side," said Remus. "In front of them, Quintus pretended that I'd stabbed my Uncle. Not one said a word in my defense or how ridiculous that sounded. They'd thrown their lot in with him, and I became an order to be carried out. Quintus even pretended to be ashamed of me. Like I'd really get up one night, kill my Uncle, and head back to bed as if nothing happened while planning to lay the blame on my twin."

"Technically, you could have," said Sébastien, who'd been quiet.

"Meph said it was a bit simple. He was right about that despite being a prick."

"Simple can work at times, but you're right. It seems a bit rushed when everything before had been slower and more methodical."

"All I can think is that he grew impatient to further plot anything that looked more real. As for the slaves, some asskisser must've gone around and picked a few people. One had gotten a job in the stables. I'm assuming the rest were nabbed from the city. They likely had some fake crime tacked on to them so the citizens wouldn't revolt. I have no idea what he's said or done in my absence. I could walk in to find the people think I'm a monster. Or they might love me and want me back. I don't know. Quintus was so…normal in the days leading up to it. Lupo was too, so I'm sure he didn't feel anything was off. I went to bed that night and didn't suspect a single thing."

"That hurts," said Sébastien.

They wandered down some random street in the town. A couple of ladies ran by while giggling and holding hands.

"I never even got to mourn Lupo. It was just over, and I was in a new place with my life flipped upside down. And yeah, escape was my goal because I thought you'd kill me or keep me locked up forever."

Sébastien was quiet for several seconds. "Later, we can discuss layouts and how to go about getting in with our army of werewolves. If we capture him alive, you can question him."

"Yeah, but…"

"But what?"

"You shouldn't fight then. If the werewolves agree to help me, we can hide you somewhere."

"I'm not averse to fighting."

"I didn't say you are, but you shouldn't risk your life over my damn twin. You've got Soleil to worry about afterward."

"I'll go," said Sébastien. "You're not stopping me, and I'll fight to the end."

"What if something happens to you? Even good men die in battles. Look at the Knights. Ten went to war, and only seven returned home."

"I'm not going to stay back. If I do die, then you can decide on your own what to do from there. Take Soleil. Stay home and protect Rowland. It would be your choice then as King."

Remus bit back a noise. If a man wanted to fight, it wasn't right for Remus to truly prevent him. Sébastien had already proved he was no coward or weakling with a sword.

Sébastien turned to him in the dark street and took his arm.

"What are you doing?" asked Remus.

Sébastien clasped his forearm and leaned in so close, Remus almost expected them to kiss on the mouth. Instead, the Prince's breath tickled his cheek.

"I'm sorry that I tried to kill you," he murmured. "If I could go back, I wouldn't stab you or treat you so cruelly."

Remus was so floored, he didn't know what to say. Unlike last time, it sounded genuine, and while the Prince's fingers were firm, they weren't squeezing like he wanted it to hurt.

Remus was sorry too for a lot of stuff. Things that weren't even his fault, but Sébastien would never hear an apology from the one truly responsible.

"I'm sor-" he started.

"No." Sébastien pressed a finger against Remus's lips and kissed his cheek. In the dark, the Prince's mouth came so close to Remus's, it could have turned into a proper kiss if either moved their head a couple of inches.

The second one on Remus's other cheek lingered before he drew back, and Remus struggled to see his expression in the dark and think of something to say or do.

"Stay out here for a while," said Sébastien. "I'm going back in."

"I-I should go with you."

"No. Stay out here, and take a moment of peace. One day, you'll be able to do it for however long you want without worrying about me or anything else."

But what if he did worry? They'd both be alone in their homes with neither having a family anymore. Sébastien's only companion would be far worse memories than anything Remus had been through.

Suddenly, he didn't want them to part for good later with both of them on their thrones. The past thirty seconds was more of a look inside than the night in the cabin.

"Also, I know you're not a whore for werewolves, and I'm sorry for that too," Sébastien added in a whisper.

The next kiss landed on Remus's neck. Whether it was because his aim was off in the dark, or because he'd done it on purpose, Remus didn't know. It sent a little thrill through him. He wanted to take the Prince in his arms, kiss him fully on the mouth, forget about everything, narrow their worlds to that, and give him a moment too. They could both have a peaceful fragment and make the glimpse of sweetness he'd just witnessed last longer.

Sébastien's fingers were gone, and Remus stood frozen in the street as he watched the pale swath of hair grow smaller and disappear down the dark street.

Elira, how he wanted those fingers back on his arm, or better yet, in his hand so he could hold them and try to convince the Prince that he never had to be alone if he didn't want that deep down.

Remus's fingers closed on empty air as he took a deep breath. It was hard to enjoy a moment of peace when what he wanted had walked away.

***

The quiet was a memory once he was back in. Remus hadn't spent very long outside, and he had to step around four drunk people who were snoring on the grass outside. Thankfully, some were leaving while they were still upright.

He sighed as he made his way to the stairs. Several were still in the hall and dancing to music. A man was singing off-key. If it didn't quiet down enough in an hour, he'd have to consider going down and telling them to stuff it because some people actually wanted to sleep.

As he took the stairs up, he was sure he heard banging from above. A few soldiers were sleeping inside, including Tom. One must have been having trouble remembering how a door worked.

When he stepped off on his floor, he noticed a figure down the hall in front of the room he'd be sharing with the Prince.