Chapter 185: 185: Promise
"What rubbish are you even talking about...?" Elvis stuttered but finally said, his shocked expression on Lysander.
"I’m not talking rubbish. It’s the fact," Lysander said firmly.
"You two are men," Elvis stated. "That’s not possible, so snap out of his games already and wake up."
"It doesn’t matter—guys or girls. What matters is he’s the one I like. You too, if you’re so bothered about his gender, why do you keep him so close? Why do you flow with the rumors about the two of you being lovers?"
Elvis could easily refute that with his intentions of using it to capture Eden or something else. But he didn’t. Rather, he found himself asking why he didn’t refute such rumors.
Elvis ran a hand through his hair. "You’re not thinking straight right now; that’s why you’re speaking like this. I’m sure by the time his true colors are exposed, you won’t be saying the same."
"You’re the one who needs to see his true colors," Lysander said. "You’re the one who needs to see that he’s the loveliest person you’ll ever meet."
Lysander continued, "He’s the sweetest person I’ve ever seen in my life. Growing up locked within the four walls of this palace that feels like no true good people exist, he’s the only one who treats me with sincerity. The only person who sees me for who I am without my position. And the person who also appreciates me for who I am..."
Lysander paused, now staring at Elvis. "So you’re the one who needs to see him for yourself and not for what others see him for," he explained.
The room was silent, filled with an awkward stillness as Elvis took a deep breath in and out. He turned and paced around for a while.
Then he said, "I don’t have time to stand here and discuss this with you. I have something important to do."
"I’ll come with you," Lysander said. "I want to come along."
"You know that won’t be possible. Your mum won’t even let it be possible," Elvis said. "You’ll only be putting people in trouble if you insist."
Lysander hesitated. "Then promise me that you won’t hurt him."
Elvis said nothing.
"Promise me that at least, and I won’t bother you again," Lysander said.
Elvis remained quiet for a while and then said, "I have to get ready. So excuse me."
He finally spoke, and Lysander hesitated after staring into his face for a while. "I’ll trust you, brother. This time, I’ll choose to trust you like I always have. Don’t disappoint me..."
He turned and walked out of the room, leaving Elvis alone.
As soon as he left, Mr. George walked into the room.
"What happened? What did you two talk about, Your Royal Highness? The look in the prince’s eyes was so intense—it’s the first time I’m seeing him like that. What happened?"
Elvis said nothing. He only stood there thinking about one thing:
The fact that Lysander and Eden were lovers.
He still couldn’t digest that, and he didn’t know how to. It bothered him, and this time he was certain it wasn’t because he wanted to protect his brother from Eden.
It was for another strange reason he couldn’t fully understand.
"Nothing," Elvis said, casually brushing off the discussion. "Get my clothes ready. I’ll be leaving tonight."
Mr. George simply nodded to the instruction. "Okay then. I’ll get that done," he said as he headed to the wardrobe to prepare the outfit.
******
That same evening, Elvis had gotten ready and set off with his troops. They set off in search of Eden across all kingdoms, while the King hired someone to get the job done:
A skilled shadow fighter who worked behind the scenes, clothed in black, his face covered with a black mask as well.
He knelt before the King, who gave him the orders.
"Make sure you end him if the Crown Prince hesitates," King Edward ordered. "And if the Crown Prince tries to stop you, end him too."
The man looked up in shock. "But..."
"It’s a royal order, and I am the King. So you should follow my words no matter what," King Edward instructed nevertheless.
He had no choice. He couldn’t go against the king, so the man in black nodded in agreement. "Sure, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure I execute your instructions flawlessly."
"Now go and bring me the good news," King Edward said, and sat there watching as the man set off.
******
THE MARCH OF AVALON.
EVENING.
The Grand Marquis Adrian stood before the full-length mirror in his bedroom.
He adjusted the red regal attire he had on—a red outfit adorned with golden gems. He stared at himself in the mirror, his red hair complementing his attire, as Mr. Hugo, his butler, stood behind him.
"The horse is ready. We should get going before we’re late. We don’t want to give the other Marquises a reason to talk trash about you," Mr. Hugo said.
Adrian scoffed. "It will not be their first time talking trash about me behind my back, and it won’t be the last. So why bother when they detest the ground I walk on?"
He sighed, adjusting his buttons.
He was attending an annual meeting held by all the Marquises in the kingdom, where they gathered, drank, laughed, and enjoyed themselves while also discussing pressing matters at hand. It was a grand occasion.
While he adjusted his buttons, Adrian suddenly coughed—a loud cough that had him placing a hand over his mouth.
After the cough, there were stains of blood on his hand. He sighed as he stared at the bloodstain, his expression firm.
Mr. Hugo panicked. "My Lord, you might not be in your best state. Your illness is acting up again. Why don’t you sit out this year’s meeting?"
He asked, worried, but Adrian stared straight at himself in the mirror. "I can’t," he said.
An answer Mr. Hugo knew he was going to give anyway before asking.