7| Unhappy Groom

Later that day, within the Royal Castle...

The screeching sounds of clashing steel echoed through the fencing hall within the palace walls, preceded by the strained grunts of the armored pair combatting against a swordsman who fought with one hand behind his back.

His movement was swift and fluid, as the motion of his sword swung like part of his body; his footing was firm yet faint, revealing not much of a struggle throughout his combat with the knights.

Dressed simply in a tucked-in shirt, pants, and boot; his fabric bore no evidence of conflict despite his opponents' reluctant offenses that he effortlessly evaded and countered skillfully.

Already bored with the prolonged display of measly swordplay, the conquering gentleman swiftly broke the tension in a single swipe — disarming one of the men before striking down the other unconscious — the men collapsed to the floor.

He halted.

"Your Highness!" The petite voice from behind drew his attention away, causing him to gaze over his shoulder — a maid immediately halted before him, dropping her head in a bow. "Your Highness! Her Majesty requests for you in the throne room!"

His bright blue orbs narrowed at the plebian being before him, before returning his sword into its sheath. He exhaled softly, raising his slender fingers to run through his hair — his straightened strands of raven color then fell to the side of his face.

"And she ordered you to come with your brother, Your Highness", the maid added.

He slowly turned away before walking in the opposite direction, "Prepare my bathe", were the last words he stated before pushing open the doors to exit.

Striding passively through the elegant hall and staircase of the imperial building, the prince made his way to the first door to his left.

Not bearing a thought of etiquette, he pushed open the door without knocking — his brows knitted in disgustat the first sight his eyes befell.

Lying against the headboard of pillows on the enormous bed, a man of similar physic and hair color was suited between a pair of naked women that nibbled on his bare skin — while beneath him was another maiden between his legs, pleasing him orally.

"Wilhelm!" The prince at the door snapped, seizing the gazes of all on the bed.

Prince Wilhelm's face immediately loosened into a wide smile as his green eyes dilated, "Anthony!"

Anthony's face crunched into a revolted grimace, eying his younger brother from head to toe.

Wilhelm on the other hand, seemed more excited than ashamed, as he causally tapped the maiden between his legs, causing her to pull away and sit stale like an object next to him.

Wilhelm pushed up slightly with an even wider smile, "Welcome back! When did you return?!"

Anthony only watched his younger brother with bored eyes before looking away to say, "Mother is waiting for us in her chambers."

"Huh?!"

Without needing to explain, Anthony then stepped out to wait along the corridor; a few moments passed before Wilhelm finally stepped out properly dressed.

His ember green eyes locked with Anthony's, "Shall we?"

Anthony didn't respond, instead, he continued to proceed forward, forcing Wilhelm to stride after him, whose joyous grin didn't drop from his lips the further they went.

"Why do I have a feeling this is about the edict the Phoenix had passed down this morning."

"It better be a bad joke she intends to clarify."

Wilhelm chuckled, "And you are definitely the punchline."

The two brothers finally reached the royal chamber of their mother, having the guards on duty slowly push open the doors.

They strode in before lowering their heads to the throne that stood above.

"Good evening, Mother", they recited.

The tensed silence in the air around them caused them to slowly raise their heads to meet the threatening sight of their mother's scorn.

Their eyes fell back to the floor.

Anthony's brows knitted as he mumbled under his breath, "I guess it is no joke after all..."

"Anthony!"

He looked up.

Queen Rebecca, with her chin supported by the back of her wrist had her green eyes narrowed at her first son.

"Why did you not inform me you were returning today, Anthony?"

"I returned just a few hours ago. My return was impromptu..." His eyes narrowed, "... Just as the letter you sent to me this morning".

"And despite receiving an order of such urgency, you blankly ignored it, pretending like it's non-existent."

"The same way you decided to pretend my consent didn't matter in my own marriage arrangements, Mother."

A vein popped on her forehead, "You very well know the weight of the Phoenix's orders. This is the first time she is imposing an edict on us—"

"How is marrying the unredeemed child of the late Duke of Elfedon of any benefit to the nation or imperial family as a whole?!" His brows twitched, clenching his fists to restructure the vulgar words stuck in his throat.

The Queen's scorn slowly loosened into a grimace. "Anthony—"

"I refuse this marriage!" His voice was stern and unapologetic.

Rebecca shook her head, "That is not an option, Anthony."

"Very well then," He immediately turned away to proceed to the door.

Wilhelm quickly grasped his arm. "It is rude to walk out on the Queen, Brother".

Anthony's expression remained stoic as he refused to face his mother in irk.

"Anthony?" Rebecca called softly, "Before sending out that order, I tried everything in my power—"

"Yet it wasn't enough!" He retorted without glancing at her.

"The Phoenix's Imperial Messager threatened our position as the royal family."

Anthony's brows quirked, craning his gaze over his shoulder.

"Exactly, Son..." Rebecca sighed, "There was no escaping the tight spot they pushed us into. And to my knowledge, I fail to understand why of all of the people and all of a sudden, the Phoenix chooses to involve herself in your betrothal. And with that abomination in fact!"

Anthony's knuckles whitened as his muscles trailed with vines underneath his skin.

His mother carried on, "But there is no turning back now. Not if we want to remain as we are now... We will just have to manage with the creature that is being forced upon us..."

Anthony responded in silence for a few moments longer before exhaling softly. "When is she to arrive?"

"Tomorrow morning. And the wedding preparations have already commenced as we speak. You both are to wed the next morning—"

Before Rebecca could complete her words, her oldest immediately jerked his arm from his younger sibling's, letting out a scoff, "Let's see how a wedding holds without a groom."

He began walking to the door.

"Anthony! Anthony, stop this instant!!"

He blankly ignored his mother's call.

"Anthony, do not dare leave this palace befo—"

The door slammed behind him.

The air within the room finally dropped with a long pause between Rebecca and Wilhelm.

Wilhelm then looked up at his mother to bow. "Worry not, Mother. I will ensure he stays within the palace premises."

"Thank you, Wil."

Wilhelm then turned to pace to the door before halting abruptly. He glanced at his mother and then spoke.

"Just to confirm, Mother..."

"What?"

"The Phoenix's edict had nothing to do with me nor my sex life, right?"

Her instantly brows dropped in disappointment. "Wilhelm?"

"Yes, Mother?"

"No sane person will ever have anything to say regarding your sex life. Talkless the Phoenix."

Wilhelm's lips pulled into a sheepish smile, "Lovely..." He returned his gaze to the door and resumed his steps. "Who knew being a lazy man-whore has its benefits..." He mumbled to himself before walking out of the room.

Rebecca sighed deeply, resting back on her throne as she pinched her forehead.

A deep crease formed above her brows. "Just what is the Phoenix's plan with all these?..."