Do It Halfway

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"Where are we going? You wouldn't have to call me out here for such a trivial matter? Is this about the riot?" asked Grae earning a hum from Ciaran

"We're going to pay some of the town folks a visit"

"We already know who the mastermind is, why do we need to visit?"

"It is him, though just a suspicion. I need a witness to back up my claim, don't you think?"

"Certainly"

Orchid watched from her window as Ciaran and Grae got on the carriage awaiting them outside and it rode away

He was going somewhere? And he didn't think to tell her about it?

"What does it have to do with you, Orchid? Why bother?" she asked herself

"Princess, your lunch is ready in the garden" Ava informed and Orchid followed her

The dish were neatly placed on the table and Orchid took hold of her utensil about to taste the delicacies

"Princess Orchid..." that annoying voice, the hideous smirk on his lips. How Orchid wished she could slap it off

"Crown prince Rudolf"

"What a wonderful afternoon, I was actually on my way to the dining when I caught sight of you. You wouldn't mind if I joined, would you?" he asked, his butt already on the chair opposite hers

"Why ask if you're already sitting down"

"Oh, I'm sorry. The meal is just so inviting" he smiled, scooping in a spoon "I saw Ciaran leaving the palace earlier, any idea where he went, princess?"

"I do not meddle in my husband's personal affairs, your highness"

"Ah, your husband..." he chuckled bitterly "So unfair he doesn't treat you as his wife"

(That's alright, I don't treat him as my husband either) she wanted to say

"How do you know that, your highness? You're not with us in our bedroom" She said wanting him to leave. Rudolf chewed his food slowly and then smiled

"As I said before, princess. Ciaran is not someone you'd want to be with. You'll get to know the meaning behind my words soon enough. Thank you for inviting me to dine with you, princess. It was a wonderful meal" Crown prince Rudolf bowed and left the garden

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"Oh Grae, you didn't have to be so vicious" Ciaran said with a tsk, his eyes staring pitifully at the bleeding man tied to a wooden chair. Blood streamed down his head, nose and his torn lips, his eyes swollen "I told you to do it halfway..."

He bent in front of the man who tried opening his swollen eyes to see who the mysterious man was

"Forgive my buddy here. He tend to act on his own and he's usually rough handling it"

"What do you want from me, your highness... I am merely a village man trying hard to earn for his family. Please spare me"

"I do not intend on doing anything to you. That is, if you give me the answers I'm looking for" the man vigorously nodded, he was so badly beaten up, he would do anything to get away "The riot that came up yesterday. I heard it was led by you, you were the head. Who told you to do it?"

"Your highness, I-I don't know what you're talking about. The riot was led by me and the people who thought the king sitting on the throne is unjust"

"Oh, is that it?" Ciaran questioned

"Y-yes, your highness"

"There are so many ways to beat it out. I'm just thinking of what is befitting for you. Ah, the thought makes my blood chill in excitement" the prince said and the man bounded to the chair, stared at him wide-eyed "One of his eyes is bruised already, his jaws seems to be broken and his nose is dislocated. Ah, Grae. You didn't leave any parts for me to have fun with"

"His other eye is still available. His arms and legs also seem to be healthy"

"..."

Hearing Grae's cold response, the man watched as the prince's eyes brightened

"Right. Untie him, Grae. Let's start"

"N-no, your highness. I don't know anything, p-please" Grae walked over to the man and his hands went to untie him "Wait, I'll talk, please... please spare me, your highness. I'll tell you"

"You just had to ruin the fun. Alright then, I'm all ears"

"I didn't just lead the riot, I couldn't possibly think of such...going against the King. I was paid such a high price to start it, I couldn't resist. I gathered some of the town's folks and gave them equal shares"

"Who paid you? We already figured out the person, but just wanted to make sure"

"I don't know who..." the man shuttered

"He's lying" Grae said to Ciaran and stalked towards the man. Grae's face was emotionless and he stared at the man with murder intent

"I-It was the crown prince" the man bobbed his eyes, fear dancing in his eyes