Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Curiosity
Alaric, in a desperate attempt to contain the situation, tried to clean up the mess that had unfolded. Kastiel and Rowan also chimed in, urging everyone present not to spread the rumors, as they claimed Duke Carlton was currently grappling with mental health issues and speaking nonsense. Despite their efforts, they all knew full well that gossip would inevitably spread like wildfire, and it wouldn’t be long before the Emperor himself caught wind of these scandalous allegations.
In an effort to make amends for Carlton’s baseless accusations against Marquis Dorian, Alaric extended a formal apology on behalf of his best friend. He acknowledged that Carlton bore full responsibility for his reckless words and should face appropriate punishment. Given their understanding of Carlton’s purported mental state, it was agreed that as recompense for the slanderous remarks about non-existent kid, Carlton would be compelled to cede one of his mines over to Dorian.
Carlton begrudgingly signed over the deed to the mine with a look of pure venom directed at Dorian. The Marquis wanted nothing more than to weep openly - this felt less like proper recompense and more akin to a curse being placed upon him.
Though Alaric had intended to discuss a matter of state with Dorian, the lateness of the hour and the Marquis’ recent harrowing ordeal compelled Alaric to simply bid him goodnight and send him on his way home to rest. Dorian departed, feeling utterly exhausted and emotionally drained from the evening’s tumultuous events.
Throughout the long, tense night, Alaric remained steadfastly silent towards Carlton. The Duke could only sit morosely in his chamber, picking at his dinner with all the enthusiasm of a condemned man at his final meal. Kastiel and Rowan joined him, their own discomfort palpable as they awkwardly avoided each other’s gaze.
Meanwhile, Alaric supped with Emperor and other royal family’s members, even Princess Luna - still visibly shaken by the morning’s events - joining them at the table. The atmosphere among the royals was subdued, but even this somber dinner paled in comparison to the icy chill permeating Carlton’s room.
Carlton shoveled food into his mouth with all the joy of a prisoner eating prison slop. His foul mood stemmed from Alaric’s cold indifference towards him. Rowan and Kastiel mirrored Carlton’s discomfort, eating robotically as they avoided each other’s gazes. Had it not been for Alaric’s directive for them to accompany Carlton through this ordeal, they likely would have fled far away from one another.
The accidental kiss that had transpired mere hours prior weighed heavily upon them both, rendering any pretense of normalcy impossible.
A heavy sigh suddenly pierced the oppressive silence, drawing all eyes to Carlton. He looked utterly dejected, like a forlorn puppy abandoned by the side of the road - an expression wholly foreign to those who knew him. The sight stirred within Kastiel and Rowan a complex mix of emotions, their hearts heavy with the weight of this surreal situation.
Carlton set down his utensils, turning to face Kastiel and Rowan with a plaintive look. The two men had anticipated Carlton’s silence throughout the evening in Alaric’s absence, unprepared for any attempt at conversation.
"H-hey... Do you really think my darling hates me?" Carlton asked, a tremor of uncertainty in his voice.
Rowan carefully considered his response before speaking. "Your Grace, I don’t think His Highness is angry with you per se... but he does seem rather disappointed."
Carlton’s expression crumpled further at Rowan’s words, his sorrow deepening.
"Why? Even when it involves someone intending to harm our son..." he protested weakly.
SLAM!!!
Suddenly, Kastiel slammed his hands on the tabletop, startling everyone present. The force of the impact sent plates and cutlery clattering noisily across the surface.
Kastiel looked positively livid as he chastised Carlton. "Your Grace! You claim to be from the future - why then have you become so childish and impulsive, rather than growing more mature and wise? You must know that your actions and words today will not only impact yourself but His Highness as well!"
Kastiel’s normally unflappable demeanor crumbled in the face of Alaric’s potential distress. As the Crown Prince’s most trusted confidant since childhood, Kastiel’s protective instincts towards Alaric ran deep. He momentarily forgot his trepidation regarding Carlton, snapping when he heard the Duke’s words.
Carlton and Rowan gaped at Kastiel’s outburst, utterly unprepared for such a display of anger from the usually cheerful Kastiel. Though Carlton bristled at Kastiel’s scolding, he could not deny the truth in the man’s words. Frowning deeply, Carlton finally responded in a barely audible murmur:
"I’ve always acted on impulse when it comes to my darling and our children... And darling has never constrained me during our decade-long marriage..."
Kastiel and Rowan stared at Carlton in stunned silence, increasingly convinced that he was delusional or suffering from some form of mental impairment. Even as Empress, there were still laws within the kingdom that had to be upheld. If Carlton abused his power indiscriminately, it would sow chaos throughout the palace. Kastiel rubbed his temples wearily, looking utterly exasperated by the entire situation.
"Your Grace, even so, you must acknowledge the grave error of your actions towards Marquis Dorian. Accusing without evidence - a child who does not exist is a severe slander, especially when you dragged His Highness into it. Don’t you realize that Prince August has long coveted the Crown Prince’s position and constantly seeks loopholes and opportunities to undermine him? Your Grace... surely you wish no harm to come to his highness?"
Carlton chuckled softly at the mention of August’s name, his brow furrowing as if trying to recall some distant memory. "Ah yes, I’d quite forgotten... August is alive now in this timeline, isn’t he? For so long he’s been dead in my mind that I clean forgot he was living a dozen years ago..."
Prince August, born of Concubine Sherly, shared his mother’s thirst for power and harbored ambitions of claiming the throne for himself. The mother-son duo were ruthless in their pursuit of power and influence within the palace walls. When Alaric departed for war two years prior, August eagerly anticipated news of his demise, hoping to seize the opportunity to ascend to the Crown Prince’s position. However Alaric’s triumphant return after two years, unscathed and victorious on the battlefield, only served to strengthen his standing among the people and nobility alike.
Despite Empress June hailing from a less influential family than Sherly’s family, Alaric commanded the support of several powerful houses, including that of Carlton’s own Hawthorne lineage. The common folk had also rallied behind Alaric in droves due to his heroic exploits abroad.
Rowan and Kastiel stared at Carlton in abject horror as the Duke casually mentioned Prince August’s demise, their eyes wide with shock and unease.
"Y-Your Grace," Rowan stammered, his voice trembling slightly. "Please, we are still within the palace walls. Even in private, such topics should not be discussed so freely..."
The young man silently cursed himself for ever wishing Carlton would open up more. Who could have anticipated that when the stoic Duke finally did speak at length, it would only be to utter horrors? Rowan swallowed hard, praying fervently that this surreal conversation would soon come to an end.
Kastiel regarded Carlton with growing curiosity despite his skepticism about the man’s bizarre claims of being from the future. The arrogant Prince August had long been a thorn in everyone’s side with his villainous schemes and insatiable lust for power. As the son of a mere Count, Kastiel knew he lacked the influence to do anything about it, but he couldn’t help but feel a morbid fascination at the prospect of August’s downfall.
"Your Grace," Kastiel ventured cautiously, "what truly transpired with Prince August? I must admit your words have piqued my curiosity." He leaned forward slightly in his seat, eager for any tidbit of information Carlton might divulge about the prince’s mysterious end.
Rowan’s patience snapped as Kastiel pressed on with his questions, and he quickly interjected, fixing the man with a stern glare. "Enough of this idle curiosity! If anyone were to overhear such treasonous talk, the consequences would be dire - not just for His Grace, but for us as well! Think before you speak, fool!"
Kastiel scoffed at Rowan’s admonishment, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "You’re being utterly paranoid! We are ensconced within the palace walls, mere paces from His Highness’ own chambers. This entire wing is heavily guarded - when did you become such a timid coward?"
Rowan bristled at the accusation, his temper flaring. It was an old habit of his to seize Kastiel by the collar whenever the man pushed him too far - but as his fingers closed around Kastiel’s shirtfront this time, they inadvertently brushed against the sensitive skin of his neck.
The fleeting contact sent a jolt through Rowan’s body, the memory of their recent kiss resurfaced unbidden in Rowan’s mind. A fierce blush crept into his cheeks at the memory.
Meanwhile, Kastiel had also momentarily forgotten about their kiss in the heat of their argument. Furrowing his brow in confusion at Rowan’s strange behavior, he grasped the other man’s wrist firmly.
"What has gotten into you?" Kastiel demanded impatiently... until realization dawned upon him. The memory of their lips locked together flooded back, and a deep blush crept across Kastiel’s own face.
The two young men sprang apart like scalded cats, their faces blazing with unmistakable guilt and confusion. An awkward silence descended over the chamber as they both struggled to regain their composure.
Carlton observed the two men with a raised eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye as he put together the pieces of their reactions. Seizing the opportunity to rile them up further, he leaned forward and asked bluntly:
"Well then, did you two... have sex?"
Rowan and Kastiel’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at Carlton’s direct query. They both sputtered simultaneously in denial.
"We did NOT have sex!!!" they exclaimed in unison.
But while Kastiel fell silent after that emphatic declaration, Rowan found himself compelled to elaborate - much to Kastiel’s chagrin.
"But we did...kiss," Rowan admitted quietly, his cheeks flaming an even deeper shade of red.
Kastiel groaned audibly and buried his face in his hands. "Why must you always be so honest?!"
"I thought I should clarify that point since we weren’t having intercourse!" Rowan retorted defensively.
"You didn’t need to be THAT honest about it!" Kastiel shot back irritably.
The two continued bickering over the kiss, their voices rising with each passing second. Carlton, meanwhile, sat back and watched the entertaining spectacle unfold before him with an amused smirk. He had to hand it to Rowan and Kastiel - they certainly knew how to liven up a dull meal with some good old-fashioned romantic drama! The Duke chuckled softly to himself as he continued savoring his now-appetizing repast.
