Chapter 75: Chapter 75:
[Don’t read for now]
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Tristan’s soul, which had taken a nosedive into the abyss of existential dread thanks to the utter madness unfolding before him, suddenly jolted back with the force of a thousand espresso shots. It was like someone had flicked a switch in his brain, replacing the swirling chaos with laser-focused memory: He’d completely forgotten about his conversation with the Emperor!
He slapped his forehead so hard it could have rivaled Carlton’s bear hugs for sheer impact. Was he blaming Carlton - a walking cuddle puddle with questionable sanity - for dragging them all into this whirlwind of absurdity? Or Alaric for willingly participating in said absurdity? Or maybe... himself? For forgetting everything after witnessing such bizarre events. Honestly, at this point he wasn’t even sure what planet they were on anymore.
He cleared his throat dramatically and bowed deeply towards Alaric. "Your Highness! I apologize profusely! I completely forgot to mention something crucial!" He straightened up with renewed purpose. "There was...a rather peculiar incident in the palace three nights ago."
Alaric’s eyebrows shot up as he leaned forward intently. Three days ago...the night he’d shared his first... intimate moment with Carlton. Coincidence? Or was there something more to this strange phenomenon? The possibilities were both terrifying and strangely intriguing.
The incident remained shrouded in secrecy, known only to a select few. Kastiel, ever the master of discretion, had swiftly silenced any whispers that dared to escape his lips. After all, what could be more unsettling than a glowing anomaly of unknown origin appearing within the palace walls?
Only the Emperor, his trusted advisors and a handful of vigilant guards were privy to this strange occurrence. A clandestine meeting was even held – one Alaric was curiously absent from. At the time, Kastiel had already spun a tale of Alaric suffering from a contagious illness as justification for keeping him away.
Tristan leaned forward eagerly, recounting the story with such fervor it seemed he’d witnessed it firsthand rather than gleaned it secondhand from Kastiel’s account:
"Your Highness," Tristan began with earnest politeness laced with excitement "Three nights ago...the royal guards on patrol reported seeing an extraordinary sight... A brilliant light flickered intermittently amidst the hedges of our palace garden maze."
"Kastiel told me," Tristan continued breathlessly as if reliving each detail, "that when he rushed to investigate, all he could discern was a dazzling electric spark that pulsed with an ethereal glow. The distance from the maze entrance to its center proved too great for them to make out anything more than these fleeting glimpses of light and what resembled lightning."
His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as he added: "When the guards attempted to enter the maze for closer inspection, they encountered an impenetrable barrier. It was as if some unseen force prevented their passage."
A furrow etched itself between Alaric’s brows. He knew strange occurrences were par for the course in his life, but this tale surpassed even his wildest imaginings. Even Carlton, who had been clinging to him like a furry koala moments before, instinctively released his grip. Alaric remained focused on Tristan’s animated recounting, oblivious to the flicker of confusion and shock that crossed Carlton’s face – as if a forgotten memory had suddenly surfaced.
Tristan’s voice continued to weave its spell through the study room:
"But Kastiel and Rowan...they persevered," he said with an air of awe. "The guards claimed they could only manage a few steps before being pushed back by some unseen force, but Kastiel and Rowan...well, their determination was remarkable! They managed to venture much farther." Tristan paused for a moment.
"Kastiel himself described it as feeling an immense pressure against his body; one misstep would have sent him sprawling." He shook his head slowly. "It was utterly bizarre...like something defying all known laws of nature." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Almost as if...walking against a storm, but amplified a thousandfold."
Alaric crossed his arms, curiosity piqued. "Then? Did Rowan and Kastiel reach the source of that light at the heart of the maze?"
A wave of disappointment washed over Tristan’s features as he shook his head. "Unfortunately, your highness," he began, his voice laced with regret, "Kastiel said that after walking for some time, the force pushing against them gradually weakened. They realized then that whatever resided at the maze’s heart was...disappearing." He paused, letting the gravity of the situation sink in.
"They used their remaining energy to sprint towards it," Tristan continued softly. "But by the time they reached its supposed location...there was nothing there. Not even a glimmer of light beyond what filtered down from the moonlit sky."
He sighed wistfully, recalling Kastiel’s account with a pang of frustration. The thought of such an extraordinary phenomenon – something capable of emitting brilliant light, pulsing with an energy so potent it repelled all who dared approach – vanishing without a trace left him deeply unsatisfied.
Tristan continued, his tone regaining its usual measured politeness: "Naturally, both Kastiel and Rowan were deeply disheartened by this turn of events," he explained gently. "They immediately dispatched the royal guards to scour every inch of the central clearing for any trace - anything that might shed light on what they had encountered." He shrugged helplessly. "Despite hours spent searching meticulously...their efforts proved fruitless."
"Not a single object, not even the faintest mark, remained to suggest the nature of that enigmatic light," Tristan concluded with a slight frown. "It’s as if it had never been there at all." He paused, his gaze drifting towards the window as if searching for answers in the sunlight filtering through the glass.
"I confess, your highness," he added softly, "this mystery has left me quite perplexed. It seems we are left to wonder what forces might be at play within those hedge walls."
********
"Your Majesty," Lucas began, his voice still breathless from being unceremoniously interrupted mid-coitus. "I must protest this ared! The emperor’s heart raced with a mix of panic and primal desire - panic for his missing spouse, and desire to find Carlton and sate the hunger that surely consumed him.
"ky beyond the window.
As ced before. His beloved spouse was out there somewhere, vulnerable and needy, and he wasn’t by Carlton’s side to provide the comfort and release he so desperately required.
"I... I
The Emperor’s words hung heavy in the air as Lucas blinked up at him innocently, still not seeming to grasp the gravity of the situation. Alaric fought down a surge of frustration - he needed answers, and fast! But for now, all he could do was pray that Carlton was safe... and hope that wherever he was, his spouse found some way to sate the fire burning within him...
****
Under the silver glow of the moon, the hedge maze took on an almost mystical aura, its towering walls casting long, eerie shadows across the cobblestone path. Amidst this otherworldly scene strode a tall, broad-shouldered figure - Empress Carlton - his movements unsteady and labored as he struggled to maintain his footing.
"What in the seven hells is happening to me...?" Carlton muttered under his breath, his voice ragged with exertion and confusion. "Why does my body feel like it’s on fire? And why am I suddenly overcome with this...this insatiable need for Alaric?"
The empress paused mid-step, bracing himself against one of the hedges as a wave of desire crashed over him. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to will away the intense arousal that threatened to consume him. But it was no use - every nerve ending in his body screamed for release.
"Is this some sort of aphrodisiac?" Carlton wondered aloud, desperation creeping into his tone. "But when did I ingest such a thing? And why would Alaric...?"
His thoughts trailed off as another shudder wracked his frame. Carlton’s mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation even as his body betrayed him. He knew he should return to the palace, seek out Alaric and demand answers...but the mere thought of seeing him sent a fresh surge of heat coursing through his veins.
The heat coursing through his veins demanded release - no, insisted upon it! But Carlton fought against it with every fiber of his being.
"I mustn’t give in," he ground out through gritted teeth. "I am Duke Carlton! I will not be ruled by my desires!"
But even as he spoke those defiant words, Carlton’s body betrayed him once more. His legs buckled beneath him and he pitched forward, his outstretched hands scrabbling for purchase against the dense foliage. For a moment, it seemed as though he might catch himself - but then his fingers slipped on the dew-slicked leaves and Carlton tumbled headlong into the hedge wall.
The impact knocked the wind from his lung, sending stars exploding across his vision. And in that instant of disorientation, Carlton felt something else take hold of him - a sensation like drowning in an endless sea of blackness. His thoughts scattered like leaves on the wind and all at once, everything went dark...
