Heath smiled finally hearing the true version. It was really weird to talk when he was being so respectful towards him.

He and Cain had been close since childhood and Cain was a distant cousin. Cain gave up his comfortable life to delve into the ruthless world of nobility, supporting him for years to stabilize Credia a country that was on almost edge of collapsing after the sudden death of his father.

The constant wars on the border and greedy nobles were getting out of control due to their greed finding a sixteen-year-old ignorant lamb coming to sit on the throne of the emperor that the ones who remain truly loyal were reduced to only a handful of people.

Finally, the bloodbath began, and the naive ignorant lamb consumed the elephant in a single bite.

It would have been impossible if not for Cain to be there with him at every step during his most difficult time.

From the funeral of his father to the ceremony of enthronement where the rebellious nobles almost dared to kill him, this brother was there with him on every path of his journey.

In the end, even his horrible swearing and scolding were music to the ears.

Ignoring Cain's panicked expression, he issued a decisive order,

"Prepare a detailed report, covering every rumor and detail. Omit any mention of the cult. Keep it straightforward. Discuss it with the House of Commoners, observe their reactions and note it down in detail, and ensure that word of this doesn't reach the House of Nobles."

With a noble and formidable aura, he stepped forward, his narrowed eyes in deeper thought as his eyes looked at the darkness at the end of the hallway.

"I sense that some hyenas have already changed their lairs."

Cain's expression shifted from his childish panic to serious with Heath's words. He looked at the straight and resolvent back of his cousin who was three years younger than him, understanding the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, he replied in a low voice,

"Understood. I'll draft the report discreetly and gauge the House of Commoners' reactions. As for those traitors, we'll sniff out their dens before they strike."

He gave a final bow and turned to the side pathway walking straight to his office.

After Cain left, Heath lost his footing, nearly causing him to sit on the ground. His knees felt so weak, and his back was sore from all the extreme things he had done.

He took a deep breath and, after some effort, made his way to the royal office. He sat on the soft cushion of his chair and immediately hissed in pain. After shifting on his seat a few times, he finally decided to instead lay down on the couch. 

The crackling sound of wood burning and the burst of tiny sparks soothed Heath's tired and overused body. The shadow of his couch danced on the white wall, being the only illumination of the room covered in darkness.

He rubbed his forehead thinking of expanding that area more, next time rather than suffering so much pain and discomfort afterward.

Although he lay down as sleepiness washed over him the pain and wetness of the bottom reminded him that he needed to take a bath as that area was still wet making him feel disgusted and repulsive.

"Damn you, Alastair! Son of a bitch!" He cursed under his breath as he took a deep breath to suppress the pain of almost being ripped apart by that giant and sat on the couch. He used the metal bell and called two maids to fill his bathtub with slightly warm water. 

Good thing he attached a bathroom to his royal office otherwise it would have been very difficult for him to make his way to his room to take a bath in his state.

==========================================================================================

Alastair snapped his eyes open as soon as he felt the movement from behind the white curtains.

" Your Highness." A deep hoarse voice called him out in darkness.

"Don't call me that," Alastair retorted as a satisfied smile made its way to his lips, despite that the shadow man felt a chill in his spine. "State your purpose." He sat up on the bed stretching his body with a lazy smile not at all bothered with chains in his wrist. Despite his relaxed and languid demeanor, his aura became sharp, shredding all disguises of cowardice and obedience.

"Majesty's orders." The smile fell from Alastair's face in an instant, His honey-colored eyes became sharp, but his body lazily found a comfortable place in the fluffy bed and leaned on the headboard looking at the ceiling with beautiful and delicate patterns.

His lips parted giving some orders to shadow guard.

He looked at a place in the dark. Unseen to eyes his shadow guard was standing there receiving his orders. 

He finally looked out of the window and sighed. No matter what he is still the crown prince of Great Avaloria. It's his responsibility to protect his citizens. Even if his opponent is meant to be the tyrant of Credia.

"As you wish, your Highnesses." Guard disappeared from his place as soon as the wind blew the white curtains the moonlight pierced through the gaps between the designed metals into the luxurious room.

"You should have killed me, Heath. But no matter how much you will regret it in future. I will kill you..." He whispered as a smile danced on his lips. He thought of those beautiful silver globes with blue tint becoming lifeless. Crimson blood sweep his pale skin as his silver hairs were colored with vermilion, like a doll with broken strings.

And pluck out those beautiful eyes of yours... He continued words in his heart that were better left unspoken.

Now what do you think of Alastair?

Hahahahaha!!