James

As soon as I hear the question, my entire body shudders. But when she says yes, I can't help but spring up from my chair.

When it finally hits me I am consumed with a wild rush of rage. I pick up the closet plate and fling it across the room with all my strength. Instantly Odessa jumps in her seats. It feels my eruption has brought her back into the room. She stares down at the ring in her slender finger and instantly she caught her breath unable to reaction.

"James! What is the matter with you?!" Father erupts, pounding his fist on the table. It seems the action has left me staring around at all the stunned faces looking up at me. Even Nicolai looks petrified of me.

"I-I I'm so sorry... It seems I lost control...I'm terribly sorry. I better cleanup..." I can only mumble as I realise I'm actually the only person in this room outraged with what has just happened.

I motion forward and crouch down to the shattered fragments as everyone watches me in silence. A maid comes and brings a dustpan and brush and I can only mutter thank you before I sit back down to the others.

Odessa's face has now turned extremely pale as Nicolai sits across from her, his face beaming with a deep smile. At this moment I wish I could punch his scrunched up rotten face...

"Well that went not how I expected it at all..." King Fernando utters, looking unimpressed as he takes another swig of his drink.

"But let us toast the new couple, such a perfect choice" he lifts his glass and everyone, including Odessa clinks their glasses in unison cheering. Instantly I feel the taste of salt awash on the back of my throat and as the flavour envelopes my mouth, my stomach clenches and my eyesight loses focus.

"I'm sorry but may I be excused?" and before I hear a reply I get up and rush out the room towards the stairs. With step my stomach churns but once I reach my room, I swing open the door and step into the bathroom. A violent eruption of thick yellow liquid with the consistency of beef gushes from my mouth.

As I grab the toilet seat, I can't help but gag until I feel my entire system is gone. My head spins as I slowly get up and lean against the cold titled salmon walls. I can't help but take a few gentle breaths to ease myself back into the room.

Odessa should be feeling this way, not me. I should down there smiling and laughing, pretending to have just witness the happiest moment of my life. My twin sister is engaged, I should be happy but I can't allow my heart to even feel the tiniest of empathy for this occasion. That monster is going to ruin my sister. Why can't I just be the older brother I'm supposed to be and protect her? Why am I so weak? Why can't I stand up for myself and give Nicolai what he deserves? Why can't I be like Gerard?

I lean my head back gently lulling myself to calm serenity but no matter how hard I can't. This inferior pain fills my stomach and I feel awful. My heart feels it will implode and I can't handle it. My eyes start to slightly water and I can't help but blink them away as I try to forget what just happened.

I wonder what they are up to now. Probably already planning the wedding I say. I can't help but shiver as I shut my eyes immediately trying to push away the thought. I have to control my hands wanting to wrap around his neck, watching the light in his eyes slowly fade away, to slowly evaporate into thin air.

No James. Stop this. You can't turn into him.

I have to shudder and awkwardly get up to allow some oxygen compress my brain. I slowly trudge out of the cold bathroom toward my bed. My steps are slow as I let my eyes try to adjust to the bright light. Plopping down onto my bed, I can only lie back and allow my head to thump down against the soft feathery pillow. I just stare up at the oblivious void of my white wall, allowing time to pass ever so slowly, allowing every millisecond to drag on.

I gently close my eyes and let out a shaky breath. Today has been so hectic, I haven't had the moment to simply stop and just notice time passing by ever so slowly and just live...

I let drowsiness consume me as I gently nod off to sleep, well that isn't until the door creaks open ever so slowly.
I jolt upwards from my laid position to see the usual Xavier come in. He stops and stares at me, noticing my arched shoulder loosen just glad to see him.

"Oh you startled me" I can only say as he still grips onto the door handle.

Straight away he asks. "Why aren't you downstairs?"

My only response is to sigh "It's a long story Xavier"

"I have all night, tell me" He now closes the door behind him and dropping his cleaning utensils, he perches on the edge of my bed.

Since he is demanding to know, I feel it is the perfect time to crack open a bottle. I bend down to my bedside table press and pull open to grab my secret collection of scotch and glasses. I pour some for both of use not even asking him if he even drinks. If he doesn't I can let him start tonight.

I chug some down from the bottle, absorbing the bittersweet liquid in my taste buds as I swish it to and fro. It seems the gold coloured scotch does its charm as I gulp it down furiously. I am so consumed with allowing the fiery taste take away my sorrow to realise Xavier staring at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Oh sorry" I wipe my lips. Straight away without any hesitation I spit it out. "Nicolai proposed to Odessa and she said yes"

Xavier, who actually did take the glass, immediately spits out his consumed liquid. He can only stare in horror. "You're joking?!"

"Nope" I drawl, taking another chug from the bottle. "I witnessed the whole thing while the son of a bitch acted like part of our happy family"

As I continue to badmouth Nicolai and describing Odessa's reaction, I feel bad for letting this all out to Xavier as if he's my counsellor but I need a good friend to let this all out. So far he seems engaged and completely shocked, but I feel he is hiding something, so I ask, "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

He stares down at his now empty glass, allowing his finger prints to appear on the glass. He is slow, wanting time to choose his words carefully.

"I'm just shocked, that's all.... I mean the poor thing doesn't deserve this"

I let out a shaky breath as I take another chug of the bottle.

"We expect a lot of things we don't deserve Xavier"

"I know but she should be with someone she loves dearly, not a jackass who controls everything she does"

I can slowly nod looking up. A sense of awkwardness hangs in the air as we both just simply stare at our empty glasses. I have so much to say but It seems my throat is lodged, incapable of even letting out a little sigh.

Within a few brief moments I finally let out, "Look I better get some rest" and instantly I am regretting my choice of words.

"I get it. You need to sleep, you had a rough day" Xavier huffs, lifting himself off from my bed. Before he turns to the door, he stares down at the nearly half empty bottle in my hand.

He motions forward and snatches it from my grasp. "I'm taking that away from you, you need to sleep, not drink, I know you and alcohol don't go too well together"

"But we kissed when I was drunk, surely you were peeing yourself with excitement then" I smirk as I allow the drink take over.

He doesn't even give a reply to my remark as he mutters "Goodnight" before he closes the door.

* * * *

The next day I wake up groggily, my stomach rumbling furiously. I roll over and get dressed in a simple pair of brown chinos and a navy woollen jumper, only caring about my growling stomach.

Making my way down, I can only think about whether they are serving poached eggs or porridge. I only lost my train of thought when I enter the dining room to see him sipping tea and reading the newspaper.

He looks up and smiles, allowing his sharp teeth to gleam. "Morning James, did you sleep well?"

I steady myself and sit across from him as a maid pours me a cup of coffee. "Yes I did Nicolai, I didn't think you would even care about my sleeping pattern"

He only lets out a sly laugh saying "Well I ought to care, besides, we're practically brothers now"

Instantly I gag on my coffee, shuddering at the thought. Through clenched teeth I can't help but bitterly reply with "Oh I high doubt that, I'll make sure of it"

Now he stops and glares at me. He lets out a stifle laugh which sends trimmers. Even though the room is quite spacious, I now feel I am confined into a tight space with Nicolai, each of ours fighting for scared air.

"Oh James, you really better watch your tone, I can easily tell your father if you threaten to kill me"

"But that wouldn't be fair now would it?" I reply sipping my coffee as it stimulates my enervated body.

He eyes me, conjuring up what to say next as a maid comes in serving Nicolai a cooked breakfast and porridge for me. I drizzle honey over my streaming porridge when he finally says "You don't honestly know how much I want to rule Erivale"

I look up to see him smirking, his slouched position with one leg up on the chair as he twirls a spoon in his second cup of tea. "Do you know how much you earned every second you sit on the throne?" he simply asks.

I can only shake my head and instantly he sniggers. "Just for sitting on your shoddy arse each second you earn 4 cent. For every second that's 2.40, for every hour it's 144 notes and for every day it's 3456 notes...do you know how much that would get you for a year?"

Once again I shake my head, this time taking a spoonful of porridge.

"It's 12,614, 40 notes every year, and that's not including the tax money or any other regulations, 126,614, 40 notes just for sitting down on your arse doing nothing"

I swallow my porridge hard snapping back "How dare you disrespect my father"

He prods a sausage with his fork and gnaws it, talking with his mashed up content still in his mouth. "Oh I'm sorry for disrespecting your prick of a father"

He lets out a boisterous laugh as he stuffs his mouth. I can't help but clench my jaw. "Don't you dare say that about my father!"

Even though he infuriates me to the core, I can't help but stand up for him. I won't let this beast disrespect my flesh and blood.

Nicolai only brushes back his hair with his greasy fingers. "Compared to shoddy Southern Islands, I could live a life of luxury here with your sister"

As soon as he mentions her, my blood boils. "Don't you dare put my sister into this" I snarl but he only laughs at me. "Oh James" he sighs, plucking up another sausage from his plate. "You really don't understand this whole concept of marriage do you.."

"If you don't even like her then why did you ask for her hand in marriage?" I demand trying my best to stay composed even though I want to wrap my hands around his neck.

He just laughs and simply says in a calm tone, "From this day onwards, I'm part of your family. I'm in control of your sister whether you like it or not and no matter what you say, your precious Odessa will be with me far away in the Southern Isles ruling with me and you won't be there to stop me. I will in control of her every action and you won't be there to protect her, you never know, I may teach the bitch a few manners"

That's when I explode. I knock over the table with all my force as I pounce on him, preparing to attack. "I should have finished you off that night" I bellow over his yelp as the hot tea pot scolds him.

I scratch and claw his face repeatedly as he cries out for help. "How dare you insult my family and especially my sister" I scream, not caring if his blood is embedded in my finger nails. I give a forceful punch again and again on his stomach to which he cries.

It is only until I hear the scream of a maid do I realise what I have done. Nicolai stares up breathless, his face covered in multiple marks but he still smirks. "Is that all you got James?"

Before I can even let out another breath, he pulls me down and now I am receiving the burden of pain. It erupts furiously through kicks and punches all over my body. He doesn't stop and he hits again and again, that is until someone appears to rescue me. The figure tries to pull Nicolai up but only gets knocked back by a forceful elbow to the nose.

They don't stop until finally they have Nicolai under control. Breathless I can only stare up at to see Xavier holding onto Nicolai who won't stop squirming, wanting to get back at me.

With the table toppled over, food is squashed onto the carpet and onto our clothes but that doesn't bother me in the slightest. What bothers me is the horrified onlookers at the door.

Father and Kind Fernando both barge in fuming furiously. "What is this racket?!" they boom.

"Sir I can explain" Xavier inputs but he is cut off by Father's furious roar. "JAMES CHRISTAIN HENRIK BLACKTHORN?"
I can only gulp, instantly fearing what he has to say next. It's a terrible sign if he uses my full name.

"I-I-I" I can only spit out before he comes over and grabs my left arm tightly, lifting me up. "How dare you attack our guest!" he fulminates bitterly, still grabbing on tightly.

"Father I can explain-" I cry out but he doesn't give me any heed. Instead in front of everyone, he swings at me and the pain from Nicolai slows my reaction; the back of his hand cracks against my cheek. I glare at him unable to process what just happened.

He slapped me. He actually slapped me.

I am about to move away, not daring to look over at Xavier or Nicolai when he swings again, this time more forcefully that I stumble backwards. He curses loudly and I let him land one more blow, which seems to appease him for now. He simply stands before me as I crouch forward, afraid he'd react again.

"No, leave immediately and bring your servant, they will clean you!"

Xavier lets go of Nicolai and trimmers as he follows my lead.

Vexed I let my fury take over as Father rushes over to Nicolai, immediately apologising for my actions. Before I leave, I stop at the stop and say bitterly "By the way, his name is Xavier and he's a decent human being compared to that bastard"

Straight away once he enters my room he asks "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine" I wince as I sit back on my bed. Xavier scowls and grumbles "Of course you're not. You could have been seriously injured, honestly James what were you thinking?!"

My face turns rainwater pale as I simply reply "He disrespected Father and Odessa"

Now Xavier is in full motion, clambering to the bathroom and wetting a wet cloth.

"Take off your shirt" he grumbles as I obey with a word.

I allow the tension drain from my body even though the pain infuriates throughout. I honestly don't know what damaged Nicolai has done but I'm just pleased to know he is suffering too. Gingerly I lift off my jumper and shirt even though it agonises my body.

He comes back and immediately eyes what he sees. "Is it that bad?" I wince.

Instead of replying he starts applying the wet cloth all over. With my reaction of holding back yelps he replies "Of course it's bad"

He sighs once he finishes. "I can't do much with bruises. You don't have any visible cuts, which is good but you'll just have to let them heal. I have an ointment you can use to help them heal quickly"

"Thanks Xavier" I say, even though it comes out more like a gargled choke.

Suddenly I notice blood flowing down his nose. "Uh you do realise your nose is bleeding"

He sits up quickly, pinching his nostril and leaning forward, desperately trying to grab something to stop his nose from bleeding. There are no tissues about so he grabs my grey shirt.

"Hey that's my favourite shirt!" I joke but he is not in the mood for jokes. His eyes are wide as blood trickles down and falls onto his uniform. Even with him pinching his nose a lot of blood is coming out all trailing down his face.

I can't help but motion forward and push his head back. "It might be better" I advised, still shirtless as he leans back, allowing the blood to go back.

I simply stand by his side until the blood seems to stop gushing. By the end of it his face is covered in the crimson liquid, there is even blood on his lips.

"I look like a monster" He groans, his words coming out sounding a little weird where his nose is full of blood. I can't help but laugh "Come on let's get you cleaned up"

But that's when even for the force of nature won't be stopped by something as mundane as a nosebleed as Xavier unexpectedly pulls me in and kisses me without thinking about the blood smeared all over his face. He remembers a moment too late as he draws back.

"Oh god I shouldn't have done that..." but I cut him off as I grab him back to finish what we started. Not a second later we kiss heatedly again and again as Xavier pulls me in closer by the waist, but soon as if by choice, he quickly pushes me away.

"No, I can't do this" Is all he says as he slowly backs away. "This doesn't feel right, I mean, you didn't even consent to this, oh god, what have I done-"

I try to calm him down by saying "Relax Xavier, it was just a kiss-"

"But that's the thing James! Don't you get it! It is always an unexpected kiss again and again, nothing else, nothing more, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that, especially after what you said.." he quickly rushes to the bathroom to clean his bloody face.

He scrubs hand and furiously as he distracts himself. I sigh putting back on a fresh clean cotton t-shirt. "Look Xavier I'm sorry for what-" but then I notice the bathroom door wide open with no one to be seen.

"Xavier?" I call out but there is no reply. I didn't even notice him leaving, but then again I didn't even notice the door opening. I can only let out a sharp sigh as I flop down onto my bed.

Once I sit I notice my grey shirt covered in his scarlet blood and Ican't help but think what a bloody mess I made...

Aw guys I hope you enjoy this chapter! ❤❤❤

AH SO AFTER THIS THERE ARE ONLY 5 CHAPTERS LEFT!! I REPEAT ONLY 5 CHAPTERS LEFT!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!

I can't believe it! I never thought I'd make it this far, thank you so so so so much for all the support, I love you all so so much and you are all amazing people ❤

You guys don't realise how much this all means to me, reading your lovely comments make me smile so much ❤❤❤

So I do hope you enjoy and please tell me what you think, I'd love to hear your reacts! :) xxx

ALSO GUYS I NEVER TOLD YOU I WON A CREATIVITY AWARD IN MY SCHOOL WHICH IS A HUGE THING SO AHHH I MUST THANK YOU ALL FOR KEEPING ME MOTIVATED IN WRITING ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤