Intentions

>>Sorin

After Enri was gone, Leroy moved to release Kaan too and then came and stood by my side again.

I honestly thought we were done for. We had to entrap Kaan again for this and I thought he’d be really angry but as he rubbed his wrists he looked rather relaxed.

“I’m sorry Kaan,” I said, “This was necessary.” I didn’t want any more bad blood between us. We were already walking on eggshells.

He stood up from his seat and looked at me with a cold gaze, “Isn’t the Maximilian family blessed with sons as first born?” He stood tall as he asked this question and I looked down in shame.

“Yes…” Indeed the royal family has this blessing and that is exactly why I was raised as a prince. My mother was saving her own skin.

“I see,” He nodded, “You both harbor a lot of secrets.” His words made my heart jump in fear. I know he discovered my other secret too, he’s sharp. I finally get why he tasted my blood and well, he probably got the idea from when I healed him too.

“I hope you didn’t take this to heart, your highness.” Leroy said.

“And if I have?” Kaan’s voice was calm.

“I’m sorry,” Leory bowed his head to him and I felt so bad. He has to do this because of me! This is how he was, he never let his pride come between his feelings of protectiveness for Sorin. I bit my lower lip and bowed my head too.

“I’m really sorry kaan. Please understand.”

…

Sorin turned his head to look at me. He was surprised at my actions but didn’t mind them. He smiled and then we both straightened up.

“I have your room ready for you and we’ll introduce you to the palace at Sorin’s party.” Leroy said, “I hope we're forgiven.”

…

Kaan didn’t reply at first. He was weighing his options. I don’t know what he’s thinking. He hasn’t done anything dangerous so far and I hope it stays that way but it’s not like he can just forget about what was done to him.

I was scared.

I really had no idea how to plan things out to make thing move in a better direction.

“Alright.” He complied quite willingly and to be honest, him being so accommodating was making me nervous, “But I want my kind here. Especially my closest aides.”

Shit. There it is. That’s the danger zone.

Of course he would want that.

I bit my lips, but if any of his men find out what happened to him, we’re all doomed.

I have to talk to him about peaceful negotiations before that!

***

>>Leonidas

“Oh my God!!” Enri stood there happily, “My head didn’t burst!” He looked so relieved that he didn’t die that he overlooked something, “Oh God! They were lying!” He looked at me, “We need to tell this to everyone!”

“...” I pursed my lips together as I struggled to tell him that I already knew.

“Leon?” He looked at me in confusion, “What’s wrong?” Then something clicked in his mind, “You don’t look surprised.” He paused and stared at me with suspicion, “You knew?” he said softly.

I nodded, “I just recently discovered it.”

He stepped back as he grabbed his neck to rub in frustration, “Why haven’t you done anything then?” His happiness turned into confusion and aggression.

“What am I supposed to do?” I asked.

“She’s taken your rightful place!” He said, “Expose her.”

“Enri,” I licked my lips, “You know if we do that, it means she gets executed publicly.” He paused at my words. I guess he momentarily forgot about that. The royals can’t lie to the kingdom. The punishment for their corruption is death, “I really don’t want to kill her.” I shook my head softly.

Enri wasn’t pleased, “And what? Let her rule! She’s unfit for the role.”

“I’m still thinking about it.” I raised my hand a little, “I’m still processing what I can do here.”

Enri looked at me with jumbled thoughts, “Leon, you don’t get it do you?”

“What?”

“The first born of a royal family is always a son.” I froze at his words, “That’s the blessing the deities gave the Maximilian family for ruling just.” My eyes went wide at his words. There is no doubt, I completely forgot about that.

“Wait,” It finally clicked to me, “Wait what?” It was shocking, “Right,” I nodded remembering the rule, “And it’s never happened that there was a first born daughter.”

“Yes,” Enri frowned, “That means Sorin is not a royal.”

“She’s not related to me.” My heart skipped a beat as I realized that fact, “She’s not a royal…”

“Exactly!” Enri groaned, “And yet she’s the king?!” I was still in a daze as I looked at him, “We have to dethrone her.” He was too excited for this.

“Calm down Enri,”

“Why are you like this!!” He was furious, “She’s been your worst enemy your whole life!” I know he’s more angry because of me. He doesn’t have anything personal with her. He’s mad on my behalf. After all, once, Sorin almost killed me.

“I know but not my whole life.” I replied rather calmly. I don’t know why, I didn’t want to have Sorin killed. It’s not like I wasn’t mad at her or that I had forgotten the things she had done but learning her deepest secret has me shaken for some reason.

“Leon!” Enri wasn’t having it though, “Nobody wants her as king, I wouldn’t be so against it if she was a good person but the whole palace staff hates her!”

“I know, but doesn’t it look like she’s changed a little?” I mean she came to me to ask about a new start. That was not like her.

“Leon!”

“Think about it!” I got a little stirred, “I’ve been thinking about it ever since I learned of her secret!” He stared at me, “She wasn’t like that when we were kids but suddenly became aggressive after both of our mother’s died. There has to be a reason she turned so sour.”

I made my point and Enri nodded at that, affirming that he understood but that didn’t change his mind.

“Doesn’t change the fact that she abused everyone she could.” Enri’s a good guy and he really can’t stand people like Sorin who have abused their power.

I gulped, “I know and I don’t condone that but-”

“Wait,” He grabbed my arm to shut me up, “I hear footsteps.” He whispered and we both ceased our movements and stopped speaking.

It didn’t take us long to realize it was the palace maids, two I think, making their way out of this part. I guess they were on cleaning duty today.

Honestly I would have completely ignored them if not for what they were talking about.

“Times sure change huh,” This was the voice of some older lady, “Sorin is king today.”

“I know right.” The other female seemed like she was of the same age, “It seems like only yesterday when the Queen died and a bunch of creeps tried to rape the young price.” She sighed, “It was the start of his twisted personality.”

Enri and I both shot our heads towards each other in horror and shock.

What was this?

We had never heard of anything like this!

They both came to cross the corridor we were in, “The boy was and is too pretty for his own goo- Oh My God!” She screamed when she saw me and Enri glaring at them.

The other one turned her head in our direction and jumped, “Your highness!!” They both froze in fear.

“Don’t stop,” I said, “What were you talking about?” Their conversation just made me angry for some reason.

“Y-your highness,” Both of them started trembling, “I-it’s not what you think!” I wasn’t expecting Enri to take action here but he did. He stepped forward and drew his sword out.

“Speak,” He ordered them but they both shook their heads.

“Speak!” I commanded them but they both pursed their lips and then looked at each other in horror, “Say something!!” I didn’t think I’d end up yelling at them. I surprised myself with my actions but it made one of them speak.

“The late king warned us,” The one with all gray hair spoke, “He’ll have our throats.”

What? Father had their tongues sealed??

“He’s ‘late’ for a reason!” I said a little forcefully, “I want you to speak.”

“But the one who will kill us isn’t.” The other one said, she had her hair dyed brown.

“Who?” Enri asked, “There is no one in the country stronger than me.”

“We can’t say.” They both looked down in fear, “He killed the predators too and everyone involved.” Their shoulders trembled and honestly I couldn’t force them after all that.

“Fine,” I sighed, “Don’t answer that.” I folded my arms, “Is there anyone else but you both who knows about this?” I asked and they both shook their heads.

“We were the only ones who saw.”

“This will stay between us.” Enri assured them, “Just give us the brief summary.”