Court meetings were as uneventful as they were boring with the only difference being King Lucien's presence as an honorary guest. It wasn't uncommon for neighboring kings to attend Court meetings of another except under different circumstances.
Lucien was sitting in a cubicle to his left, his porcelain complexion making him look as still as a statue. As an honorary guest, he wasn't really expected to speak at the meeting unless called upon although he could indicate if he wanted to. Fabio's advisor, Sir Adrian Colbert was droning on about the rising issue of abandoned villages in the far South being used by bandits as a stop post.
"We have already deployed a dozen infantry soldiers two months prior to stabilize the area but upon their return, it was reported that the presence of crime has doubled–" Adrian was saying, flipping through a series of papers.
Adrian was an uninteresting but efficient man. Yes, he was good at his job but was overall, painfully serious. Half the court was asleep which was no surprise; the man's voice was as flat as the plains of Terra.
Fabio sighed, already tired when the day had barely begun.
The smaller chair beside him was noticeably empty to everyone. An indescribable feeling of nothingness overcame him, clenching at the bond. The last time he had spoken to her was two days ago when he brought her home, injured and in tears. His stomach still churned at the memory of her recoiling from his touch, her tears staining his hands as she wept. The more he thought about the events of the previous days, the more his stomach turned inside out. It was even made worse when he could vividly recall how delicious the scent of her blood was…
"M-my King?" Sir Adrian called. Fabio shook out of his wandering train of thought and stood up to address the assembly.
Moments later and the meeting was over.
Fabio felt like throwing up.
He didn't stay for the faux greetings and shoulder-rubbings that usually followed these types of meetings; rather he escaped through a special door reserved for him. Sure, it was mostly for emergencies but a gaggle of pandering aristocrats trying to get on your good graces certainly consisted of an emergency. More than anything, he wanted to avoid the inevitable questions concerning Giselle. She had, after all, just recovered from a painful illness (which was his fault) only to be stricken with yet another infirmity. The Court was getting restless, requesting their Queen's presence or at least a statement on her behalf. He wasn't stupid enough to think it was something he could cover up forever—already rumors were flying about concerning their tumultuous relationship.
His steps quickened, too eager to be alone.
The door led to the main corridor and straight to the wing that housed his chambers. But he wasn't going to his room to rest; the day had barely begun for him as a monarch. There was still so much to do and a series of smaller meetings to attend.
"Running away, old friend?"
He turned at Lucien's familiar voice, instantly calm. Old friend indeed.
"You know me quite well." The white-haired male fell in step with him, walking beside him as they moved through the corridor. "How long has it been? Two, three years?"
"Long enough to visit. I believe last time it was you who came visiting with your father. I apologize for not being able to attend your coronation after his death."
Fabio nodded with a light chuckle, "At least you sent gifts and a letter. I understood you had to travel to Terra on urgent business. It's great to have you back, old friend."
"It is great to be back." He slapped his shoulder in a friendly gesture.
"I did have some business to discuss with you earlier concerning a discovery near our borders but I'm sure it can wait. It's a lovely day out, walk with me for a while."
Ravathorne's closeness and friendship with Montegnera was perhaps the one of only good things that his father the former king had done before his death. Where the former Wolf kings had seen strife and competition, his father saw opportunity and friendship. He stretched out an olive branch of peace, uniting the lands of the vampires and wolves in a gradual but requsite move. Lucien's uncle, Gaius, was then regent of Ravathorne and soon it was only a matter of time before the two young future monarchs were introduced to each other during one of his father's journeys to Ravathorne.
Fabio remembered the first time he met Lucien. The first thought to go through his head was: oh, what a rude young prince! They didn't start off as fast friends, in fact, they were more enemies than acquaintances. Lucien used his vampiric skills to play many pranks on Fabio, who was too serious for a teenager (according to the vampire anyway) and in turn, the latter would respond the only way he knew, with mischievous pranks of his own. On the next visit, the two were as thick as thieves and his father was pleased—of course not because his son found a friend or anything of the sort, but because Ravathorne was a good ally. They had kept in touch all through the years, only waning in communication with the death of Fabio's father and their respective coronation as monarchs.
The two ventured towards the other wing of the palace, strolling lightly as they laughed and caught up with their recent lives.
"So… your mate." Fabio's stomach churned, the urge to vomit back with full force. The scent of her blood was still fresh in his nose. "I ran into her earlier. She seems like a lovely woman, definitely beautiful too."
Fabio shrugged, avoiding Lucien's eyes. "Yes, but it was like I disclosed in my letter to you. She wasn't the one I expected. I was tricked into marrying her so things are… messy at the moment."
"I did notice how similar she is to Genevieve, it was almost uncanny. I believe she is the twin I never met—I did attend yours and Genevive's engagement ball back then. Rigga! It is strange how different they are; Giselle is like a timid little mouse where her sister is like a spitfire! I can't believe she ran off like that, it truly doesn't seem like her."
Fabio nodded, deep in thought.
Lucien's knowing eyes were on him, searching and thoughtful. In many ways he was like Dorian, his close friend and knight. They were good men with selfless hearts, noble to the core and eager to to give him good advice. But unlike Dorian, Lucien had a dark edge to him that not even Fabio was oblivious to, perhaps it was because he was a vampire. Either way, Fabio was grateful to have him as his friend.
"You have no love for her, do you?"
Fabio didn't know if it was viable to tell him that although he felt nothing for his omega, he still thirsted for her like a parched man drawn to water. "I should, shouldn't I? She's my mate despite it all. Perhaps my love for Genevieve is the problem–"
Lucien learned closer, both hands on his shoulder, "No, my friend. Your love for her is admirable. Any omega would be elated to have someone love them the way you love her despite what she did to you. I can help you, we'll look for her together. I have a feeling I can help you with Giselle too."
Suspense licked at his nerves. "What do you have in mind?"
"I have a proposition that Giselle can't refuse."