Brandt runs after his sister with a blank mind. He needs to process all the scattered thoughts he has, but he has to speak with Bodil first. She is right, he can't use excuses to justify what he did. He kissed Saga even though he is allegedly in love with Lady Siv, and what makes it worse is the fact that she is missing right now. He has no idea what to tell Bodil, she has never looked at him the way she did earlier. He loves his little sister and the thought of losing her respect hurts him deeply.
He finally sees her standing in the garden, speaking with someone. As he gets closer, he can see that Bodil is speaking with none other than Gary. A fire grows in Brandt's chest and he feels his temperature rise and his anger unleash. He speeds up toward the two.
"Oh, Good morning Brandt." Gary greets when he sees the prince.
"You bastard." Brandt spits before landing a left hook on Gary's cheek and sending him flying to the ground. Bodil yelps.
"What in the world?" Gary questions as he pushes to hit feet.
"You bloody bastard." Brandt repeats.
"You have said that already, maybe you should think of a different insult that is not actually a fact." Gary rubs his right cheek, already starting to bruise.
"You have been courting my fiancee, while I was away?" The words stumble out of Brandt's mouth. He feels like his lips are moving without him controlling them.
"Courting? Well if by courting you mean training, then yes I have."
"You have no right to fraternize with her."
"Are you serious?" Bodil shakes her head in disbelief.
"Stay out of it, Bodil." Brandt warns.
"You just had your tongue stuck down that whore's throat."
"Who?" Gary asks.
"I said, stay out of it."
"Duchess Dolph." Bodil answers.
"Bodil." The prince roars making his sister flinches.
"You were?"
"We are talking about Lady Siv, right now." Brandt utters.
"Oh, so we are talking." Gary states sarcastically. "I could swear I was just punched in the face."
"Stay away from her, Gary." The prince ignores him.
"What if I don't?" Brandt eyes him for a moment.
He feels the urge to beat him up dead. He doesn't know where these feelings came from, but they are intense and dark. All he can see is red right now, and it scares him.
"Gary, this is not the time for your tasteless jokes." It takes him great effort to keep his voice calm and even.
"I am not joking, Brandt." Gary holds his gaze. "Lady Siv is your 'former' fiancee, remember? You were the one to invoke the Vying instead of marrying her." Brandt feels his anger rise.
"We are wasting time here." Bodil tries to get the two men's attention, but they both ignore her.
"And now you are fooling around with Saga again? I think you are the one who has no right to be with her."
A small voice in the back of Brandt's head agrees with Gary's words. It blames him for the Vying, for not being able to protect Siv, for kissing Saga. He clenches his fists. But then another voice tells him that it is not his fault, that he was cursed.
'Is this jealousy I am feeling? Why, why am I this jealous?'
"If you can't make up your mind, I can help you decide." Gary adds with folded arms.
His words have the effect of oil poured on fire. Brandt loses all control and lunges at him sending both of them flying to the ground. Gary groans at the impact. Brandt wastes no time and starts to pound his fists against his face.
"Stop it." Bodil screams.
Gary crosses his arms to protect his head but it gives Brandt an opening to crash his right fist against Gary's ribs. He cries in pain.
"Stop, both of you." Bodil tries again but in vain.
It takes Gary a moment to catch his breath before he grabs Brandt's shirt and yanks him down toward him. He headbutts him, making contact with his nose. Hot blood immediately streams down his nostrils. The prince raises his right fist ready to bring it down on his childhood friend again.
"I know where Siv is." Bodil screams at the top of her lungs. Her voice echoes in the whole garden.
"What?" Gary asks first. "Is that what you were trying to tell me earlier?"
"Yes."
"Is that what you came to the study for?"
"Yes."
"Well, lead the way." Gary pushes Brandt off him and rushes to Bodil. The prince follows closely wiping his nose every few seconds.
"You might have to go see the Royal Healer." Gary smirks. "I can go with Bodil to find Lady Siv." Brandt glares at him.
"You might need to do that too, I am fairly sure I broke one or two of your ribs." Gary straightens his back, pretending he isn't in pain.
"Would you stop bickering already? I am starting to lose my patience with you two." Both men remain silent and just follow Bodil. "That is the door." She said, pointing at the entrance Gunvor described.
"The old dungeon?" Both Brandt and Gary yell at the same time.
"Who did this?" The prince asks, livid.
"Can we get her out first?" Bodil asks.
No answer is needed because all three of them rush to the metal door. The guards patrolling nearby stand in place watching with wide eyes. They don't know what to do at the sight of the bloody prince.
"Call for the Royal Healer immediately." Brandt orders when he notices them.
The prince reaches the bottom of the stairs first. His heart is pounding against his chest and his hands are shaking.
"Siv." He calls. "Siv." He checks the cell on the left first, but it is empty. Then he turns to the one on the right, he unlocks it and there he finds her. "Siv." He yells.
Siv is lying on the floor, unconscious. Brandt rushes to her and holds her in his arms. Her body is cold but thankfully, she is alive.
"Siv, please open your eyes." The prince sounds so desperate, he doesn't even recognize his own voice. "I am so sorry. Please open your eyes." His chest is burning with feelings of regret and dread.
"Brandt?" Siv's voice comes hoarse and weak. "Is that really you? Are you really here?"
"Yes, I am here. I am getting you out of here." Brandt turns to Bodil who is wiping a few tears of relief. "Who did this?" His tone is stripped from any emotion but fury.
"It was one of your Rouvas."