"how is the procedure going?" King Alastair asked sternly and glanced at his son through the glass.
"He's steady, your highness. Completely passed out a minute ago and he is about to wake up. We are preparing the machine."
The man said and yelled out some orders at the rest of his team.
The king nodded and waited, his eyes fixed on Canton.
"I detect movement. His eyes are opening. Press the button now. I'm starting the recording." The scientist yelled out and pressed a button himself.
Alastair placed three of his fingers under his chin and started rubbing at it, expectantly. "Come on, don't fail me, kid" He mumbled under his breath.
ERROT
I slowly opened my eyes and rubbed at them so hard I almost felt like I blinded myself.
I stared sleepily at the mid closed curtain and the light that managed to seep through the window.
I sat up on my bed when I felt something slightly heavy on my legs.
I frowned and looked down only to see a small box.
My frown got deeper at that.
I looked around me but no one was here, the door that connects my room to Canton's only a tiny bit opened.
I took the box in my hands and opened it carefully.
My eyes widened at the sight of a brand new phone inside it.
I felt completely taken aback.
The only person that knows my phone was shattered is the one that shattered it.
And there is no way in hell that this person would actually buy me a new one.
I took the phone out of the box and pressed the home button, waiting for it to explode on me or something.
It didn't.
The screen lit up and the first thing that appeared when I unlocked it was the notes app.
I pressed at the only note that was written in there.
'I need to be aware of your location every single time of the day when I'm not with you. My # is added.'
I blinked again.
And then I smirked.
A brand new phone.
I own a brand new phone.
I got up with the phone in my hand and was ready to go see if he was in his room when I heard someone walk in there.
"Morning."
Elvina.
I furrowed my eyebrows and stepped closer to the door, careful not to make any noise.
Canton didn't reply apparently.
"Did you get any sleep?" She asked, her voice serious.
"Three hours tops. Then it happened. I woke up. Stayed awake since." Canton sounds tired.
I heard her sigh. "Canton... you're gonna exhaust yourself again." Her voice softened a bit.
"I shouldn't have listened to you. It gets harder to stay awake for days after you actually get a small amount of sleep..I knew that, how could I be so stupid." He mumbled the last sentence.
Are the nightmares so bad that he has to keep himself awake for.. days?
Silence.
"Why are you here? Round two of lashing out at your king?"
"He's gone. I went to his room and all his stuff were vanished. Along with him."
"Nice."
"He didn't even say goodbye." She sounded bitter.
"Not my problem."
"Why are you acting like this? What's wrong with you?" Her worry is evident.
"I don't understand what you mean." He deadpanned.
"Canton. You fired Santos. Your drinking buddy. Your perfectly skilled spy. Your most loyal friend. And don't even start with the 'assumptions' bullshit. I have eyes and I'm not stupid. I know you only said that because Errot was present"
Huh.
"Lower your voice." Canton whispered loudly enough for me to hear it. "You're gonna wake him up."
"Wanna tell me what's going on?"
"I think I was clear enough yesterday, El."
El.
He has a nickname for his knight.
No, scratch that. He has a nickname for a person.
He's using nicknames and he's having a casual conversation with Elvina, again.
"Tell me that Santos is still fired." Elvina said firmly. "Tell me that and I'll quit asking you."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"You're not the one barking orders here, Elvina. Not to me." He said coldly.
"See? You can't say it because it's not true."
"I never said it wasn't true."
"Exactly. You never said it." I could hear her smirk by the tone of her voice.
I heard Canton sigh. He stayed silent.
"Oh my god" Elvina squealed.
"Don't get too happy. I never admitted anything. What happened with Santos was real." Canton said monotonously.
"Yes. It was real. Yesterday."
"Assuming things, again."
"I -hey. Stop drinking so much."
A sound was heard. Probably Elvina taking the bottle away from Canton.
"You have three seconds to give that back." He said coldly.
"I hate seeing you like this."
"So you keep saying the past millennium."
"And you're doing absolutely nothing to help yourself." Her tone accusatory.
"I am helping myself. I was actually helping myself just fine before you grabbed my bourbon out of my hands."
There was a brief pause.
"By the way, do that again in front of Errot or that blonde chick and I'm firing you too."
Interesting.
Also interesting how he's calling me by name only when I'm not around.
"Her name is Oda."
Thank you, Elvina.
"That's what I said." Another pause. "Having any fun with her yet?"
Fun.
"Nah, not yet."
"Odd. Why's that?"
"She seems...too innocent. Like a little girl, you know? She blushes every time sex is mentioned, Cant. "
"When did that ever stop you? She's a sex slave for a reason." He said and I shivered at the thought of anything bad happening at Oda.
"I know. I'll probably get on with it soon. Maybe."
I closed my eyes shut. No.
"I'll drink to that." He said lazily and probably took his bottle back.
"And what about you and..Errot?"
"What about us?" Indifferent.
"How's it...going."
"It isn't going." Cold.
"Are you even trying?" She said and let out a small chuckle.
Canton remained silent.
"Maybe if you were a bit more gentle on him." The amusement was crystal clear.
"We all know how this will end." He said coolly.
What are they even talking about? What is going on.
Why are they acting like that?
Why is he acting like that?
Why am I not a mind reader?
"You can never know for sure. The Lytteltons might already be dead."
"Elvina, I killed three people and forced Errot into giving me a fucking blowjob not even more than a week ago. These bastards are definitely not dead." Canton whispered coldly again.
Alright, now I'm one hundred percent lost.
I don't understand how the Lytteltons being alive have anything to do with Canton being his usual heartless self.
I really, really don't.
I need to speak to Adan as soon as possible or else I'm gonna die.
"Hiring Nerissa won't help you find them. She's not on your side. She never was."
"You're giving me a headache."
"Your precious bourbon and sleep deprivation is giving you a headache."
"Shh."
Elvina sighed. "If I happen to cross paths with my ex on the hallways, I will punch her and it will be all your fault."
"Lay it all on me, my knight." He sounded monotonous again, drained.
Elvina got up and started walking towards the door. "I really hope this is one of your stupid plans."
I heard the door close.
Silence again.
Shit.
Absolute shit.
I'm living in a nutshell.
I walked to my bed again and stared at the box absentmindedly.
My mind was elsewhere.
I'm loaded with new information and I really don't know how to take this.
All I know is that I have to find a way to talk to Adan and Oda.
I suddenly heard footsteps.
My eyes widened.
I placed the phone inside the box and immediately laid down on the bed, pretending to be asleep.
I heard Canton walk inside but he didn't say anything for a little while.
I then heard him sigh.
"Merlot, up."
He ordered coldly and pulled the curtain open.
I mumbled nonsense under my breath and moved a little on the bed.
"I don't have the time or the patience for this, human. Wake up." His tone dark.
I opened my eyes sleepily and looked at him.
"I won't be gone for long. Do not leave this room until I return. If anything happens.." he pointed with his eyes at the box on my legs "text me." He said indifferently.
I pretended to frown and look at the box like I never knew it even existed.
Canton glanced at my expression and then left our room.
If I wasn't doomed to be a slave for the rest of my life, I would consider a career in acting.
I took the phone out of the box and was about to get up and go find Adan when he suddenly walked into my room.
"I saw cotton candy leaving so I figured it would be a good idea to visit my boyfriend who doesn't answer my texts."
I blinked at him.
"That's you." His smirk widened.
"My phone died"
"It seems oh so very alive to me." He glanced at the phone on my hand.
I also glanced at it and then back at Adan. "No, it literally died. Canton murdered it. And then bought me a new one." I shook the phone on his face.
"Such a naughty boy, White." He looks amused.
"If anything, it's your fault. You kept texting me and it kept bleeping and Canton hates sounds and noise and..people, so he got angry and snapped it away from me, read our texts and then smashed it on the ground."
"Wait, wait. You said, read our texts"
"Yeah."
"Holy shit." He chuckled.
"What?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it. Let me add my number on there." He changed the subject and grabbed my new phone from my hands.
I watched him save his contact on my list.
He locked it and gave it back to me with a smirk. "There."
"Good." I smirked back.
"You seem fine today." He said.
I shrugged "Yeah, guess he was feeling generous so he let me sleep."
"Damn, you look hot without the dark circles under your eyes" he grinned playfully.
"Oh, so you're saying that I don't look hot either way?" I acted offended.
His grin widened. He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. "You are the hottest." He said and leaned in.
We were probably kissing for a good amount of time when I pulled away.
I stared into his eyes and he was staring back.
That was enough for me.
I didn't want to ruin it but I unfortunately had to.
"We need to talk."
He raised his eyebrows playfully. "Are you breaking up with me? Is it because I don't buy you expensive phones?"
A small chuckle escaped my lips. "Such an idiot." I mumbled. "No, sit down."
We both sat down on the bed and he looked at me expectantly.
"Well?"
"I overheard Canton and Elvi-"
"Oh no. Byeee" he said and got up abruptly.
I grabbed his arm and pulled him back down.
He groaned.
"You're not going anywhere." I pulled my serious face.
"Why do you insist on involving me in this. I want no part. " He pouted.
I pouted back at him, in a slightly mocking way. "I thought you were my boyfriend?"
Adan rolled his eyes, amused. "Fine. I'm listening."
I gave him a side smile and continued. "I heard them talking about me and how Canton knows how this will end? And then Elvina said that they don't know for sure cause the Lytteltons might be dead. And Canton went all like ' I've hurt a bunch of people this past week, they are definitely not dead' " I mocked his dark voice. "Explain."
Adan's face had turned serious by the time I was finished.
"Adan."
He then looked at me and shrugged. "I don't know what to tell you."
"How about the truth?"
"Why don't you ask Canton himself?"
"Do you want me dead?"
"No. But I don't wanna die either, so. " He smirked again.
"So you know."
"Of course I know. I was in his inner circle years before you were even born, hot stuff. Still am."
"Why can't you tell me?" I pushed.
"Stop acting like a child, child." He ruffled my hair.
I crossed my arms against my chest. "Fine. But I have something else to ask you too."
"Good lord, help me." He fake- prayed.
"I saw a picture of you kissing Flare on the cheek. It was probably a long time ago. Tristian was still around."
It felt like his smile froze on his face. He wasn't moving a finger.
"But last time she was here you didn't even bother to look at her. And when she was talking about you in Moccassin Blood she acted like she didn't even know you in person." I waited in case he said anything but when he didn't, I kept going. "I didn't know you were all hanging out back in the day."
Adan exhaled, like he was physically bothered. "That was a long time ago. Things change. Situations change."
"You were all friends."
Adan nodded.
"The picture referred to Elian and Canton as princes. I guess, their parents were on the throne?"
Adan relaxed a bit. "Yeah. Elian, Canton, Quinn and Cress are the children of the originals. The originals are basically the first royalties on each dimension. For example, cotton candy is still considered an original even though his parents are...gone."
"Oh..I also noticed that he had two siblings?"
Adan nodded. " Res and Elle."
"How did they die?"
Adan took a deep breath. "Boy, you're stressing me out." He smirked and run a hand through his hair.
"I'm just asking you how they died."
Adan was silent for a while. "They died tragically. Along with his mother. I can't tell you anything else."
I finally nodded. Its obvious that his lips are sealed so I just waited patiently to return to that library and find out on my own.
The library...that picture.
"Don't tell me you got cloudy because I'm not giving you the information you want." He grinned widely.
I blinked and then looked at Adan again. "No, it's fine. I get it."
I started biting at my bottom lip.
"Hey, better bite my lip instead." He said playfully and pushed me back on the bed, him on top of me now.
I smirked and pulled his head towards me, our lips making contact again.
I run my fingers through his red hair and all over his back, wanting nothing else than to feel his warmth against my own hands.
Just as I was about to raise his shirt up, I heard someone clearing his throat.
Adan immediately pulled away and turned at the sound.
My eyes widened the moment they locked with Canton's.
Just my luck.
He looked too cold. Murderous, even.
"Am I interrupting something?"
The serenity in his voice always brings me chills.
Passive agressive people make me uncomfortable. You never know when they will errupt. When they do, all hell breaks loose.
I saw Adan in my peripheral vision trying to hide a small smile but Canton didn't notice it because he was staring directly at me.
"Your highness." I mumbled.
Your highness what, idiot?
I have no idea what to say.
So, I just lowered my head, mentally preparing myself for the punishment I was about to endure.
Canton inspected my face a bit more and then turned at Adan. "You're not where you're supposed to be, Adan. Did you perhaps get lost inside my slave's pants?" Ferocious. Calm.
Adan snickered and got up from my bed, a smirk on his face "My apologies, your majesty." He took a small bow.
Canton wouldn't move his gaze away from Adan and Adan wouldn't either.
"Leave." It sounded more like a threat than a simple order.
Adan licked his lips, his smirk stuck on his face. "Your wish is my command, my king."
He said and glanced at me one last time before abandoning me here with Canton.
The moment the door was closed, Canton looked at me again.
"Library. Move." He started walking to his own room.
What.
That's it?
I raised an eyebrow and quickly followed him, not wanting to make the situation any worse, my phone now on my pocket.
ODA
"Are we gonna stay locked up in your room until Nerissa leaves the castle? Which is probably, never."
"I'm not in the mood to bump into her." Elvina rolled her eyes.
"What has she done? Why do you all hate her?"
We were currently sitting on her window couch, admiring the world without really having the chance to go outside.
"She's done a lot of things. Most importantly, she used to side with the Lytteltons. One Lyttelton in particular."
"Oh, the Lytteltons are the Teals, right? Quinn and Cress."
Elvina looked at me and frowned playfully. "Someone has done their research?"
I couldn't help but blush at that. I looked down with a smile creeping on my face. "yeah, I like learning -"
"Gossip?" Elvina smirked.
"Don't act like you don't love gossip as well. You all do."
"That's true. We have to find a way to entertain ourselves. Being immortal can get boring."
"Can't imagine..how old are you?"
"How old do you think I am?" She smirked amused.
"Like, twenty one?" I smiled sheepishly.
She chuckled. "Smooth, Oda, smooth."
Brief pause. "I am one thousand ninety six years old."
"Wow" was all that came out of my mouth. "You're old.".
"Thank you very much."
"You're very welcome."
Suddenly Elvina shivered a bit.
I frowned. "What's wrong?"
Elvina furrowed her eyebrows and turned her head to the side and then down.
I followed her gaze. "What? Are you okay?"
She remained unmoving for a few seconds until she slowly turned to look back at me. "Yeah, I'm fine." She then smirked. "I'm fine. Come on let's take a nap, I didn't sleep so well last night."
She said and dragged me to the bed with her without waiting for a reply.
Once we were both laying down she pulled the blankets on top of us and stared a bit at the ceiling.
"You never told me the whole story. About Santos I mean".
Elvina suddenly became a bit uneasy. "Hey, turn on your side."
"What?"
"I want to cuddle you."
I think my eyes widened at that. I felt my whole face heating up.
I'm positive I look like a whole ass tomato right now. And I don't like tomatoes.
Elvina chuckled. "Well?"
I turned to the side as asked, trying to avoid further embarassment.
I felt her coming closer, her arm now wrapped around my waist.
I can feel her breathing silently against my neck and her body pushed warmly against my back.
Her leg slid below my own and I think I'm flatlining cause I can't really breath.
I can't and my face is probably redder than the actual colour if that's even possible.
She said that we should take a nap but I suddenly don't feel like sleeping at all.
Maybe when my heart stops beating so fast.
Maybe.
♛