(Damn, they messed up big time)
Thought Edward as he laid back on the bed with a relaxed expression. Being in prison didn't seem to bother him much. As the heir to the kingdom of Storne, he was sure he'd be released soon. After all, his status and influence would ensure his freedom once things were cleared up. While lying there, Edward couldn't help but smirk ironically. Those who detained him would soon realize the grave mistake they had made. When he got out, he'd make sure to settle the score with everyone involved, especially the guards responsible for his imprisonment.
"Thinking you can get out of here?"
Albert's voice from outside brought a sense of unease within Edward.
"What do you mean by that?"
Edward asked, trying to get some answers.
"Hmm... you know what you did, but you don't seem remorseful"
Said Albert, smiling, but Edward could see through the fake grin.
"Why should I be? A commoner should follow the orders of royalty, and if I ordered him to die, he should have died"
Edward said, standing firm in his beliefs. To him, it was the expected logic, the natural hierarchy that ruled the kingdom. However, Albert's next words made the boy widen his eyes.
"A commoner? Is that what you think? He's going to marry my sister, Emi. In the future, he'll be royalty, Edward. You tried to ruin the life of someone from my family. I hope you're ready for a miserable fate"
Said Albert firmly. Although Edward wanted to laugh at Albert's words, looking into his eyes, his expression simply froze. Albert stared at him as if he were observing an insignificant insect. His eyes exuded coldness and fear, feelings Edward had never experienced before. But still, something Albert had said was even more unforgivable than his other words.
"Marry? Emi's marrying that miserable commoner? You must be kidding, right? Are you telling me she chose someone inferior to me? That's impossible! Just wait until I get out of here, I swear I'll kill that bastard for taking Emi away from me"
Edward said, almost yelling. His anger bordered on madness, making Albert wonder how Edward had become so arrogant. But for Albert, it didn't matter anymore. Edward was someone who should disappear; his sin of trying to harm a member of his own family was grave. However, instead of reacting to Edward's fury, Albert remained calm.
"You're truly disappointing in so many ways"
Albert said, sighing in disappointment. Then he took a round device hidden in his clothes, which made Edward feel a bad omen. There was something about Albert's demeanor that seemed extremely wrong.
"What's that in your hand?"
Edward asked, with apprehension in his voice, as he observed the round device that Albert was holding. Albert, swinging the device in his hand, replied.
"Oh, this? It's the device invented by Ren that allowed us to win the war. Impressive, isn't it? How something so small managed to decide a battle of such scale. Ren will probably be remembered as the greatest inventor this world has ever seen, perhaps even more"
Hearing Albert's words, Edward looked visibly disturbed. That basically meant that what he had recently heard about X being that person was true. However, Edward found it difficult to accept this reality. He believed he deserved all the praise and recognition, not that man he considered inferior.
"You know... I've thought several times about what to do with you. You're really smart, I have to admit that, but your ego sometimes clouds your thoughts, Edward. You're a threat, and if it was just you, I wouldn't care, but you also pose a threat to my family"
Hearing Albert's words, Edward looked visibly disturbed. For some reason, he couldn't believe that Albert had come to this place just to talk to him. Ignoring Edward's thoughts, Albert continued speaking.
"When you get out of here, you'll go after Ren again, won't you?"
Edward couldn't deny Albert's words, his ego also prevented him from lying. After all, why should he lie? Everything should be as he wanted, that was the norm, but why then was everything going wrong for him? It all started when that boy appeared. These were the thoughts that prevented him from lying. In Edward's mind, Ren couldn't exist in his world.
"You're almost like an open book, you know?"
Albert spoke with a serious look on his face. Then, he looked back at the round tool in his hand, as if remembering something.
"Ren seems to be against war, and I am too, to some extent. When I first heard about this tool, I thought about how it could be used to take lives, but Ren thought the opposite"
Albert said, letting out a laugh.
"He's truly a kind-hearted boy, and do you know what he told me, Edward? He told me he'd buy a weapon to be able to protect himself and Emi. That same boy who was against killing enemies on the battlefield now said he'd walk armed"
Albert said with a furious look in his eyes, and Edward felt fear for the first time in his life; Albert's eyes were as dark as the sky on the darkest night.
"I just want you to know one thing, Edward. As the crown prince of Solaris and also as Emi and Ren's older brother, if you come near or touch my family again, I swear this will be the last time I give you a second chance"
Saying these words, Edward turned and started walking towards the prison's exit. Just before climbing the stairs that would lead him out of that place, Albert turned around too, fixing his eyes on the cell where Edward had been.
"I hope this is our last encounter, Edward Storne. I say that for your own good"
Albert stated. With those words, Albert resumed climbing the stairs to leave that place.