(READER DISCRETION ADVISED: Please be aware that the following content may be disturbing or offensive to some readers, as it involves the mention of illegal substances and instances of non-consensual sexual activity.)
Emperor Atticus sat in his study, the weight of recent events pulling heavily on his expression. Across from him stood Axel, his eldest son, and Prince Theo, who fidgeted uneasily by the window. The subject that hung between them was one they could no longer avoid—Rael, the child everyone once thought was Axel's. Axel had been quiet for some time, but now it was time to confront the truth.
The emperor, with his brow furrowed, broke the silence. "Axel," he began, his voice low but filled with authority, "what do you know of the child? Rael?"
Axel looked his father directly in the eyes, his expression calm but hard. "Rael is not my son," he said simply. His tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
Emperor Atticus's gaze sharpened, but before he could respond, he turned to Theo. The younger prince was pacing by the window, avoiding the tension in the room. The emperor's voice took on a darker edge. "Theodore, is there something you're not telling us?"
Theo froze at the sound of his name. His heart pounded in his chest, and guilt gripped him. He could feel Axel's eyes on him, and the weight of the emperor's scrutiny was almost unbearable.
"Theodore," the emperor pressed, his tone growing sterner. "Speak."
Theo swallowed hard, his throat dry, and finally turned to face them. His voice was shaky as he began, "Rael... Rael is not Axel's son because..." He hesitated, shame flooding his face. "Because he is mine."
Axel's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and frustration, though he remained composed. Emperor Atticus leaned forward, his voice low but filled with controlled fury. "What are you saying, Theo?"
Theo closed his eyes briefly before speaking again. "It was Mother," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "She drugged me... and Heather—she used my body while I was unconscious. I didn't know... I didn't consent."
Axel's jaw tightened as he absorbed Theo's confession. Though he knew Rael wasn't his, hearing that his own brother had been a victim of their mother's manipulations deepened his anger.
"Mother and Heather," Axel muttered, his voice bitter. "They've been playing with all of us from the start."
Theo, clearly anguished, lowered his head. "I was powerless. I had no idea what they had done until it was too late. I'm... disgusted by it, Axel. I never wanted this. I never wanted Rael to be born this way."
Axel took a long, deep breath. "I don't blame you, Theo. You were as much a victim of their schemes as I was. This is their doing."
The emperor's face was filled with a controlled rage, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair. "Lamaine did this? She drugged you, her own son, and allowed Heather to violate you?" His voice trembled with barely contained fury. "All this... to protect her ambitions."
Theo nodded, unable to meet his father's eyes. "Yes. I didn't realize it at first, but everything points to her. I should have spoken up sooner, but I didn't know how."
Emperor Atticus stood, his towering figure casting a shadow over both his sons. "This treachery runs deeper than I imagined," he said, his voice cold and resolute. "Lamaine and Heather will face justice for their actions. What they have done to this family is unforgivable."
Theo, still overcome with guilt, spoke in a low voice. "I never wanted to keep this from you, Axel, or you, Father. I... I just didn't know what to do. I've been haunted by it."
Axel, after a moment of silence, stepped forward and placed a hand on Theo's shoulder. "It's not your fault."
The emperor, though still furious, nodded at his sons. "This ends now. Lamaine's ambitions have torn this family apart for too long. I won't allow her to continue."
Theo glanced at Axel, his eyes filled with relief but also lingering sorrow. The truth was out, and while it brought a measure of clarity, the darkness of what had been done would not easily fade.
"I'm sorry, Axel," Theo said quietly. "For everything."
Axel looked at his brother, his expression softening for the first time. "No, it's not your fault. Don't apologize."
Axel and Theo stood on either side, both still shaken by the revelations of recent days. Emperor Atticus broke the silence, his voice steady but intense.
"Kairos..." he began, "he's made it clear that he wants one thing, and one thing only: Heather."
Axel's brow furrowed in disbelief. "Heather?" he repeated, his voice laced with anger and confusion. "After all that she's done, why would he want her?"
Emperor Atticus leaned back in his chair, his eyes dark with calculation. "Love, obsession—it doesn't matter. What matters is that Kairos holds the key to ending this battle between the empires. He is Emperor Leon's nephew and the rightful heir of Azro. If we have Kairos on our side, Mateo loses his greatest asset."
Theo, who had been quiet until now, looked up sharply. "What's the plan, Father?"
The emperor's gaze shifted between his two sons. "Axel, you and Heather will attend Lila and Mateo's wedding. We'll use that as the stage to expose Mateo's lies and sever his alliance with the Southern Empire."
Axel stiffened at the mention of Heather. "You expect me to stand beside her, after everything?"
Atticus met Axel's gaze, his voice firm. "I know this is difficult. But for the sake of the empire, we need to play this strategically. Mateo has spun a web of lies, presenting himself as the rightful ruler and Lila as his future empress. But once Kairos shows up, the truth will unravel."
Theo spoke cautiously, his concern evident. "But what if Kairos changes his mind? What if he doesn't show up?"
The emperor looked toward the window, his thoughts far away. "Kairos wants Heather, and we'll use that to our advantage. He won't miss this opportunity to confront Mateo. Once he reveals the truth about Bianca and the unborn child, Mateo will be left with no claim to the throne or Lila."
The emperor nodded, sensing Axel's resolve. "Prepare yourself, Axel. The wedding is in a matter of days, and it will be the perfect stage for our next move."
As they left the chamber, Theo hesitated before speaking. "Do you think this will work?"
Axel didn't answer immediately. His mind was already focused on what was to come, on Mateo, Lila, and the chaos that awaited. "It has to," he finally replied, his voice cold and determined.