Raiden

I walked quickly down the corridor, irritated after my conversation with my retinue. The servants shied away, bowed, and muttered greetings, but I barely noticed them. Right now, I only wanted to see you and make sure you were waiting in my chambers, as I had ordered. But the room was empty, and the servant standing by the door had noticeably turned pale.

"Madam... she is with your brother, my prince."

I froze for a second, then turned and headed for his wing so quickly that people barely had time to clear the way. I opened the bedroom door without knocking. My brother was standing by the bed, slowly buttoning his shirt, with his usual nasty grin. And behind him was you.

"Kai...What a bastard."

I was there before he could answer, grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the wall.

"Did you seriously think you could lay your hand on the one I chose? Answer me. Did you touch her? Did you touch her?!"

His grin widened.

"Father hasn't given her to you yet, brother. She's no-one's. But that's for now. Soon she'll be mine. Wonderful news, isn't it? I hope you'll be happy for your little brother."

I hit him in the face before I could stop, pushed him back into the wall, and clenched my fist, ready to hit him again.

"If I kill you here, you'll get exactly what you want. "

I exhaled heavily, but the rage remained. Killing my brother would mean scandal, open conflict with my father, and a blow to my position—exactly the price he wanted me to pay.

"But if you think you're just going to walk away from this without any consequences, you're wrong. "

I unclenched my fingers with difficulty, released him, and turned to you. The mask of the perfect heir had already cracked, and it was too late to hide it. I silently approached, grabbed your wrist firmly, and pulled you toward the exit, not deigning to give my brother another glance.