"It was Brennan," Alfred said, flatly. "You should have seen his face when Elliot fell. He was ecstatic. Gleeful."
Oscar shuddered.
"That man gives me the creeps. Alfred. Alfred, look at me. Stand up. You are the alpha this kingdom needs. You are not to blame for Elliot's dishonorable demise. You will find the person responsible, you will make it right... publicly... and you will earn your kingdom's trust."
"How can you have such faith in me?" Alfred asked, touching Oscar's face.
"Because you found the nonviolent solution, and you found it quickly. Besides, you have me."
"You... you're the reason I did what I did."
"Then let's go find out what other actions I can inspire. Come now, let's get you cleaned up. Your time in the ring is over for today."
Alfred pulled Oscar into his arms and squeezed, hiding his face in his wild red hair. A cheer went up from the remaining onlookers, and Oscar laughed.
"Looks like we have some fans after all," he grinned.
Alfred smiled into Oscar's eyes and kissed him gently before turning to his people and raising his fist. The cheers grew louder, and Oscar couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh in delight. He took Alfred's arm and let him lead him from the ring. Alfred snatched up his cape in mid-stride and slung it over one shoulder. He nearly tripped over his gloves, kicking them hard enough to make them roll and clatter across the dust.
"Do you need those?" Oscar asked.
"I will have someone fetch them later," Alfred said, his lip curling in disgust. "Frankly, I would prefer to never have to touch them again."
"Are you becoming a pacifist on me?" Oscar asked, his eyes glittering.
"Pacifist? No," Alfred said, shaking his head. "But I will admit that I simply do not have the stomach for blood sports that I used to."
"That's maturity talking," Oscar said, squeezing his arm.
"I think it's fatherhood talking," Alfred said. "When those kids attacked, all I could think about was how I would feel if Aiden was in that crowd. I wouldn't have thought about that before. Teenagers are as big as grown men; they're faster, more impulsive, generally more dangerous; I wouldn't have wasted a moment concerning myself with their age a year ago, or even a month ago. Now... I can't explain it."
"They're somebody's babies," Oscar offered.
"Yes," Alfred said, emphatically. "They are somebody's babies."
Oscar leaned over and kissed Alfred's cheek.
"You're a good man, Alfred. No matter how much you try to hide it."
Alfred chuckled at that, and the mood lightened significantly. They passed through the door and out of the ring, leaving the bloody past behind them. There was a whole big future to plan for now, and suddenly Alfred could see it clearly. He knew exactly what he needed to do, for his family, for his people, and for himself. It wouldn't happen overnight and it wouldn't be easy; but that knowledge didn't dampen his enthusiasm one iota. It was time for the little, petty problems to be put aside. It was time to build his kingdom, his way, and he suddenly realized that Oscar was the key to making that happen. He kissed Oscar's fiery hair, expressing everything he didn't know how to say in that simple gesture.
Chapter 20
There was much to do. Too much to do. Alfred couldn't focus on any of it. Oscar's defiance of tradition, his loyalty and his unwavering support captured his mind. His scent, his sparkling green eyes, the way his body moved as he walked captured his body. He needed to wash away the ugliness of the morning basking in Oscar's body. They showered together, washing away the dust, the sweat, the heavy weight of violence. For a moment, Alfred didn't feel like the alpha prince. For a moment, he was just the alpha to Oscar's omega. They didn't even make it out of the shower before foreplay began. Alfred couldn't help himself. He needed to taste Oscar, to feel his soap-slicked skin slide over his body. He chased Oscar's mouth with his own, catching his lower lip between his teeth as he slid his hands over Oscar's body, groping his ass, sliding his hand over his hardening dick, down his tender inner thighs. Oscar gasped and groaned, returning his attention eagerly.
They stumbled out of the shower locked in their embrace, dancing and grinding as they moved into the bedroom. The bed was too far away. Alfred lay Oscar down on the thick, soft carpet and devoured him with his lips, from his face to his thighs. Oscar writhed blissfully beneath him, before pushing him over and rolling on top of him. Oscar took his time exploring Alfred's body, flicking his tongue in the hollow of Alfred's throat, nibbling his collar bones, kissing his broad muscular chest. His soft hands and mouth working over Alfred's skin filled his head with a thick, lusty haze. Oscar teased, licking Alfred's cock with butterfly-soft pressure, driving him to the edge of insanity.
"Let me take care of you today," Oscar said, huskily.
Alfred was too lost in ecstasy to argue. Oscar left for a moment and returned, bottle in hand. He filled his palm with the slick liquid, then wrapped his hand around Alfred's girth, prepping and pleasuring in a single motion. Alfred groaned as heat raced through his blood, sending shivers over his skin. He groaned, thrusting his hips as Oscar stroked him. Oscar's teeth and tongue teased the space between his hips as he stroked Alfred to the edge, then released him.
"I need you," Alfred growled, moving to take Oscar.
Oscar pushed him down on his back.
"Allow me," he whispered, nibbling Alfred's ear.
He straddled Alfred, sliding him inside. Alfred gasped and thrust sharply into Oscar, who cried out with pleasure, arching his back as he opened to Alfred. Alfred felt himself fill, bulging within Oscar, locking them together. Oscar groaned, sliding his hands over his own torso as he settled into a slow, intoxicating rhythm. His hard dick glistened with pre-cum, and Alfred circled his thumb around the tip, spreading it over his velvety skin. Oscar groaned and rode him harder, slamming down onto him as Alfred stroked him.
"Oh God, yes," Oscar whimpered.
Heat washed over Alfred as Oscar pulsed and thickened in his hand. Oscar moved faster, in time with Alfred's quick, hard strokes, and cried out as he exploded all over Alfred's slick, hard torso. Oscar, buzzing with ecstasy, slumped limply over Alfred, gasping for breath. Alfred didn't let him catch it. In a single, smooth motion he stood, pinning Oscar against the wall. Oscar locked his ankles behind Alfred's back and his arms around Alfred's neck, kissing his mouth furiously as Alfred pounded into him. Every dark thought, every responsibility and pressure washed away in the sex as Alfred bound himself to Oscar in the most real, basal sense. He gripped Oscar's hips, controlling his thrusts until he couldn't any longer.
Oscar moaned his name as he began pulsing once more, and it sent Alfred over the edge. He came hard, spilling his seed deep inside Oscar, filling him up. Oscar came as he did, sobbing for breath, quivering with pleasure. Alfred kissed him again and again, unwilling to let the moment pass. He carried Oscar to the bed, still locked firmly inside of him, and lay him down on the pillows. Gently, slowly, he moved inside of Oscar as he kissed his face.
"I love you," he confessed, in a low whisper.
"And I love you," Oscar moaned.
Tears pricked at Alfred's eyes as the words fell on his ears, and he kissed Oscar again, moving from his mouth to his earlobes to his throat. Oscar responded in kind, and their sex slowly morphed into tender lovemaking as they snuggled close in the giant, soft mattress. Tears mingled with sweat on their faces as they fell into the bliss they had created between them. The world stood still as they reveled in each other, basking in each other's presence. They came together, over and over, until they were too spent to move. Alfred was still locked inside his lover when they both drifted off into a much-needed afternoon nap.
Burges waited until he absolutely couldn't wait any longer to rouse the prince. Having witnessed the multitude of unprecedented debacles in the ring, Burges knew Alfred well enough to know that he would need time to regroup and collect himself. He was also bright enough to realize that there was a better than average chance that
Alfred would have company. But his ability to control the ever-increasing chaos in the palace had its limits, and he reached those limits by three o'clock. He knocked on the prince's door a little louder than he usually would, and heard nothing from the other side. He waited exactly thirty-two seconds and knocked again. A muffled groan answered him.
"Sire, you're needed downstairs," he called through the door.
"A moment, Burges."
Burges closed his ears to the conversation happening behind the door, and the unmistakable sounds of people frantically scuffling around for their clothing. He allowed himself a delighted grin; he couldn't have chosen a better partner for his prince if he'd tried. He straightened his face before the door flung open, revealing a disheveled and lighthearted prince.
"Come in, Burges," he said, waving the man in. "Brief me briefly, time got away from me and I'm sure there's plenty to do."
"That there is, your highness."
Alfred waved Burges to the breakfast table, where a slightly dazed Oscar was sipping coffee with a hazy half-smile.
"Sir," Burges said, bowing to Oscar.
"Hello Burges," Oscar said, vaguely.
Alfred grinned at Oscar and winked at Burges, who fought a smile.
"Now, Burges, get me up to date please."
"Of course, sire. I took the liberty of opening up an investigation into Duke Elliot's most unfortunate demise. We have identified the poison; it is a synthetic compound, found only in human pharmacies. After some questioning, it was determined that Prince Brennan's estate manager traveled to a nearby human town yesterday after the Duke's announcement and didn't return until well after dark. When the Duke arrived last night, as you know, he stayed with Prince Brennan. The head cook states that she was denied the privilege of serving him breakfast, as the lady of the house chose to do the honors herself. Between breakfast and his entry into the ring, the Duke was not offered any other foods or beverages, at Prince Brennan's command."
"She poisoned him and he managed the household to make it stick," Alfred concluded.
"It would seem so, sire."
"Excellent work, Burges. Now what else has been happening?"
"I was not comfortable ordering the arrests myself, sire, however Prince Brennan and his family appear to be packing up for an extended trip."
"They're leaving?" Alfred asked sharply, setting his cup down with a clatter.
"It would appear so. Additionally, King Axelcior has requested an audience with you pertaining to the matter."
"He would," Alfred sighed, pinching his nose. "Did he request a particular time?"
"He is away at the moment, conferring with the alphas of the southern kingdoms regarding trade agreements. He is cutting his trip short and returning by train. He wishes to speak with you in four days' time."
"Then we have four days to sort this out and have answers ready for him."
"I agree that would be best, highness."
"Anything else?"
"The border patrol has been cut to four scouts, due to an increasing number of street fights breaking out in town. The botched match and subsequent chaos appears to have sparked heated debates regarding your legitimacy since this morning."
"Right. How do you suggest I handle that?"
"I believe bringing Elliot's killer to justice publicly would be the most efficient way to deal with the situation."
"But if Brennan is the killer, and he seems to be, there will be a whole slew of conspiracy theories surrounding the whole thing," Oscar interjected.
"Conspiracy theories?" Alfred asked.
"Sure," Oscar said, with a shrug. "Your legitimacy has been a question since the day you took the throne. You know it, and everybody knows that you know it. Brennan and Elliot are your closest blood relations. If you wanted to eliminate the competition entirely, this would be the easiest way to do it. Publicly murder Elliot, and pin the murder on Brennan."
"Damn it all," Alfred muttered. "He really thought of everything, didn't he?"
"Looks like it," Oscar said. "On the other hand, if you don't bring anyone to justice, the town will also think that you poisoned him."
"Damned if I do, damned if I don't."
"Essentially."
"There is a third option," Burges suggested. "If you remove yourself from the investigation entirely and leave it to the people to come to their own conclusions, you would be faultless."
"How do you suggest we do that?"
"We already have peacekeepers in each town," Burges pointed out. "Elected peacekeepers. If we remove the palace guard, and you yourself from the equation and bring investigators in who the people trust, the people would be far more likely to believe whatever conclusions the investigators come to."
"How can we be sure that the peacekeepers won't set me up?" Alfred asked.
"We cannot guarantee that, sire. You will have to trust your people to come to the proper conclusion."
"That's a lot of trust to ask for," Alfred sighed.
"He's right, though," Oscar said. "It's the only way to clear your name entirely. This series of events will have you down in history as a manipulative, bloodthirsty tyrant if we don't deviate from standard operating procedure. I don't know about you, but I would prefer to keep the torch and pitchfork wielding townspeople to a minimum."
"That would be ideal," Alfred agreed. "Very well, Burges, please make it happen and confirm with Axelcior that I will be ready for him when he arrives. I am going to go keep my brother busy until the peacekeepers get here. Join me, Oscar?"
"It would be my pleasure, your highness," Oscar said, flirtatiously.
"None of that, now," Alfred scolded him, gently. "We have business to attend to."
"A moment, your highness," Burges interrupted. "It might be wise to bring this."
He pressed a small device into Alfred's hand.
"Why you sly dog! Is this how you keep the house under control?"
"It may help, occasionally," Burges admitted.
Alfred slipped the small recording device into his pocket.
"Should we bring Aiden?" Oscar asked. "I'm sure Esther would be more than happy to have someone for Benjamin to play with, especially if she's contemplating a long journey with a squalling baby."
"Yes, let's," Alfred said. "It will serve to legitimize our visit, as well. No, Brennan, we aren't stalling you, we're simply introducing the cousins to one another, that's all," Alfred murmured to himself.
Oscar hurried into his own room to dress, and Burges helped Alfred sort out his haphazard appearance. Helga was relieved to hand off Aiden after nearly a full day, and Oscar apologized profusely for being unreachable for so long. Helga waved his apologies away with good humor, and retreated into her room for a well-deserved nap. Aiden was ecstatic to see Oscar, and pulled and pinched everywhere he could reach in his clumsy baby attempts to love on him. Oscar didn't stop him. Guilt at leaving him in Helga's care for so long gave him supernatural levels of patience.
"There now, little one," Alfred said, as they walked into the garden. "Ready to meet your despicable uncle and auntie?"
Aiden gurgled happily with a cluster of little half-formed words, and Alfred laughed.
"I'll take that as a 'yes,'" he said, with a grin.
Oscar pushed the stroller through the garden and was overwhelmed by its beauty. It struck him as odd that such ugly things could happen in such a beautiful place.
Chapter 21
Brennan's housekeeper's face turned sheet-white when she opened the door to see the trio.
"Good afternoon! Is my brother in?"
"Ah... one moment, your highness, I will announce you. Won't you come in?"
The poor woman was shaking as she gestured to the small, sunny sitting room. Alfred shot her a friendly grin, ignoring her obvious distress. He, Oscar and Aiden positioned themselves in the sitting room until she bustled away.
"Would you mind if I abandoned you both for a moment? I believe I feel a lazy wander coming on," Alfred said, with a wink
.
"We will be here," Oscar told him, bouncing Aiden on his knees.
Alfred blew them a kiss and wandered away aimlessly. He heard sharp voices arguing in the back of the house, and slowly made his way in that direction, ostensibly appreciating the art on the walls and the various busts and statues littered around the house. He was spotted by the occasional servant, each of which would cast the same look of dread at him before scurrying away. He grinned at each of them, waving hello, but none responded in kind. His suspicions were confirmed with every encounter, and a sick sort of rage turned over in his belly. He didn't let the emotion touch his face, choosing instead to keep the pleasant mask firmly in place. He meandered closer to the kitchens, and the muffled voices became clear. Alfred pulled the small recording device out of his pocket and switched it on.
"Why did you let him in here at all?!" Brennan exploded.
"I... I couldn't just... he's the prince!" the housekeeper whimpered.
"Oh, leave the stupid thing alone," Esther snapped. "The question is how do we get rid of him?"
"Same as we got rid of Elliot," Brennan said, grimly.
"Oh, shut up. We can't poison the prince in our own house hours after Elliot. Imagine how the people would react."
"They would sing our praises!" Brennan shouted. "They don't want him on the throne any more than I do!"
"He won a lot of people over today, Brennan. It isn't as sure a thing as it would have been before."
"Before when?"
Alfred could hear the frustration in Brennan's voice.
"Before that idiotic ball," she snapped. "What did you think would happen if you gave him that ultimatum? Did you think it would be so hard for him to find a mate?"
"Yes!"
"Why? God, you're an idiot. Do you know what kind of primal draw he has? And not just on women, men too. If he hadn't screwed things up so badly, the kingdom wouldn't just love him, they would all be in love with him."
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