Into the Lion's Den

The decision weighed on Thomas for days. Each night, as he lay in bed, he replayed his conversation with Alexander over and over again. Could he truly trust the king? Did he want to?

In the end, it wasn’t Alexander’s pleading or the threat of rebellion that made up his mind—it was the kingdom. Thomas had dedicated his life to protecting the people of the realm. If Lord Sebastien truly posed a threat to their peace and safety, he couldn’t turn his back on that responsibility.

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t walking into danger.

On a cloudy morning, Thomas found himself standing before the palace stables, his gear packed and ready. The plan was simple: he would travel under the guise of a wandering knight, seeking refuge and work within Sebastien’s lands. His reputation as a warrior would hopefully grant him an audience with the lord, and from there, he would work to gather whatever information he could.

As he finished saddling his horse, a voice cut through the stillness.

“You’re really going through with this.”

Thomas turned to see Alexander standing a few feet away, his expression a mix of pride and something else—something softer. Thomas couldn’t quite read it.

“I am,” Thomas replied, fastening the last strap on his saddle. “For the kingdom.”

Alexander stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Thomas’s. “I don’t need to remind you how dangerous this is. Sebastien isn’t a fool. He’ll test your loyalty, try to draw out any weakness. You can’t afford to make any mistakes.”

Thomas nodded, his expression hardening. “I know. I’ll be careful.”

For a moment, Alexander was silent, his gaze lingering on Thomas’s face as if committing every detail to memory. Then, in a rare display of vulnerability, the king’s voice softened.

“I don’t want to lose you.”

Thomas’s heart skipped a beat at the quiet admission. He had seen many sides of Alexander—his cruelty, his power, his arrogance—but this, this was different. This was the man who had confessed his desire for Thomas, the man who had shared his pain after losing Julie.

Thomas swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. A part of him wanted to offer comfort, to say something that would ease Alexander’s fears. But another part of him—the part still burdened by resentment and confusion—held back.

“I’ll come back,” Thomas said after a long pause, his voice firm but distant. “For the kingdom.”

Alexander’s expression tightened for a moment, as though he was trying to mask the sting of those words. He gave a curt nod, stepping back.

“Very well,” Alexander said, his tone regaining its usual strength. “Just… make sure you do.”

Without another word, Thomas mounted his horse, taking one last glance at the king before riding out of the palace gates. As the distance between them grew, Thomas felt a strange hollowness settle in his chest. He had expected to feel relief, or even excitement, at the prospect of leaving Alexander’s presence for a while, but instead, there was an odd sense of loss.

Several Days Later

Thomas rode for days, passing through villages and forests, always keeping his destination in mind. The landscape grew rougher as he approached Sebastien’s territory, the roads less maintained and the people more wary. Whispers of unrest reached his ears in every tavern and marketplace he passed—Sebastien’s supporters growing bolder, the king’s influence wavering in these lands.

Finally, after a long and grueling journey, Thomas arrived at Sebastien’s stronghold. The castle was imposing, its dark stone walls rising like a fortress of shadows against the overcast sky. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their eyes sharp and untrusting.

Thomas was escorted inside by one of Sebastien’s soldiers, a burly man with a suspicious glare. As they walked through the cold, narrow halls, Thomas could feel the weight of the place pressing down on him. There was an air of tension here, of something dangerous simmering beneath the surface.

They were led into a large hall where Sebastien awaited him. The lord was a tall man with graying hair, his sharp features and calculating eyes giving him an aura of authority. He was surrounded by a group of advisors and soldiers, all watching Thomas with thinly veiled interest.

Sebastien rose from his chair as Thomas approached, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Sir Thomas,” he greeted, his voice smooth and measured. “I’ve heard of your reputation. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”

Thomas gave a respectful bow. “Lord Sebastien, I come seeking refuge and work. The kingdom is not what it once was, and I find myself in need of new alliances.”

Sebastien’s smile widened, though his eyes remained sharp. “Is that so? And what of King Alexander? Last I heard, you were bound to him by marriage.”

Thomas’s jaw tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm. This was the moment where the charade would either succeed or fail.

“My marriage to the king was not my choice,” Thomas said evenly. “It was a promise made to my sister, not something I desired. I owe him no loyalty.”

The room went quiet, all eyes on Sebastien as he considered Thomas’s words. For a long moment, the lord simply stared at him, as though weighing his options.

Then, Sebastien’s smile returned, and he gestured for Thomas to sit. “Very well, Sir Thomas. Let us discuss how we might help each other.”

Later That Night

As the hours passed, Thomas played his role well, sharing stories of his dissatisfaction with the kingdom and subtly gathering information about Sebastien’s plans. The lord was cautious, revealing little, but Thomas could tell that Sebastien was testing him, watching for any sign of deception.

When the meeting finally ended, Thomas was shown to a guest chamber for the night. As he lay in the unfamiliar bed, his mind raced with everything that had happened. Sebastien was shrewd, but Thomas had managed to gain his trust—at least for now.

But the real danger was only beginning. He would need to be careful, to avoid making any wrong moves. If Sebastien suspected anything, Thomas wouldn’t live to see another day.

As he closed his eyes, a familiar face flashed in his mind—Alexander’s. Despite everything, he couldn’t shake the memory of the king’s words before he left.

“I don’t want to lose you.”

Thomas sighed, turning onto his side. He wasn’t sure what the future held, but one thing was certain: this mission would test him in ways he had never expected.

And when he returned—if he returned—nothing would be the same.

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