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– Hans, you're late. Is the appointed time for an audience with the king a trifle to you? Well, that means you have 2 minutes less to discuss the issue.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with dark brown hair and a thick mustache of the same color lazily turned away from the incomparably important contemplation of the view outside the window to meet the stern gaze of the prince who entered. Hans had just closed the door behind him when he received a stinging rebuke. In his new position, his older brother's conceit had reached some unimaginable proportions, and he increasingly resembled his father at his worst. The difference in age (as much as two decades) and in position made Hans the easiest target to vent his ever-seething irritation. After all, why show your violent temper to outsiders when there are loved ones in whose interests it is usually to endure and keep quiet.
Of course, Hans would not be late and even on the contrary came a little in advance, checking his watch in the morning.
– With all due respect, Caleb…
– What did you say? – asked the man and proudly stood up in front of the wall mirror, brushing off specks of dust from his golden epaulettes.
Of course, he did not miss the opportunity to remind Hans that he was talking to the soon-to-be king . Caleb craved recognition and forced everyone who depended on him in some way to come with a petition or a proposal to rehearse the correct address to the future ruler.
-Your Majesty,- Hans corrected himself, almost biting his tongue, -the clock in this office has a faulty minute hand. Or rather, with her complete absence. Father was annoyed by the ticking too often.
– Father, God bless him, taught me as a child to accurately determine the time by the location of the sun. Didn't he teach you? - Caleb looked at the dial curiously, as if for the first time. – He must have been busy with something more important. So, let's get down to business.
The Prince only frowned slightly at this made-up nonsense. He planned to get his brother's consent, no more. The sooner he gets there, the less they'll have to put up with each other.
– I came to report that my work as a tax collector ended yesterday, I have prepared all the documents and reports. On-site inspections are no longer planned. And due to recent events, I dare say that the duties of regent assigned to you may be too important to entrust them to anyone else for the sake of making a planned visit to Arendelle on the occasion of the coronation of Elsa Razengraffe. Since the other brothers are also busy with extremely demanding tasks on other business trips and in the officer corps, it would be inappropriate to load them with new assignments. I could be useful and represent our kingdom in Arendelle. Please consider my candidacy.
Caleb squinted disgustedly at the table where Hans had placed a stack of documents.
-Oh, can you really be useful? Really? Do you really think you're ready for an independent trip as an ambassador? How presumptuous and naive,- Caleb said coldly, walking slowly around the office, and suddenly smiled. -You can be so charming sometimes, Hans, which is funny.
-I am competent enough,- the prince ignored the inappropriate comments. – I am aware of all the agreements that should be updated. I have experience in making deals, and I could present the benefits of a new contract to the Queen.
– Did our father's illness make you so bold? You couldn't put two words together in front of him. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if you're even glad that Dad's down.
No matter how much neglect and cruelty Hans suffered from his father, he would prefer that the transition of power to Caleb be delayed. The eldest prince himself had a quarrelsome character, in addition, for many years under the patronage of the king, intransigence, pride, cynicism and manipulativeness were nurtured in him. Features of the main heir, worthy of ruling in the Southern Isles, according to his father. Distorted and hypertrophied.
-I am extremely concerned about our father's condition and pray for his health every evening,- Hans said calmly.
– Whatever you say.
-And yet, Father has always prioritized the interests of the kingdom. He wouldn't have sent a duke on such an important occasion, when Arendell was hosting guests for the first time in years. The prince must go,- Hans said with all the confidence he could muster.
It might have been a big mistake to dare to speak on behalf of their father, but the prince understood the exceptional nature of the case. There might not have been another chance to prove himself in front of foreign subjects of this caliber, as well as the royal family of Arendelle itself. And if everything had worked out well, Hans would have found himself a suitable match, a bride with decent relatives who were not going to bite each other's throats. An advantageous marriage would be a permit to a normal life away from the snake tangle of Westergaard.
Something in Caleb's gaze had changed. He walked over to the chair, turned it sideways and sat down without moving back to the table. He stared thoughtfully out the window and was silent for a long moment before grinning at Hans. The younger prince decided that he was trying to hide his annoyance, because you can't argue with the arguments given. It was Caleb who was instructed by his father to make a diplomatic trip to Arendelle, but that was before the king's health suddenly deteriorated so much that his eldest son had to temporarily take the throne. And now there was no choice. The only suitable candidate among the princes was Hans.
– You've become such an adult. Well done, even the voice does not tremble. I've always liked the way you try to appear defiant and persistent.
– Yes, yes. Let's skip the part where you come up with reasons to call me weak and pathetic,- Hans said with a sigh, shivering at his brother's inappropriately unctuous voice. – Shall we get back to business? I suppose the regent has a really busy schedule.
– Are you rushing me to get rejected and indulge in self-pity with a sense of accomplishment, as usual? I can always find some time for my younger brother.
Hans swallowed his disgust at this mockery. The time that was available for the youngest in their family was usually spent on mockery or criticism. This time, he could arrange an important assignment, by completing which he would earn at least some respect.
-Come here, Hans,– Caleb said.
The prince stared at his older brother in confusion, but still obeyed and walked around his desk.
Caleb leaned back, gave Hans a predatory look, and patted his own thigh as if inviting him.
- What? - Hans was confused and crossed his arms over his chest. – What does this mean?
–That means you're going to obey and sit down now,– Caleb gave a quiet order and patted his leg again.
There were rumors about Caleb's perverted tendencies, but Hans wasn't too concerned about his brother's excessive lust or his dirty affairs. Until now.
Before Hans could find his voice or react in any way, Caleb grabbed his arm and pulled him roughly towards him. Nevertheless, the prince dodged at the last moment, awkwardly plopping down on the wide armrest of the chair. Caleb was still clutching his brother's forearm.
Hans visibly shrank from arrogance and authority. Older Westergards have always had a habit of invading someone else's personal space in every possible way and proving their superiority physically. Hans had suffered a lot of bullying, which taught him when it was a good moment to fight back, and when resistance would only lead to a shameful failure. But at this moment, he did not understand at all how to react correctly. All his knowledge had disappeared, and he was in a daze.
– Were you trying to point out my hopeless situation? Not bad. I appreciated your resourcefulness,- Caleb said in a lower and lower voice, forcing Hans to bend slightly to hear his words. – To be honest, I thought you would just humbly hope to receive such a tempting offer on my initiative. But you've got the determination from somewhere. Cute. Are you saying you can handle it?
– I can handle it. I want to benefit the Southern Isles,- the prince replied, cringing in anticipation of the terrifying trick that was bound to follow the flow of strange praise.
– Understand, I would be glad to believe it. I have already seen your stubbornness more than once. And yet, true loyalty manifests itself differently.
The grip on Hans's arm loosened, and when Caleb made sure that he was not making an attempt to leave, he began smoothing the younger prince's clothes. As if it was a gesture of caring.
Ice seemed to freeze in the young man's stomach. His mouth was dry.
Caleb deftly pulled off Hans's right glove.
– I've never understood why you wear them. Are you hiding something? - The man asked with a nasty grin and waved his glove in front of his brother's nose.
–No,– the prince growled, yanking his thing back out of Caleb's clutches.
This was the reaction he wanted from him. He fell into a trap. Hans suddenly felt someone else's hot palm on his knee, as if appropriating everything he touched.
-You see, you get angry when the issue of trust comes up,- the regent continued to say, as if nothing had happened. – Still don't understand what I'm getting at? The fact that you haven't proven your loyalty.
His hand moved smoothly further and ended up on his hip.
– How can I prove it? - Hans replied dully, still not believing in what was happening.
– Submission.
Suddenly his palm moved further, impossibly close to his groin. Hans jumped up as if scalded, but it was not so easy to get out of his brother's lustful grip, especially when he tripped up and pretended to gasp as if it was an accident. Hans stumbled and fell to the floor. Caleb did not let him get up and, clutching at the collar of his shirt, pulled him to himself. The prince was forced to kneel, completely confused and humiliated.
– Caleb, damn it!- The prince hissed, feeling his voice tremble treacherously, and his face turned red.
-That's even better, you're right,- Caleb grinned at the prince's current position and tightened his grip on his collar. – You're so passionate. I love domination games.
– Are you out of your mind? I'm your brother! - Hans almost screamed, struggling desperately.
– And? For Frederick, it was never a hindrance that Rosie, or whatever her name was, was considered our stepmother,- the man shrugged and allowed the prince to free himself. -Or was her name Rosa?
– Rosetta! -The young man corrected him, continuing to sit on the floor.
Caleb knew how to hit a sore spot. Pretending to forget Hans's mother's name seemed to be one of the most harmless ways to offend. The hint of a secret relationship with the second eldest prince seemed to knock the ground out from under his feet. Hans suddenly felt like a helpless beetle being pinned by its outstretched wings for fun.
– How long ago it was, just think! When did she die?
– 11 years ago! - The prince replied mechanically.
Hans could feel fear gripping all his limbs. He wasn't sure if he was capable of getting up, getting out, and interrupting this vicious stream of nonsense. Some part of him, gripped by grief from the past, always knew that there was something wrong with his mother's suicide. This part of him wanted to find out the truth and was afraid of this painful knowledge.
– No, no, I mean “after what.” It seems to be right after that affair came up. What are coincidences,-Caleb reasoned carelessly, who took sadistic pleasure in bringing bad news to others.
– What are you talking about?- Hans said in shock.
– Don't worry about it. So much water has gone under the bridge since then,- the man waved him off, but did not stint throwing a fat hint. -I can't make out a single feature of Freddie on your face anyway. No one will know about anything, right? You don't need any problems.
Caleb got up and approached Hans, who was desperately trying to catch his breath.
-You're lucky to live in ignorance. You can be so ungrateful sometimes, but actually you've been protected from the bitter truth all this time. But everything comes to an end. Sometimes you have to reveal some secrets, because it's a matter of trust,- the regent said and reached out to touch his brother's face.
-Spare me your dirty lies,- the prince replied dully, throwing away someone else's palm.
– Okay, I see you're not in the mood to listen to instructive old stories. You're right, that's not the main thing right now,- Caleb continued, still towering over the prince. – More important is your future, which is now in my hands. If you think about it, you can be considered my nephew, not my brother. Let me guess, would it be better if it turned out to be untrue? Would you rather stay who you are, number 13?
– What are you trying to achieve?
– I am seeking an important assignment for you. I'm considering your candidacy, as you asked. I'm working on establishing trust between us.
Hans stared at the floor. He made it clear where his place was. Even if Caleb was lying about everything, and the prince was trying his best to focus on the wavering doubt about the truth of his words, he was using the information for his own purposes. The regent asserted his authority over him. The past that Hans had known had crumbled, and the future that he had dared to pin his hopes on was slipping away like a trembling mirage above the yawning inferno. In this flame smoldered his real, suffocating and disgusting, now belonging to a perverted sadist - his brother.
It was ridiculous that he even dared to make a request to Caleb. As if he hadn't been just dust under the feet of the older Westergards all this time.
– So, Arendelle. Congratulations, you were very convincing,- Caleb announced cheerfully, acting out the idea of his careful thinking. – Of course, it's never too late to be disappointed, so I'm going to keep an eye on you for the next few weeks before going to Arendelle. And you will be obedient. You'll do as I say. Entertain me, visit my chambers, maybe a couple of times. I'm sure we'll get along, it's in your best interest. And when I ascend the throne, I will not forget that there must always be time for even the tiniest member of the family.
– And if I refuse? - Hans said sullenly, intending to get up and send unimaginable instructions to the devil.
– Place! Now! - Caleb suddenly barked, and the prince froze on the floor in a daze. – It's too late to refuse, don't you understand? I'm already doing you a favor. But if that's not enough, dear, I'll raise the question of your parentage. As regent, I can order the reopening of the investigation into the death of the king's unfaithful wife. Do you think someone like Freddie will recognize you? Alas, he is more likely to become the main witness against you. And father does not need these scandals in his old age. You will fly out of the palace and remain a nobody.
He practically spat out the last words. The man sighed, as if he was tired of the other's intractability, and it wasn't him who had just lost his temper. Caleb sat back down in his chair and looked at Hans expectantly.
– Why? What have I done to you? -The prince said.
– Nothing. Don't take on too much. It's just time to understand that your future king needs a loyal and obedient… what should I call it... a pet. Why would I need someone else for this role when I can use a forgotten younger brother? Didn't you think that no one suspects how eager you are to escape from our family, taking both the title and part of the inheritance? I'm not in the habit of throwing away resources that belong to me, and you, a little ungrateful creature, have invested a lot.
Hans fought back the tears. Everything was starting to blur before his eyes, but he managed to catch Caleb's greasy gaze. It made him feel sick.
In the captivity of blackmail, the prince felt completely crushed, but the burning pain of humiliation reminded him that he was still alive and at least had not dissolved into humble despair. Caleb agreed to send him to Arendelle, and this can be considered a tiny victory. The prince was going to make the most of this trip. And after that, he intended to get even with his brother and make sure that the dubious story about his mother never surfaced.
– Don't give me a reason to be disappointed. I am fair and I know how to be merciful when it comes to loyal people,- the man grinned, looking at the prince's drooping expression with undisguised pleasure. -You're going to be a good pet, aren't you?
The regent held out his open palm and nodded approvingly, as if he was going to give him a sincere blessing and all the riches of the Southern Isles, and not another humiliation. To his horror, Hans obeyed and approached, moving on all fours. He wanted to beat Caleb until that slippery smile was wiped off his face, and then violently destroy every piece of tasteless luxury in the office and finally set fire to the wreckage. But he couldn't do anything. He hoped that Caleb would at least suddenly slap him in the face, so that for a short moment it would distract him from the disgusting shame and boiling anger.
But the man only stroked Hans's head, ruffling the hair on the back of his head and running fingers along his neck. And this touch felt like the whistle of a guillotine blade inexorably flying down.
Hans clenched his teeth until it hurt.
-You know, Hans, I'm going to miss you. Don't even think about linger on your little trip.