In the Eastern Continent, at The Iron Steppes under the rule of the Madurai Chieftain. While the Edrath Empire was overflowing with music, laughter, and endless celebrations...The Eastern Continent was no less lively. The capital of the Iron Steppes had transformed into a city of celebration. Massive banners bearing the royal crest fluttered in the wind, warriors sparred in friendly matches in the training grounds, merchants from every corner of the continent filled the streets and every night ended with feasts around roaring bonfires, where songs echoed until dawn. Everything was being prepared for the grand royal wedding.
The wedding that united two continents into allies, the wedding of the warrior Prince Thoris Madurai, Princess Elyria and the Co-Crown Prince Adrian Valemont.
And only five days had finally remained before the Imperial Family of Edrath would arrive as well.
But now, inside the royal palace, the morning sunlight spilled through the large windows. Thoris had just climbed out of bed, stretching his broad shoulders with a satisfied grin. And behind him...
Adrian remained buried beneath the thick layer of blankets, refusing to move even a single inch.
His body trembled ever so slightly as every muscle in his back and legs screamed in protest. The past two months had been nothing short of absolute torture. Even his miraculous, sudden pregnancy had done nothing to slow Thoris down.
If anything, the barbarian prince had only become even more possessive, pulling him close every single night. He was slightly less rough than before, but no less overwhelming.
Adrian gritted his teeth, pulling the heavy blanket tighter around his shoulders to ease the constant soreness lingering through his entire body. He shut his eyes tight and let out a long, slow breath.
'How–... how can someone have this much energy every single day? What in the world are they feeding this barbarian...?'
He reached up with a heavy arm and rubbed his aching forehead.
'Does he ever get tired? Or does he simply enjoy making my life miserable?'
His thoughts drifted to Thoris' older brother, Vikra. Despite being the youngest prince of the Iron Steppes, Thoris was nothing like his elder sibling. Vikra was every bit as fierce and imposing as the stories claimed.
He was strong, fearless, and a leader truly worthy of respect. But beneath all that intimidating power was a calm man. Someone who knew when to stop. Someone who actually listened when spoken to.
But Thoris, on the other hand... He was completely different. He was like a wild force of nature. Unpredictable, stubborn, and entirely impossible to control.
There were even moments during the long, exhausting nights when Adrian found himself wondering.
'Why wasn't I promised to Vikra instead? At least life would have been more quieter. We probably wouldn't even see each other this often.'
A loud, deep chuckle suddenly pulled him from his thoughts.
Thoris looked over his shoulder at the shaking, miserable lump beneath the blankets and the sight amused him far more than it should have.
"The Valemont Imperial Family will finally arrive on our continent in five days," Thoris said casually as he slipped his heavy fur robe over his broad shoulders before tying the leather sash around his waist.
A teasing grin slowly spread across his face as he turned to face the bed.
"You must be happy. You'll finally get to see your family again." He folded his arms over his broad chest.
"I'm sure you can't wait to share the wonderful news with them, right?"
Adrian slowly peeked out from beneath the blankets, his pale face emerging into the morning light. His expression immediately darkened.
"What wonderful news?"
Thoris burst into a loud, booming laugh. "The fact that you're carrying my child, of course!" He shrugged his massive shoulders.
"What else would I be talking about?"
Adrian stared at him in complete silence for a long second, his eyes narrowed so tightly he looked ready to grab the extra pillow and throw it straight at Thoris' face. Instead, he let out a muffled groan and buried his face right back into the soft mattress.
"...You are unbelievable."
Thoris laughed again, the sound echoing off the stone walls before he walked over to the bed. He leaned casually against one of the carved wooden bedposts, looking down at his exhausted fiancé.
"So..."
Thoris began, his tone dripping with playful arrogance.
"From today onward, I'll be spending more time with your sister, Elyria."
A sly smile appeared on his face.
"Try not to miss me too much."
Adrian slowly lifted his head from the pillow again and his brows furrowed.
"...What?"
"I'll give you a few days to catch your breath," Thoris explained, waving a hand lazily.
"You'll finally have enough time to patch yourself up as well." His smug grin only grew wider. "So that by the time your imperial family arrives... you'll look like the happiest, healthiest bride in the entire Eastern Continent."
Even Thoris found the situation amusing enough to laugh quietly to himself.
"But truth be told..."
Thoris continued, his tone turning slightly more practical.
"The Valemonts need to see that you've been treated well here. Fed well. Dressed well. And properly cared for." His smile slowly widened, a sharp glint appearing in his golden eyes. "The whole situation has to be completely convincing. Especially for Cassian."
Adrian narrowed his eyes instantly, his posture stiffening under the covers while Thoris continued without hiding the intense excitement in his voice.
"After all... I still have a special place reserved for him. Right beside me."
The room suddenly fell into a heavy, suffocating silence.
Adrian stared at him in absolute disbelief. Then, a cold, bitter laugh escaped his lips.
"Seriously..." Adrian muttered as he slowly sat up, ignoring the sharp soreness that shot through his lower back as he leaned against the headboard.
"Do you truly believe Cassian will ever stand by your side?" He shook his head, looking at Thoris as if he had lost his mind. "That's quite the wild delusion, Thoris. I have to admit. My little brother isn't someone you can just tame."
Adrian's eyes sharpened as he looked directly into Thoris' golden gaze.
"He never has been, and he never will be. So don't underestimate him... or you'll regret it deeply."
Thoris simply shrugged, completely unbothered by the warning. A loud, confident laugh echoed through the room as he folded his arms tightly across his chest.
"Believe whatever you like, Adrian," Thoris said, there wasn't even the slightest hint of doubt in his booming voice.
"But I will succeed in taming that ferocious tyrant. After all... I already have my plans in place. And it's about time I stopped waiting and finally put them into motion."
Adrian frowned, his voice turning cautious and sharp.
"Plans? What kind of plans are those?"
Thoris only smiled. It was a wide, dangerous smile that sent an uneasy chill crawling straight down Adrian's spine.
Thoris stepped closer to the bed, leaning down slightly as he raised a single finger to his lips.
"Shhh..." His golden eyes gleamed with raw excitement.
"Just wait. You'll see soon enough."
Adrian kept staring at him, his heart pounding lightly against his ribs. For the first time in weeks, his uneasiness had nothing to do with Thoris touching him. Instead, he could feel a massive storm quietly brewing on the horizon....a storm he had no control over.
Thoris turned away, leaving the bed behind as he walked toward the large open balcony. He rested both of his large hands on the cold stone railing, looking out across the endless grasslands of the Iron Steppes while humming a quiet war tune to himself.
'Five days... Just five more days,' Thoris thought, his grin widening in the morning breeze.
'Then the Valemont Imperial Family will step onto my land. And when they do... the first move of my plan will finally begin.'
Behind him, Adrian let out a tired groan before slowly swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He wrapped his loose silk robe tightly around himself and walked over to stand beside Thoris on the balcony.
At least now... he wasn't afraid to stand close to the giant barbarian anymore. The raw hostility between them had faded significantly after the pregnancy was confirmed. Adrian had accepted the reality he couldn't change, choosing survival over futile fighting.
Still, simply being around Thoris was physically and mentally exhausting. Even his sister Elyria seemed to have it much easier than he did with this wild beast.
After standing quietly together in the cool morning air for a while, Adrian finally broke the silence.
"Thoris..."
"Hmm?"
"What's with this strange obsession you have for my younger brother?" Adrian asked, looking at Thoris' side profile.
"As far as I know... Cassian is nothing more than a cold, calculating, and extremely sly prince."
Thoris smiled to himself, looking out toward the distant mountains.
"Perhaps... that's exactly what drew me to him in the first place."
He rested his chin on one hand.
"He carries himself like he's high above everyone else in this world. As though every living creature exists only to bow at his feet." A slow, dark grin spread across Thoris' face.
"Wouldn't it be immensely satisfying... to see someone like that finally become vulnerable?"
His golden eyes gleamed with overwhelming hunger.
"To watch all that foolish pride disappear. To see all that ice melt away. And instead... to have him finally submit to me." He let out a low, quiet laugh.
"Just imagining it... makes me wildly excited."
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling an instant headache coming on. "Thoris... you're being a disgusting pervert. As usual."
Thoris only laughed harder at the insult.
"But my brother is set to marry as well, isn't he?" Adrian asked, trying to bring logic back into the conversation.
"Doesn't his engagement ruin your grand plan?"
"Not at all," Thoris answered without a single second of hesitation.
"He can come together with that elf. I don't mind." He smiled with complete confidence. "Then we will all be one big, happy family."
'What a crazy, delusional bastard,'
Adrian thought, simply shaking his head before looking out across the balcony as well.
There really was no keeping up with Thoris' wild mind. Adrian sighed quietly to himself. Maybe writing that secret letter to Cassian weeks ago, asking him for help, had been entirely pointless from the very beginning. Perhaps the only way to survive in this wild land was to adapt completely. To let go of the rigid ways he used to think back in the Empire. Maybe then, life here would become a little more easier to bear.
After a long moment of quiet, Adrian changed the subject.
"By the way... aren't you coming with us to meet Vikra today so we can continue preparing for the joint wedding?"
Thoris snorted loudly, a look of genuine disgust crossing his face.
"I don't want to be anywhere near my elder brother while Cassian is still not on my side. I still can't stand Vikra's arrogant face."
Adrian let out a soft sigh before turning back toward the grand bedroom doors.
"Maids!"
Adrian called out, his voice echoing clearly through the quiet chambers.
Almost immediately, the heavy doors opened, and several royal servants hurried inside, lining up neatly before him with low bows.
"Help me prepare for the day," Adrian ordered, straightening the sash of his robe. "And send word to my sister Elyria to meet me at Prince Vikra's office by noon. It seems she and I will be going alone today as well."
Thoris waved a large hand lazily over his shoulder as he stayed by the balcony railing.
"Don't hate me for it, my dear bride. I have far more important things to do."
Adrian glanced back at his massive back, a dry smile touching his lips.
"Oh, trust me, Thoris. I'm actually extremely glad you are not coming."
Without another word, Adrian walked toward the waiting servants to begin his morning routine.
Thoris watched him go from the corner of his eye, shaking his head with a low laugh as the doors closed behind the prince.
"That sharp attitude..."
A fond grin tugged at Thoris' lips as he looked back out at the open sky.
"It definitely runs in your family's blood, doesn't it?"
*****