William had just walked into his office, located on the second floor below his room, when he heard a heavy knock on the door. He imdiately turned to face the door, a hint of a smile on his face as he gave the person on the other end permission to enter.
Not surprised at all, he saw the stony face of his closest friend, Fervor, walk in before shutting the door behind him.
"I’m surprised you didn’t just send a ssage," William said, watching as Fervor headed further into the office toward the table. Fervor drew out a seat for himself and sat down before responding.
"I figured a face-to-face conversation would be much better," Fervor coolly replied, his tone indicating that this wasn’t a casual visit. William moved closer to the head of the table, dropping into his chair.
But the mont his body settled into the chair, he began to cough softly into the palm of his hand, reaching for a handkerchief from a drawer at the sa ti. William had just stopped coughing, wiping his mouth with the white handkerchief, when he caught the angry expression on Fervor’s face as he stared at him.
"I sll blood," Fervor pointed out, his eyes fixed on the handkerchief in William’s hands. William simply shook his head and waved his hand dismissively.
"I’m okay. As okay as I can be. We’ve tried everything, but we were unable to replicate the antidote. Eldric isn’t going to give it to ," William sighed, lifting his head to stare at the ceiling before turning his chair to face the window. His gaze fixed on the vivid night sky outside.
"What about Fiona? Does she trust you?" Fervor asked. William chuckled in response, glancing at Fervor before turning his face back to the sky.
"I know you well enough to hear a slight hint of pity in your tone. Do you pity her? For soone so cold, you can be pretty soft at tis," William said, a hint of a smile on his lips but sadness in his tone as he continued to speak.
"I’m just curious. What if she doesn’t get pregnant like you planned? Your body isn’t—"
"She will!" William cut him off, his tone more aggressive, his expression darkening before he slowly regained his previous calmness. "She cares about . I told her details I got from her past mates before I sent them to Eldric, so I’m sure she believes ," William said, recalling with a bitter smile how he had once been willing to follow Eldric and even please him, only to be stabbed in the back when he least expected it.
"The mate potion I had the witch make also works, so she thinks I’m her mate. It will fade, but before then, I’ll get what I need."
"She will carry my child—my heir. I won’t get to see him or her live, but you will ensure the child survives," William continued, his eyes fixed on Fervor with vigorous intensity.
Satisfied to see Fervor respond with a small nod, William felt a sense of relief. To him, that nod was more than enough, considering Fervor was soone he could trust with his own life. And now, with his impending death, he could trust him with much more.
"But we could try attacking Eldric! Maybe—" Fervor began, a trace of annoyance flashing in his eyes, but William interrupted him again, shaking his head. William picked up his handkerchief and covered his mouth as another coughing fit seized him.
Only after he was done coughing did he open his mouth to speak again.
"Honestly, I’m sure that even if sohow Eldric were to hand the real antidote, I still wouldn’t survive. Between us, I can barely feel the connection between and my wolfbeast after I transford at the council eting," William confessed, avoiding Fervor’s gaze. The last thing he wanted to see was any trace of pity, which he was convinced he would find there.
"...All I want is to deal a fatal blow to Eldric and his plans before I die. You will beco the interim Lord until my child is born," William said, his voice hoarse as he resisted the urge to cough. He was aware that while he could let his guard down with Fervor, in front of others who served him, he had to pretend that he was okay and absolutely nothing was wrong.
Fervor gave another cold nod, not imdiately opening his mouth to say anything. He simply fixed his eyes on William for a long mont before finally speaking.
"Are you okay with dying?" he asked, his voice much lower than before, a curiosity in his eyes that surprised William. Fervor had always been emotionless, ever since his parents tossed him away for being a runt who couldn’t transform into his wolfbeast—a weakness he had long overco.
"No," William responded with a smile, shaking his head. "...But to ensure that nothing goes wrong with my other plans, I’m willing to die quietly," William said, a soft smile on his face as he watched Fervor nod. Fervor then got to his feet with the intention of leaving.
"I’m leaving," Fervor told him, turning his gaze toward the door as he walked toward it. His long legs carried him swiftly, but he paused just as he placed his hand on the door, turning to look at William.
"What will happen after the child is born? Should she still be allowed to live in the mansion?" Fervor asked in a neutral tone, simply seeking instructions. He raised his gaze to see William’s expression darken, a sneer forming at the edge of his lips.
"Her father poisoned ! Do you really think I’ll let her live happily with my child, even if she’s adopted? Moreover, her heart is as cold as ice. Once the child is born, arrange for a good nanny and kill her."
"You can bury her if you want, but I’d prefer if you tossed her body away as far as possible," William instructed, satisfied to see Fervor nod. Fervor pulled open the door and walked out, shutting it behind him.
It’s all falling into place, William thought, his gaze drifting back to the night sky.
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