Broken Heart, Shining Crown

CHAPTER FOUR: The Confrontation

TW: Child *b*se, yelling, mentions of violence, talks of inc*st, implied s*xual innuendos

"Amantius?" He asked, sitting up.

"Dragomir!"Amantius' face lit up, before it fell at the sight of his poor condition. "You're hurt..."

Part of Amantius wanted to impulsively unlock the cell door, grab Dragomir, take him back to his room, and take care of him. The dungeons were no place for a brilliant man like him, especially since he had committed no crime... Amantius' blood boiled at the thought. However, he did not act on this desire, though his eyes betrayed the fact that he wanted to.

"No, no, no, I'm fine, I just woke up a minute ago-" he reassured him

"I know, I know," Amantius murmured. "But, look at yourself! Your condition is far from ideal."

He shrugged, looking at Amantius' outfit, smiling, "You wore your tunic..."

"Oh– I just haven't changed ever since I got my injury," he admitted. "Did you tell me to wear it in your letters?"

"Yes, did you not see it?" He inquired.

Amantius shook your head. "I don't believe I'd overlook such an important detail..."

"...how odd..."

"Well, luckily, I still wore it. So, does it really matter?" Amantius smiled gently.

"I guess not." Dragomir smiled

"Has Kleitos been giving you a hard time?" Amantius asked him. "He seemed, well, rather upset the last time I saw him."

"He's been getting a little aggressive lately. I had to punch him in the face because he attempted to strangle me to death."

"Please don't aggravate him! I'd hate to come down here and find you dead in your cell."

"It's alright, he was hardly able to squeeze my neck."

"None of this is justified..." Amantius murmured. "I'm so sorry that you had to get treated this way, all because you decided to save me."

"It's alright, I'm used to this kind of treatment." Dragomir admitted.

"You've been imprisoned and strangled before?!"Amantius' eyes widened.

He shrugged, "Like I said, I've had training for this kind of thing."

"Oh, I see," Amantius nodded.

He smiled, "Ilferroites have to be prepared for anything."

"That's probably for the best."

Dragomir nodded, "What can I say, getting in trouble is just natural for a purebred Iferroite."

Amantius nodded. "I'm not pure-bred. I have Aromatian, Nakainese, and Silvie blood."

"Huh. Interesting..."

"My family lineage is quite diverse. We do our best to prevent inbreeding through arranged marriages. However, we haven't had any betrothments for a long time now," Amantius explained. "And, I'd like to keep it that way."

He chuckled, "I don't believe my family is quite lenient on international and arranged marriages, especially not for the heirs to the throne."

"What do you mean by that?" Amantius asked, a flare of panic crossing through his mind.

"Well...my grandparents were both uncle and niece and cousins. Don't ask me how that happened; genealogy is not my strong suite." he smirked, "And, well, if I don't get married by the time I'm halfway through my lifespan, my advisors and courtsmen will just assign me a wife, most likely the most popular gladiatrix at that particular time."