the Crown of Edom {Solangelo Prince AU}

19. In Sickness And In Health, Right?

   After a few hours, the pain did shrink, although Nico's fate was set in stone. Will sat next to him, with Hazel on his side.

   "Well, I guess death has been chasing me for years," Nico frowns.

   "Do not joke," Hazel braids his hair. Will slides his hand into Nico's. At first, Nico tenses. He looks up at Hazel who raises an eyebrow and says, "I figured it out already."

   "You—how?"

   Hazel looks at Will. "It is a long story."

   Nico crosses his arm, his mind traveling back to the slight numbness in his stomach. "I thought I was doing better."

   "The doctor says that some patients feel really good before their body crashes," Hazel whispers quietly. Her voice is sweet, as if she's controlling it to be that way, or else she would burst into tears.

"If I'm dying..." he swallows hard. "Then I'll have to marry Luke, won't I? Soon?"

Hazel bows her head. "You don't have to do it if you don't wish to. I will step down from my marriage and—" her voice is cut off by Nico squeezing her hand. "I just want you to be happy for as long as you can be."

"My happiness would be at a slice of yours," Nico whispers. "And I could die happily knowing that you will have someone to make you happy."

She wipes her tears. Her face had been swollen and it seemed that whenever she was feeling alright, she broke down again. She stands, turning away, and bows her head.

Nico turns to Will, who is struggling to keep composure. He didn't know what to say. There were too many thoughts and emotions in the way. Will's eyes say enough and he leans down and presses his forehead to Nico's, as if he were in pain just as the prince was.

He leans back, sitting up right and wiping away the few tears off his face. The door opens and their hands slip away from each other. Will turns away, standing.

   Octavian slips in with a bright smile. "The wedding is scheduled for tomorrow. Noon. It would be a simple occasion. No vows needed. Just signing a contract."

   Hazel stands straight, sniffling. "I would like to look over that with you, if that is alright," she says.

   Octavian nods. "That would be a wonderful idea."

   Will's heart sinks. Only a minute after Octavian leaves, Will excuses himself and follows out after him. He didn't know what he planned to do.

Following him down the hall stealthily, Will watches as Octavian turns into a room. Creeping up on it carefully, Will peeks. Octavian shakes hands with the doctor inside, both obviously joyful.

"Et tu, Bruce?" Octavian smirks.

The doc throws his head back and laughs.

Julius Caesar? Will thinks.

"I will have your payment for taking care of the prince as soon as the marriage documents are signed, Sir William Butts," Octavian winks.

Will had never cared much for learning the doctor's name, but had found it rather familiar.

"Pleasure working with you, Lawrence," he bows slightly.

Lawrence? Butts? Julius Caesar?

Will blinks quickly when suddenly a hand touches his shoulder.

"Spying on my brother, weasel?" A voice snarls.