A Kingdom of Hidden Betrayals || Dreamnotfound

23

Clay's POV

Clay made his way down the long staircase, his feet padding quietly on the stone stairs. It had been two days since Wilbur's capture... let's just say a lot has happened.

Clay unlocked the door he now stood in front of, the metal gears squeaking as he pushed it open. He closed the door behind him, entering the prison.

Clay nodded in a grim greeting at the guard on his shift. The guard nodded back, his short blonde hair bobbing slightly. His black armor was tinted with hints of green and gold patterns.

The guard let Clay pass. Clay walked forward, starting down the hall of cells.

The prison was meant for the worst of the worst, the most evil and despicable of people. Clay hadn't had to put many down here and he was glad. The occupants of the prison were typically psychopaths, serial killers, and terrorists.

Nihachu and Eret weren't kept down here because they were the leaders of L'manberg and needed to be treated respectfully. But things were different now...

Clay walked stiffly through the hall, cells on his left and right. There were confused mumbles and angry shouts at him. Clay knew that they had no idea who he was; when put in the prison, one doesn't get pleasantries such as keeping up with the current events.

He stopped at cell towards the end of the long hall, turning to face its prisoner with a grim look. Wilbur stood up from the dirty stone floor.

He approached the bars and wrapped his hands around them. His eyes were cold and hateful."I was wondering when you would stop by."

"Don't worry this is my first and last time visiting you in here," Clay replied, holding in an annoyed sigh.

Wilbur frowned. "Oh, don't be like that. We both know that you'll be back soon enough."

"Nope."

"Fine, but..." Wilbur stuck his hand through the cell bars and lifted it to stroke Clay's cheek. Clay stepped back, unable to hide his disgust.

"Fuck off, Wilbur," Clay said harshly, making Wilbur flinch and jerk his hand back into the cell. Clay sighed. "I didn't come down here to fall victim to your sycophantic ways."

Wilbur pressed his face to the cold bars, his eyes unreadable as he replied, "I wasn't lying when I said that you would be welcome at my side."

Clay scoffed. "I would've never joined you against George."

Wilbur's eyes darkened at the mention of George. Clay noticed this and narrowed his eyes, continuing, "George is a better king than you could ever attempt to be."

"Oh yeah?" Wilbur challenged. "How's he dealing with the city? After my destruction, I'm sure he's been having a hard time."

"Well, he's not the only one dealing with Emberfall."

Wilbur rolled his eyes and walked to the back of his cell. He leaned against the wall, facing Clay with crossed arms and a smirk. Clay's lips thinned and he sighed.

"Anyways... what I was really down here for," Clay said. "You're sentenced to life in prison. There's no loopholes, so don't even think about tyying to worm your way into some poor guard's head. After what you did, life in prison is a worthy punishment. Death would be too swift."

Wilbur's smirk faltered. "What? I don't even get a say in this?"

"No. You're a traitor, a murderer, and a terrorist to the people of Emberfall." Clay said coldly. He grinned and said, "You'll spend the rest of your rotten life here in this dump... everyone will forget about you... the man who couldn't quite complete his life's mission."

Wilbur glared at Clay. "But I came pretty damn close."

"Was it worth it?"

Clay looked at Wilbur curiously, expecting a response. Wilbur held his gaze and didn't respond.

Clay sighed, turning to leave, he said over his shoulder, "Goodbye Wilbur. Can't say I will miss you."

Wilbur didn't get a chance to reply because Clay left without another word.

He wasn't going to miss Wilbur. He wasn't going to even think twice about the man who had attempted to destroy everything he loved.

George was safe. His friends were safe. They had all survived the explosions, thankfully. However, many people were killed in the streets of Emberfall. Wilbur had planted more explosions throughout Emberfall.

The city was in shambles, but many important buildings were still intact. It would take a while, but Emberfall would rebuild. Emberfall would be back to its former self―if not better―again.

Wilbur had succeeded in part of his mission. His men had made it past the guards and killed Nihachu and Eret in the distraction of the explosions.

The L'manberg leaders were killed quickly and mercilessly. The men who had assassinated them were now in prison as well. However, they were being held nowhere near Wilbur.

George had informed L'manberg about what happened with an in-depth meeting that had lasted all day. There was no one next in line to the L'manberg throne and they had no one to take over.

So, after another long discussion, the kingdoms at the meeting: Emberfall, Kinoko Kingdom, and L'manberg, decided on a peaceful solution.

L'manberg had decided to step down from being a kingdom. The councilmen of L'manberg agreed that this was for the best. The citizens of the fallen kingdom were welcome to join Emberfall or Kinoko Kingdom.

People were welcome to stay in the former lands of L'manberg, but it had no leadership, so the land would be lawless. Most of the citizens would rather live in Emberfall or Kinoko Kingdom than in a land that was basically a free for all.

Since L'manberg was no longer a kingdom, the two other kingdoms split some of the land that remained, but not the part that was now lawless. That part remained unruled, in accordance with the treaty that the three kingdom's signed.

Clay snapped out of his thoughts as he approached the exit door, passing the filthy cells and ignoring the pleading of the prisoners. The guard from earlier nodded in farewell.

Clay paused and said, "I can't imagine this is a fun job for you."

The guard shrugged and responded, "Someone has to do it."

"That's very noble of you," Clay said, his respect for the guard sky-rocketing instantly. "What's your name?"

"Awesamdude."

Clay nodded, a smile creeping on his face. "Clever name. Why'd you pick it?"

Awesamdude smiled back. "It's only fitting."

Clay chuckled. "Indeed... Well, I hope to see you someplace other than here. Good luck with the rest of your shift."

"Good luck with the wedding."

Clay smiled wide and patted Awesamdude's shoulder. Clay then turned to leave, feeling immediately happier at the mention of the wedding.

It was finally planned. After months and months of constant threats, there was a date. That date was set for one month from now. One month and Clay and George would be husbands. One month.

Clay thought George pushed the wedding too quickly, but George just urged him eagerly, saying, "Clay, it's been long enough. I'm tired of being a fiancé."

Clay grinned as he remembered George's pleading expression. He chuckled to himself as he remembered the joyful smile and whoops from George when he'd agreed.

They were going to get married.

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a/n - we made it!

the time has come everyone... the wedding is finally happening :D

thank you for reading!! ILY!!! <3