ROYAL AFFAIRS (MXM) ✔

Eighteen

Last night had been one hell of an exhausting one. Hazel had confessed on bedding Samson on two other occassions. But while she confessed to that, she had made it clear she didn't mean to disrespect the throne. All she wanted to do was to be experienced for the prince. It sounds ridiculous, but clearly to her it made sense. She was afraid the next successor would not be impressed by her lack of experience in bed. Samson had proposed to assist her with her prio predicament.

From what she had disclosed it had appeared that the young man had manipulated the princess into having sex with him. He had used her fears and took her gullible nature as weapons to take advantage of the naive princess. He had even gone to tell her, that women in Larmont were very experienced and are known to give men great pleasure. What was more shocking is how he had mentioned that men despise to deflower women.

What had disgusted Sebastian was how Samson stole the girl's first time experience. From the look in Hazel's eyes you could tell that her virginity had meant a lot to her. To most women in Neverland, it meant purity, dignity, respect, and a possession worth more than silver and gold. But this good for nothing man, ripped that away from the poor girl.

The disgust, anger, and guilt were vivid in Sebastian's eyes as he looked at the man that had taken advantage of a naive princess to serve his own needs. Samson was kneeling with his head hanging low. If he was feeling shame then that served him right. The brunnet's eyes shifted to Hazel who was clutching the throw that was wrapped around her shoulders. She appeared shameful and...scared. The fear seem to be not for herself but the man who was about to be granted his punishment. But why? Doesn't she want the man to pay? Samson had confessed to his crime, and seconded her story as he muttered empty apologies.

"Infidelity is frowned upon on our land. It's a shameful act that demands for damages to be paid. But since this was done to spite the royals, damages are just not enough. While King Carson has taken sympathy on the Calabasas and only seeked for two hundred litres of oil and a hundred and fifty cranes of steel, which we've also accepted as a council. However, such mercy will not be granted to this man who has spat on the throne..." everyone in the arena chanted and cheered at that. While Samson's parents cried and trembled in horror. For they knew such an act could lead to a life long imprisonment or to be beheaded. Both were a worse fate to incure. "...We've decided to allow prince Sebastian to be the one to verdict this man!" Gary who was a member of the council announced.

Sebastian blinked for he had not expected such responsibility to given to him. His gaze went to the princess once more, her silver eyes shone with trauma, and a silent plea. A plea for mercy, which he still didn't fathom. His gaze shifted to her brother. He could see the horror and anger in his green eyes. He seem conflicted himself. But once his eyes met his, all emotions disappeared and all he could see in those green orbs was curiosity. What was he curious about? His verdict? How far he would go to punish one being? Was he capable of ordering one to be beheaded?

Sebastian teared his gaze away from the man he has grown too fond of. He looked at Samson once more, seeing his frame tremble, and Sebastian had a hunch that he was either crying or the tears weren't too far from his eyes. His hands clench, but his head never rose to look at him. Sebastian gulped, as everyone awaited for his final word of punishment. All he thought of was the look in Hazel and Augustus eyes.

"I banish him from the kingdom. He shall not set foot on this land for the rest of his life span," he ordered.

To say everyone was shocked, would be an understatement. Banishing one was the worst punishment to be inhabited. This was the land they've known and grew to cherish. It like stripping them off their identity, and home. All they've lived for and lived to know was suddenly gone. However, it was less of a punishment for spitting on a throne. It was even considered less of a punishment.

Samson's eyes snapped up. Shock coating his blue orbs. But also Sebastian could see the gratitude lacing them. The tears finally fell from his eyes, his lips trembling wishing to speak but his throat defied him.

"Are you sure?" Gary asked, shock vivid in his voice.

Sebastian nodded, not shifting his gaze from the man kneeling before him. His eyes became darker and threatning.

"I've taken mercy on you. Be grateful," he said, but his voice held a sense of being threatning.

Samson gulped and nodded. Before he could utter the words, 'thank you,' Sebastian turned his back on him and walked to sit besides his father. He only took mercy on Samson for Hazel but mostly for Augustus. He didn't want the man to view him differently for beheading another man. Especially not when he too was being unfaithful to princess. To order such a punishment would be sort of a hypocritical act. Which he knew wouldn't sit well with the prince of Neverland.

Carson squeezed his hand, and smiled at him. His eyes shone with pride. Sebastian smiled, it was always nice to make his father proud of him, and the feeling hadn't subsided over the years. He heard Samson's mother wail in joy, as she squeezed her son tightly. To know he gave them the gift of their son's life and freedom was enough for the brunnet prince. Agnes and Stephan were good members of the society and they have earned their son's life to be mercied.

Once Sebastian had taken enough of Agnes and Stephan's endless gratitude, and had taken all the unpleasant remarks from the council, he headed for his study. He needed to escape today. However, in less than a minute being in there, Augustus walked in. He prepared himself for the man to scold him, or say whatever he wished to unleash from his chest. However, the man smacked a long kiss on his lips and crushed him in a hug.

"Thank you. For taking mercy on that man. Hazel wouldn't have been able to live with herself. She may be disgusted by the act she did, but she doesn't wish anyone death Seb. Crazy as it may sound, she feels just as responsible," he said.

"She was manipulated Augustus," the other prince scoffed.

"I know," he sighed. "But Hazel is more empathetic than she portrays. She would still feel responsible," he added.

Sebastian nodded, explaining the look in the red hair's eyes. He pulled Augustus into his arms, wrapping him up in a warm embrace. This was not yet finished, and Sebastian had yet another important decision to make. But for now he wanted to hold Augustus as he prayed for strength for his next meeting with the council. One that would change his entire life. He sighed, squeezing Augustus tighter, as he breaths in his lemon scented hair.

Gosh! He was falling. Fast and hard.