Reborn To Change My Fate-Chapter 223 - Two Hundred And Twenty Two

Carlos stood outside the heavy iron gates of Prince Liam’s private residence. He was shivering slightly, though the evening was not cold. He wore a simple, dark cloak, trying to blend into the twilight, but he felt exposed. He had been waiting for this summon for a week, ever since he had pledged his loyalty on his knees. Since then, there had been nothing but silence from the Prince, a silence that felt like a tightening noose.

The gate creaked open. A guard in black armor nodded, gesturing for him to enter.

Carlos walked through the courtyard, his boots echoing loudly on the stone. He felt small. He felt like a trespasser in a world of power he didn’t understand. He was led into the main hall, a vast, cavernous room lit by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows on the tapestries depicting ancient battles.

At the far end of the hall, Prince Liam sat in a high-backed chair carved from dark wood. He looked bored. He was sharpening a small, curved dagger with a whetstone, the shing-shing-shing sound the only noise in the room.

He didn’t look up as Carlos approached.

Carlos walked until he was ten paces away. He dropped to his knees, bowing his head until his forehead touched the cold, polished floor.

"Your Highness," Carlos whispered, his voice trembling.

The sharpening stopped. Liam looked down at the kneeling man. He smiled, a thin, cold expression that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Rise," Liam commanded.

Carlos stood up slowly, dusting off his knees. He moved to the side table, picking up a crystal decanter of wine. His hands shook as he poured a glass, the red liquid sloshing slightly against the rim. He offered it to the Prince with both hands, his head bowed.

Liam took the glass, his fingers brushing Carlos’s. His skin was unnaturally cold.

"You must be wondering why I didn’t send for you since the... incident," Liam said, taking a slow sip. He gestured casually to a simple wooden chair opposite him. "Sit."

Carlos sat on the edge of the chair, his posture rigid. "I... I assumed Your Highness was busy with matters of state. I did not want to intrude."

"Matters of state," Liam mused, swirling the wine. "Yes. And matters of loyalty. Trust is built in silence, Carlos."

He leaned back, watching the liquid catch the torchlight.

"The previous matters," Liam said, his voice smooth and conversational, "were to test you. The letter you sent to your brother... the trap at the townhouse... those were trials. Simple tests of your resolve."

Carlos swallowed hard. He felt a flicker of pride mixed with fear. He had passed the test. He had proven he could act against his own blood.

"And I have seen your determination," Liam continued. "I have seen that you are willing to act. I have seen that you have the hunger."

He set the glass down.

"So now," Liam said, his eyes locking onto Carlos’s, "I assign you a new task. A real task. One that will secure your future."

Carlos leaned forward, anticipation written on his face. "Anything, Your Highness. I am yours to command."

"The war in Strathmore begins soon," Liam said. "The Grand Duke marches in two days. The army is gathering."

Liam picked up the dagger again, testing the edge with his thumb.

"Accompany Derek to Strathmore," Liam ordered. "Join his retinue. Go to him tomorrow. Say you want to redeem yourself. Say you want to also serve the crown. Say you want to wash away your shame on the battlefield. He will not refuse a brother who begs. He has a weakness for family."

He paused, letting the order sink in.

"Monitor him for me," Liam said. "Watch his movements. Watch who he talks to. Watch where he sleeps. Be my eyes in his camp. I want to know his strategies before he even gives the orders."

Carlos bowed his head eagerly. This was easy. Spying. He could do that. He had spent his whole life watching Derek from the shadows.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Highness," Carlos said, relief flooding his voice. "I will not fail you. I will report everything."

Liam took another sip of his wine. He smirked over the rim of the glass.

"Don’t thank me yet," Liam said softly.

He set the glass down in front of Carlos with a definitive clink. He leaned forward, his face suddenly serious, the boredom gone. The predator had awakened.

"Monitoring is only the first part," Liam whispered. "When necessary... when an opportunity arises on the battlefield... when the chaos of war hides all sins..."

He looked Carlos dead in the eye.

"Kill him," Liam said.

Carlos’s mouth fell open. His jaw went slack. The blood drained from his face, leaving him as pale as a ghost. The room seemed to spin.

"Your... your Highness," Carlos stammered. His voice was a squeak.

He stared at the Prince, unable to comprehend the order. Spy? Yes. Betray? Yes. But murder? Direct, fratricidal murder?

"Y...you mean I have to k...k...kill my brother?" Carlos asked, his voice shaking with terror. "My own brother with my hands?"

Liam’s smirk widened. He enjoyed the fear. He enjoyed breaking men down to their base instincts.

"Didn’t you say you would go through fire for me?" Liam reminded him, his voice mocking. "Didn’t you say you would do anything to rise? To take the title? To be the Grand Duke?"

Carlos hesitated. Fear was visible in his eyes—a raw, animal panic.

"But..." Carlos whispered. "He is my elder brother after all. We share blood. We grew up together. To kill him with my own hands..."

Liam rolled his eyes. He stood up and walked around the table, looming over Carlos.

"Blood," Liam scoffed. "Blood is just a liquid, Carlos. It spills just like wine. And brothers... brothers kill each other for crowns every day. It is the history of kings."

He placed a hand on Carlos’s shoulder. His grip was heavy, oppressive.

"Days ago," Liam said, his voice low and dangerous, "I had you send him a letter. I had you place assassins at your old townhouse. Do you remember?"

Carlos nodded, trembling. "Yes. The trap."

"But he didn’t take the bait," Liam hissed. "He saw through the trap. He sent a decoy. A man died in his place. Derek survived because he is smart. And because he suspects you."

Liam tightened his grip on Carlos’s shoulder, digging his fingers in.

"What do you think he thinks about you now?" Liam asked.

Carlos was silent. He hadn’t thought about it. He had just been relieved the plan failed so he wouldn’t be blamed for a death. He thought Derek might think it was bandits, or a random attack. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"He knows," Liam whispered in his ear. "He knows you sent the letter. He knows you set the trap. He knows you tried to kill him once already."

Carlos’s eyes widened. "No... he... he thinks it was a mistake... he hasn’t arrested me..."

"He believes it is you," Liam interrupted firmly. "Derek is not a fool. He is a soldier. He knows an enemy when he sees one. And right now, he sees his brother as an assassin who missed."

Liam walked back to his chair and sat down, watching Carlos squirm.

"Even if you don’t act," Liam said, delivering the final blow to Carlos’s conscience, "he will strike first. He is just waiting for the right moment. Maybe on the road to Strathmore. Maybe in the chaos of battle. He will silence you to protect himself. He will execute you for treason against the family."

He looked at Carlos with cold logic.

"Do you understand?" Liam asked.