CHAPTER 11

So… I know that I promised an interesting chapter this time… well let's see how that goes :))))

"And that pretty much sums it up, I guess…"

"I still don't see how that was my fault," the Romanian stated, shoving a meatball into his mouth, as they sat side by side in front of the food tray with their dinner.

Gilbert tried to concentrate on his food as well, although he obviously lacked his servant's appetite. He kept his eyes on his plate, avoiding the other boy's gaze.

"Well I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't been worried about you…" he admitted reluctantly. "And it was your fault, because you just had to beat that servant and stir the shit, and hell… it had been a few days and I didn't even know if you were still alive…" Great, just go ahead and make a fool of yourself confessing that you actually do care about him, and you did all along, just great!

Valentin said nothing in reply, but something like a half grin passed on his lips for a brief moment as he too kept his head down.

"Anyway, I was quite upset just now, and this thing with Sümbül – that I'd actually forgotten about - was the last thing I needed… "the Prussian went on "and you scolded me as if I were a child and I'd done something bad!" he pointed, defensive. "And then you jumped up to beat me! Fucking hell, my jaw still hurts, you little bastard!"

"Aww, how not awesome of me…" the strawberry blonde suddenly said, with his mouth full, and with a clear hint of teasing. "And here I thought you were 'much stronger than me', is that not what you said, beyefendi Beilschmidt? And you did do something bad – God knows what Murat's assistant will ask, such was the way in which he got you to promise that he could basically ask pretty much anything of you now!"

The prince grumbled some swears under his breath, not very amused. "Well fuck Murat's assistant, he may ask whatever he wants!" he eventually blurted out. "I've got bigger worries now – the Sultan sent an emissary to Budapest because they had not paid the tribute for quite a long time and he's received the man's head back as a 'gift'. Fucking Elizaveta has fucking lost her mind, that's what!" he cursed, burying his face in his hands. His stomach cringed again at the thought and it made him lose whatever little appetite he had. Gilbert pushed his plate aside, suddenly feeling sick.

Beside him, Valentin continued to stuff his face impassible, as if nothing had happened. "But why do you care? Each with his own, and the Héderváry girl has always been a lunatic, just like her father, everyone knows that"

The Prussian lifted his head and turned to his servant. The Romanian was right, but somehow that didn't stop him from feeling a painful sting.

"Everyone knows that? Oh thanks, Vali, that's just great! Me and her… we were engaged, for fuck's sake!" Oh fuck, maybe I should just have kept that to myself…he mentally scolded himself, only then realizing how strange and foreign the whole idea suddenly sounded to him.

Upon hearing his words, the blonde stopped, surprised, and placed his fork down, looking apologetic. "Oh… I see… Um… I-I'm sorry if that sounded…"

"Nah, it's… that isn't your fault. And you're right anyway…" Gilbert said shaking his head with a bitter smile. "Even the Holy Father has said it, and he's not one to be rash with his words…" He almost winced when he felt Valentin's hand creeping shyly up his shoulder, as it was the first somewhat affectionate gesture he'd ever gotten from the blonde.

"Do you still love her?" the servant then asked, genuinely curious.

Love her? Have I ever thought of love, not just with Elizaveta, but with anyone? No, I did not dare think of love…

"I don't know really…" he began hesitantly, "I mean we were engaged since we were children, and back then she was different… she was fun, and joyous, and we could talk about anything… But later on we did not meet anymore and I only received portraits of hers every now and then. She was becoming more and more beautiful as she grew up, and I thought… well I really was looking forward to our wedding, yes, so maybe I could say that I loved her… But that was before her father died. After that, the Empire's shadow began looming over all of us and there were more important problems… And then my father sent me here and it was over"

"I'm sorry, Gilbert… I don't know what to say," the Romanian whispered, rubbing his shoulder.

The silver haired prince sighed. "It's alright, I guess. That girl is gone now, and it's clear that she grew up to become this woman I don't know anymore and who in all honestly scares me," he concluded. Maybe it was stupid admitting that he was scared of some crazy woman, but he simply didn't care. "No, it's not her I grieve, Vali, but my life and my home, and she kind of reminds me of all that, so I can't help feeling sad and… be worried about what will happen"

"What did the Sultan have to say about this? the blonde wanted to know.

"Well actually he didn't-"Gilbert was interrupted when there was a light knock on the door and then Sümbül's gracious frame appeared in the doorway, a light smile playing on his lips.

"Beyefendi Beilschmidt, please forgive my intrusion…" he spoke in a low voice, taking a bow. "I was wondering if this is a good time to speak to you…"he paused briefly, gaze trailing over to the servant who had stood and was currently busying himself with gathering the dishes "if possible in private…"

Valentin quickly picked up the tray and slipped outside past Sümbül with a deep bow, and then disappeared from sight, rather to the Prussian's discomfort. Hell, he didn't want to be alone with this man.

"Of course, beyefendi Sümbül. Please come in," he invited, motioning to the only chair in the room. He took a deep breath as the Turk gathered his emerald green robes around him carefully and sat down in front of him.

"Beyefendi, I have to confess that I would not have come to bother you if I hadn't found myself in such trouble that I could not deal with myself," Murat's assistant began, looking down at his delicate hands which he had brought together in his lap. "I believe that until now you have had the opportunity to see for yourself what kind of man my master is…" His voice lowered ever more upon saying the last words, and he stole a furtive glance towards the Prussian, as if to assess the effect of what he had just said. "He is quite relentless in the pursuit of perfection in everything that is done under his supervision…"

"Indeed…" Gilbert agreed nodding slowly, and with a slight tone of sarcasm he could not repress.

Sümbül however did not seem to pick up on it and he went on, looking humble and repentant. "But you see, beyefendi, it is in man's nature to be subjected to error, as no one is perfect but Allah… And so, in my unworthiness, I have ended up displeasing beyefendi Murat"

Shit! That can't be good… Gilbert thought, but he said nothing, waiting to hear the rest of it as well. The Turk shook his head and once more lowered his gaze. "The trouble is that my master has decided to punish me for it and so he has suggested a game of dice, tomorrow night… "

"A… game of dice? I don't understand"

"Well yes, beyefendi, and that is the trouble - for if I won it would only displease my master more, and if I lost… well… that would undoubtedly satisfy him, but then how could I pay him the amount owed? Beyefendi Murat never gambles on small amounts, and I since am not a man of much means… it would only angry him even more if I didn't pay"

The prince chewed his lower lip, nervous, not wanting to know the answer to his next question. "And how could I be of any help to you in this… delicate matter, beyefendi Sümbül?"

Murat's assistant cleared his throat, hesitantly. "Well, my master said that if I don't dare play myself, I could ask someone else to do it in my place, but he most likely only said it since he doesn't think anyone would do it… therefore my humble request is for you, beyefendi Beilschmidt, to take my place. Master would not be angry if you won… And besides, I think you could use the gains…"

A cold shudder ran down Gilbert's spine. "B-but… you know I don't have any money," he stuttered and instantly cursed himself for showing such weakness, but God, right now it was so hard to utter any word that wasn't a swear. "What if I lose? How on Earth am I going to pay him then?"

Sümbül smiled reassuringly. "Oh, I'm sure that you and master can reach an honorable settlement that would not be accessible to a humble servant like me"

Since he'd already made the mistake to promise Sümbül a favor, the Prussian had no choice but to accept, so he nodded slowly. Administrator Murat's assistant retreated with a bow, looking obviously pleased with the outcome of their conversation, while the prince felt that his brain could not make anything past the F word.

"FUCK IT!" Gilbert exclaimed, running a hand through his now disheveled hair, pacing back and forth. "What am I to do now? What if I lose? I'm fucked! FUCKED! How am I going to pay? I've got nothing! Nothing! Can you imagine the humiliation – what will they say about me? I could even lose my position in the Council! Imagine what they would all say – the Prussian prince is dishonest and does not pay his debts!"

Valentin frowned, crossing his arms. "It does look suspicious, maybe it is Murat's hand after all… Are you sure you don't have anything of value left? Although it might not cover it…"

"Did you not hear what I said!? He already took everything I had! I don't have a dime left on my life, nothing! And I don't get paid for my job, I only get food and a place to sleep, and even for that I am to be grateful!" The Prussian dropped onto his bed, burying his face in his hands. "An honorable settlement he says! Well what the fuck does that mean? What could it possibly mean but something foul?"

The Romanian sighed. "I can only think that there must be something he wants from you and that would be the only way to get it without being too obvious – or downright abusive - about it. But it's a game, so it doesn't mean it has to go the way he expects… I don't know, can't you… cheat or something?"

"Hell no! And I swore I would never gamble again!" the silver haired prince jumped. "Not that I'm not usually lucky, but hell… I-I promised my father" After the last time I fucked up royally in this respect…

"You are in a place where old promises don't matter anymore, Gilbert," the Romanian said, "Don't think about that now. And I guess you have no choice but to wait and see how things will unfold"

The prince nodded slowly, with a feeling of utter defeat.

Gah! Damn it, short chapter! Well, this part was necessary for what's to come, and I honestly didn't think it would be that long to make a whole chapter, but apparently it did – since this thing has a will of its own… Anyway don't forget to let me know what you think ;) Any… hunches maybe?