Chapter 22 The Wedding
"Where the hell is he?" The prince asked, annoyed, looking for his father as he entered the throne room.
"I already told you, he went away again." Said Hephaestion with a sigh, walking by his side. "He'll be back soon."
"He asked for you to greet his guest in his place, so don't mess it up." Noted Ptolemy from his other side. He paused to point a finger at him with a threatening look. "Listen, don't do anything stupid that could put Waver in danger. Got it?"
"I get it, I get it, OK? Who is this sooo important guest anyway!?" The prince scoffed.
"King Epirus." He heard Attalus' voice from behind them. They turned, and the old general was giving them a warning glare. Another man stood beside Attalus. A young, handsome man, wearing a golden armour.
Alexander gulped. His face crumbled a little in surprise. That man was his uncle, yet he had never seen him before. Olympias had left Epirus at a young age and never returned, so the prince had only grown up hearing stories about his barbaric Molossian relatives who went off to some war in the west. Somehow, the man's handsome features and elegant armour did not match the picture in the young prince's mind. He could not help but to stare at the delicate features that resembled his mother's; sharp, penetrating eyes. Yet, unlike the queen, he wore a wide, unsettling smile.
"Prince Alexander?" His voice was calm and elegant.
Alexander only realized he had been staring at him for longer than he intended to when he heard his voice calling his name.
"Uh…Y-yes. Welcome, King Epirus." He said politely. "Please, have a seat"
The man gave him a quick glance from head to feet, smirk on his lips, then proceeded to sit.
Alexander sat by his side; Hephaestion and Ptolemy exchanged puzzled looks, then sat with them as well.
"Nice palace you have here". Noted Epirus as he relaxed on his seat, carelessly.
"Thank you", said Alexander. "Wine?"
"Absolutely," he raised his cup enthusiastically, and a servant boy ran to fill it.
The king of Epirus drank the wine slowly, leaving an awkward silence at the table. Alexander tried to think of something to say, but nothing was coming up. What was he supposed to talk to him about? He barely knew anything about this man, other than his army wanted to kill him and his friends a few months ago. Alexander searched for Ptolemy and Hephaestion with his eyes, as though asking them to speak in his place, but they looked away avoiding his eyes.
Bastards… The prince cursed them in his head.
"So," The young king was the one who broke the ice. "I hear you have a rather interesting new boyfriend".
Alexander's cup slipped his hand, dropping it on the table. The loud bang drew the attention of the people around him. He thanked Zeus it had not yet been filled with wine.
Hephaestion and Ptolemy snorted at the same time, almost choking on their wine. What an ice breaker that was.
"My-my what?! Who told you that!?" Asked the prince, defensive.
The man laughed. "You don't have to look so nervous. I am just curious about his magic." He said, resting his chin on the back of his hand. "I am worried, you know. You are my little nephew after all".
Alexander couldn't tell what was bothering him the most, his condescending tone or the sarcasm written on his face.
"So, uh…" Alexander babbled, trying to change the subject, "enjoying your stay at Pella so far?"
"No" The man spoke dryly, putting his cup down.
"Ah…" Alexander scowled at his own failed attempt to make small talk.
"Well, not yet." Continued Epirus, a smirk stretched on his face.
"We will do everything in our hands to make your stay enjoyable." Assured him the prince.
"Oh, I am sure you will, Alexander. I am sure you will…"
As the feast began, the Macedonians looked at the Molossians with skeptical eyes from a distance. After all, a few months ago they had been fighting each other, and now King Philip had welcomed them as guests in Pella. But the revolting from smaller kingdoms was nothing new to the Macedonians, and the wine and bread always found a way to smoothen things out through the night. By the end of the feast, Molossians and Macedonians drank and danced together, occasionally challenging each other to a duel or arm-wrestling.
Alexander and his friends were not immune to Dionysus's charms. The musicians strummed their Lyres restlessly, marking the pace of the dance. People slowly gathered at the centre of the room in a circle, moving at the rhythm of the instruments. Alexander threw Hephaestion and Ptolemy a look. The taller one walked away, shaking his head, while Hephaestion smiled at him, taking his hand to drag him into the centre of the room to join the circle.
While the prince and Hephaestion lively danced to the sound of the lyre, Ptolemy got carried away with arm-wrestling all the stronger Molossians present in the room, winning every single time. The men clapped and cheered as Ptolemy downed another cup of wine.
After the last man with the title of strongest among the Molossians had been defeated, King Epirus joined the crowd around Ptolemy.
"You don't mind if I give it a try, do you?" The young king said, taking a seat in front of him.
Ptolemy quickly wiped the burgundy stains from the corners of his mouth and down his neck, trying to sober up a little.
"Please." He said politely, somewhat hesitant. "Although, I must warn you, I am no match for a king."
"I insist," Epirus rested his elbow on the table. His hand open, as big as Ptolemy's, ready to crush his opponent's.
Ptolemy grinned, and clutched his hand accepting his challenge.
Hephaestion and Alexander quickly turned to their friend and got closer to watch him. They knew perfectly well what happened whenever Ptolemy's inherent competitive spirit got enhanced by alcohol.
An old man beside them counted to three and the fight started. It was a fight of spirits more than strength, as they were equaled in brute force.
Both men's veins popped off their temples, although they tried to keep their faces' cool.
Alexander and Hephaestion cheered for his friend -more in hopes of getting over with it, the earlier the better. Zeus knows how long he would keep them there watching him rematch until he won-
But Epirus' was not going to lose so easily. After all, he had a king's reputation at stake. Just when Ptolemy was about to beat him, the man took over, subduing Ptolemy with a quick movement.
Alexander and Hephaestion made a painful face, then quickly stood by Ptolemy's side, praying to the gods he wouldn't insist on a rematch. Things would surely get more agitated.
Ptolemy got on his feet, stumbling. The wine suddenly went to his head.
"Hey! Ptolemy!" Alexander's reaction was to grab his arms and pull him away from Epius before he could move.
"What are you doing?!" He yelled, "I'm fine!"
"Hey, hey," Hephaestion stood in front of him. He spoke in a soft voice, forcing a smile. "Why don't we…. Uh… go see Cleo?"
Epirus eyes slightly widened as he heard that name. After observing Ptolemy's reaction, his face brightened in delight.
"Cleo…where is she?" Ptolemy wondered with a painful expression. "She has been ignoring me since we came back"
Alexander smiled awkwardly, afraid that his friend's drunkenness could reveal more than he intended to, and would regret next morning.
"Let's just… go for a walk, ok?" Alexander said, slowly pulling his friend away.
"Prince Alexander, you and your friends have certainly delighted me this evening". Said Epirus enthusiastically.
The three friends turned to him.
"Is…is that so?"
"Even though your food and wine are of average quality, you have provided me with special entertainment tonight". A sinister smile appeared on his face.
"I am glad you are enjoying yourself", lied Alexander.
"I feel very fortunate to marry into such a generous family." He grinned.
Alexander's face crumbled.
"Marry…?" He frowned at him, confused.
Epirus gave Ptolemy a quick glance, then turned back to Alexander.
"Princess Cleopatra will make a more than adequate wife". He said, rising his cup and slowly walking away. "Enjoy the wedding"
It took a moment for them to process his words.
Stunned by the news, Alexander and Hephaestion did not notice when Ptolemy's arms slipped theirs. When they turned, he had already rushed out of the room.
"Ptolemy!" Alexander called, following him into the gardens, Hephaestion running behind him.
But Ptolemy did not stop. He walked at a fast pace, until Alexander eventually caught up.
"Wait-" Alexander grabbed his arm.
Ptolemy slapped his hand away and kept walking.
"Stop, please. Just-"
Ptolemy turned violently, grabbing him by his armor.
"How could you?!"
His green eyes pierced him like a dagger, pain and anger in his face, eyebrows knitted.
"I-"Alexander's voice softened, "I didn't know…"
Ptolemy's eyes slowly clouded.
"I didn't know…" Repeated Alexander, tears threatening to leave his eyes.
Hephaestion joined them, grabbing Ptolemy's hand gently. Ptolemy's hand became suddenly weak, letting go of Alexander and dropping down to his knees.
"I'm sorry." Said Hephaestion, holding his friend in his arms.
There was nothing else to be said.
Alexander watched with pain how his friend buried his face into Hephaestion's chest. It broke his heart to see him so weak, almost as much as thinking of his sister marrying that man.
But Alexander was not one to be silenced.
He clenched his fists, restraining the impulse to go and break Epirus' face. Yet he realized that would only make things worse for Cleo. He landed his fist on the grass, screaming in frustration.
His anger was now directed to someone else.
"Wait until you come back, you bastard…wait, and you'll see."
Waver watched from his window how the people gathered outside the theater. He sighed, wondering how Alexander and the rest would be doing in there.
"Worried?" A voice reaching his ear sent him up in the air with a sudden jump.
"M-Merlin!" Waver yelled, bringing a hand to his chest to keep his heart in its place. "I-I've told you to stop appearing like that out of the blue!"
"I'm sure he is thinking of you as well." He said with a smile, ignoring his comment.
"Like I was worried about that…" Waver looked away, suddenly gloomy.
Merlin read his face.
"I heard about the princess", he said carefully. "Is there… is there nothing that can be done?"
Waver shook his head slowly with regret.
"King Philip promised her to king Epirus to ensure their alliance. He came all the way here last night for the wedding. It's happening…" Waver's voice shook with frustration. He scoffed. "To be honest, I am almost thankful for having to stay here in this stupid room, I would not be able to bare watching that ceremony".
Merlin sighed, resting a hand on Waver's shoulder. He felt a tiny, cold drop fall on his hand.
They watched the last guests go inside the theater in silence.
After a moment, both of them got on their feet all of a sudden, at the same time.
"What was that?" Asked Waver, exchanging worried looks.
"Did you feel that too?" Merlin asked, his regular peaceful expression now disturbed. "A great amount of mana is coming from that direction." He said, pointing with his staff at the theater through the window.
They looked at it in silence for a moment.
Merlin suddenly gasped. "Waver!" He yelled, moving in haste, "Stay here! Do not move!"
Without saying more, Merlin vanished, leaving a trace of petals behind.
Waver was left there, frozen.
He felt the mana overflowing in the place, spreading fast like venom through the streets of Pella. When he looked again, he could now see the people of Pella fleeing into the streets, crowds flooding the streets like rivers, running away in different directions. No, something was actually flooding the streets. Black, thick liquid, like blood, poured from the theatre. Where had he seen an image like that before?
A sudden flashback to Fuyuki made him shiver.
"Is that…I cannot be-"
A loud clash came from behind him. Waver turned, and saw the door broken down on the floor.
Princess Cleopatra awaited in her room impatiently. She had not slept a minute the night before her wedding. Servant girls helped her prepare for the ceremony, trying to hide her dark circles by putting some color on her cheeks and lips.
"You look beautiful, my lady." Said one of them.
Cleopatra looked away in silence. She had not spoken a word or seen anyone ever since she got the news she would be marrying. She did not find the strength to see her friends. She turned to the door with the slightest hope of seeing Ptolemy or Alexander coming in. She heard footsteps coming her way and got on her feet instantly.
"All of you, out"
Queen Olympias had entered the room.
"And you, get the princess some water. Can't you see how dry her lips are?" She ordered one of the servant girls.
The girl nodded and left in haste.
Cleopatra still did not look at her. Olympias observed her daughter with a painful look.
"Killing yourself won't do you or the kingdom any good, you know? You need to eat and drink something"
She waited for a response, but Cleopatra remained silenced. After a while, the queen sighed and sat by her side.
"You know, when I was your age, your father brought me here. I felt my country, my parents, my people. All for this man"
Only then the princess turned to her.
"After a few months, I had your brother. It was the happiest moment of my life. I knew he was destined to do great things."
The servant girl came back with some water. Cleopatra refused it, so the queen grabbed the cup.
"And then you were born. I remembered I cried all night."
It was not surprise for the princess. She had always known her mother openly favoured her brother. Yet it still hurt to hear it.
"I cried, because I knew that, as a woman, life would be so much harder for you. You would never achieve what your brother would. They would make you miserable no matter what"
She held her daughter's hand tightly.
"Even then, you and your brother brought happiness into my life again."
The princess felt her mother's hand gently against her cheek.
"Mother…" Tears streamed down her face.
"Don't ever let that man or any other man lay a hand on you. You are a princess, and you will be a queen. Remember that."
The queen put the cup of water in Cleopatra's hands. The princess nodded, quickly wiping her tears, and brought the cup to her mouth.
A moment later, Alexander walked into the room.
"Here you are" He said. "I've been looking for you, mother"
The princess looked away as soon as he saw him.
Alexander was stunned by her beauty when he saw her. He hadn't seen her ever since he had come back from the dessert. He opened his mouth to say something, but he could not find the words.
"Alexandros!" The queen yelled. "What on Earth happened to you?!"
Hearing this, Cleo turned to her brother. She brought her hands to her mouth and gasped loudly, seeing her brothers face covered in bruises.
"Brother! Who did this to you?!" She cried.
"Oh, I uh… I fell down the stairs." He lied, looking at his mother's reaction out of the corner of his eye.
Olympias' threw a look at him, he returned it, but neither of them said anything.
Cleo pretended she did not catch that. She decided things were better left unsaid.
"It is time, mother". Said the prince. He gave one last look at his sister and left the room in silence.
The queen followed him.
"Those must have been pretty big stairs" She said as she walked by his side in the hall.
Alexander scoffed.
"I hope it was worth it at least" She noted.
"Well, I knew I couldn't stop him, but at least I put him in his place. He got what he deserves."
"I thought we were talking about stairs"
"R-right." Alexander coughed. "You see, I put a whole through the stairs because just looking at them made me sick. But then my foot got stuck in the whole, and I fell down the stairs. Still, I regret nothing."
Olympias chuckled proudly and caressed her son's hair, as she did when he was a boy. Alexander's cheeks turned a rosy shade.
"Let's just get this over with." He said as they went into the theater.
In the other side of the palace, Hephaestion kept Ptolemy company in his room as the wedding ceremony took place.
"Go" Hephaestion rested his back against the wall, arms crossed with frustration against his chest. He watched Ptolemy look through the window with an empty expression.
"Will you stop that already and just go?" Hephaestion stomped his feet, pointing at the door.
"No"
"Listen to me! If you don't go now, it will be too late! You will regret it for the rest of your life. You may never see her again!"
"There is no point now…It is already too late"
Hephaestion put a whole through the wall with his fists.
"Even if you will never be together…" He said in a soft, sad voice. "Even if… if she belongs with someone else. It is still worth it. It is always worth it."
Ptolemy turned to him; Hephaestion's face was unusually gray. He understood then he was not just talking about Cleo. Only then, Hephaestion's words seemed to get through him, yet Ptolemy could not find the strength to move.
He sighed with resignation and looked out the window again, waiting for the ceremony to be over.
The theater hosted a big crowd. Molossians and Macedonias, even lords from other kingdoms had come to the wedding. Macedonians were well-known for their exciting games during the wedding celebration. The people anxiously waited under the scorching sun for the king to open with his entrance.
In the first rows, closer to the arena, King Epius stood proudly as people came to him with gifts and words of praise. In the other end, Alexander and his mother sat quietly, looking around.
"You must have beaten him good." The queen said, searching for the king. "He is taking a while"
"Not really. I gave him a good punch alright, but the coward sent his guards at me before I could beat him. You know how he is."
"You are lucky he didn't put you in the dungeons again"
"I wanted him to. I preferred that to being here. But he said he wanted me here" The prince shrugged.
He looked around again. People were now starting to get impatient. Moving around in their seats.
"He sure is taking a long time, tho." Alexander observed.
The cheerful atmosphere from a moment ago slowly begun to fade. The crowd begun to murmur quietly. Alexander searched for his father impatiently, then for Epirus'. The king's usual arrogant smile was wiped out of his face.
"Something is wrong…"
The queen turned to him, then looked around carefully.
The people were beginning to get off their seats, yelling and pushing each other. The queen tried to get up as well, confused.
"Wait." Alexander stopped her, grabbing her knee. The queen sat back in silence, watching carefully how a dozen of guards surrounded the theater.
Epirus now walked around restlessly, like a lion in a cage. The people begun to gather around him, making quite the scene.
"Where is the girl? Where is everybody? This is an insult!"
The Molossians stood up for his king, yelling and cursing into the air. Macedonians got up as well, and a tumult raised.
Alexander's heartbeat rose, his gut feeling told him to get out of there.
"Something is not right." He said as he stood up in haste, grabbing his mother's arm and dragging her with him. "Go inside the palace! I need to go see Cleo!"
"Alexandros-"
"Now!"
He left without waiting for an answer.
He jumped over the fence that divided the crowd from the arena and rolled on the dusty ground of the theater. A line of guards followed into his direction right away.
He ran as fast as he could, elbowing his way out in between the crowd. Guards came towards him from different directions.
Right at the exit of the theater, a guard stood in front of him holding his spear to block his way.
"Prince Alexandros, please come with me-"
But the agile young prince slid on the ground under him to pass through.
He exited the theater as full speed, and another group of guards quickly blocked his way.
"Prince Alexandros, please come with us, for your own sake." Said one of the guards.
"I don't have time for this!" He grunted, knocking them down easily, making his way into the palace.
Right before the entrance of the palace, he heard footsteps rushing towards him.
"Not again" He muttered.
"Alexandros!" This time he heard Orestys. Why was his father's personal guard going after him?
"Orestys, you too? Don't try to stop me!" He turned to him.
"Alexandros…The king-" The guard looked at him with eyes and mouth opened wide. A thread of blood suddenly poured from his mouth, then immediately collapsed on the floor. Alexander noticed several arrows on his back that caused a fatal wound.
"Orestys!" He ran towards the guard to help him up. "What is the meaning of this?! Where is-?"
But he stopped talking as soon as he understood the man had fallen dead instantly.
The footsteps of the men who had shot those arrows a few seconds ago coming his way moved him out of his shock.
He let go of Orestys and rushed into the palace, blocking the gates.
What the hell is going on?!
He thought as he rushed towards his sister's room. He had way too many questions and very little answers. All he could think of was his sister. His sister, and Waver. Where were Ptolemy and Hephaestion when he needed them the most?
"Alexandros!" Hephaestion came running behind him as soon as he saw him.
The prince jumped onto his arms. "Where the hell were you?!" He cried.
"I heard noises and came to check on Waver." Hephaestion said, and the continued running. "What happened to your face?"
"No time to explain! I don't know what's happening, but we need to get to them, now!"
In her room princess Cleopatra awaited hopelessly, unaware of the ruckus taking place outside. Lost in her thoughts, she only heard the servant girl calling her after several times.
"My lady?" The young woman said. "It is time".
Cleopatra nodded. She took a deep breath and gathered strength, determined to walk into the theater with her head held high.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, she felt a pair of arms around her. The warmth of those arms felt immediately familiar.
She gasped in surprise. "You came"
"Don't say anything". Ptolemy held her tight against his chest, squeezing her in his arms.
Cleopatra could barely breathe, yet she hugged him back regardless.
"I don't care if you marry another." He said, finally letting go of her to look her in the eyes. "I don't care, I will always belong to you."
She stared at him with eyes wide opened. It was the first time she heard him speaks of his feelings openly. She struggled to restrain her tears.
"And I will always keep you in my heart." She said, placing a hand on his chest, stroking the silver pendant she had given him some time ago, and he still wore until that day. He grabbed her hand and leaned in to kiss her gently.
After a while, Alexander and Hephaestion came into the room.
"Cleo, Ptolemy!" Called the prince. "We need to leave! We need to find Waver!"
They immediately let go of each other.
"Brother, Hephaestion, what are you doing here?!"
"What happened?" Asked Ptolemy.
"I have no idea, but it can't be anything good. Orestys… Orestys is dead"
They all gasped.
"Let's go. We need to go find Waver and the queen and get you guys somewhere safe." Said Hephaestion.
"I am afraid I cannot not let you do so"
The servant girl who had been silently observing from a corner now suddenly joined the conversation.
Hephaestion's face disfigured when she saw her face. He would recognize those heterochrome eyes anywhere.
"You!" He grunted; his breath agitated. "What do you want!?"
He felt Alexander's hand on his shoulder, and his breath slowed down for a moment.
The girl stood in front of them, slowly unsheathing her dagger to point it at them.
"What are you doing?" Cleo asked, shocked to see the servant her mother had trusted her with threatening her the prince.
The girl ignored the princess' words, her face emotionless and empty. She flicked her dagger and charged against Alexander.
"I don't have time for this!" The prince said as he blocked her with his dagger, pushing her back.
The girl quickly recovered in mid-air, ready for a second blow.
This time it was Hephaestion who blocked it.
The girl's empty expression slightly changed as he saw him fighting back. Hephaestion could have sworn he saw her frown for a second.
"I have no orders to kill you, however, if you get in the way I will not hesitate." She said in a dry tone, pushing with her dagger against Hephaestion's sword.
"I have no orders to kill you either, however, I would do it for free just for my pleasure!" He said, pushing her with his sword, making her move back.
"Alexandros, Ptolemy, Cleo. I have pending business with this person." Said Hephaestion with determination. "I will hold her here for a bit. Now go get Waver."
"No." Said Alexander, standing by his side. "I won't let you"
"Do you think me so weak?" Hephaestion smiled, arrogantly. "You offend me-"
"I don't care!" Barked Alexander. "I don't give a fuck what you think or what anybody thinks. I already lost you once, I will not lose you again!"
Alexander looked away and clenched his fists at the painful memories.
He then felt Hephaestion's hand cupping his face. He looked up, and opened his mouth to protest, but his lips were caught in Hephaestions'.
"Go", he whispered, smiling gently, while the prince stared at him, startled. "I will meet you there as soon as I'm finished with her. Now, go, Waver is waiting."
Alexander stood there, confused, unable to react. Ptolemy, and Cleo grabbed Alexander by the arms and dragged him with them.
"Damn it! You idiot!" Cried the prince with frustration as he ran through the hall. "Why did it end up like this again!?".
They kept running towards Waver's room. When they turned in the corner, they bumped into Olympias'.
"Mother! Are you alright?" Cleo ran to her arms. She noticed her mother's clothes were slightly torn, traces of blood on her face.
"I am OK." She said, still panting, holding onto her. "Where is that girl when I need her…" She muttered, looking around for her servant.
Ptolemy and Cleo exchanged a look in silence and decided not to tell the queen about her for now.
"Take care of her", Alexander said as he kept going. "I'm going for Waver."
"Wait!"
The other three followed him.
When Alexander arrived at Waver's room, he gasped as he saw the door had been broken down, fearing the worst.
But whatever he could have imagined, he could have never foreseen what his eyes encountered next.
"Alexander-"
Waver lied on his knees, shaking, covered in blood. A blood that was not coming from his own wounds.
Next to him, general Attalus wept uncontrollably over a dead body that lied on a puddle of blood.
"Father!" Cleo screamed her lungs out when she entered the room, horrified by the image of her father's dead body.
Olympias muttered a scream, dropping to her knees in shock. Ptolemy gasped loudly, holding the princess, who sobbed hysterically.
"Waver Velvet…" The old general grunted, his teeth clenched as he struggled to get on his feet. "You are sentenced to death under the murder of king Philip of Macedon!"
Waver gasped, unable to believe his words. His eyes went from Attalus' to Alexander, who was still standing there in complete silence.
"Alexander!" He cried, begging him with his eyes, stretching his bloody hands towards him. But the prince's face remained intact. "Alexander, you have to believe me. Please-"
A group of guards entered the room surrounding them.
"Take him out of my sight!" Cried Attalus, looking away.
The guards restrained Waver, who fought them helplessly, being beaten several times.
"Alexander! Don't listen to him!" He cried in exasperation as he passed by his side, dragged by his hair. "It wasn't me! You have to believe me!"
Alexander's face remained the same. Only now tears poured down his face.
"Alexander!"
Waver's voice echoed in the room as he was taken away.