"You need to rest," Chilton grumbled, squeezing the rag back into the bowl. The water dripped, ruby red from the cloth. "And we need to check your face in the morning and possibly have you take some herbs to help with the scarring."
"I have work to do," Will muttered, his jaw aching from the movement.
"You are in no condition to do anything but lay in bed," Chilton pressed in exasperation. "Alana, will you talk some sense into him? Please."
"Will, there is nothing that is so urgent that it cannot wait until at least morning," Alana said as she rubbed more ointment over the bruising across Will's ribs. Will hissed through his teeth and winced at the touch, but he did his best to sit still. "You will rest tonight."
Will shook his head and pushed himself from the chair he was in, waving off the work the two were doing. He inhaled deeply, letting the pain in his ribs breathe life to the rage in his blood.
"I have work to do tonight." He attempted to take a step, but his legs gave out and he groaned in pain as Alana swiftly got under him. "Shit!" He was lowered back into the chair, breathing hard. "I don't have time to sit here."
"You're unable to stand without support," Chilton scolded. "You are not going anywhere tonight."
"Alana, give me my shirt, please." Will waved blindly towards Alana, his other hand rubbing his face. His fingers traced over the damp fabric that had been placed over the stitched up gashes across his left cheek. The touches sent twinges of pain through his skull. He pulled them away and held them out to Chilton who took them.
The fabric was given to Will and he sat up, pulling his shirt over his body. It clung to his skin from the ointment, but he was indifferent. "Chilton, I don't care what you do tonight. Do what you will. Alana, I would highly advise that you return to your chambers and you do not reappear until morning. Do I make myself clear?"
Alana's eyes flickered over the prince curiously. She tipped her head to the side and shook her head. "I don't understand."
"Do as I am instructing you to do. You and your son do not leave that room until morning. No matter what you hear happening on the other side of the door." Will inhaled deeply and once more pushed himself from the chair, pulling his shirt into a bit more of a comfortable position. He closed his eyes as he took a step, testing his boundaries. His knee buckled, but he caught himself before he tumbled over.
"Will," Alana hissed, coming closer, her hands taking his bruised arms to support him. "I do not-"
"I am not asking you, Alana. As your prince, I am commanding that you obey me." Will straightened upright, casting a look over to Chilton who was staring at him as well. It was clear that they understood, but Chilton looked as if he didn't believe Will could actually do it. Will couldn't blame the man. He felt like his body was ready to fall apart at the limbs and dissolve into nothing. "You both are dismissed. Will you send Brian or James to me, please?"
Alana opened her mouth to argue, but swiftly shut it again. She stepped closer to Will, a hand reaching out to carefully brush a curl away from his face. "Be careful," she whispered before turning away and heading for the door.
Chilton slowly began gathering up his tools, the needle and thread among them. He grabbed the bottle of amber liquid and Will held out his hand for it. Chilton paused, but slowly passed it over to Will who pressed the bottle to his lips and downed as much as his body would allow him before the sting of the alcohol became far too strong and bitter in his mouth.
"You're being reckless, Your Highness," Chilton said as he took the bottle that was handed back to him. "I don't often give you my opinions as it is not my place, but if you do what you are thinking about doing tonight, it will not solve anything. I will most likely be seeing you back in here for another-"
"Thank you for your concern." Will didn't want to hear it. He didn't want to know if it was a good idea or the worst fucking mistake of his life. This is what he needed at that moment. It was what was going to heal him, or at least help begin to piece himself back together again. "This is something that I need to do and it has been for a long time. I have not had the strength until now."
"Very well, Your Highness. Send for me if I am needed." Chilton closed his bag and bowed before leaving the room.
The second the door closed, everything burst from Will. He screamed, the sound tearing from him like it had wanted to the whole night. It turned his throat raw before it was finished. It made his tears run fresh and hot again. He gasped for air around the pain. The chair he had been sitting in crashed to the floor as he shoved it aside. His hands found a vase and he threw it. It shattered as if it hit the floor, the glass, water and flowers scattering.
The weakness in him had dissipated and he hoped that Brian and James reached him before it returned. He had to do this now before his body collapsed on itself, far too tired to deal with reality any longer.
The alcohol was beginning to make his limbs loose and his mind fuzzy, but it did nothing to dull the pain like he had hoped it would. He grasped the table's edge to keep upright and sighed when there was a knock at his door. Will did his best to catch his breath before allowing the person to enter his room.
The door was opened and he blinked as Beverly stepped into the room. Her eyes roamed over him, pain filling the darkness in them. She rushed forward, through the mess of glass and captured Will up into a hug. Will didn't care that his spine dared to fold in on itself. He pulled her tight against himself and held her with everything he had in himself.
He hid his face in her shoulder, the tears angry hot as they still fell from his eyes. She carefully petted his curls and stayed silent. Will was grateful to be allowed to cry for a moment in the hug he had been needing for what felt like years.
"Your Highness?" a new voice asked from somewhere by the door. Will pulled himself from Beverly's grip and sniffed, wiping at his face. He winced with a hiss as his hands touched the stitches in his cheeks. He blinked the tears away and faced Brian and James who both were wearing concern, having been present to see exactly what had happened. "You tell us where you need us," Brian continued, stepping further into the room. "We are at your disposal."
"On your front lines," James agreed with a swift and determined nod.
"Then rally the men," Will instructed, hands taking his hips as his mind wandered over exactly what to do. "I will take care of my father, but I will need the men you have gathered to take care of the king's guard. I will fetch Jack and he will inform you of who will betray us."
"We are moving tonight then?" James inhaled deeply, the news obviously shaking him. Will pushed the guilt down. None of them had ever seen a real battle, but it was finally time. Will couldn't keep them from their duty any longer and he was not going to win this war if he kept passive.
"Yes." Will turned his attention back to Beverly and he gave her an assuring smile as she continued to look over him in silence, but with clear fear there. "I will be alright. I need you to make sure you stay safe tonight. I need you to be here in the morning. Can you do this for me? I know I am asking far too much of you."
"You're not going to be the same Will tomorrow, are you?" Beverly asked, her voice cracking as she stepped a bit closer. Will shook his head. Beverly's hand reached out, taking his uninjured cheek, her thumb caressing his skin. "Give that bastard everything he deserves. I've watched him torture you for far too many years."
"Stay safe. I will come for you. Also, send a correspondence after Margot and inquire about her wellbeing. I will not see her suffer at the hands of that pig any longer, even if I have to do it from a world away." Will pulled from Beverly's grip and did his best to keep his steps strong as his legs shook under his weight. He made his way to Brian and James, stopping before them before giving them a bow, the most his body would allow of him. They deserved so much better than Will and he hoped that after tonight he would give that to them. That everything would be better. It would be a slow process, but he would see it done. "I will have Jack meet you in the great hall."
Will stepped around his friends and into the hall. His boots echoed off the walls as he made his way down them. He could feel the strength draining from him with every step and he did his best to ignore the possibility that Chilton had been correct in his assessment.
This was going to happen tonight. There was nothing that could stop Will, not even Hannibal himself. For once in his life he was going to see something through to the end. He was taking his life into his own hands. He thought that the marriage was going to be that first step, and perhaps in some roundabout way it had been. It was not the step he had been wanting, but it was a far bigger push than he was going to originally receive.
Will didn't knock. He didn't have the time or patience for such a trivial thing. Instead he pushed open the door to Jack's room and ignored the small squeak from Bella. She jumped and turned to face the door with a hand to her chest.
"William." She let out a breath and closed her eyes. "Jack is not here. He's with your father."
"Then you kn-"
"I know," she agreed with a nod, heading over to the prince. "I did not expect anything less after tonight's events." Her face fell when she took the young boy in, the patchwork that had become his face and the purple dusting peeking out from beneath his shirt. " Look what that monster did to you."
"It's the last time he touches me." Will was determined and it poured through all of his words. "Make sure you stay here tonight. I don't know what is going to happen."
"Stay close to Jack. He'll keep you safe." Bella's instructions were laced with worry, but Will didn't put any weight into it. No one needed to worry over him again. He was going to come out on top. He was going to be strong and reflect that in his reign. He would fucking do this.
"Thank you Bella."
Will gave her a smile before leaving the room. He walked the halls he hadn't stepped foot in since Theophania had been ill. There was no need for him to be in this wing. It seemed to breathe, to grow and shrink the further he went. It was kept just as clean as the rest of the castle, but Will swore there were cobwebs and dust over every fixture that he passed, as if it hadn't been touched since the queen's death.
He turned the corner and found Jack standing tall in front of a door. When he finally stood before Jack, he met Jack's gaze. He doubted he needed to say anything to the man. Jack simply stepped aside for Will.
"Brian and James are waiting for you in the grand hall."
"Very good." Jack made a move to step away, but stopped and took in Will for a long moment. Will's brows furrowed in confusion at the look. "What do you plan to do first?"
"First?" Will questioned in surprise.
"Once you are crowned, what are you going to do? We did not have the time to go over the finer details."
"I will cut down any who are a threat to my rule, anyone who opposes me."
"And then?"
Will bit his bottom lip and let out a slow breath through his nose. "And then I start making this country a better place. I would like to start with finding a way to clean the water supply for the people and then help the farmers with their crops. I've heard that they're starting to fail and if our people do not have the food that they need we will be in for a harsh winter."
"Your father would never touch such a thing as small as that."
"I am not my father." Will traded looks with Jack once more to find the man with an approving expression on his face. "My people do not deserve to suffer while I sit here fat in my castle."
"Your Majesty," Jack said as he bowed low and deep.
Will's blood lit up with the title, something finally powerful and real behind it. It was as if it embodied him finally. And though it wasn't his quiet yet, it was his and he was going to run with it.
Jack straightened up and left down the hall. Will waited until the man had disappeared around the corner before he pushed open his father's door and stepped inside. He closed the door quietly behind him and turned back to the room.
It was rather dark, the fireplace the only source of light in the room. Will's eyes scanned the largeness of the space and finally located the King in his bed, asleep. Will grappled with the idea that any man could sleep after what he had just done. How could someone hurt their child and go right to bed without a care in the world?
Will stepped further into the room, doing his best to keep his boots silent against the stone floor. He honestly didn't know what he was going to do, how to accomplish his goal until the blade of a knife on the table by the fireplace glittered to him. He detoured to it, picking up the blade that had been used earlier that night to cut the silk from his wrist.
Will's hand instinctively went to where the ribbon would have normally sat and his heart stuttered when he found the truth sitting there for him to feel. His hand snatched the knife up and he strode to the bed. He didn't care if he woke his father or not. Didn't care if the man screamed or stayed silent. There was nothing he would do again.
In swift movements, Will climbed onto the bed, straddling his father's chest, pinning the man's arms down to the mattress before he had fully woken. But the jolt nearly toppled Will's weak body. His father was stronger than him. He hated how everyone was stronger than him.
He refused to be gentle as he shoved the blade up against his father's throat and he glared down at the eyes that stared up at him curiously. He should have expected the laugh that came from the man, but it took Will aback.
"Where was this fire earlier?" Sanford got out between the bellowing laughter. "I did appreciate the bedding ceremony though. If that bitch knew what was good for her, she would-"
"Stop talking," Will hissed, adding more of his weight to the blade. He watched as crimson began to pool just under the blade. "I have some questions I need answered and then I am going to kill you."
Sanford laughed again and shook his head. "I appreciate the constitution, the absolute balls you've finally grown, but we both know that-"
The words sent a searing anger through Will and he pulled the blade from the king's neck and plunged it into the man's chest. Sanford's words died and he gasped, shock throughout his face. Red soaked through the man's shirt and Will drug the knife free, watching as the blood sputtered up like a well. He hadn't thought that removing the knife would be akin to trying to obtain Excalibur from an anvil, but he found the task difficult, albeit satisfying.
The blade was once more pressed to Sanford's throat and Will let himself enjoy the way that his father's hands were attempting to reach for the stab wound when his arms were held firmly in place by Will's knees. It reminded Will of a fish flopping about after being caught.
"Was Theophania my mother?" Will asked with a smirk playing on his lips.
"N-no," he stuttered out, face twisted up in pain.
"Who was?" There was a groan and Sanford shook his head, arms still reaching pointlessly. "Tell me!"
"Elizabeth."
"And that's why you were pressing for the wedding to happen, isn't it? Because I'm illegitimate and Mason knows."
"Yes. Get off of me!"
"No!" Will yelled, his voice echoing around the room dangerously. "How long have the Verger's known?"
"Since you were born." Sanford tried to sit up, but Will's free hand went to his father's chest. He didn't think about it, just acted. Shoved his fingers into the wound and twisted around the sticky heat. Sanford cried out, falling back into the bed and Will bit his tongue to keep from laughing.
"How did they find out?"
"Elizabeth's cousin told Molson. Fuck!"
"Why?"
"Crawford!" Sanford called and Will finally let that laugh leave him. It was broken and twisted and sounded so unlike him, but it was just as real as any part of him was. "Craw-"
"Don't bother," Will interrupted. There was another cry as Will twisted his fingers again, blood coating his whole hand now. "No one can hear you. Now answer me!" Will pulled his hand free and wiped it off on an untouched part of his father's shirt, leaving marks behind in the white linen. "Why did her cousin tell the Vergers?"
"So they could dethrone you when I was gone and put someone in your place all while extorting me for whatever they want."
Sanford's face had grown pale and sweat was beginning to bead over his forehead. His breathing was becoming shallower and Will knew he only had so much longer to pull these answers from his father.
"Who was Eliza's cousin?" Sanford's eyes grew a little wider at the mention of the nickname. He searched Will's face, but Will was running out of patience. "I will fucking stab you again. Answer me!"
"Bedelia du Maurier."
Will blinked, brows furrowing together. That was not the name he had been expecting from his father's mouth, but it was a name he at least knew. A name he didn't have to go searching for. He had a face to go with it as well. And another person to add to his ever growing list of those who needed to be disposed of.
"Did you plan to have me? Your letters were confusing."
"Le-letters? How did you know about the letters?"
Will's jaw clenched. This was his turn for answers, not Sanford's. Sanford didn't deserve any more light. His reign was over and he needed to learn it was.
"Was I part of a plan to cover up Theophania's infertility or was I part of some affair?"
"Both. You were the product of an affair and we came together and decided that this was what was best for the kingdom. Though, until this moment I had little faith in you."
"I should have stepped into my cruelty and malice far sooner, I agree." Will inhaled deeply, taking in the blueness that was now beginning to color his father and the way that he had stopped trying to reach for the wound. His hands now lay still beside his body. "Who killed the Lecters?"
"Molson's men did."
"Why?"
"The Lecters held far too much power between the two kingdoms. He was tired of negotiating. He wanted the middleman out of the way."
"And did you give his men the uniforms or did Jack?"
"I don't see-" Sanford choked as Will pressed harder on the blade. "I did."
Why did they take the children to your cabin?"
"To start a war. They weren't meant to survive."
"And why didn't you participate?" Sanford's eyes rolled back and Will snatched up his father's shirt, heaving the man upwards and shaking him back to full consciousness. "Why was there not a war?"
"We had to fight Spain and they were busy dealing with an uprising in their own country that had to be smothered out."
Sanford coughed and Will blinked as blood covered his face. It dripped from the corner of the man's lips and Will let him go. His limp body fell back into the bed and Will took in one more look of his father. Of the great king brought to nothing under a dagger.
"Why did you banish Hannibal?"
"Molson said that if he was anything like his father, then they would never have their war."
Will had heard more than enough. Will returned the knife to his father's throat and added pressure before he pulled it through his father's skin. The blood burst far more than it had from the man's chest and Will had to close his eyes.
When he opened them again, he let out a sigh of relief that had been trapped somewhere in his chest his whole life. The anger didn't dissipate though. It still ran bright hot through his body and he snatched up a handful of his father's hair, pulling far harder than he needed to to expose his father's neck. He continued to cut through his father's flesh until he was fully satisfied.
With a deep breath, he climbed from the bed, and looked over the mess he had made, hands still gripping tightly to their items. Satisfaction swirled through him. Satisfaction that he had finally taken matters into his own hands and was forging his own path.
He left the room and wandered down the halls to where he could hear shouts and the clashing of blades. It grew louder the closer he grew to the grand hall and he rounded the corner, taking a moment just to watch the carnage unfold.
Men fought for him, with him. There were bodies strewn about. Far more than Will had originally thought there would be, but if this were the price he would pay it. He was willing now. He understood now. He should have woken up a long time ago.
He passed by two men who halted when they caught sight of him. He paid them no mind. Paid hardly any mind to the way the battle slowly became silent as he was noticed by those around him.
He was blood soaked, stained, beaten, bruised. He came to the top of the stairs and looked down at where his friends and Jack were defending his name. The continued on for a time longer before Will found his voice.
"Enough!" he shouted. It rang through the hall and he watched as the fighting died down. All eyes turned to him and he watched the surprise register over his friend's faces as they took him in. "The man you fight bravely for is no longer one of your concerns." Will held up his father's head, the joy of fear rushing through him. "Swear your fealty to me and you will be forgiven. If you do not, by morning I will own your head too." Will let his father's head drop from his hand and it smirked as it hit the stairs, rolling down them. "Now, which shall it be? Do you bow to me, or will you be slaughtered like pigs?"