The journey back to Falaise went smoothly. Regardless of the outcome in Domfront, it seemed that Don Krieg's attack had not been intended to reach this part of Normandy.

Jinbe and his men bursting inside the castle's courtyard drew the attention of many onlookers, people freezing at the unexpected sight.

Galdino was the first one to get out of the carriage, holding the door open for the Duke to step outside, and his sight seemed to set people back in motion, reassured when they realised that this was nothing but the Duke coming back.

Accompanied by Galdino and Jinbe, Buggy climbed the stairs leading to the front door from which a frantic Rasiphe came out. 'Buggy?! What's going on?' He asked, running to meet Buggy.

The Duke let himself be grabbed by his friend, the other man pulling him by the shoulders, holding him upright. Rasiphe took a look at his face, seemingly taking in every little detail that showed what kind of night Buggy had gone through.

Softly, the man asked. 'Buggy, what happened? You were not expected until tomorrow morning?' He pointedly did not ask about the knights.

As if he already knew Buggy would need some time to answer, Rasiphe turned towards Jinbe. He sent him a nod before talking. 'Could I safely assume that your presence confirms that you're joining us, Count Jinbe?'

The latter nodded in affirmation, and it seemed to be the only answer Rasiphe needed to get moving. He, accompanied by a servant, led Buggy through the castle's door, immediately heading to a room usually only reserved for the Duke and his advisors.

He sat Buggy down on a couch, but was prevented from standing back up by Buggy's hand on his wrist. 'Are they here?' The Duke asked, the first words he'd said ever since he had arrived.

Their absence from Buggy's side spoke volume, so Rasiphe did not need to think through to know who Buggy was talking about. He shook his head. 'No, Buggy, they're not here. But I'll tell you when they arrive, I promise.'

Buggy made a face, not liking the information. He closed his eyes and laid down on the couch, curling up.

'You should let him rest, Rasiphe. He needs it, we'll explain the situation to you.' Jinbe said, already urging everyone outside of the room. Rasiphe hesitated, not wanting to leave his friend's side.

'He's exhausted, things happened, and the shock is catching up on him… He needs to rest, especially if we want him to make proper decisions later.' The Count of Vire added.

With a last sigh, Rasiphe stood up. He put a hand against Buggy's shoulder, squeezing reassuringly. 'We'll be in the next room, Buggy. Rest, I'll come later.'

The Duke barely acknowledged him.

Buggy stirred hours later, to nothing in particular. Not entirely rested, but not feeling like sleeping anymore, he sat up, rubbing his face with one hand. He had half a mind to rush outside to see if Crocodile and Mihawk were here, but he knew that if no one had warned him yet, then it meant that they had not arrived.

The blue-haired man had grown used to their constant presence by his sides, loneliness an anomaly in his life now. Buggy swallowed, taking note of the dryness in his mouth. Finishing waking up meant he now recalled Rasiphe's words, and the fact that the two Counts and his own advisors were just one room away from him. The Duke did not feel like showing himself yet. Instead, he went in search of a glass of water.

Finding his way easily to the kitchens, he poured himself a drink, sipping occasionally as he walked back to the room he'd been sleeping into. He pushed the door open silently, walking inside the lounge.

He was caught by surprise when he noticed that there was someone already there.

A young man, a servant, stood right in front of the couch. He held both hands against his forehead as Buggy heard him saying 'Dammit, where did he go?' Buggy did not miss the knife he held in his right hand.

Still sleep-addled and caught off guard, Buggy acted accordingly. He took a look at what was in his hands, and, upon finding the half-finished glass of water, decided it would be a proper weapon. It was all he had to hand, the sight of his very own and unreachable sword propped against the couch taunting him.

Deciding that hesitating would do no good, Buggy stepped closer to the man, smashing his glass to the side of his head.

The cup did not completely shatter against his face, but it still made a nasty sound when it hit its target, the boy falling to his knees, thrown off balance. He dropped the knife, and Buggy threw himself to the ground, and because he couldn't be sure to reach it, he roughly pushed it away to make sure the servant wouldn't be able to retrieve it.

The boy threw a punch in his direction, which Buggy blocked with the side of his left arm. He pushed the hand away, and headbutted the boy to make sure he would stay to the ground.

The boy reduced the shock of the hit by pushing on Buggy's shoulders, reducing his kick. It was not a problem, though, as Buggy did not mind directly throwing punches.

He was about to deliver his third punch when people rushed inside the room, and he was pried off the young man by the underarms.

Buggy recognised the sound of Rasiphe's voice behind him, and he did not try to struggle to get out of the grip. He let himself be pulled to his feet and led to another room as people surrounded his opponent.

Buggy was sat on a couch, his friend immediately at his side, checking him for injuries. Next to them, Jinbe's loud voice broke the fog in Buggy's mind. 'Well, you certainly did a number on the man, Duke. What happened?'

Blinking a few times and getting his breath back, Buggy looked his way. 'I got up to get a drink, but when I came back this guy was in the room, looking for me, a knife in hand. I took him by surprise.'

Rasiphe looked up, straight at Buggy. 'There's a chance this is the mole who passed your journey's information to Don Krieg.' He looked at Jinbe. 'He might have panicked when he saw you arrive with the Duke. Maybe he thought that he'd failed at his job, and feared that if he didn't fix it, Krieg wouldn't be so lenient with him.'

'Regardless of his reasons, it is yet another proof that the Duke is not safe anymore in his own castle. We'll have to purge the court and the domestics. We can't allow untrusted people on the castle grounds when we're brewing a war.' Jinbe declared, determined.

Rasiphe nodded, Buggy too, but he was only half paying attention already. He was thinking about how he shouldn't have been left alone. Thinking about how his knights should have been here. He wondered if they would be proud of the way he'd defended himself, or if they would still find a way to criticise him even after his feat.

Crocodile and Mihawk only arrived hours later, once the sun had dipped down, and most people had gone back home.

Buggy was back on his feet, not fully there, as he couldn't really be without his knights, but alert enough to hear before anyone else the sound of approaching hooves.

Slowly, as if he didn't want to get his hopes up, Buggy crossed the room where he'd been having a discussion with his advisors, walking to the front door. He had to hold onto the doorway at the sight, dizzy with relief, tension draining from his body.

He watched them arrive, Mihawk holding the reins, Crocodile behind him, pressed close. Looking at it closely, the scarred man had even laid his head against Mihawk's shoulders.

Another wave of dizziness overtook the Duke when he realised that the scarred man had his eyes closed, and that his usually tanned skin was pale, his forehead beading with sweat.

Buggy rushed down the stairs, straight away followed by guards.

'Mihawk! How is he? What's happening?' Buggy asked, not even trying to hide the worry in his voice.

Mihawk jumped off the horse, immediately holding onto Crocodile, helping the other guards get him down, never once letting go of him.

One of the guards turned towards Mihawk, noticing how he was starting to follow them. 'We have to take him to the doctor.'

The swordsman nodded, ready to follow despite the guards' frown. Buggy finally reached him, grabbing his left arm, gripping tightly. The touch snapped him out of his torpor, registering Buggy's words.

He spoke up, both to answer the question, but also to give an indication to the soldiers and doctors. 'A blow to his shoulder from last night, I suspect it is deeper than I had initially thought. It was okay at first, but his condition declined halfway through the way. He's been in and out of sleep for the past hours.'

The closest of the guards nodded, leading the group away towards the doctors' office. The swordsman and the Duke watched, helpless, as Crocodile's sleeping form was carried away.

Buggy squeezed Mihawk's arm, pulling him close. They couldn't touch any more than this in public, but seeing each other's face this close was already more than enough right now. Buggy's breathing slowed down as he took in the bloodied and battered sight of his lover. His gaze was nowhere near its usual sharpness, and there was mud dried in the hair on his nape.

Wordlessly, Buggy led him towards the main entrance, noting how he was limping slightly. They climbed the stairs slowly, both Counts waiting for them inside. Buggy sent a look to Rasiphe, who understood quickly, and shooed everyone away while the blue-haired man continued towards his aisle of the castle.

They entered his own room, Buggy making Mihawk sit on his bed. He squeezed his wrist before leaving for the adjoining room, coming back a few minutes later to make Mihawk follow him.

He had run a bath, heating the water with the fire in the hearth in the room. Buggy started to slowly undress Mihawk, searching his eyes, to make sure he agreed and understood what was happening. It seemed that, similarly to what had happened to him hours earlier, the tiredness and stress of the journey was catching up on the swordsman once home.

It did not bother Buggy, though. The Duke helped him wash in silence, running his fingers through his hair, occasionally letting his head rest against Mihawk's. He helped him dry as well, and handed him spare clothes he had kept in his room for similar occasions.

Then, Mihawk laid down on the bed, Buggy asking him to hold on just a little bit more before falling asleep, just so he could run downstairs quickly to have information on Crocodile and ask to be kept up to date. Mihawk complied despite the need to sleep pressing on him. He'd held for more than a day for his Duke, he could do a few more minutes.

The blue-haired man finally came back, laying down next to his lover. He announced that Crocodile's state was not as worrying as expected now that he had been examined, and promised Mihawk that he would stay by his side while he slept. And who was Mihawk to refuse his Duke's care?

Head pressed against a feather pillow, Mihawk blinked his eyes open, sensing eyes on him.

Laying by his side, Buggy watched him intently, his eyes running along Mihawk's features.

'Did I wake you?' The Duke asked.

Mihawk couldn't be sure that this watching was the reason, but still, he answered. 'Probably.'

Buggy was obviously not sorry as he snorted. For a brief moment, Mihawk thought he was going to lean closer and kiss him, but he did nothing of the sort. Instead, he stood up, walking to his dressing table to retrieve his clothes.

'Did you sleep well, at least?' The blue-haired man asked.

Mihawk hummed. He was going to do the same as Buggy, but realised that, with the exception of the night clothes he was wearing right now, he had no clothes in Buggy's room. There was no way someone would catch him wearing the Duke's clothes outside of the bedroom.

Sensing his knight's turmoil, Buggy supplied 'Go back to your room, get dressed and meet me downstairs, what do you think?'

Mihawk shook his head. 'You should not be left alone.'

Buggy smiled, thinking back to the way he'd stopped the fake servant the previous day. Still, he could understand his knight's reluctance at leaving him out of his sight. 'I'll come with you, if you prefer that.'

'Yeah.' Mihawk said, gathering his sword and shoes. He went to open the door once Buggy was ready, and together they walked the few steps separating each door.

Buggy had not been to Mihawk's room ever since he'd let himself inside the bedroom and had found Shanks' letter. It didn't bring nice memories, but he did not let it show. Instead, he focused his gaze on Mihawk. He watched him strip, the way his back muscles moved when he got his shirt off, and put on a new one.

He looked at his backside, too, and fought the urge to reach for his hips. Mihawk splashed water on his face, running his hand through his hair and pushing it back. Lone strands fell on each side of his face, and Buggy gave in and walked to him, pushing the unruly locks behind his ears. Mihawk leant into the touch. He was about to step back, but changed his mind and stepped closer. He cupped Buggy's face and kissed him.

'Stop ogling and do it, Jester.' He said as he finally stepped away.

Bucky raised an eyebrow at the name. 'Crocodile's rubbing off on you, as I see.'

Mihawk made a face.

Mentioning Crocodile's name set both men in motion, and they finally left the bedroom. Buggy walked to the room his advisors had set up in the previous day, and was not surprised to find Rasiphe and Jinbe inside.

Both men were talking quietly, visibly invested in the discussion. Rasiphe noticed them first, immediately coming to meet them. 'Ahhh, there you are! Properly rested, Mihawk?'

The latter nodded. He turned towards Jinbe, tilting his head slightly. 'I am glad to see you joining us, Jinbe.' He shot a brief look towards Buggy. 'Thank you for having brought the Duke back to safety.'

Jinbe smiled. 'I certainly don't mind working with you again, Hawkeye.'

Mohji entered the room. 'Oh, Duke Buggy, Mihawk, I am really glad to see you well-rested. Please, follow me, I will lead you to Sir Crocodile's side before discussing the next actions.'

Buggy noted the way Mohji had not asked him whether he wanted to see Crocodile or not. Somehow, his advisor must have understood what was happening with his knights, or at least some part.

The Duke and his knight followed Mohji in the castle, growing anxious as they neared the sickbay, dreading to see the state in which they would find Crocodile.

To their surprise, and relief, Crocodile was awake when they entered his room. His face was still pale, and the majority of his chest was covered in bandages, but he did not look dying.

The Duke thanked Mohji with a nod, watching him leave the room, before he turned his attention back to Crocodile. He stepped close to the bed, his hands hovering over the sheets.

'How are you feeling?' He asked, not having anything better to say.

'I've seen worse.' The scarred man simply answered. 'You look worse than me.' He added.

Buggy pulled a face, smacking him on the chest by reflex, making the other man hiss.

'Serves you right.' Mihawk said as he came to stand next to the Duke. 'Don't think you're not looking just as bad right now.'

'Just as bad?' Buggy exclaimed, offended.

'You look like shit too, Hawk Eyes. Get that leg checked before it rots.' Crocodile said. Mihawk glared at him, but complied, leaving the room in search of a nurse.

Buggy, still pretending to be offended, was taken aback when Crocodile's good hand reached for his face. Mindlessly, he leant down, letting the fingers graze his cheek. 'I take it your presence confirms that Jinbe joined our ranks?' Crocodile asked.

Buggy swallowed, his former bravado faltering in the face of Crocodile's unusual tenderness. He nodded.

A satisfied smile settled on Crocodile's lips. 'I am glad to see you safe.' He added, before he let his hand fall back against his abdomen.

His entire demeanour changed as he took a more serious tone. 'We will need to put down the rebellion before leaving for England, as an example to what awaits those that dare put in doubt your legitimacy as Duke of Normandy.'

'We?' Buggy asked, frowning.

Mihawk reappeared at the same time, a fresh bandage on his leg, his eyes and tone firm as he spoke. 'Wherever we're going, Crocodile, you're not coming, not in your state. You'll be barely healed when the time comes to leave for England, there's no way you're leaving that bed in the next week.'

Crocodile shot him a black look, fuming. 'Fuck off, I'm still a better soldier in this state than any of the men you could choose to come with you.' He snarled.

It was Buggy's turn to reach out his hand, letting it rest against Crocodile's good hand. 'And that's precisely why I want you to stay here and recover fully, so you will be ready when it will be time for you to serve me in the war.'

Crocodile's eyes widened, flustered by Buggy's unexpected words. Thinking about it, it probably was the first time Buggy talked this way to any of them, like a Duke to a subject devoted and ready to give their life to their master.

Crocodile blinked a few times, chancing a brief look towards Mihawk who looked just as ruffled.

Buggy, who was not so oblivious as to not realise the effect he had on his knights, took advantage of the opportunity to set his plan out.

'Mihawk and I will set out tomorrow morning with a group of trusted men gathered by Cabaji. We will head straight to Exmes and arrest those suspected of having taken part in the coup, I know Rasiphe has probably already drawn up a list of names with Mohji.' He pulled the rug out from under Crocodile's feet, anticipating his reaction. 'I'll need someone here to keep an eye on the castle and the servants, someone who would be able to find any potentially remaining traitors, and scare them enough to make them talk, but not to kill them. And I want it to be you, Crocodile. I want you to oversee the castle's security.'

The latter opened and closed his mouth. He clicked his tongue. 'Don't you dare think about relegating me as head of security once you're back because I did too good a job while you were gone.' He said with a disgruntled air.

Buggy chuckled, leaning down to be face to face with Crocodile. 'I would never, you're my knight, you can't escape it so easily.' He kissed him.

Mihawk and Buggy left the castle the next morning as planned. Accompanied by a group of 40 men, mainly composed of experienced soldiers, but also novices. This was about to be their first real and life-threatening battle, and a proper training to see if they were ready for the actual war awaiting them.

Crocodile did not leave the sickbay to watch them leave, partly because it would be better if a minority of people knew where he was at the moment if he wanted to really inspect the castle's employees, but also because he wouldn't have been sure to not jump on a horse and follow them. He ached for a good battle, especially after having been injured so early in the fight last time, and having been forced to watch Mihawk have all the fun on his own.

It was just as well Buggy had given him an actual mission, something to occupy himself within the castle, because he would have lost it otherwise.

He started slowly, knowing that he had a few days ahead before Mihawk and Buggy came back, and that stirring things up would only result in scaring off the traitors. At first, he questioned the nurses who took turns examining his wound. Innocent questions here and there, about their work in the castle, finding out for how long they'd been here, and if they had families.

He gathered information as such during the first day, but quickly realised that it led to nothing. Rasiphe's visit was a blessing, because as much as Crocodile didn't really care for him, it was nice to have a discussion that did not involve children or gruesome injuries.

'Buggy told me about the mission he gave you, if there's anything you might need, tell me, I'll do my best to find it for you.' Rasiphe offered, after having inquired about his health.

'Thank you, but so far my investigation has led nowhere. I doubt there's anything wrong with the nurses… Thankfully. I guess I'll have to start over, again, with the stable lads tomorrow.' Crocodile said.

'Well, you don't have to start over, you can interrogate the servant who attacked Buggy the day before yesterday. We thought we'd leave it to you when you'd come back.' Rasiphe answered.

Crocodile froze at Rasiphe's words. 'The man who attacked Buggy..?'

Rasiphe's eyes widened as he realised that the Duke had omitted some information. 'Oh. I see Buggy hasn't had the time to tell you everything in the time you came back. Let me give you an update, then.'

Sharing the battlefield with his men was not something Buggy had ever envisioned himself doing. He never thought he'd have men under his orders one day, let alone people who would follow him into battle without fear, trusting.

Mihawk, at his side, was a comforting presence. Even though he did not feel complete, the swordsman's presence eased his discomfort away after the two days spent away from his knights.

When he entered Exmes with his troops, Buggy felt like he was in his element.

Rasiphe related in details the events of the day before yesterday to Crocodile, who looked both pissed and slightly satisfied. The man did not hesitate to tell Rasiphe off on how it had been absolutely irresponsible to leave Buggy alone in a room, and how they were lucky Buggy had been trained by him and Mihawk, because if anything had happened to him, he would have crushed them all one by one. He allowed himself this much honesty because he was talking to Rasiphe, and knew that no matter what, the man would not make a fuss.

Rasiphe listened silently, nodding here and there, already having blamed himself enough to last for a lifetime. Once Crocodile finished his tirade, he asked 'Well, would you like to interrogate the servant, then?'

Crocodile glared at him for a few seconds before he breathed heavily through his nose. 'Fine.' He said, grabbing his cape.

Rasiphe waited for him outside, silently leading the way once Crocodile stepped outside of his room. The fake servant was locked inside a cell not dissimilar to the one in which Buggy's first assailant had been locked into. However, they were in different corridors, making sure they could not communicate, even though both schemes were probably not linked.

Crocodile did not beat about the bush, immediately grabbing the servant by the collar and pressing him against the wall. Contrary to the man sent by Teach, the young man looked terrified.

His eyes widened when Crocodile's hook neared his face, the tip grazing his cheeks and actually drawing blood.

'Please.' He said in a trembling voice.

'Did Krieg send you?' Crocodile asked.

The young boy seemed to hesitate. He shut his eyes tightly, biting the inside of his cheeks.

Displeased by the boy's non-compliance, Crocodile grabbed one of his wrists and twisted, not enough to break, but strong enough to cause a mild sprain.

The servant cried out in pain, immediately reaching for his wrist as the scarred man released it.

'Speak out, boy. I will keep hurting you if I need to, but it can be over quickly if you simply answer my questions.' Crocodile said.

From the other side of the bars, Rasiphe watched intently, discontent clear on his features. He did not abide by such methods and felt sorry for the poor boy. However, that same boy had walked inside a room two days ago with the intent of killing his best friend, and it was something Rasiphe did not forget so easily, which was why he said nothing, only watching.

The young man jerked as Crocodile raised his hook, shaking his head. 'No no no, please. The Viscount hired us, said it wouldn't be a dangerous job, we would have to keep an eye on the Duke, and that's it. We had to tell him when the Duke would leave for Exmes, and where he'd be heading next.'

Eyes narrowing, Crocodile asked 'We?'

The young man looked down. 'I was the one collecting the information. I eavesdropped and heard everything. The other lad, he's just.. He keeps an eye on the comings and goings, that's it. He hasn't done anything wrong.'

'And I won't hurt him if he doesn't try anything. Tell me where he is and I will simply bring him back here, nothing else.' Crocodile said. From the other side of the room, Rasiphe doubted every word.

The boy bit his lip. And to both men's surprise answered in a barely audible voice 'The stables.'

Crocodile stood up, throwing a look at Rasiphe before turning back towards the boy. 'Thank you' he said.

'You were rough with him.' Rasiphe said as they left. 'Was it necessary?'

'It was efficient, this is what matters. But if you want to feel better, I went easy on him.' Crocodile answered, eyes fixed straight ahead.

Rasiphe did not answer. The thing was, Crocodile had probably just said the truth. For someone with such a dangerous reputation, Rasiphe would have imagined his interrogations to be bloodier.

The sun wasn't far from setting when they reached the stables. A majority of the men working here had gotten back to their houses, so it was relatively empty.

Crocodile was surprised to find the young valet from Lisieux here. If he didn't know any better, he'd think the boy was living here, never leaving the horses. He greeted him. 'Hey, do you know if any of the stable boys are friends with a blond boy, a servant, working inside the castle?'

The valet seemed to think about it, and shrugged. 'I don't know, multiple ones, probably.'

Rasiphe stepped closer, introducing himself. 'And what about someone from the County of Hiémois? Does that ring a bell to you?'

The boy's face lit up. 'Oh! That would be Corbeau!' The boy exclaimed.

'Corbeau?' Rasiphe asked.

'Yes! The ravens seem to love him, so it's fitting! Plus he's always looking around! Wait, he's here, I'll get him for you.' The boy said, rushing in the stalls before the two men could react.

They looked at each other, on their guard. Slowly, they walked inside the stable. The young valet reappeared seconds later, followed closely by a young man. He held a blade against the valet's throat.

Drawing a knife, Crocodile ordered 'Let him go.'

'Only if you release my friend and let us leave unharmed.' His voice sounded oddly calm for the situation he was in.

Rasiphe stepped closer, gesturing to Crocodile to stay back. 'We can't do that, and you know it. We can't let traitors roam the Duchy freely, not now. But we won't harm you, and you'll be back in your families once the war is over.'

The young man huffed, his blade moving as he talked. 'Don't take me for a fool, I know who you are, and Desert King too. You're not known for mercy. Let me go, and I'll leave the valet unharmed.'

Crocodile clicked his tongue. He walked closer to Rasiphe, and to the two boys. 'You're not leaving me any choice, then.' He said, aiming his knife.

Both boy's eyes widened, and the valet started to shake his head. 'Please, Sir, no.'

'I won't harm you, boy.' Crocodile tried to reassure him, annoyed but understanding how having a blade pointed at you could be a terrifying sight.

The boy did not stop shaking his head. Instead, he added. 'No, you don't get it. He's my friend. Please, don't harm him.'

Crocodile faltered. Both he and Rasiphe, but also the boy holding the knife, were thrown off by the young boy's words. Such a selfless reaction, to worry about a man holding a knife to your throat.

The other boy certainly seemed remorseful. He opened and closed his mouth, clenching his jaw. He swallowed. Then let his knife drop.

'I'm sorry.' He said. 'I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. Please, don't hurt my friend.'

Rasiphe walked to him, pushing the knife away with his foot, grabbing the boy by one shoulder. 'Come, boy. I was not lying, we won't hurt, you'll just have to wait a little bit in jail before we examine your case.'

Before he could leave the stable, the young man sent a last look towards the valet. 'I'm sorry, Billy.' He said, sounding genuine.

The valet simply smiled. For some reason, Crocodile was glad the boy was unarmed. He tried reasoning that it would have pissed Buggy and Mihawk off.

The flames licked at the thatch roof of the annexe. The castle next to it stood intact, despite the scorching heat. There was no need to involve more things than necessary. Don Krieg was replaceable, but the castle's destruction would be a waste of time and a disrespect to Exmes' civilians.

This was not a revenge, but a response to an attempted coup. Only Don Krieg and his followers had been targeted by Buggy. There would be enough blood spilled in England, no need to shed it needlessly on his own land.

Mihawk walked from behind him, coming to stand at his side, eyes fixed on the fire 'Anything else?' he asked.

Buggy shook his head. He met eyes with Mihawk. 'Don Krieg is dead, the rebellion is quashed. There is nothing left for us here.'

'Are we heading back to Falaise?' Mihawk asked.

'Yes,' Buggy answered, his hand itching to reach for his lover's face, 'Let's head back to Falaise.'

Well, this chapter is suuuuper long, but I really wanted to finish this "arc" with this chapter so we could finally be closer to the war… bear with me, we're nearing the end!

Buggy's escape by horse into the night was inspired by a real event in William the Conqueror's life. Before he was a Duke, William lived mostly hidden and slept in different cities every night to avoid assassination attempts. One day his jester overheard a conversation of conspirators scheming to kill William in the inn he slept in that night. The jester warned William just in time, and he escaped into the night to reach the safety of one of his allies' domain, who then escorted him safely to Falaise.

I read about this event while I was doing some research for the fic and thought that it would be really fun to incorporate it in the fic! Really using William's life to the fullest in this fic haha!

I'm really excited to finally reach the final installment of this fic, I hope you are too! There's still some chapters left, I hope you'll enjoy them just like the others!

Keep leaving comments, they're nice to read! See you on Wednesday!