Break Me: I will write an angsty drabble about our characters.
Standing two steps behind the King of Norta, Claudius looked at Augustus Samos with hatred and betrayal in his eyes, a look that he rarely–if ever–gave to anyone, much less someone that he considered as close as a brother. Once upon a time, Augustus had been Claud’s protector at the Choke, but now here he was, in his prison cell surrounded by silent stone, standing before the new King. Instead of being filled with regret, Augustus almost looked…peaceful.
There was so much Claudius wanted to say to him. He wanted to scream and curse him, but it would be pointless, not to mention inappropriate in this particular moment. He was one of Dom’s guards, and he had to be stoic and unflinching right now. He couldn’t show his emotion, or let on how absolutely crushed he was that a person he trusted had turned out to be a traitor.
“Before I announce your punishment, you should tell me who else aided you in your…agenda.” Dom said, his voice lacking any emotion, and Claud wondered just how hard it was for the new King to keep it together.
“No one.” Augustus said. “I worked alone.”
A few long moments of silence filled the air before the King repeated his question.
“I will ask you again,” Dom’s eyes resembled blue hot fires, which was the only sign he wasn’t completely detached from all of this. “And this time I would very much appreciate it if you told me the truth. Who helped you?”
“Your Royal Highness.” Claud corrected Augustus through gritted teeth, his voice a low growl.
“Your Royal Highness,” Augustus smirked, glancing at the crown sitting atop Dom’s head, a crown that he had almost stolen for himself. “As I already said, I worked alone, there was no one who helped me. To think otherwise is almost insulting.”
“By the Gods,” Claudius stepped forward, his face merely inches away from the cell’s bars. “Stop lying, just stop Augustus.” he masked his pain with anger, wishing he could grab his former friend by the neck. “We know someone helped you, who is it?”
“Claudius.” Dom warned, but Claudius wasn’t backing down.
“Your sister was in on this as well, wasn’t she?” he asked, but he didn’t really need an answer. Alessa had always wanted to be Queen, and last night, her biggest desire was almost fulfilled. “She is the only person you would protect. She’s always been your one and only weakness, am I right?”
“Why look at you, Claud.” Augustus tilted his head to the side, trying to make himself seem at ease. “Who knew the Prince’s–forgive me, the King’s–loyal dog has the capacity to come up with such rich stories. I am impressed.”
Claud lunged forward, but Dom reached out and squeezed his shoulder. “Enough.” he said, his tone low but firm. Like a King’s.
“No.” Claudius said, turning around to face Dom. He was not used to defying his King. “It’s not enough, Dom. He betrayed us. We trusted him with our lives, with our secrets. I trusted him.” his voice shook with anger, and when he turned to face Augustus again, he wished he could use his ability on him and throw his body repeatedly against the wall.
“Don’t be so dramatic, Claudius.” Augstus said, almost groaning in annoyance. “It’s nothing personal. I just wanted to be King, can you blame me?”
“Nothing personal?” Claud repeated, his bitter laugh echoing all around them. “Was it not personal when you lied to me every second of every day at the Choke, or when we returned home? When you pretended to be my mentor, my friend, my brother? How is any of that not personal?”
“Not everything was a lie.” Augustus shrugged. “Our friendship was mostly real.”
“And what about our friendship?” Dom, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward to look at Augustus. “You’ve saved my life more than once at the Choke, and that puzzles me more than anything.” he said. “Why not let me die? Why not get rid of me without ever staining your hands silver?”
Augustus sighed. “Oh well, let me lay it out for you.” he said. “If you died at the Choke, there would never be Queenstrial, and my darling sister would never have competed. If she never won, there’d be no wedding, and if there was no wedding, well, I wouldn’t have the most perfect timing to send you off among the stars. The end.”
“Except your flawless plan wasn’t so flawless after all.” Claudius said, glaring at him.
“Did you ever consider what would happen to Alessa if you were ever found out?” Dom asked him, crossing his arms before his chest. “Do you understand what will happen to her now?”
“My sister hasn’t committed any crimes, your Royal Highness.” Augustus replied, sounding like he was tired of repeating it over and over again. “In fact, she is one of the victims in all of this. I used her, like I used all of you.”
“I don’t believe you.” Claudius said, his eyes narrowed at him. “You love your sister more than anything on this world.”
“Clearly not more than that Crown.”
“Stop talking.” Claud growled, and for a moment, he saw shock pass through Augustus eyes. He realized he had never seen good-hearted, loyal Claudius Provos so angry. Anger looked good on him, Augustus thought. It made him look taller, more confident in himself. “I may not know you like I thought I did, but I know this: you and Alessa have always done everything to protect each other, even as children.” Claud said. “And as it is evident now, you will die protecting her.”
“Claudius,” Dom warned him again, but his friend was not listening.
“But know this, Augustus.” Claudius looked at him right in the eyes. “You have failed. At everything. You didn’t get the Crown, and you certainly failed at protecting your sister. She will pay for what she did, just like you. I will see to it myself.”
“Do you think you scare me with your empty threats? You think I don’t know how hard it is for you to hurt innocents? I’ve seen what taking a life does to you, Claudius, and we both know you don’t have what it takes.”
“But I certainly do.” Dom smiled dryly at Augustus. “You see, I’m still deciding if I want Alessa to watch you die or if it should be the other way around, but you’ll be the first to know once I’ve made up my mind.”
Beside him, Claudius shuddered. Augustus was right about one thing: he was incredibly affected by taking a life, but what he didn’t know was that Claudius would always do his duty. It’s what he was trained for.
“And if it wasn’t already clear: Augustus Samos, of House Samos, for betraying the Crown and attempted murder of the King, I sentence you and your accomplices to death.”
The hairs on Claudius’ neck stood up at one simple thought in that moment:
Anyone can betray anyone.
