Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Fischer rushed back to the Barracks, his mind racing over what he had done. It was only upon the realization that Allivia might not be intimidated enough to leave Nico alone that a new sense of urgency entered his step. He needed to get a man of the Praetorium Guard up here, now. If only there was a way to get rid of Allivia without causing too much legal trouble. Fischer smiled, a few words that the captain spoke returning to his mind.

----

"Be more worried about me, 'Deeku.' While I wouldn't lift a finger to harm my Riva again, I will not say the same for you."

 

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Allivia walked in and sat down next to Nico. "Hello, darling. In pain, are we?"

Nicolae started. "'Livia!"

"Yes, that's me. Good to see you again. Maybe now you'll think twice about denying me what I want, hmm?"
-------------
"You don't deserve to be in the same room as her, General."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden growled, "I've had enough of you, old fool. I will discuss this with my wife, but unless she desperately needs you, I won't let you near this building ever again. Understand?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“You’re the fool, Praetorium. Thinking she’s yours. Well, maybe you like having her, but just remember that she would never have married you if the king hadn’t ordered it.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Ah," Caden stormed a step forward, glaring down Daku. "I didn't realize you thought my wife to be better off back in her dungeon, feeding on scraps and the only comfort being her torturing methods. I didn't realize that you cannot wait for her to return to that Maal inspired existence. But know that I will not allow that to happen. Not in a million years will she return to that horrid life."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“I wasn’t implying that life was good for her; I was only implying that she deserves better. Better than you.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden leaned down towards Daku, "I challenge you to find better. Because I'm giving her all I can."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Throwing her in the mud and slapping her? Yes, you're doing a wonderful job being her husband."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

The sliding sound of metal against leather came when Caden draw his blade. "I'll do more than that to you if you choose to continue standing there."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Go ahead and kill me," Daku said, completely calm. "As long as you treat that woman right, I'll be satisfied. Do you love her?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Of course," Caden growled, "she'd be dead by now if I didn't."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"I'm sure she'd be very comforted by that fact. You're a brute, general. How do you show your supposed affection?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I would never tell the likes of you, old fool. Not even if you begged."

Edited August 12, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"But don't I deserve to know? As your wife's oldest companion?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"All you are is an old creep who worships her like a lost child." He held his blade to his side, "leave now."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Not until I know you're treating her the way she deserves."

"Daku!" Riva entered the room, hands on her hips. "Caden Praetorium is the love of my life and he certainly treats me better than you do. Get out of my house, you rat."

"Mistress! I was only-"

"You heard me."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden shouted for his guardsmen, then glared at the old man again. "You are trespassing in my home."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Daku glared at Caden, then looked up at Riva. "He treats you well?"

"Yes! He's gentle and loving and good to me. He may not be perfect, but no one is."

"I'd rather not leave you with a man who's hit you before," he asserted.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Oh, you don't get a choice," Caden said with a smirk as he leveled his blade. "I haven't had the chance to wet this blade with blood for weeks, so please give me an excuse and try to stay."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"If you hurt her, may the Stars have mercy on your soul." Daku spat upon Caden's face.

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden leapt forward, swinging his blade to cut the fool down with a growl in his throat.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva gasped. "Caden!"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

The general hardly hesitated when he brought down his blade, aiming for Daku's neck.

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva grinned, allowing the short, withered man to fall to his death. "Awww." She stepped over Daku's corpse to hug her husband. "I can't believe you'd decapitate someone for me."

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"He spat on my face," Caden told her, "and he also refused to leave after I warned him." He lifted his blade to look at the blood, "not quite as satisfying as being forced to fight for another man's blood, but it will do."