[NOUR]
The palace was busy as usual when Delbert walked in.
Nour was still masked, and no one could see him, save for the Lycans within Acrod. He was here to let the reigning enforcer know of his decision, one that had been made on impulse and a decision that had been triggered by the young prince's wishes.
The Lycan was certain he would never regret his decision to abandon his post, and spend the rest of his life being beside the young prince and doing what he had promised the king.
It was a tough decision since it had no loopholes. This was the only way, and Delbert smiled sadly at the thought.
For a moment, he missed the warriors he had spent years training beside. He knew that after this was done, his family would leave, and then it would just be him and Ferhat in the kingdom as the remaining Lycans.
The cover that had protected him from the horrors of his past was of no use now. Alanor was happy in Udrad, and he had found his peace. It was Delbert's turn to make the choice and follow his heart, even if it was the craziest of all decisions.
Perhaps he would keep the same face, but he had mentioned to Nour that he would take no other skin.
"Oh, you're here, junior warrior," Ferhat greeted casually, like he hadn't spent the entire morning with Delbert and their little family in the south. It was a beautiful family, a home that they would have to undo until the next project.
"Hello Ferhat… Is the enforcer busy today?" Delbert asked.
Ferhat just stared between the Lycan and his Erasthai. He knew Delbert so well, and he knew that whatever was about to happen wasn't part of the plans they had all made when they came to Acrod years ago.
It was something to do with the prince, and regardless of what this turned out to be, it was like a huge decision hanging in the balance. All he could do was hope to the goddess that these two didn't fuck up their mission in Acrod.
But what was the point when Delbert himself seemed to have made the craziest of decisions and had the backing of the young prince? Or maybe Ferhat was overthinking this. He needed to take a break from the chaos.
"Yes, he is in. You can just go to him," Ferhat said, and Delbert bowed respectfully. There were other people around the palace, and not bowing to the king's right hand would simply be considered disrespectful.
Hands entwined, Delbert and an invisible Nour made their way to the enforcer's office that had been handed to him by the king. It was one of the spare rooms in the palace that hadn't been used for a while, so it did hold that much of a sentimental meaning.
"Hey, are you busy?" Delbert asked as he walked in.
Despite the way that Grant had been running Acrod, Delbert had remained one of the people that Grant had trusted with his life, so this wasn't even surprising.
Maybe the man was just as dumb and needed to come to terms with the situation at hand. But then it wasn't like Grant had any reasons to be suspicious about the man who had just walked in, yeah?
"Not really. What's up?" Grant asked simply, and Nour felt like punching the man in the gut. He wanted to kill him here and now, but he had to remind himself that all of this was for the sake of the plan they had in mind.
It was the craziest pal of all time, and they hoped that it would work. Of course, the alternative was Nour coming out and saying that he was the young prince who was to run Acrod, but that would be too soon.
There were some scores that he needed to settle as the Ruby wolf, and if he stepped into the limelight as the crown prince, there would be so many limitations on the werewolf prince fighting against the Ruby wolf.
But how the fuck was Nour supposed to fight himself at the end of the day then? It wasn't like life came with an actual manual that could be used here and now. Perhaps they all just had to pray to the moon to keep them on schedule, no?
"I have been thinking about leaving for a while. The warrior position is not worth shit now that you are not in the warzone beside me. I wanted to notify you of my resignation. I know it is sudden and probably selfish, but it is one I must make.
"My family has been facing threats from the Ruby wolf for a while now, and as much as I want to say that I am strong enough to fight the Ruby wolf, I am not as intelligent or as strong as you. I wouldn't know what to do. So, I'm also leaving Acrod.
"Sophia is waiting for me on the other side with our children already, so it won't be as hard. I can only wish you the best, and I hope you don't hate me for choosing to protect my family. They are the only people that I got, other than you.
"I hope you understand my Decision, Grant. If I disappointed you, please forgive me," Delbert said, the sis verity oozing from his lips. You would think that this wasn't just a farce to get more angles that they could use to attack the madman before them.
Delbert knew he was being a little too vague.
The fear of the Ruby wolf was warranted, but at the same time it was a far stretch. This wasn't how the man should have been relieved of his duties, yet as he stood there, despair on his face, Grant couldn't help but worry for him.
It was the first time that his junior warrior was asking something of him.
The man had been like a best friend to him, and he wasn't about to act like this hadn't shocked him. However, he knew that it had to be serious if Delbert had come to seek him out in the palace.
That was the only reason that Grant let himself be roped into this madness. It made no sense but it was a request from his friend – the first in so many years. Grant couldn't deny it because at the end of the day Delbert had a choice.
Of course, he would always have a choice, and Grant wasn't going to be the one to take that from him, regardless of what happened. He knew that this had to be serious, but still, a part of him wished for the opposite.
"Is there anything I can say to have you stay, old friend?" Grant asked, his sincerity making Nour almost gag. He couldn't believe that this traitor had the guts to be standing here like the world was the best canvas for his love for Delbert.
It was sickening and the only reason that hadn't jumped him yet was because this transition had to be smooth. Delbert had to leave with the bastard's approval, because that was what the people would get to embrace the changes that were coming.
Besides, if the junior warrior left because of the ruby wolf, Grant would have his ears out for any mentions of the wolf that had always bested him. It had been torture for him for a while, and he despised the ruby wolf.
Luckily for him, the Ruby wolf also shared the same sentiments.
"Not this time, Grant. Someday I will come back and repay the favor," Delbert said, and Grant chucked softly.
"Friends don't count favors, Delbert. Make sure to visit sometime. It would be great to have you around again, alright… Don't be a stranger, my friend," Grant said, and Delbert just nodded before he hugged Grant.
It wasn't surprising for Grant to return the hug — the only normal thing that was between him and Delbert.
"I shall take my leave now. All the best," Delbert said, and Grant nodded sadly. He looked remorseful and empty as Delbert handed in his weapons and the keys to the home that he had built over the years.
It was something that had caught Grant off guard, but it seemed like the enforcer was looking forward to meeting his friends again. Perhaps time and gate would allow that over the years, no?
"Until we meet again," Grant bid goodbye in earnest hope.