A Royal Obligation
Chapter 64: Amarok’s Desperation

Chapter 64: Amarok’s Desperation

The wind howled through the cracks in the old cottage, a forlorn wail that matched the despair in Amarok’s heart.

The night was cold, the kind of cold that seeped into your bones and refused to let go. He sat by the dying fire, staring blankly at the embers as they sputtered and dimmed. It was a fitting metaphor for his life, he thought, once bright, now fading to nothing.

Marcellus had been gone for hours. Amarok’s heart was a tight knot of anxiety and fear. He knew what was coming; he had felt it in every curt word, every avoided gaze over the past few weeks.

But knowing didn’t make it any easier to bear. He had always needed more, more attention, more affection, more of everything. And now, that need was about to cost him the only person who had ever made him feel less alone.

The door banged open, and Marcellus stormed in, his face a mask of anger and exhaustion. Amarok jumped up, his heart racing. He took one look at Marcellus and knew this was it. The end.

"You’re back," Amarok said, his voice trembling despite his efforts to keep it steady.

Marcellus slammed the door shut behind him, the force of it rattling the old wooden frame. "Amarok, we need to talk," he said, his tone harsh and unforgiving.

Amarok swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. He nodded, his voice caught in his throat. Marcellus didn’t ask him to sit down, didn’t offer him the gentleness that had once defined their relationship. Instead, he stared at Amarok with a hardness that made Amarok’s chest ache.

"This isn’t working anymore," Marcellus said bluntly, his words like a knife to Amarok’s heart.

"I...I don’t understand," Amarok stammered, even though he did. He understood all too well, but he wasn’t ready to face it. Not yet.

"You know exactly what I mean, Amarok," Marcellus snapped. "This... Us. I can’t do it anymore. You’re too much. You always need more, always demanding my attention, my time. I’m suffocating here!"

Amarok flinched as if struck. He had heard these words before, from others who had tried to love him and failed. But coming from Marcellus, they hurt more than he ever imagined.

"I’m sorry," Amarok whispered, his voice breaking. "I never meant to be a burden to you. I just... I need you."

"And that’s the problem!" Marcellus shouted, his frustration boiling over. "I can’t be everything you need, Amarok! I’m only one person. You drain me, with your constant need for attention, for affection. I don’t have anything left to give!"

Tears welled up in Amarok’s eyes, blurring his vision. He reached out for Marcellus, but Marcellus stepped back, shaking his head.

"Please," Amarok begged, his voice choked with emotion. "Please don’t do this. I’ll be better, I’ll try to be less...needy. Just don’t leave me. I can’t be alone again."

Marcellus’s expression softened for a brief moment, a flicker of the man Amarok had fallen in love with shining through. But it was quickly replaced by cold resolve. "You should have thought of that before," he said, his voice devoid of warmth. "I’ve made up my mind, Amarok. I need you out. Tonight."

Amarok’s heart stopped. "What? You’re throwing me out? Where am I supposed to go?"

"That’s not my problem anymore," Marcellus said, his tone final. "I can’t do this, Amarok. I’m done."

Amarok’s legs gave out, and he sank to the floor, the weight of Marcellus’s words crushing him. He had nowhere to go, no one else to turn to. Marcellus was all he had, the only person who had ever made him feel loved, even if it was only for a short time.

"Please, Marcellus," Amarok whispered, his voice trembling with desperation. "Don’t do this. Don’t leave me."

Marcellus turned away, unable to look at him. "You have until morning," he said coldly. "Pack your things and go."

The finality of those words shattered Amarok’s heart into a thousand pieces. He had always feared this moment, the moment when his insatiable need for love would drive Marcellus away. And now, it had come true. He had pushed too hard, asked for too much, and now he was losing everything.

Marcellus left the room, the sound of his footsteps echoing in Amarok’s ears like a death knell. Amarok was alone, truly alone. The walls of the small cottage seemed to close in on him, suffocating him with the reality of his situation. He had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. He was an orphan again, just like before.

The memories of his childhood came flooding back, cold nights in the orphanage, huddled under a thin blanket, praying for someone to hold him, to tell him he was loved. But no one ever ccame

He had learned early on that love was something other people had, something he could never quite grasp, no matter how hard he tried. He had been a lonely, desperate child, and now, as an adult, nothing had changed.

Amarok wiped the tears from his eyes and forced himself to stand. He couldn’t stay here, not after what Marcellus had said. He had to leave, had to find somewhere else to go. But where? The question gnawed at him, filling him with dread.

And then, like a beacon in the darkness, a memory surfaced, his uncle, the head eunuch at the Valeidio palace. They hadn’t spoken in years, but Amarok knew his uncle was still there, still serving the royal family. Maybe, just maybe, he could help.

With shaking hands, Amarok began to gather his few belongings. Each item he packed felt like a piece of his heart being ripped away, but he didn’t have a choice. He couldn’t stay here, not after what had happened. The cottage that had once been his home now felt like a prison, a place filled with memories that would only bring him pain.

As he packed the last of his things, Amarok paused, his gaze falling on the small trinkets he had collected over the years, gifts from Marcellus, tokens of their time together. He hesitated, his heart aching at the thought of leaving them behind. But he knew he couldn’t take them with him. They would only serve as painful reminders of what he had lost.

He left them on the table, neatly arranged as if they were waiting for someone to find them. A parting gift, he thought bitterly, for a love that had withered and died.

The night was pitch black as Amarok stepped out of the cottage, the cold wind biting at his skin. He pulled his cloak tighter around him, trying to ward off the chill, but it was no use. The cold wasn’t just outside, it was inside him, freezing his heart and numbing his soul.

He walked through the empty streets, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The city loomed in the distance, its lights twinkling like distant stars. Valeidio. The palace. His uncle. It was his only hope, the only place he could go.

Amarok’s mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. He had heard stories of the palace, of the royal family, of the servants who worked there. It was a place of opportunity, yes, but also a place of danger. But Amarok had nothing left to lose. He would take the risk, if it meant he could find a place where he belonged.

When he finally arrived at the grand gates of Valeidio, he hesitated, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. The palace loomed before him, its towering spires and gleaming walls a stark contrast to the humble cottage he had left behind. Taking a deep breath, Amarok approached the guards, nervously explaining who he was and why he had come.

To his surprise, the guards escorted him inside without hesitation, leading him through the winding corridors of the palace to the eunuch’s quarters. His uncle, a dignified man with silver hair and a calm demeanor, greeted him with a warm smile, though there was a hint of concern in his eyes.

"Amarok," his uncle said, his voice gentle but firm. "It’s been a long time. What brings you here?"

Amarok took a deep breath, the words tumbling out in a rush. He explained his situation, his desperation, his need for a place to stay. He spoke of his broken relationship with Marcellus.

His uncle listened patiently, his expression thoughtful. When Amarok finished, he remained silent for a moment, considering his words carefully.

"I see," his uncle finally said, his voice tinged with understanding. "You’ve always been a passionate soul, Amarok. Perhaps what you need is a new beginning."

Amarok nodded, hope flickering in his chest. "Do you think there’s a place for me here, Uncle? Somewhere I can serve, I don’t mind doing anything, as long as I have a roof over my head."

His uncle smiled, though there was a hint of something unreadable in his eyes. "I believe there is, Amarok. The royal twins, Lucian and Julian, are in need of a new servant. It won’t be easy, they are demanding, and their ways are...different. But if you are truly ready, it may be the opportunity you’ve been seeking."

Amarok’s heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and excitement surging through him. He had heard of the twins, their reputation for being challenging and eccentric. But he didn’t care. He had nothing left to lose, and everything to gain.

"Thank you, Uncle," Amarok said, his voice filled with determination. "I’m ready. I’ll serve them to the best of my ability."

His uncle nodded, placing a reassuring hand on Amarok’s shoulder. "Very well. I will make the arrangements. But remember, Amarok, this is your chance for a fresh start. Don’t waste it."

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