~~ A couple of years ago, when Kristof just established his business ~~

"All the paperwork is done. This area is mine now, Adam. Can you believe it?" Kristof asked, proudly. "Soon, there will be the very first diamond mine settled right here on this spot." Kristof tapped his foot on the ground.

"Wow. I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!" his friend replied.

Kristof was very happy too. But he knew it was going to be a struggle as well. He knew the aristocrats soon wanted his mine for themselves and he also knew he should be very careful with everything he did, and every decision he would make, for he shouldn't give them any leverage to hold against him. Because with every mistake he would make, he would be in a weak position, and they would try to take everything he had...

The ballroom was filled with people that danced, sang, talked, ate, and drank. The musicians played joyful tunes and everyone was having a good time.

Armin had welcomed his parents, brothers, and sister. The young Lavina was super excited! Attending a party in an actual castle was all she'd ever dreamed about.

"How are you doing, son?" Armin's father asked when they'd found a quiet corner to talk.

"It's going well. I'm happy. I still don't like how you handled things, but I can't stay angry with you. You were right. Kristof is a good man. He is the best."

"Good, son," the older replied as he pulled his son in for a hug while smiling at his wife. Mother smiled back. She was happy everything turned out so well and her son was happy. It was all she'd hoped for.

Armin's peasant friends had also arrived and were now mingling with other people.

Even though the elite guests were higher in rank, or at least, they thought so, at Kristof's parties, in his castle, there were no ranks! Kristof had said that even the servants were permitted to mingle with the guests.

"Your friend Peter seems to be getting along with stableboy Will," Kristof said to his husband.

"It seems like that, yes." Armin smiled as he watched the two men talk and laugh together. Klaus, Bright, and his lover Rome stood with them as well.

"Did you talk to your father?" Kristof asked.

"I did. Everything is well between us again." Armin answered, happily.

"That's the best news, love. Let's dance."

"Will you guide me again?" Armin asked.

"Of course."

•❁❀❁•

Adam admired May from a distance. She looked so beautiful, yet also a little disappointed. The girl was probably bummed out that nobody had asked her to dance yet. Should he try? He had been contemplating this decision for a while now, causing his armpits to be sweaty and his palms to be clammy from his nervousness.

"Poor May. She clearly wants to dance so badly... Maybe you should ask her before someone else does," Kristof whispered into Adam's ear.

Adam looked at Kristof, a little rattled. "You think she would like it?"

"I think she would, yes."

"Okay." Adam released a sigh. "I'm gonna do it."

Gathering up his courage and making sure to wipe his clammy so that they were dry, Adam made his way to where May stood. Standing in front of his love interest, he asked, "Would you like to dance with me, May?" He could feel himself blushing.

"Pfffft. I thought you'd never ask!" she answered, smiling.

Adam smiled a wide grin and brought his trembling hand towards her tiny hand while he looked at Kristof.

As they walked to the center of the room to dance, Kristof gave them a wink and a thumbs up.

•❁❀❁•

"So, who is that?" Timo asked Armin, glancing at a hot older gentleman.

Armin saw Timo referred to the older man with the golden curls and the blue eyes. He turned back to Timo again. "You want me to introduce you to him?"

"Yes, please!"

"Okay, come."

"Good evening, Tristan. May I introduce you to my friend? This is Timo."

"Good evening Armin," Tristan replied. "It's my pleasure," Tristan said while he took Timo by the hand and pressed a kiss on top of it.

Timo giggled and his face got red as a tomato.

Armin couldn't help but smile too. Maybe Tristan was alright after all?

•❁❀❁•

The party was a success. Armin had the time of his life with his friends and family. And, of course, with his spouse. Right when he was thinking his life couldn't be better than it was now, he heard disturbing sounds coming from the big hall.

Everybody went to take a look.

Two men had forced their way into the castle and Armin recognized them all too well.

"Esca? Roan? What are you two doing here?" Armin asked the two brothers. Roan's face was still purple on one side and his lips blackened with a dark scab on it.

They didn't respond. "Kristof Sutherfield?" the older one screamed. "Ah-ha! There you are," he then said when he faced the man with the scar. He took off his gloves and angrily threw them at Kristof's feet.

The other guests who were watching muttered and mumbled their confusion and excitement, seeing what was happening in front of them! This was something that didn't happen every day!

"You know what this means, you freak. I challenge you to a duel!" Esca screamed so that everybody could hear him.

The people at the party gasped.

"What are your terms?" Kristof asked.

"No, no. No." Armin whispered. He knew Esca to be the best fighter in town. The guy was a master of swords and never lost a single battle in his life. That was the reason Roan had brought him. Esca would fight instead of him. Armin shook his head, looking into Kristof's eyes. He didn't want Kristof to fight.

Kristof wasn't a man who cared about his reputation when it came to his looks or ways of life. But he did care about his honor. He couldn't back down in front of all these people. He couldn't look like a coward.

Armin clamped on his arm, but Kristof freed himself out of his husband's grasp and took a step forward.

"Well?" Kristof urged.

"Swords. We will fight till one must surrender, or is physically unable to fight," Esca answered.

"I accept your terms," Kristof replied.

Armin could only watch with his heart pounding in his throat. What could he do, with everybody watching? If he stepped in, his husband would look like a fool.

"Get ready, old man. We will fight this battle now. You damaged my little brother's handsome face and now, you must pay the price for that." Esca said, narrowing his eyes while he drew his sword out of his belt.

Kristof hadn't fought in years, but he was quite good when he was younger. "Adam, please get my sword," he requested, wondering how thick the layer of dust collected on the thing would be.

He then looked at Armin and saw him crying already. He wished Armin would have a little more faith in him, but he knew his husband was worried. He was too, if he was completely honest.

Armin felt a hand on his shoulder. When he looked at whose hand it was, it was no one other than Tristan's.

"Don't cry. You must stay strong to give him strength," he advised.

"But you don't understand. Esca is the best fighter there is! And Kristof doesn't know that. Esca even works as a royal guard for the King. It's his profession to fight!" Armin whispered, sobbing.

"Kristof is a great fighter himself. We must have faith in him," Tristan answered.

The fight was to take place in the big ballroom. Everyone went to stand near the walls to give the two men their space.

Armin could only watch and pray now. And he prayed with all his heart that Kristof wouldn't get too injured. A part of him hoped Esca would hold the sword against Kristof's throat immediately, so his husband could surrender with no injuries. Armin didn't care one bit about Kristof's honor. He just cared about his life and his well-being. "Please, let him be well. Please..." he chanted, his hands folded in front of his face.

Both men took their fighting positions.

Esca had another advantage as well. He could hold a big sword with both hands, while Kristof could only hold a small one with his one hand, meaning he could not hold on to it with the same strong grasp as Esca could.

Kristof looked at his husband once more. A silent "I love you," was spoken through his eyes, and Armin understood the message. He nodded and tried to return the same message while he held back his tears, as Tristan had advised him to stay strong.

The start sign was given and all people held their breaths when it was Esca who was the first one to attack. The sound of steel against steel was echoing through the ballroom every time the metal blades touched each other with significant force.

Kristof was in shock with the strength coming from the young man. He knew he was a little rusty, but he had always been good with swords. However, right now, he had to give it his all.

Esca slid his sword forward and cut Kristof on his flawless cheek. It hurt as blood streamed out of it.

"A scar to match with your other one," Esca said, smiling.

"Oh, God," Armin yelled, causing Kristof to look at his husband. But because of that, Esca was able to cut his upper arm as well.

"Hold your tongue, boy! You're distracting him!" Tristan hissed.

Armin couldn't help it. It had escaped his lips. This was all wrong! Oh God, please help him! Please help him!

Esca smirked at Kristof. He knew he would win this battle. There was no chance he would lose.

But Esca got a little too arrogant...

They fought for another fifteen minutes and it was mostly Esca in control, but finally, Kristof was able to slice him in the leg.

"Ahhh!" the younger screamed.

"Esca!" Roan called out to him when blood gushed out of the wound.

Spectators in the ballroom whispered their concern and excitement. As much as they tried to lower their voices as they spoke to each other or themselves, the echo in the ballroom made their voices become a steady din in the air.

Armin was hopeful again. His heart was a little lighter.

In a millisecond, while Esca was still processing the fact that he had been cut, Kristof struck his sword out of his hands and held his own against Esca's throat.

Esca's sword slid across the floor and laid still at Roan's feet. Roan couldn't believe his big brother had lost a fight!

Esca also couldn't believe it. He had never lost a fight before. His eyes were filled with anger and rage.

Kristof pried the sword's blade off Esca's throat. "This fight is o-over. You lost, and I want you out of my house. Now!" Kristof breathlessly told Esca.

He turned around and walked over to Armin. Right now, he just wanted to hold his husband.

But Roan had other plans. He grabbed Esca's sword and ran toward Kristof, wanting to stab it in the older's back.

"Kristof!" Armin screamed while he watched Roan come closer.

Kristof looked back to where Armin was staring at, and by reflex, he impaled Roan with his sword, right in his guts.

Kristof was in shock.

Esca was in shock.

Armin was in shock.

Everybody was in shock!

Roan dropped the sword and fell to the floor himself. Esca ran over to him and held his brother in his arms.

Kristof couldn't believe what just happened. Oh god, what had he done?

Roan tried to speak, but he couldn't as blood gushed out of his mouth. "Ahhh...I...Ngh! Hahh...hahhh!" He made gasping noises.

Then Roan was silent...

"NO!" Esca broke the silence as he screamed in agony.

Kristof was horrified. He'd just killed a young man! He felt tears prickling behind his eyes. "I...I..." he stuttered.

Armin quickly hugged him. "It wasn't your fault," he whispered in Kristof's ear.

"You murderer!" Esca cried out at Kristof. He screamed and cried, holding his dead brother in his arms, covered in blood.

"Murderer... He's a murderer... He murdered that young boy..." the aristocrats whispered.

They had finally found something they could use against successful Kristof...