Chapter 8
"How long are you going to endure this pain, Wong? Tell me, how did Stephen escape from the palace without anyone seeing?" Kacilius asked.
Wong was tied to a rod, brutally injured.
"I don't know," Wong said weakly.
Kacilius slapped his face. "You won't tell me? I know how to make you speak," he said, ordering the soldiers to bring some sorcerer children. He then killed one of them in front of Wong.
"You will watch all these innocents die because of your arrogance," Kacilius said.
He was about to kill another when Wong finally spoke.
"Stop... I'll tell you," Wong said.
"Okay, go on," Kacilius said.
"Stephen is in Ironland," Wong revealed.
"Ironland? I thought I killed all the Starks," Kacilius said.
"Maria Stark and her son are still alive," Wong admitted.
"You said everyone who served Eugene was dead!" Kacilius growled.
"I lied," Wong replied.
"You swine!" Kacilius slapped him again. "If they're not dead yet, I'll make sure they die this time—brutally," he said, storming out.
Wong collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed with pain.
The next morning, Tony, Steve, and Natasha were training soldiers. Tony was personally instructing Victor when all eyes turned toward Stephen as he stepped onto the training ground.
Stephen timidly stood at the doorway.
Tony approached him. "You came?" he asked, smirking.
"Yeah. Aunt Maria said I could," Stephen replied.
"Of course, you can. Come in," Tony said, leading him inside and handing him a wooden sword.
"Shall we start, Your Highness?" Tony asked.
"Yes," Stephen said.
"I hope you remember the basics," Tony said.
"I'm not sure. I haven't practiced in a long time," Stephen admitted.
"No worries, I'm here to help you," Tony assured him, standing behind him and guiding his right hand to move gracefully. "See? You're still flexible."
As Tony moved closer, guiding him through the motions, Stephen gradually found his rhythm.
"You're doing great, Stephen," Tony encouraged.
"Thanks," Stephen said shyly.
"I'm sure you'll learn fast. That's enough for today," Tony said.
"Should I come every day?" Stephen asked.
"Yes. I'll be your personal tutor," Tony said with a smile.
Just then, Clint entered the room and approached Tony.
"Hey, Legolas, any news?" Tony asked.
"Yes, come with me," Clint said in a serious tone.
Sensing something important, Tony followed him outside, with Steve close behind.
"What is it?" Tony asked.
"Kacilius knows the prince is here. He's coming," Clint said.
"That was sooner than expected," Tony muttered.
"Yes. Wong is down. Kacilius has been torturing him all this time," Clint said.
"We need to be ready. The Asgardian army will take about seven days to arrive. Keeping the prince here is too risky," Steve said.
"Where will he go?" Tony asked.
"Tony, you need to take him to our secret hideout in the forest. We will hold off Kacilius until the Asgardian army arrives," Steve said.
"But I want to fight this war," Tony argued.
"You will. But we can’t risk the prince’s life. It's your duty to keep him safe," Steve said firmly.
"What’s the timeline?" Tony asked.
"We don’t have much time. Kacilius is already on his way," Clint said.
"I’ll inform Mrs. Stark. You tell the prince," Steve said.
"Okay," Tony said and went back inside.
Stephen was happily chatting with Victor when Tony approached him.
"Stephen, can you come with me?" Tony asked.
"Sure," Stephen said, frowning at the sudden shift in Tony’s demeanor. He followed him.
"What happened?" Stephen asked.
"Kacilius is coming. We need to leave as soon as possible," Tony said.
"We as in?" Stephen asked.
"You and me. Staying here is too dangerous for you," Tony said.
"What about the others? Aren't their lives at risk too? I can't just leave them behind," Stephen said.
"Stephen, we’ve done all this to keep you safe. Everyone here is ready to die for you," Tony said.
"But I don’t want anyone to die because of me," Stephen said.
"This isn’t just about you. This is for Kamar Taj. If Kacilius captures you, he will make you his omega and claim the throne. Do you want that? Do you want a murderer as your husband and the king of this land?" Tony asked.
Stephen remained silent.
"I know you care about us, but we are prepared for this battle," Tony said.
"What about Victor? He’s the only family I have left," Stephen said, his eyes welling up with tears.
"Nothing will happen to Victor. He will be safe," Tony reassured him, holding his hands.
Stephen calmed down slightly.
"We don’t have time. Get ready—we’re leaving soon," Tony said.
"Okay," Stephen said, walking to his chamber.
"Take care, Stephen. We promise that when you return, Kamar Taj will be yours," Maria said.
"I don’t want a kingdom without the people I care about. Please, don’t die," Stephen pleaded, tears in his eyes.
"Even if we die, we will always be with you," Maria said with a gentle smile.
"I don’t know what to say," Stephen whispered, crying.
"You don’t have to say anything. Just stay safe," Maria said.
"Tony, take good care of your prince," Maria said.
"I will, Mom," Tony promised.
"Come, Stephen. We don’t have much time," Tony urged.
Stephen nodded and followed Tony.
"Steve, if you need me, just send a message. I'll come back," Tony said.
"Sure, but your main duty is to protect the prince. Even if you hear that we’ve fallen, do not change course," Steve warned.
"We will win, Steve," Tony said, hugging him.
"Yes, we will," Steve said, patting his back.
"Come, Stephen," Tony said, holding Stephen’s hand.
Tony helped him mount the horse and joined him. As they rode, Tony could feel Stephen’s tension.
"Are you okay?" Tony asked.
"I’m scared," Stephen admitted in a small voice.
"You don’t need to worry. No one will touch you without killing me first," Tony said.
"That’s what I’m afraid of. Everyone I care about is risking their lives for me. What’s the point of ruling a kingdom if they all die?" Stephen asked.
"Stephen, you need to see the bigger picture. Your people are suffering under Kacilius' rule. They need their prince back. Our parents died for this cause, and we are all ready to make sacrifices," Tony said.
"What if I fail as a king?" Stephen asked.
"You won’t. You were born to be a king. You are not what Kacilius made you believe. I’ve been with you since the day you were born. I know how great you are," Tony said.
Stephen’s body relaxed slightly. He leaned a little against Tony and turned to look at him.
"Thanks," Stephen said with a genuine smile.
Tony couldn’t ignore how beautiful Stephen looked in that moment—his eyes shining, his dimples showing.
"Anytime," Tony said, smiling back.
Stephen turned forward again, leaning into Tony's warmth.
"You never told me where we’re going," Stephen said.
"We have a secret hideout in the forest. The surviving sorcerers of Kamar Taj are hiding there, using magic to protect Ironland," Tony explained.
"Sorcerers are still alive? Most of them joined Kacilius, even Wong," Stephen said.
"Yes, but we still have our people. And Wong was our spy all along. He saved us by feeding Kacilius false information. He also helped us rescue you," Tony said.
"Kacilius must have tortured Wong," Stephen said softly.
"Yes, but don’t think about that now. Just relax. This will all be over soon," Tony said soothingly.
Stephen nodded. Tony wrapped an arm around him while holding the reins, and Stephen felt, for the first time in a long while, that he was home.