Page 47 of Ruthless Kings of Obsession

"Oh, him," another voice drips with disdain. "Barely saw him most of the time. Probably couldn't handle the responsibilities."

"Well, being a Ruthless King isn't for the weak."

Weak.The word echoes in my mind as I think of Aries – my brother, my protector, the man who sacrificed everything to keep me safe. They don't know about the nights he spent training instead of sleeping, the careful balance he maintained between his duties to me and his devotion to Eva. They never saw how he would appear from nowhere the moment she was in danger, how he fought his own demons while protecting us from ours.

They don't understand that his absence wasn't weakness – it was strength. The strength to step back when his past with Iris and Theo threatened to compromise everything. The strength to love Eva enough to let others protect her when he couldn't trust himself.

"Would the Ruthless Kings please approach the stage?"

Saint Joaquin's command cuts through my thoughts and the crowd's whispers. I catch a waiter's eye and place my champagne glass on his tray with deliberate care. Every eye in the room follows my movement as I step forward, my crimson suit a slash of blood against the sea of black and white.

The walk to the stage feels longer than any runway I've ever walked. Each step echoes with purpose, with the weight of everything we've sacrificed to get here. Let them whisper. Let them doubt. They don't know what's coming.

This isn't just about being Kings anymore, I think as I mount the steps.This is about becoming something else entirely. Something driven by obsession, fueled by devotion, shaped by the darkness we all carry.

The stage lights feel hotter than usual as disapproving murmurs ripple through the crowd. These aren't the Deviant Lords or Savage Heirs – these are the socialites, the wealthy parents, the board members who've never seen me as anything more than a pretty face on magazine covers.

"Since when does he lead anything except fashion shows?"

"Look at him, standing there like he belongs?—"

"The model thinks he can fill Benedict's shoes?"

Some of the whispers take on a different tone, tinged with confusion. "He seems... different tonight. Something's changed."

"But what's the point? What's he trying to prove?"

The silence grows heavy as they wait for others to join me, but the stage remains conspicuously empty. Saint Joaquin steps forward, his presence immediately commanding attention.

"Mr. Albrecht" his voice carries both authority and curiosity, "where are the rest of your Kings?"

Mr. Leighton moves smoothly, extending the microphone to me with a subtle nod. His eyes convey what his position won't allow him to say aloud:Show them who you really are.

I take the microphone, years of media training allowing me to project calm confidence despite the skeptical faces before me. "As many of you are aware, we just concluded an intense hockey match earlier this evening. Unfortunately, both Matteo Leighton and Zander Benedict sustained serious injuries during the game and are currently receiving medical treatment."

Gasps and murmurs of genuine concern ripple through the crowd.

"I saw Matteo take that hit?—"

"The way he went down..."

"No wonder they delayed the ceremony?—"

"They will, of course, maintain their positions as Ruthless Kings," I continue smoothly, "but due to doctors' orders, they are unable to attend tonight's proceedings."

"Poor Mr. Leighton," someone whispers loudly. "To be here while his heir is hospitalized..."

"Such dedication to tradition?—"

"Always puts the institution first?—"

Saint Joaquin raises his hand, and the whispers die instantly. His dark eyes fix on me with an intensity that would make lesser men flinch. But I've spent too many hours being scrutinized by cameras and critics to break under his gaze.

"Obviously," he begins with dangerous softness, "this presents us with an unusual situation."

You have no idea, I think, maintaining my composed exterior while remembering Eva unconscious in Marcus's arms, Zander fighting for his life, Matteo's broken body being rushed to surgery.

But they're about to find out just how unusual things can get.

---