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Pavel could pull his pistol on Violet as a threat, a warning, a reminder of who he was and where his loyalty lied. But he could not do the same to Her Majesty, no matter how badly he wanted to. But what would it serve him? She was far powerful, she had more control over Perland and over him. Pavel hated it. He hated being kept on a leash when freedom was barely out of reach. But he would only remain subservient for as long as it served Perland.
He’d keep on the charade for as long as he had to, and so would she. She was just as eager to draw blood as her commander. Pavel had to restrain himself but why did she? She could discard him and replace him within a day. Nobody would think to question Her Majesty.
But she preferred watching him fall, slowly and painfully. She wanted to watch him plummet alongside the precious Perland he strove to protect and with—
“Violet? Have you grown fond of him, commander?” Her Majesty asked, watching with glee as Pavel swallowed, like he got caught in a lie. He hoped to not seem concerned but she saw right through his demeanor. It was irritating, just how easily Pavel could be read. It would be excusable if it were Violet but it was infuriating when it was her. “Why do you wish to know where he is?”
“There is something I must… Discuss with him in private,” he said slowly.
“Will this discussion involve… A pistol to the heart? A game of Russian Roulette?” She folded her hands over her desk, malice in her eyes. “Surely, your conversation from three nights ago was satisfactory enough, no?”
Pavel’s eyes widened momentarily, before returning to its stern gaze. He cleared his throat, immediately putting on the obedient facade. “I was not aware that… That you found out about that, Your Majesty.”
She faintly smiled, if Pavel could even call it one. Her lips were pressed into a thin line but her gaze was simultaneously pleasant and menacing. “Nothing escapes these walls. I thought you would know that by now, what with how long you’ve been serving me.”
“Forgive me. My mind was elsewhere during that conversation.” But even now, Pavel couldn’t help but think about Violet. His presence was haunting, a stubborn possession that refused to leave Pavel alone. His thoughts always returned to their interrogation and the power Violet willingly relinquished to him.
Under different circumstances, Pavel would have loved it. Who wouldn’t love having the upper hand? But having Violet where he thought he wanted him awakened foreign feelings and doubts. Did he really need to kill Violet? Did he actually want to kill Violet or was he only thinking of Perland?
“I was thinking,” she mused, “that I should give you a scar of your own.” She smiled wide, with bloodthirsty intent. “But I don’t need to do that, do I? You know your place. You know where you belong, don’t you Commander?”
“... Yes, Your Majesty,” Pavel managed, fighting back the urge to spit venomous words, mentally cursing this devil for acting like a saint.
“And where would that be?”
“At your side, Your Majesty.”
She nodded. “Good. I would say that you belonged at my feet like a dog, but… That place is exclusively reserved for Violet.” She turned away but still heard Pavel’s breath hitch and knew fully well that he was fuming on the inside. It was fun to torment him and remind him of the leash that binds him so tightly. “You are dismissed.”
Pavel left, the synchronous sound of his footsteps and heartbeat pounding in his ears.
****
Before Pavel could process what just happened, he was slammed into the wall by none other than Her right-hand man. He glared up at Violet, unable to determine his expression properly due to the dim lighting. The man was always one step ahead of him, it was quite infuriating. Did he listen to the entire conversation? Not that it mattered, Pavel didn't think he said anything too egregious. “... If you wish to be with Her Majesty, she’s all yours,” he says.
Violet doesn’t respond. Instead, wrapped Pavel’s tie around his hand and tugged it harshly, in the same way one would reprimand a dog with a sharp jerk on a leash. Pavel lurched forward, stumbling as Violet remained unfazed and steady. Now that their positions are reversed, Violet thinks back to three days ago: a late-night encounter, back pressed against the wall, pistol to his chest. A confirmation of already-established understanding and of their positions on the social ladder: while they both served Her Majesty, it was Violet that was truly loyal to her, while Pavel was putting on a flawless charade. And, despite playing the part, Pavel wasn’t confident enough to kill Violet. At least, he couldn’t do it on his own accord.
They were in the same boat, Violet realized. They were tied down by their orders and the paths they took to get to this position. Fighting for some control in their lives, despite being limited by their positions. The difference is, Violet knew that this was the path he had to take. Pavel said he doesn't care about honor. Violet wanted to see if things had changed. “Does honor not mean anything to you, Commander?” Violet asks. “Even with all the commands you follow, all the people you’ve shot and plan to shoot?””
Pavel scoffed, ignoring the burning sensation in his chest. “You already know what my answer is to that,” he said sternly. “Why beat a dead horse?”
Violet hummed. “I was simply wondering if you’ve changed your mind. Am I not allowed to be curious?”
“Why should I change my mind? I can’t—” He swallowed, struggling to catch his breath due to Violet’s grasp. “... I can’t go back on my principles like that.”
“Why not?” Violet grabbed Pavel’s wrist, holding his pistol up in the air. “You were so confident about killing me a few nights ago. At least, you were until I allowed you to take your shot.” He wrapped his fingers around the barrel and pointed it to his chest once more. “Never have I seen you so hesitant to pull the trigger. But isn’t this what you wanted?”
Since when did my wants matter? Pavel wanted to say. But not even he knew what he truly wanted for himself. Restoring Perland to its former glory was his top priority but that was more to appease his father's wishes. And he would kill Her Majesty or Violet if he needed to. But he didn't need to kill Violet then. And, deep down in what remained of his soul, Pavel was hoping that he wouldn't have to kill Violet for a long time.
In the end, assassinating him and Her Majesty is only a necessity, not something I desire. In that case, what is it that I want?
Another jerk of the necktie snapped Pavel out of his thoughts and he gasped sharply, biting back a curse. Violet arched a brow, taking some glee in having the upper hand. But he didn't want Pavel to choke to death just yet so he relaxed his grip. “Did you not hear me the first time? Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“... No.”
“That's what I—” Violet blinked in surprise, narrowing his eyes. He let go of the necktie and pistol, crossing his arms. “Pardon?”
Pavel stood up straight, putting the gun back into his holster and adjusting his suit. “What I want is irrelevant. But what I need—and, to a greater extent, what Perland needs—is to eliminate you or Her Majesty if necessary.”
Violet clicked his tongue. “How loyal you are to Perland’s needs,” he mocked.
“My loyalty pales in comparison to yours for Her Majesty,” Pavel retorted. “It feels wrong to call it loyalty… A contract might be more accurate.” He pulls out a bullet and toys with it. “Did you perhaps sign it with your blood?”
Subconsciously, Violet’s fingers graze over the scar near his eye. With that scar, he had paid his dues and made his vows to Her Majesty before he truly knew it. “I did. But blood runs thicker than ink. There is no doubt in her mind about where I stand. You, on the other hand…” He swiftly unsheathes his sword, a trail of dark purple butterflies following his movement. “You’re a loose cannon. A wild card, one that can quickly backfire and cause everything to come crumbling down.”
“... If that’s the case…” Pavel narrows his eyes. “What is stopping Her Majesty from ordering you to execute me? If she told you to kill me, you’d do it without hesitation I’m sure.”
Violet scoffs, using the tip of his blade to hold up Pavel’s chin. If he moved the blade forward, it would pierce the man right in his jugular. “You’re still useful to her. I hate to admit it but there is nobody who could compare to your skills as a commander.”
“Thank you. I would be much more flattered if you weren’t holding a sword against my throat.”
“Honestly…” Violet sighs deeply. “You should be grateful that I value my loyalty to Her Majesty, otherwise I would kill you.”
“Should I hold you to that?”
“You’re treading thin ice now,” Violet hissed, now pressing the flat of his blade against Pavel's neck. “I don't know if I should cut out your tongue or slit your throat.”
“Pick my poison. You seem to have everything else picked out for me, don’t you?” Pavel taunts, meeting Violet’s eyes with a fiery glare of his own. “So much for your sense of honor.”
“You have no right to lecture me about honor,” Violet says, his face getting closer to Pavel’s. “You have no sense of it. Not for Her Majesty, and certainly not for Perland.”
“My goal is to restore Perland’s former glory.” Pavel pulls out his gun, now holding it against the man's forehead. “You are the greatest obstacle in my path. Her Majesty will falter without you.”
Violet suppresses the urge to laugh. They both knew Pavel wouldn't pull the trigger. But Violet didn't know why he wouldn't. “You know I'm a threat, and yet, you hesitated to kill me when I gave you the chance. Are you going for round two now?”
“...”
“Giving me the silent treatment?” Violet pressed his blade closer to Pavel's throat, nearly cutting the man's clothes. “I’m a bit disappointed. I genuinely thought this was what you wanted.”
“Clearly… You don't know me as well as you thought you did.”
Violet backs away, sheathing his sword. Pavel, on the other hand, didn’t lower his gun. “No. I don't. And perhaps I never will.” He steps back, noticing Pavel's calculating and watchful gaze. He was an impeccable commander, never missing a shot. Violet wasn't lying when he said Pavel was useful, for nobody could kill as precisely as he could. Violet was perhaps the only exception but he was more skilled with his blade than with a gun.
“I hope you have a good night then, Commander.” Violet begins to walk away, fully aware that he was in Pavel's line of sight. It was only a matter of time until—
Violet suddenly froze. A gunshot rang behind Violet and he felt the bullet fly by his face before he heard it. A perfect shot that could have killed Violet if he were any closer. It’s not that Pavel missed. No, he never misses… Unless he does it intentionally, perhaps to prove a point. Violet didn't look over his shoulder and maintained his composure. He smiled to himself, as he heard Pavel's footsteps walk away, echoing in the quiet hallway.
It was yet another test Violet laid out for Pavel. Whether he passed or failed was something that only Violet could conclude.