Kurt awoke in an empty bed. There was shouting in the corridor and he fought his way groggily out from under the covers as his door clattered open, Sam appearing looking pale and worried.

“My lord? You’re required in King Dalton’s chambers.” He said, voice trembling as he spoke.

For once, Kurt wasn’t particularly concerned about modesty. He was in fact, still buckling his belt as he reached Dalton’s chambers and pushed open the door.

The first thing he noticed was Blaine, restrained by the bed and looking absolutely terrified, his face pale and eyes wide. The court physician was lent over the body sprawled across the bed, which seemed somewhat unnecessary, there was no mistaking the man was dead.

“King Dalton has unfortunately passed. The body must be sent home as soon as possible.” The physician sighed, signaling four large men with a stretcher to heave the man from the bed and remove him from the room.

“How did he die?” Kurt asked him, trying to ignore the grunts as the late kings bulk was rolled inelegantly onto the stretcher.

“He was poisoned. Hemlock, I believe.” Kurt closed his eyes and exhaled. Much as he had hated Dalton, he couldn’t help but pity the man, dying alone and no doubt terrified.

“Someone needs to tell my father.” The physician shuffled on his feet.

“Already done my lord. We also took the liberty of restraining Dalton’s slave.” Kurt met Blaine’s gaze and pushed down the bubble of fear that welled up inside. He could see where the thick rope bit into the soft flesh of Blaine’s wrists, his skin beginning to rub red raw beneath it.

“Why?” The physician looked at Kurt and blinked.

“Because he murdered King Dalton of course.” Kurt knew immediately that wasn’t true. Blaine had been with him all night, he wouldn’t have seen the king until he returned that morning, by which time the man had long since departed this life.

“I need to see my father, bring him.” He nodded towards Blaine and left the room without looking back.

“You can’t believe that Blaine is guilty.” He shouted out the moment he entered his father’s chambers, Blaine stumbling behind him as he was dragged along by one of the guards.

“Blaine?” Burt glanced up from the stack of paperwork, his face looking drawn and tired. Kurt turned to grab Blaine and pulled him forward, making sure not to trip him or pull the rope so as to bite into his skin again.

“This is Blaine. He has a name, and he didn’t kill Dalton.”

“Never said he did.” Burt said, rubbing his face. “But you gotta admit he’s the only person who had motive and opportunity.”

“He can’t have done it, I promise you dad, it wasn’t him.”

“Blaine?” Burt asked, looking at Blaine for the first time.

“I swear to you, I didn’t kill my master.” Burt sighed.

“I can’t just take his word for it Kurt, you know that. If it were that simple we’d have criminals wandering free all over the kingdom.” Kurt tried to calm himself despite the frustration threatening to spill over and make him say things he’d regret.

“Okay then, Dalton was poisoned with Hemlock.” He paced back and forth across the room. “It has to have been given to him in his food or drink. It takes several hours to work and the physician says he died early this morning, so he must have taken it late last night. Blaine wouldn’t have spiked his food, he only eats what Dalton gives him from his own plate. He’d only have killed himself too.”

“And what about Dalton’s nightcap? He wouldn't share that, it would have been safe.” Kurt tried to school his expression, knowing his father would immediately pick up on any hint of emotion that might betray Kurt’s secret.

“King Dalton dismissed him last night. Rachel talked to him in the hallway around nine, I’m sure she’d be happy to confirm that.” Burt raised his eyebrows and leant back in his chair.

“And after nine? He could have gone back after talking to Rachel. You gotta give me more than that.” Kurt sucked in his bottom lip, teeth worrying against it as he tried to figure out the best way to break the news of his indiscretion to his father.

“Kurt? What are you not telling me? It’s gotta be important if you’re this worked up about it.”

“You’re going to be disappointed with me.” He said softly, not meeting his fathers eyes.

“You could be saving an innocent man’s life here. How I could be disappointed in you for that?”

“He was with me. After he spoke to Rachel, he came straight to my chambers. He stayed with me until early this morning.”

“He was with you. In your chambers.”

“Yes.” He left the implication of their activities together unspoken. There was no need to say it, just admitting Blaine had stayed the night was practically a confession that they had been intimate.

Kurt watched his fathers face fall and his head drop into his hands.

“Just- just go to your chambers. Please. I need time to think.” Kurt had never heard his father sound so ashamed. For a moment he stood frozen to the spot, wishing he could take back the words, even if they were all that kept Blaine protected. Then he pushed that selfish thought aside and took Blaine’s hand, leading him from the room.

After all, it wasn’t like he could be any more of a disappointment.