A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 43: Kept And Unkept Promises

Brandon walked in the throne hall, his boots clicking loudly against the stairs that led to the parallel ground. His eyes rested on the familiar figure of Thoron who appeared to be lost in his own thoughts.

"The werewoods were mine for the taking!" He said, pressing his lips into a thin line.

Thoron shifted his eyes to him letting his eyes travel his length. His eyes never gave out any emotions. "I’m glad you’re feeling better," he commented.

"I wouldn’t have been in that condition was it not for him. And instead of punishing him, what did you do instead?" He asked, his finger pointed to the floor.

Thoron leaned forward, his eyes calculatingly studying Brandon. "I did what was best for our kingdom, for you, for me and everyone else."

Brandon scoffed, nearly rolling his eyes. He took a step and stood on the staircase that led to the throne. "You love him, don’t you?" He asked, tilting his head to one side. And when Thoron didn’t reply, he added with a scoff, "Of course you do."

"The rogues have always been a threat to the throne. Gabriel just turned out to be the person ready to deal with them," Thoron explained.

"And what about the throne?" Brandon enquired.

The king held the fridge of the throne seat, the cold in it settling on his palm. "I made a promise. I have to keep it."

Brandon’s fists clenched into tight balls before he moved a stair closer. His lower lip was caught between his teeth, a not so happy look now on his face. His lips parted.

"I’m good at making promises too you know. Especially ones I make to myself." He stepped onto another stair. "I make sure to keep them, all of them!"

Their eyes met, malice laced in the father - son stare challenge. And for the fleeting couple of seconds Brandon stood there, the more he felt the urge to replace his father from the seat. Not a good idea but a tempting one.

"You know the people will never support Gabriel’s claim even if you named him heir. Yet you chose to do it anyways!"

Thoron stood up, his eyes never leaving Brandon’s. "Yet I chose to do it anyways," he repeated, his voice reverberating deep in his chest. "If you want the throne, you have to earn it!"

Brandon’s fists clenched harder, and the thought of erasing the seriousness on his father’s face crossed his mind. And only then did he notice Gabriel’s features on his face! He looked so much like him! The serious face, thin moustache, the hair! There was nothing like him on the king’s face!

He took a step back, his feasts unclenching. His steps echoed on the nearly empty hall as he made for the door. He took the hallway leading to the king’s chamber, a train of thoughts running through his mind.

Maybe his father was right! Maybe he was not meant to be king! Gabriel too had every right on the throne as much as he had. But he was a bastard, and the people would never support his claim!

He had already arrived at the king’s chamber now. He pushed the door open to reveal a maid braiding the Queen’s hair. She was studying herself in the mirror and spotted him in the reflection.

"Did you meet with your father?" She asked while locking with his eyes in the mirror.

"I did," Brandon replied. His eyes settled on the maid who appeared apprehensive.

"You may leave us," the queen dismissed her. She offered a bow before walking out with her head down all the while. The door closed behind Brandon and only then did he release a sigh.

"You were right," he admitted. "Father was the one who sent him into the werewoods."

Jessica held the long braid and pushed it to her back. She saw Brandon sit on the edge of the bed looking weary like one who had lost hope in his course.

"You know that your father will name him crown prince when he returns victorious?" She asked, Brandon’s mood turning even sour.

"While I just sit here and watch as a bastard rises high!" He cursed.

Jessica stood from her stool and walked closer to where Brandon sat. She placed her hands on his shoulders and gently squeezed them. "Do you know what Gabriel will do if he becomes king?" She whispered in his ear. "The least would be stripping you of your princely duties. And do you know what else he’ll do? He’ll use the powers conferred to him to take revenge on us. Everyone who did him wrong during his childhood!"

Brandon’s hair rose in fear. If he still feared him as a bastard, what then would he do as a king? And no, his mother was wrong! The least he’d do was to seize their existence from this world. He could remember those golden eyes as if they were his own. Whenever he stared at them, he saw himself burning in flames!

"What do you want me to do?" He asked, dropping his hands on the sides in defeat.

Jessica halted in her actions as if Brandon had just asked the right question. "If you want the throne badly, then you have to let the boy die Brandon!"

She walked around to meet with his eyes. "The world is no place for the weak. And if you show the world that you’re weak, my son," she caressed his face. "The world will trample on you! Haven’t you ever asked yourself how Gabriel survived despite everything we’ve done to him?"

She searched Brandon’s eyes but they were laced in curiosity. "He stopped being human!" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"But I’m not human," Brandon retorted.

"Then take all the knights in your kingsguard. Go to the werewoods and claim all the glory. Kill your half brother and blame it on the rogues. Nothing comes easily to those who badly wants it, including princes."

Her eyes turned on the door. "And while you’re gone, I’ll show Elena Thornhart what it means to be a wife of a bastard, and to your father, who’s the rightful heir to the throne!"