Cyrus
Watching her leave with her family and aides was tough, but I apparently need to have a long-overdue conversation with my brother before I can properly focus on Zizi.
I held back before because even I was unsure if she truly was over Hal. Now, even if there was a small part of her that would have considered being with him, I doubt it still exists. I marched down the hallways and up to the family's private floor. My expression must be conveying my rage-filled thoughts, given that every person I came upon immediately placed themselves against the nearest wall and bowed their heads. I did not acknowledge them. I had blinders on until I found my brother.
If Hal's actions have completely ruined any chance I might have had with her before we hit our 40s, I will make his life hell. I run my hands through my hair as I come to a halt in the hallway. Looking around, I realize I have stalked my way around the whole palace and have yet to find my target. Where the hell is he right now? If he is hiding from me… Not finding Halcyon this way, I decide to ask the staff if they have seen him. Going back the way I came, I end up finding a maid close by.
"Excuse me, would you happen to know where Prince Halcyon is?"
I try to ask with a smile, but I fear it was probably more of a grimace based on her neutral expression.
"Prince Halcyon is most likely in the royal dining room, eating with the rest of the family. Dinner just started a few minutes ago if you wish to join, Your Highness," she replied as she gestured in the direction of the dining room, which was in the opposite direction of where I had been headed. Taking a few deep breaths to calm myself down, I finally smiled at the girl. She relaxed at my smile and began leading me to the dining room.
"Thank you for your guidance. Will you let the Lord Chamberlain know that everyone on staff I upset should be allowed a treat on me? I'm out of sorts, and I unintentionally took it out on you all. Will you pass that message along as well?"
We arrived at the dining room doors, and the maid gave me a curtsy.
"On behalf of everyone, we understand the cause of your mood and accept your apology. Thank you in advance for the treat we will be receiving."
Looking around, then leaning closer to me, I leaned in to hear what she had to say so secretively.
"Honestly, a lot of us are hoping you will be the one to become king. We see you, and you see us. Prince Halcyon only seems to see what he wants to see. So do know you have the support of the staff and common people."
The maid blushed as she whispered, then she rushed off before I could respond.
"Well, that gives me food for thought. Looks like the time for me to make a choice in this contest for the throne is here. But before that, I want to find out what Hal has to say for himself."
I open the door wide enough to slip in, then close the door behind me. I turn to find my family eating a first course of bisque or seafood salad, depending on their preference. I go over to sit beside my stepmother and am soon served a bowl of bisque. My family continues talking about their day around me. I join in the conversation when the next course is served. I feel Hal's eyes on me from across the table, but I don't give him any more attention than I give anyone else. After dessert, Dad requests that Hal and I join him and mom for after-dinner discussions.
We get my younger siblings all settled in their suites, then I follow the other adults out onto the terrace for drinks and whatever my dad wants to talk about.
"So, which one of you wants to explain what happened with Lady Casimir this afternoon? I've gotten about three different versions of events from witnesses, and not a single one of the three people involved seemed to have thought the king should know what is happening in his house. So here I am asking."
Dad sits with Mom on a loveseat across from where Hal and I sit in individual chairs. I sip on my wine, waiting to hear what Hal will say. Not how I wanted to have this conversation, but maybe it's better this way. I can tie up more than one loose end with all of us here right now.
"Kezi rejected my marriage proposal, and I didn't take it well. Cy got involved because he is jealous and wants to play at being a white knight. He took her away and wouldn't let me clear the matter up with Kezi. So I intend on settling matters with Cy, getting your unofficial approval as crown prince, then going to talk to her to see how we can move forward."
Halcyon said all of that with such seriousness that I could only look at him with amazement and wonder. Dad and Mom had thinking expressions as they sipped their drinks, looked at each of us, then at each other before turning their attention to me.
"You appear to be surprised at your brother's words. Why is that, Cy?" Mom asks curiously.
"I am surprised, Mom. I'm surprised that Halcyon is calling his assault of Keziah just not taking clear rejection well. I am amazed. That me kicking him away from her struggling body and taking her to a place where she could decompress and process what happened to her while surrounded by her friends and family was me playing white knight."
As I speak, I stare at Halcyon with sarcastic amusement. I see that my parents are sitting forward in disbelief. They must not have believed the situation was as dishonorable as it truly is. Halcyon and they are way overdue for reality checks.
"I am curious. There is nothing he has that I want, and I genuinely believe I would be a better king than him, so I don't know how he intends to convince me to give up the throne. Lastly, I'm disgusted at the audacity you have to think you will be let anywhere within speaking distance of Lady Keziah Casimir of the Duke household of Casimir."
I chuckle darkly as Halcyon glares at me with a look of irritation.
"You better hope and pray the four of us can figure out a way to avoid being at war with the household of our Lord Protector come morning. You need to wake up and realize you have jeopardized the biggest supporter of the royal house with your pigheaded actions." All the anger and fury I had locked away while I comforted her were no longer staying locked away. "She clearly said no, and you forced yourself on her!" I put my wineglass down so hard it cracked. I wiped the wine on my pants as I began pacing.
"So, now that we are all caught up on the shitstorm that's incoming, how are we going to try to salvage our relationship with House Casimir?"
My parents didn't say anything for a while, just sipping their drinks and holding hands. I kept my back to them and looked out over the kingdom, waiting to hear what they thought. I heard Dad's voice break the silence, disappointment and disgust heavy in his tone.
"Halcyon Aspen Oberon, you were raised to know that 'No' is a complete sentence. Have we given you so much rope that you thought your actions would have no consequences?" Dad stood up to loom over Halcyon, who seemed to finally be realizing that he had messed up—big time.
"Dad, I swear I thought she was just playing hard to get. I thought this was a game to her and was frustrated that she wouldn't stop playing around." Halcyon pleaded for understanding, but all it did was irritate me more.
"Did or did not Lady Casimir tell you in clear words that she did not want to marry you?" Dad asked stonily.
"Yes, she did," Halcyon muttered in return.
"Then your punishment will be temporary exile. You will spend the next five years in an exchange program with our neighboring countries to learn about them, and maybe you will figure out how to be the good ruler I know you can be. If you had earned the title of crown prince, you would be going on this trip anyway, but you would have come home for holidays and events. Now, you will not be allowed to return home barring any emergencies for the next five years. You will depart for Lorvil in three months. That should be enough time to get everything in order. Until your departure, you will be confined to your palace." Dad looked so sad as he delivered my brother's sentence.
"So you will send me away in shame and name Cyrus crown prince all because of a single mistake?" Halcyon tried to stand up, but Dad pushed him back into his seat.
"No, Halcyon, I'm sending you away to make it clear that I do not condone harassment from any subject of mine, including my children. I'm exiling you so you cannot be called upon to fight in duels with every member of the Casimir household—because every one of them is skilled in combat. Yes, even the duchess is a skilled duelist." With his hands on Halcyon's shoulders, Dad looked deeply into his eyes, searching.
"I'm trying to protect you and give you a last chance to prove that the child who once came up to me, telling me he wanted to be a great king like me one day, still exists somewhere in you. I believe in the dream you shared with me that day, Halcyon. Now, it's your turn to do the real work. This past year has been a good start, but you still have more growing to do. We will discuss all the particulars of the program and the extent of your exile another day." Dad patted his shoulder before walking over to me. He stood beside me in silence for a while before he spoke.
"Does this punishment satisfy you, Cyrus? Do you think this will be enough to prevent our relationship with the Duke and his family from completely falling apart?"
"I think it will be a good start. We can invite them to visit and discuss any other compensation in a day or so. As for me, I will be satisfied after I ask my brother some questions." I went back over to the seating area and sat down facing my brother.
"Answer my questions, accept my proposal, and I'll let you have the throne."
I don't know who was more shocked—my parents or Halcyon.