A Royal Obligation
Chapter 109: The Distance in the Garden

Chapter 109: The Distance in the Garden

The sun hung lazily over the palace garden, casting warm rays over the lush greenery as the day unfolded. Eirik and their small, yet lively group gathered beneath the shade of a large oak tree, its branches stretching out like a protective canopy.

The day was perfect for light conversation and playful banter. Eirik could hear the birds chirping somewhere in the distance, blending with the sound of laughter coming from his family.

They were all seated on cushions spread out on the soft grass, the atmosphere relaxed, their faces touched by the golden sunlight. Julian, ever the entertainer, was in the middle of recounting their latest mischievous escapade, his hands waving dramatically as his twin Lucian leaned back with an amused smirk, clearly enjoying the performance.

Amarok, sat between the twins, his eyes darting from one brother to the other, soaking in their words like a sponge, yet not saying much himself.

Theron, lounged next to Eirik with a lazy grin, half-listening but clearly more focused on the peaceful surroundings. Meanwhile, Theo, had his arm draped casually around Ella’s shoulders, the two of them sharing quiet words and giggles that seemed to shut out the rest of the group.

It was all so easy. So "familiar"

But Kaelix... Kaelix was struggling.

From where Eirik sat, he could see the faint crease in Kaelix’s brow, the way his hands fidgeted nervously with a loose thread on his tunic as he shifted uncomfortably on the fringes of the group.

His presence, though welcomed by Eirik, felt misplaced among the others. The inside jokes, the casual teasing that flowed between them like second nature, it left Kaelix on the outside, watching, like a spectator to a world he didn’t quite belong in.

Eirik’s heart sank. He knew Kaelix was trying. He had been ever since his family arrived. But no matter what Kaelix did, no matter how hard he tried to integrate himself, it was as though he couldn’t break through the invisible barrier that separated him from Eirik’s family.

Julian threw his head back in laughter, slapping his knee as he concluded his story. "And then, Lucian turned to the poor lad and said, ’Well, if you didn’t want the wine poured on your head, maybe you should’ve ducked!’"

Lucian, who rarely engaged in these kinds of antics, raised his eyebrows in mock innocence. "It was his fault entirely," he added dryly, though the glint of amusement in his eyes betrayed him.

The group erupted into laughter again, even Amarok letting out a soft chuckle.

Kaelix tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. It wasn’t that the story wasn’t funny, he just wasn’t part of the shared history. Every laugh reminded him of his position on the outskirts, the invisible but unmistakable line drawn between him and the others.

Eirik noticed, of course. He always noticed.

"Kaelix," Eirik said, nudging his partner lightly, trying to draw him into the conversation. "Remember that time you were trying to hunt a deer, and I step on a dry stick and it ran off? You handled it so gracefully."

Kaelix blinked, caught off guard by the sudden attention. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Julian was already swooping in with another quip.

"Oh, Kaelix?" Julian interjected with a grin. "I’ve always heard he’s great at keeping his cool, but I’d like to see him handle one of Lucian’s pranks. Grace wouldn’t save him from that."

Lucian laughed softly, crossing his arms as if considering the challenge. "It would be interesting, wouldn’t it?"

Kaelix forced a smile, trying to keep up with the banter. "I’m sure I’d survive," he said, his voice light but lacking the warmth of true confidence.

Julian smirked, leaning in slightly as if he could sense Kaelix’s discomfort. "Survival’s one thing, my friend. Thriving in this group? That’s a different story."

Eirik shot Julian a warning look, but Julian only shrugged innocently, the playful smirk never leaving his face. It was just a joke, harmless in his eyes, but Eirik saw the way Kaelix’s shoulders tensed, the slight falter in his expression.

Lucian, who had been quietly observing, gave a soft chuckle. "Julian, ease up," he said, though the glint in his eyes suggested he found the whole exchange rather amusing. He wasn’t intervening because he cared, he was simply enjoying the show.

Meanwhile, Theron and Theo remained indifferent to the whole thing, only half-engaged in the conversation. They were more interested in being in Eirik’s company than in the dynamics at play, leaving Kaelix further adrift.

And then Darren and Lysander, two of Kaelix’s own cousins, arrived.

Darren, tall and broad-shouldered, greeted the group with an easy grin, while Lysander, always the quieter of the two, nodded politely. Within moments, they had found their place among the group. Darren slapped Julian on the back, immediately falling into the rhythm of the banter, while Lysander and Lucian exchanged knowing glances, already forming a silent camaraderie.

Kaelix watched, his heart sinking lower. His cousins had slipped effortlessly into the dynamic, clicking with Eirik’s family as though they’d always belonged there. Meanwhile, he remained on the periphery, trying and failing to find his place.

Eirik, ever perceptive, could see the cracks forming in Kaelix’s facade. He reached for Kaelix’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, but Kaelix’s grip was loose, distracted.

Finally, Kaelix stood. "Excuse me," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "I... I need some air."

Eirik immediately sat up straighter, concern flashing across his face. "Kaelix..."

But Kaelix shook his head, offering a faint smile. "It’s fine. I’ll just be a moment."

And with that, he walked away, disappearing down the garden path, the shadows of the trees swallowing him whole.

For a moment, the group was silent, the air heavy with the absence of Kaelix. Eirik felt a pang of guilt twist in his chest. He had tried to bring Kaelix into the fold, tried to make him feel included, but somehow, his family always found a way to push him back out. Especially Julian, Lucian and Ella.

Julian, of course, noticed Eirik’s shift in mood. "Oh, come on, little brother," he said, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Kaelix isn’t mad, is he? I was only teasing."

Eirik turned to face his brother, his eyes hardening. "You didn’t need to make him feel like an outsider."

Julian’s smile faltered, just for a moment, before he shrugged it off. "He’s not an outsider. He just... he doesn’t quite fit yet, you know?"

Eirik’s jaw tightened. "That’s because you keep pushing him out."

Lucian finally spoke up, his tone more measured. "Eirik, no one’s pushing him out. He’s... different. He’ll find his way."

"That’s not good enough," Eirik snapped, the frustration building in his chest. "He shouldn’t have to ’find his way.’ He’s with me, which means he’s part of this family, whether you all like it or not."

The silence that followed was thick, uncomfortable.

Amarok, usually quiet, shifted awkwardly between the twins, his eyes darting between them, as if sensing the tension but unsure of what to say.

Ella, who had been whispering with Theo, finally looked up. "Eirik, no one’s trying to hurt him. But you can’t force people to click."

Eirik clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "Maybe not. But you don’t have to make it harder for him, either."

Julian sighed dramatically, leaning back against the tree trunk. "Look, if he can’t handle a bit of teasing, maybe he’s not cut out for this."

Eirik stood up abruptly, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "If you can’t show him some basic respect, then maybe you’re not cut out for being a decent brother."

With that, he turned and stormed off in the direction Kaelix had gone, leaving the group behind.

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