A Royal Obligation
Chapter 112: Tension at the Royal Table

Chapter 112: Tension at the Royal Table

Kaelix slowly rose from the bed, his movements careful as he approached Eirik from behind. He didn’t say anything, didn’t try to offer words of comfort. Instead, he simply wrapped his arms around Eirik’s waist, resting his chin on his shoulder.

For a long moment, they stood like that, in silent.

"I’m sorry," Eirik whispered, his voice cracking with exhaustion.

Kaelix shook his head, tightening his hold on him. "You don’t have to be sorry."

Eirik let out a shaky breath, leaning back into Kaelix’s embrace. He had never felt so drained, so utterly spent.

---

Back in the garden, Darren and Lysander remained by the fountain, watching as the last traces of tension dissolved into the cool evening air. Darren turned to his brother, a small smile on his lips.

"Think they’ll be okay?" Darren asked, his gaze still lingering on the path that led back to the palace.

Lysander nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I think so. Eirik’s family might have been tough at first, but they’ll come around. They just needed to see how much Kaelix means to him."

---

The grand dining hall of the Zephyros palace shimmered with golden candlelight, the clinking of silverware against porcelain the only sound cutting through the oppressive silence.

The long banquet table, laden with an extravagant feast, felt more like a battlefield than a place for family gathering. Eirik sat stiffly beside Kaelix, his eyes fixed on the plate before him, avoiding the gazes of his family like they were poison.

Across the table, Theron, Lucian, Julian, Theo and Ella exchanged glances filled with regret and unease.

Eirik’s earlier outburst had left them rattled, the weight of his fury still hanging in the air like an unsaid reprimand. They had always been protective of Eirik, seeing him as their little brother, their responsibility. But today, they had crossed a line. And now, they were paying for it.

The kings and queenroyal, noticed the discomfort immediately. King Xavian of Valeidio, always attuned to the dynamics of his children, narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing that something was amiss.

Queen Morgana, sat beside him, glancing at her children with concern. On the other side of the table, King Reagan and Queen Elena of Zephyros seemed equally aware of the growing tension but remained politely silent, waiting for someone to break the awkward quiet.

The room, despite its grandeur, felt smaller by the minute.

Julian, tried to break the ice. "So, Kaelix, any new exciting stories you want to share about Zephyros?" His voice, usually filled with wit and charm, came off strained and unsteady.

Kaelix, seated close to Eirik, offered a small, tight smile. He could feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on him, the subtle but undeniable scrutiny.

"Nothing worth noting," he replied, his tone measured, careful not to reveal the frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. His hand hovered near Eirik’s, a silent offer of support.

Lucian, seated directly across from Eirik, shifted uncomfortably. He watched his brother’s stoic expression, his gaze flickering between Eirik’s face and the untouched food on his plate.

He’s still angry. The thought hit Lucian with a pang of guilt. He should be. We were out of line.

Queen Morgana, finally broke the silence. "Is something troubling you all?" Her voice was soft, maternal, but the authority behind it demanded an answer. "The mood at this table feels... heavy tonight."

Julian swallowed, his charming façade cracking slightly under the weight of his mother’s question. Lucian cleared his throat, Theo and Theron shifted uncomfortably.

But before any of them could respond, Eirik abruptly pushed his chair back, the legs scraping against the marble floor with a jarring sound.

"Excuse me," he muttered, not looking up as he stood, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"Eirik," King Xavian began, his tone both concerned and commanding, but Eirik didn’t stop.

Without another word, Eirik turned and strode toward the door, his posture rigid with barely restrained emotion. Kaelix immediately rose to follow him, shooting an apologetic glance toward the family before hurrying after Eirik. The door closed behind them with a soft but definitive thud.

For a moment, the room was frozen in stunned silence. The kings and queens exchanged confused glances, while Eirik’s siblings and cousins stared down at their plates, shame clear on their faces.

Lucian exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "We messed up," he said quietly, his voice heavy with guilt.

Ella nodded, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as if trying to shield herself from the uncomfortable truth. "He’s never been that angry before. Not with us." Her eyes were wide, and she bit her lip, clearly fighting back emotions.

King Xavian’s brow furrowed in concern. "What happened? Eirik has never stormed off from the table like that."

Julian leaned back in his chair, eyes cast downward. "We... We were too hard on him earlier. He paused, struggling to find the right words. "We didn’t handle things well with him."

Queen Morgana sighed, her expression softening with understanding. "You were overprotective again, weren’t you?" It wasn’t a question. She knew her children well. They had always been fiercely protective of Eirik, especially after everything that had happened in the past.

Lucian looked up, his green eyes full of regret. "We didn’t mean to push him like that. We thought we were helping, but..." He trailed off, frustration creeping into his voice. "I don’t think we’ve ever seen him this furious before."

King Xavian nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. "Eirik has always been capable of making his own decisions. You should have trusted him."

Julian’s lips twitched into a sad smile. "Easier said than done, Father. It’s hard to stop seeing him as the little boy we used to protect."

"But he’s not a boy anymore," Queen Morgana interjected gently. "He’s a man. And you need to respect that."

The silence returned, this time laden with a collective sense of guilt. Ella leaned her head into her hand, clearly struggling with the realization. "We made Kaelix feel like an outsider. That wasn’t fair to him either."

Lucian grimaced, knowing she was right. "Kaelix didn’t deserve the way we treated him." His voice softened with self-reproach. "We need to fix this."

Theron and Theo where both silent, deep in their own thoughts.

At the head of the table, King Reagan of Zephyros cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the Valeidio royals.

"If I may," he began, his tone thoughtful, "it seems to me that Eirik is stronger than you all give him credit, and he deserves your respect. You cannot protect him forever, nor should you try to. Kaelix is a capable man, and Eirik has come to understand that."

Queen Elena nodded beside her husband. "Kaelix would never do anything to hurt Eirik. They care for each other. What you saw today was Eirik defending someone important to him. Isn’t that something you should be proud of?"

Julian sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We were idiots," he muttered under his breath, earning a nod from Ella.

"We need to apologize," Lucian stated firmly. "Not just to Eirik but to Kaelix too."

The kings and queens exchanged approving glances. Queen Morgana spoke up, her voice gentle but resolute. "Then do it soon. Let Eirik know you’re willing to listen. He needs his family, but more importantly, he needs to feel trusted."

Lucian, Julian, and Ella nodded, while Theo and Theron almost sighed at the same time.

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