A Royal Obligation
Chapter 210: Split Personality

Chapter 210: Split Personality

The cold silence that had blanketed the kingdoms of Valeidio and Zephyros for seven days had begun to weigh on King Thaddeus like an iron chain around his neck. He could feel its tightening grip every time he walked through his empty throne room, every time he looked at the council chambers that stood tensely quiet, as though they, too, were bracing for something to break.

The quietness was unnatural, a foreboding that made his skin crawl. He would have preferred a direct threat, a proclamation of war, anything, really, over this unsettling silence.

Thoughts swirled, growing darker with each day that passed without word from his spies. Just then, a soft knock echoed through the room.

Thaddeus looked up, spotting Caledon standing in the doorway, his face grim. The sight sent a chill through him. Caledon rarely wore his expressions so openly. Whatever news he carried, Thaddeus knew it wouldn’t be good.

"Any word from our spies?" Thaddeus demanded, his voice sharper than intended. His gaze bore into Caledon, searching for any sign that this news, at least, might finally shatter the silence that had hung so heavily over him.

Caledon bowed, showing the respect customary in the presence of his king, before he lifted his head to answer. "None from Zephyros or Valeidio, Your Majesty. However, we did receive a message from our spy in Neomenia."

The king’s brow furrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. Neomenia? He’d expected news of the two kingdoms he’d wronged, not from a kingdom that has nothing to offer but music and poetry. "What news from Neomenia?" he asked, his voice taut with curiosity.

Caledon’s hesitation was brief, but Thaddeus noted it, the slight pause before delivering unpleasant tidings. "Your Majesty, it appears that when they recovered Prince Eirik... he was in critical condition."

Thaddeus’s eyes narrowed. "Critical condition?" He repeated the words, letting their implications sink in. "Explain, Caledon."

"Unfortunately, our spy couldn’t uncover precise details, Your Majesty," Caledon continued, his tone even but laced with cconcern

"Neomenia’s healing chambers are closely guarded, and it seems they have placed Prince Eirik under heavy protection.

But our source mentioned it must be something severe. I believe the seriousness of his condition is confirmed by the fact that Prince Kaelix chose to remain in Neomenia to be by his consort’s side, while King Xavian returned to Valeidio."

Thaddeus sat back, fingers drumming a steady, troubled rhythm on the arm of his chair. His expression hardened, the weight of this news pressing heavily on his shoulders. This was far worse than he’d anticipated.

A few days ago, he might have savored such news, the injury or misfortune of an enemy prince could serve his purposes, plunging the other kingdoms into turmoil and giving him the leverage to strike. But the implications of this particular situation sent a chill through him.

If Prince Eirik were truly in critical condition, or worse, if his injuries were to prove fatal, Thaddeus’s son, Prince Carl, would be irrevocably implicated.

Zephyros and Valeidio would never forgive the kingdom that had harmed their beloved prince. His mind raced through the possibilities, weighing the costs of loyalty and justice against the needs of his kingdom.

He took a deep breath, his thoughts wrestling for control. "Caledon," he began slowly, each word chosen carefully, "we must prepare ourselves for the worst. If it comes down to it, we may need to do as the council suggested."

Caledon’s expression flickered in surprise, though he quickly masked it. "You mean... to sacrifice Carl, Your Majesty?"

Thaddeus’s gaze was steady, but a storm brewed beneath it. "If it comes to that," he confirmed, his voice low. "For the good of the people, I must be willing to make sacrifices.

This kingdom will not fall for the sake of my son’s reckless actions. He made these choices without consulting me, without any consideration of the consequences." His gaze drifted, momentarily lost in thought. "No one, not even a prince, should be shielded from the consequences of his actions."

A silence hung between them, heavy and thick. Caledon watched his king’s face, searching for any hint of doubt, any sign that Thaddeus might change his mind. But instead, he saw only the resolve of a ruler determined to protect his kingdom and himself at all cost.

"Lock him in his chambers," Thaddeus said suddenly, his voice as sharp as steel. "Carl has proven himself unpredictable. I won’t have him running loose, stirring up further trouble. I need him contained until we have a plan. Order the guards to ensure he remains where he is."

Caledon nodded, bowing deeply before moving to fulfill the order. As he turned, however, a faint smirk ghosted across his lips, quickly concealed before Thaddeus could see.

The king’s mood shifts were almost dizzying, one moment he was defending Carl, the next condemning him. It was little wonder, Caledon thought, that Carl had turned out so reckless and arrogant. He had been raised with a father whose loyalty was as fierce as it was unpredictable.

Yet, as he walked down the silent corridors, Caledon couldn’t deny a flicker of admiration for Thaddeus’s decision. For all the king’s inconsistencies, he was willing to put his kingdom above his own family, a trait rare among rulers. Caledon wondered, almost absently, whether Thaddeus’s son would see the wisdom in his father’s actions... or only the betrayal.

Reaching Carl’s chambers, Caledon nodded to the two guards stationed outside the door. "King’s orders," he said briskly. "From now on, Prince Carl is to remain here, and no one is to allow him out without direct permission from His Majesty. Ensure he has no means of contacting anyone outside this room."

The guards exchanged a quick glance before nodding. "Understood, Lord Caledon."

As he watched them secure the room, Caledon couldn’t help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. Perhaps this was exactly what Carl needed, a moment to consider the consequences of his actions, a chance to realize that power and privilege did not place him above the kingdom’s laws.

Caledon turned back, his mind churning with the implications of Prince Eirik’s condition. If the other kingdoms moved toward war, Thaddeus’s kingdom was in a vulnerable position, one that would require cunning and diplomacy to navigate. He didn’t envy the king the choices he would have to make in the coming days.

When he returned to the throne room, he found Thaddeus still sitting in silence, his fingers tapping against the armrest in deep, restless thought. The king looked up as Caledon entered, his gaze shadowed but resolute.

"It’s done," Caledon reported simply.

Thaddeus nodded, a trace of relief softening his harsh features. "Good. We must be ready for whatever comes next." His voice was firm, but Caledon could see the weariness behind it.

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