A Royal Obligation -
Chapter 266: What Family are For
Chapter 266: What Family are For
Eirik nodded, understanding more than he could put into words. Amarok’s love for the twins was so deeply entwined with his identity, so much a part of who he was, that even in their absence, he carried them with him in everything he did. It was a kind of strength Eirik envied, one that inspired him even as it made his heart ache for Amarok’s silent sacrifice.
"Thank you," Eirik said after a long pause, his voice thick with emotion. "Not just for being here, but for...for everything. For reminding me that love doesn’t fade with distance."
Amarok’s smile widened, a genuine warmth returning to his features. "Love never fades, Your Highness," he said softly. "It only grows stronger. And when the twins and Kaelix come back, we’ll all be stronger for having endured this time apart."
Eirik nodded, a glimmer of hope sparking in his chest. Perhaps Amarok was right.
After a moment, Amarok tilted his head slightly, his gaze steady but gentle. "Will you now, come to the dining hall with me?" he asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.
"It’s just me, the king, and the queen lately. The hall feels so lonely since the others left for war. I know seeing you would brighten their spirits, especially the queen’s."
Eirik hesitated, his grip on the windowsill tightening again. The idea of dining in the hall felt daunting. It had been long since he’d sat down with his family for a meal. Memories of better times, when everyone was together and everything felt safer, tugged at his heart. But Amarok’s words, his unwavering kindness, were hard to refuse. He sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Fine," he murmured. "I’ll go."
Amarok’s face lit up with a smile, and he clapped Eirik’s shoulder affectionately. "You won’t regret it," he said warmly. "Come on, let’s get this over with before you change your mind."
Eirik allowed himself to be led to the dining hall, his nerves tightening with every step. The grand doors loomed ahead, and as Amarok pushed them open, the warmth of the room enveloped him. The flickering light from the chandeliers bathed the room in a golden glow, and the long dining table was already set with an impressive array of dishes. The smell of roasted meats, fresh bread, and rich spices filled the air, and for a moment, Eirik’s stomach growled despite his apprehension.
King Xavian and Queen Morgana were already seated, their conversation halting as they turned toward the doors. Morgana’s eyes widened with surprise, and then her face broke into a radiant smile. "Eirik!" she exclaimed, rising from her chair. "Oh, my darling boy, you’ve come to join us at last!"
Eirik offered her a small, tentative smile as she hurried toward him, enveloping him in a warm embrace. Her hands cupped his face as she looked at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you, Amarok," she said over her shoulder, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you for convincing him."
Amarok smiled humbly. "It wasn’t me, Your Majesty. Eirik made the decision himself."
Morgana shook her head, her smile not fading. "Even so, you’ve done so much for him. For all of us."
Eirik felt a flicker of guilt and gratitude intertwine in his chest. His mother’s relief was palpable, and he realized how much his isolation had weighed on her. "I’m sorry for worrying you, Mother," he said softly.
Xavian approached next, his usual stern demeanor softening as he placed a firm hand on Eirik’s shoulder. "It’s good to see you, son," he said, his voice low but full of warmth. "This hall hasn’t been the same without you."
As they all settled at the table, Eirik was struck by how comforting the atmosphere was. It wasn’t the same as when everyone had been there, the absence of his brothers, was deeply felt, but the room wasn’t as suffocating as he’d feared. Morgana and Xavian both seemed genuinely happy to have him there, and Amarok’s presence beside him was steadying.
Morgana took it upon herself to pile food onto Eirik’s plate, her enthusiasm boundless. "You’ve gotten too thin," she fretted, spooning roasted vegetables and slices of meat onto his dish. "You need to eat more."
"Morgana," Xavian interjected, though he was smiling, "let the boy breathe."
But even Xavian joined in, adding a generous helping of potatoes to Eirik’s plate. Eirik raised an eyebrow at the growing mountain of food in front of him. "If you keep this up, I won’t be able to finish it all," he said, a hint of dry humor slipping into his tone.
Morgana laughed, a sound so light and genuine that it eased some of the tension in Eirik’s chest. "That’s the point, darling," she teased. "You need to build your strength."
Amarok chuckled beside him, leaning in slightly. "You might want to pace yourself," he whispered conspiratorially. "They’ll keep going if you don’t say something."
Eirik found himself smiling despite himself. For the first time in what felt like ages, the weight on his shoulders lessened, even if only slightly. The conversation around the table was warm and filled with laughter. Morgana share stories with them, her face lighting up as she reminisced. Xavian chimed in with his own tale, his usually stern expression softening as he shared a rare laugh.
Amarok, kept the atmosphere lively, sharing stories of his own and teasing Eirik just enough to make him smile without pushing too far. It was heartwarming to see how effortlessly Amarok fit into the family, his presence a balm to the lingering scars of the past weeks.
By the time the meal was over, Eirik felt more at ease than he had in days. The heaviness in his chest hadn’t disappeared entirely, but it had lightened, replaced by the warmth of his family’s love and support. As he stood to leave, Morgana embraced him again, her arms tight around him as if she couldn’t bear to let go.
"Thank you for coming tonight," she whispered. "It means more than you know."
Eirik nodded, his throat tightening with emotion. "Thank you...for not giving up on me."
As Eirik and Amarok left the dining hall, he glanced at Amarok, his voice soft but sincere. "Thank you, Amarok. For everything."
Amarok smiled, his expression warm. "Anytime, Your Highness. That’s what family is for."
Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.
Report