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Chapter 4
Emery's absence from the banquet reception is noticed.
Raiden, his handsome face etched with concern, sought out his father amidst the opulent chaos of the grand salon. He had discreetly slipped away from Adelia's side, his heart heavy with the weight of her unease. Adelia, a picture of quiet discomfort, stood amidst a cluster of Drach, Raiden and Emery's female cousins, and other guests. The women's chatter revolved around the upcoming wedding ceremony â a ceremony that, despite the scandalous revelation that had swept through the gathering like wildfire, was still presumed to involve Emery.
Raiden's attempts to engage Adelia in light conversation and offer her a sense of belonging had proven futile. The revelation had cast a pall over the gathering, and Adelia, an outsider thrust into the heart of a family scandal, felt the sting of embarrassment acutely. Raiden couldn't fault her for her discomfort; the situation was, after all, mortifying for everyone involved.
Despite the undercurrent of tension, the grand salon buzzed with activity. Servants glided through the crowd, offering refreshments and attending to the needs of the guests. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and the murmur of hushed conversations. Amidst the opulence and the pretense, the revelation hung heavy, an unspoken truth that threatened to shatter the fragile facade of normalcy.
Raiden shifted uncomfortably, his gaze flitting around the room, avoiding his father's piercing eyes. "Father," he began, his voice laced with a hesitant tremor, "Where is Emery? Everyone is asking, and it's becoming... difficult to deflect their inquiries."
Branoc, with a smirk directed at his youngest son, Raiden, delivered the news with a hint of amusement, "He finds himself... detained, shall we say, in the horse barn." The casual tone did little to mask the underlying tension. Raiden had endured a similar experience in that very location, and the flicker of horror and discomfort that crossed his face did not go unnoticed by his father.
Branoc continued, "He will rejoin us shortly, rest assured." His attention then shifted to Raiden's interaction with Emery, "And how are you faring with the fair Princess? She seems to be quite the charmer amongst your cousins." A menacing grin began to spread across his face, doing nothing to ease the growing unease within Raiden.
The implication behind his father's words hung heavy in the air. Raiden was well aware of the 'detainment' Emery was undergoing, and the fear for her safety was evident in his eyes. His father's amusement at the situation only served to heighten his anxiety. The pressure to entertain and placate Emery, coupled with the looming threat of his father's displeasure, created a suffocating atmosphere for Raiden. He felt trapped, caught between his concern for Emery and his own precarious position within his family.
Dread coiled within Raiden, tightening with each passing moment. The horse barn, cloaked in shadows and thick with the scent of hay and manure, was never a welcoming place at night. But now, with his father's leering gaze fixed upon Adelia, it felt downright sinister that he had sent Emery there for the usual âpunishmentâ that he and his brother received for any perceived slight or indescretion.
"Indeed," Raiden replied, his voice carefully neutral. "Princess Adelia is a remarkable woman. Her grace and poise are evident, and her upbringing speaks volumes. It's hard to imagine anyone finding fault with her, even my brother." He paused, allowing a hint of skepticism to color his tone. "Of course, whether she will be amenable to the arrangement is another matter entirely, especially considering the... unfortunate events of today."
His eyes flickered between his father and Adelia, who stood a short distance away, her expression unreadable. Raiden knew all too well the depths of his father's depravity. Branoc's cruelty was not confined to men; women and children were equally susceptible to his whims. A cold fear settled over Raiden as he considered the possibility that his father might have designs on the young princess. Would he dare? And if the price was right, would Adelia's father turn a blind eye to such an act?
Raiden's mind raced, grappling with the implications. He had to protect Adelia, but how? Openly defying his father would be disastrous, not only for himself but for Adelia as well. He needed to find a way to subtly undermine his father's plans, to shield Adelia from Branoc's predatory gaze without arousing suspicion.
The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken tension. Raiden's heart pounded in his chest, a drumbeat of anxiety and dread. He had to think fast. He had to find a way out of this nightmare before it was too late.
Branoc's voice dripped with venom as he turned his attention to Raiden. His words were laced with a sardonic bite, "And you? Do you believe you could manage a more harmonious relationship with her than your brother seems capable of?"
His mind was already racing ahead, weaving a tapestry of schemes that could finally bring about the outcome he had long yearned for: Emery's banishment and the erasure of the blight on his family's legacy. The seed of discord had been planted, and Branoc was determined to nurture it, to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
He observed the subtle shift in the Raiden's expression, the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. It was all the encouragement he needed. Branoc pressed on, his words a blend of insinuation and veiled threat. He painted a picture of a future where Emery's presence was nothing but a distant memory, a future where his family's honor was restored.
Raiden was acutely aware of the delicate situation his father was orchestrating. It was like a carefully laid minefield, and one wrong step could trigger a catastrophic explosion, potentially damaging his relationship with either his father or his brother. Raiden understood that any deviation from the established plans would infuriate Emery, and understandably so. Adelia was, after all, his brother's betrothed, his future wife. The dynamics of their family were intricate and fraught with potential conflict.
Raiden's response was measured and diplomatic. "She is destined to be Emery's wife," he began, choosing his words carefully. "Whether I find her agreeable or not is of little consequence. Most days, I'm simply focused on maintaining a peaceful coexistence with Emery, avoiding any arguments or disagreements." He paused, then added, "However, since you asked, I believe I would be able to get along with her. I'm confident that I can find common ground with almost anyone better than Emery can."
His answer was both honest and tactful, designed to prevent either his father or his brother from using his words against him in the future. Yet, beneath the surface, Raiden was deeply troubled. He couldn't fathom his father's intentions or the potential repercussions of his actions. What was he planning, and how severe would the fallout be? The uncertainty weighed heavily on Raiden's mind, casting a shadow over the already tense family dynamics.
Branoc nodded, his mind churning. While Branoc's thoughts were rarely beneficial to anyone other than himself, this time, they were fixated on Emery's public humiliation of them all. It was high time his eldest son faced real consequences for his actionsâor at least, for the actions attributed to him. Perhaps a dose of reciprocal humiliation was in order, a humiliation so profound that it would be unprecedented in the kingdom's history.
Physical pain seemed to have lost its sting for Emery; maybe striking at his ego and pride would prove more effective. Branoc had observed his eldest son's captivation by the Princess's beauty. Could denying him what he desired inflict a wound that physical pain could not?
As the King contemplated the situation, Mavros approached. Raiden wasn't the only one who had noticed Emery's absence by Branoc's side. The King hoped his soldiers would swiftly deal with the Prince, cleaning him up, administering the fairy blood, and returning him to the event before anyone noticed his prolonged disappearance.
Until then, Branoc would have to concoct a plausible excuse for Emery's absence while simultaneously reevaluating the existing engagement agreement. Diplomacy was one of Branoc's strengths; he should be able to navigate this delicate situation. Perhaps he could feign illness on Emery's behalf, or suggest a sudden, urgent matter that required the Prince's immediate attention.
Meanwhile, the King's mind raced, considering the potential consequences of Emery's extended absence and the possible need to alter the terms of the engagement. He knew that any changes would need to be handled delicately to avoid offending either family or jeopardizing the alliance.
âBranoc! Where did that son of yours disappear to? Hiding in shame?â Mavros sounded enraged as he reached where Branoc and Raiden were still standing. The engagement to Adelia needed to be announced so that the banquet and festivities could be started. However, since they had come in, Emery was missing. First, word had come of his dalliances with a commoner, and now the humiliation of not even showing up for the announcement of the engagement. Mavros had to wonder what kind of game Emery was playing with his daughter.
âGiven the shocking nature of what was revealed, and Emeryâs steadfastness in it being untrue, he felt that he needed to immediately attend to ensuring a thorough investigation was launched into it. He also wished to acquire something to make it up to Adelia for such a shock befalling her upon her arrival. He should be along shortly. I do apologize. As for the shame that the whole ordeal has caused, I assure you that he will be making it up to Adelia and your kingdom, Mavros. If he cannot, I have madeâŠa contingency.â Branoc grinned in a way that left little doubt that the contingency would not be one that Emery would like in the slightest.Â
Raiden felt a chill creep through his veins as he stood beside his father, his mind racing to anticipate Branoc's next move. His father's contingencies were always steeped in negativity, implying that Branoc was already formulating a planâa plan that would likely pit Raiden and Emery against each other once again. This was a favored tactic of his father's, a clever diversion that often shifted attention away from where it truly belonged.
Raiden's thoughts were a whirlwind of anxiety as he desperately hoped that whatever his father was contemplating wouldn't escalate the evening into a confrontation, or worse, a full-blown brawl. It wouldn't be the first time that his father had instigated violence during what was supposed to be a celebratory occasion. The memory of his sister's wedding, marred by two tragic deaths as a result of his father's actions, still haunted him. A silent prayer to the Goddess for protection escaped his lips as he braced himself for the potential chaos that lay ahead.
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