A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 32: Of Bastards And Thrones

Thoron entered Brandon’s chamber, a grim look registered on his ever serious face. The royal physician came into view with a worried queen Jessica pacing back and forth. He had never seen her so disturbed!

He walked over and saw Brandon lying on his bed, an ugly wound on his chest. The blood had coated around it, the flesh appearing slightly burnt. Bloodied bandages were laid on the side.

"How bad is it?" He asked.

The physician lifted a bandage displaying a section of the damage. "The flesh appears rather unique. I’ve never seen something like it before."

"He’s taking a long time to heal for a royalty!" The queen voiced her concerns.

The king leaned over to inspect the wound. Gods, it stunk! Fresh blood flowed from it, dark blood! "It was foolish of you to attack Gabriel," he said, not a hint of emotion on his face.

The queen paused in her tracks, surprised by Thoron’s words. "Your son was attacked by... And what you’re saying is that was foolish..."

"What do you want me to do?" He asked, his voice rising. The knights present exchanged glances and without being told, they took their leave. "Imprison him?"

He looked at her, his eyes assessing her like one ripping the soul out of her. "That’s what you’ve always wanted. Gabriel is much a son of mine as is Brandon. That should sink in your spoilt mind!"

"Gabriel stole a horse meant for me." Brandon spoke, tilting his head towards his father. "Isn’t that insult enough to me?"

Thoron pursed his lips. "I’ll see to it that your horse is returned to you."

"What about your son? He was attacked and all you can do is sue for peace?" Jessica asked.

"What do you want?" Thoron asked, sighing in frustration. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Justice!" Her voice was firm and resolute. She stared at Brandon, her eyes watery in motherly love. "My son is lying on the bed because of Gabriel. And Gabriel is out there walking free."

"What are you suggesting?" Thoron asked, already aware where this was going.

"An eye for an eye! I want justice for my son!"

"Nothing of that sort is going to happen. I’ll not see my house stand divided because of trivial pursuit of vengeance!"

The queen stared at Thoron, a fresh wave of anger taking court in her. "If you’re too weak to administer justice, then I will!"

Thoron’s face flashed in annoyance, and before he could control it, he landed a hot slap on Jessica’s face. She held her reddened cheeks in misbelief, the metallic taste of her own blood filling her mouth.

"I’ll wear this as a badge of honor!" She said staring daggers at her husband.

"Wear it silently or I’ll honor you again!’

"If you’ll excuse me Your Majesties," the physician said before fleeing from the chamber.

"I have nothing else to do here," Thoron said. "You’ll do nothing that I haven’t instructed!" He reminded her before turning around to leave.

"I have more allies in court than you," she reminded him too. "I’ll see to it that my son’s justice is administered."

Thoron just gave her a piercing gaze, his hands clenched into a fist, before he walked out.

"You shouldn’t have said that," Brandon voiced, struggling to sit up. Jessica rushed to put a pillow to support his back.

"Everything I did is for you," she said, her hands settling on Brandon’s chin. "I’ll not have a bastard sit on that throne while I’m still breathing."

"Father might have a different opinion," he said, fear laced in his voice. It meant everything they had been fighting for would be all in vain. And Gabriel... "Do you think he’ll let us breath the same air as him when he ascends the throne."

"It can never happen. The people loathes him, and your father would not be foolish enough to have a bastard sit the throne."

"He’s been favoring the bastard lately. Can’t you see he’s grooming him for leadership mother?" Brandon asked, the very thought of it bringing fear to his being. His father never loved him! He was always blinded by his mother’s love. And now he was seeing the effect of it.

"If it ever comes to that, I assure you my boy," she caressed his cheeks, "I’ll do everything in my power to see you on the throne. It’s yours by right."

"Is it?" Brandon asked, a sad smile plastered on his face. He lifted Jessica’s hands off his face and turned to face the other side. "I want to be alone!"

Jessica tried to hold his hands but he didn’t give her his attention. She lowered her gaze, disappointed in her efforts to lift her son’s spirit. In the end, she withdrew her touch and stood up ready to leave. "I’ll call the physician to see to your wounds." She said before closing the door behind her.

Jessica walked down the hallways, her head held high. She heaved a sigh of relief when she finally arrived at her chambers. Thoron was not here, and neither was Lilith. She sighed again in exasperation. Where the hell would she find that girl in this massive castle.

"Argh! Little cunt!" She cursed, ready to go for the search when she spotted Thoron’s study open. A frown settled on her face. It was unlike Thoron to leave his study open. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had laid her eyes on this room.

She instinctively turned, slowly advancing the study. She took a peak inside but there was no one inside apart from stacks upon stacks of books and documents. The king’s quill was placed on the desk together with some official documents from the treasury.

On a closer look, she noticed the treaty signed between King Andrian Thornhart and her husband placed on a slightly open drawer. Curious, she picked this particular stack and perused through it. Apart from the terms of the treaty, there was nothing of importance. She perused another page when three leaflets slipped from in between and fell on the floor.

The papers were brown in color, and judging from their edges, freshly plucked. She bent lower and collected the leaflets, surprise written on her face when she read the contents.