Chapter 50: You’re To Investigate
Koda;
Zethar came home yesterday, and it’s been a downpour of tension since then. Thankfully, Zephan has been with him since then, so I know he has all the comfort he’ll need... but the rest of the estate is in unrest.
And they’re well within their rights to be. Zethar’s actions won’t go unpunished. Something is coming. I can feel it. And it worries me.
I have a feeling that’s the exact reason Father called for me.
"Come in." Father’s voice commands after I knock, and I walk into the study with my mind and heart racing.
"Good morning, Father..." I begin, but pause when I smell Rhydian.
I raise my gaze, and to my surprise, I find him sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. Father, on the other hand, is standing in the middle of the study, staring at a painting on the wall.
Father never lets anyone else be around when we talk in private. What’s going on now?
"How long were you planning on keeping it from me?" He questions, and although he’s not looking at me, I know that he’s talking to me.
"Keeping what from you, Father?" I question with my heart, hoping he’s not talking about what I fear.
He can’t know. There’s no way he knows... But then again... It’s him. He knows everything.
Father turns around, and when his blue eyes land on me, I almost squirm at the disappointment I see in them.
"You knew Balinar was in Howleroot. Yet you said nothing to me. Why?"
My heart skips a beat at his words, and immediately my eyes dart over to Rhydian, but Rhydian keeps his gaze glued to the floor.
"Look at me when I’m talking to you, Koda." Father scolds, and I look back up at him.
"Why didn’t you tell me?" He presses, and I take a deep breath.
"I wasn’t certain, Father," I reply, and there’s silence.
That’s a lie. Not being sure isn’t the reason I don’t say anything. I didn’t want this to come back to bite Rhydian. If it’s confirmed that his mother is an enemy of BeastHeaven...
"You could have mentioned it to me, Koda. I would have investigated it." Father states, and my gaze falls to the ground as I bow.
"I’m sorry for the oversight, Father." I apologise, but I know he’s not done.
"You are meant to be king after me. I have mentored you. Everything you know about politics, diplomacy, our people, morals... everything. I taught you. Now is not the time to start keeping things from me and trying to play by your rules. The state of things is currently too fragile for that." He speaks, and although I do not agree with some of what he just said, I remain silent.
What’s the point of training me my whole life if he doesn’t trust my judgement by now? If he won’t let me do things on my own, how will he know that I am capable??
Isn’t it all contradictory?
"I trust you, Koda. However, you also need to trust me. Carry me along. I’m old and sick. Soon enough, I’ll be out of the way, but for now... don’t act like I’m not here." He adds, and I look up at him.
The seriousness in his eyes hurt me.
How can he talk like I’m looking forward to his death? If anything, it always breaks me to think about the fact that one day I might wake up to find that I left him behind in the previous day.
This has nothing to do with not wanting him in the way.
"I’m sorry, Father. Please do not misunderstand my intentions." I whisper as I bow lower, and he walks closer to me. I feel his hand rest on my back as he gently rubs it.
"Stand straight, son. I understand your intentions. Just don’t leave me out anymore." He speaks, and I take a deep breath as I stand right.
"I have eyes who are certain that they saw Balinar in Howeroot." He adds, and once again, my eyes travel over to Rhydian. This time his eyes are watching Father and me, and Father turns to look at him.
"I, however, do not want to believe that Liandria will betray me, or BeastHeaven like that..." Father adds, and I look at him from the corner of my eye.
"Come to me, son." He says to Rhydian as he opens an arm, and Rhydian obeys.
Rhydian walks over to us and stands in front of Father. Father pats his shoulder, and I can see the discomfort in Rhydian’s eyes. This, of course, wouldn’t be easy for him. If Alpha Liandria is found guilty of betraying... she will be killed. That’s the rule.
What son would want his mother dead, even if she’s guilty??
"We need to investigate this matter, Rhydian, and you will be at the forefront of this investigation," Father says, and my eyes widen as I stare at him.
Rhydian remains silent, but his expression screams his confusion.
"If I put anyone else in this position, Liandria will get suspicious. I need you to find out what is going on and report to me. If she’s doing something fishy, talk her out of it before I get candid evidence. And if she’s gone too far... You are obligated to report it to me." Father continues, and I blink as I stare at him.
"How... How do you want me to investigate my own mother?" Rhydian questions, and I do not miss the fear in his voice.
"I taught you better than to let sentiments guide you. Over personal agendas and emotion, BeastHeavens comes first. Or have you forgotten that?" Father replies, and Rhydian takes a deep breath as his head hangs.
"No, Father."
"Good," Father replies, and I swallow as I watch in silence.
"I’ll be sending you off to Howleroot tomorrow." He adds, and Rhydian and I snap our heads in his direction in shock.
"So fast?" I question in alarm, and he shrugs.
"You know what they say about the best time to make hay. Balinar seems to be ahead of us in ways we haven’t even figured out. Sitting on our hands while he plots is a foolish move." Father replies, and I blink in silence.
Father gently taps Rhydian’s shoulder and turns his back on us as he starts walking towards the exit.
"How long will I stay there?" Rhydian questions, and Father pauses.
"When I feel it’s time for you to return, I’ll send for you." He replies, and I blink in stunned silence.
He stops mid-step, and I raise a brow.
"That reminds me. I’m owing you punishment for hitting your omega. Take him with you. He’ll be your companion on this journey." He says, and my heart skips a beat.
"What?!" Rhydian and I chorus, but Father doesn’t even spare us a glance as he exits the study.