Prince Ian had heard, even long before he got close to their town, that King Robin was throwing an elaborate feast to celebrate his victory in conquering the Rodenians. So he wasn't surprised to hear the loud music nor roars of laughter coming from the manor as he approached it.
He jumped down from his gelding and led it into its stable before going into the manor through the backdoor.
He swung open the heavy oak door and walked into the darkened hall of the old manor. He could hear the hushed sound of two people making out somewhere he didn't care to look. Probably one of the warriors and a maidservant.
"Milord! You're back," One of his mother's maid greeted with a bow.
"Sshhh. Only you and my mother can know about my return. I need to catch me some rest," He told her before taking the stairs.
The first floor of the manor was similar to that of most buildings, but the second floor had seven separate quarters, each with a private hallway.
Ian decided to check on his mother before going into his room, so he branched to the second quarter and gave a single tap on her door like he always did.
"Ian? Is that you?" His mother asked and opened the door immediately after she heard his "Aye."
"How could you leave me alone? Where have you been?" She asked and pulled him into an embrace. She sobbed quietly while he just held her close.
He pulled away from her to look into her face, "Are you okay? You look pale," He complained when he saw her drawn face and the dark circles under her eyes.
"You should have fought for the throne. You should have taken the throne from your bastard brother!" She cried the moment he shut the door behind them, and they were alone in her room.
"You shouldn't say that out loud. You could be charged with treason," Ian told her quietly.
"Your bastard brother beheaded King Eric and took his son, hostage. He had him locked up in the dungeon," She told him in a sob.
Ian reached out to hug his mother again. She could never stand such violence because she had been a victim of war herself and had lost her family to war before her marriage to his late father. His father had loved her so much and had agreed to sign a peace treaty with all the nations around them for her sake.
"Why is he locked up? What does Robin want with the lad?" Ian asked with a sigh. He would have to postpone his long-awaited rest for the time being. Maybe he needed to make his presence known to his brother and kinsmen.
"I hear he brought him as a replacement for your valet... You do know he murdered your valet, right?" His mother asked, making his hands ball into a fist.
"I will go have a talk with Robin right now," Ian said before turning to leave the room.
"Ian? Please be careful. He is probably drunk," His mother pleaded.
"Try to get some sleep, mother. I'll handle things," Ian promised before leaving her.