DANIEL HAD TAKEN ONE OF THE HORSES FROM THE ROYAL PALACE STABLES. He was not going to ride the carriage back to the house, it would have taken too long. He was almost frantic.
Titus had said that Geoffrey was alive and that he would find him at his house. Daniel nudged his horse to go faster. The people in the streets were making way for him, it was the wiser choice when someone was riding that fast in the city.
'Could he have lied to me?' His thoughts were scrambled. 'But he has no reason to, we all believed and accepted that Geoffrey was dead.'
Then, he thought of Magnolia. The way her eyes looked at the funeral had haunted him. She looked like everything inside her had withered and died.
'I need to tell her as soon as I see Geoffrey.'
"You have a choice, Daniel." The king's words resonated in his head. "You saw how easy it is to lose everything, right? Especially now that your wife turned out to be a Gottanlich–and a traitor." Titus had a disgusting grin on. It made his wrinkles look deeper than they were.
"What do you want?" the duke asked. He wanted to get out of the palace and go find his son as soon as possible, but he could tell that the king had so much more to say to him.
"In case you haven't figured it out yet, I need the Barons' Bill to pass in parliament," Titus said.
"Why are you doing this? Is it because the crown prince has no magic? Do you really think the barons will support him?"
"Yes, this is the only way to ensure that my son ascends the throne after my passing."
"This will split the country and you know it." Daniel pressed his lips together. "This will start a civil war."
"That's why I need to do it now, while I still can, and you are going to help me."
Daniel was silent. He was not in a position to refuse, at least until he made sure that Geoffrey was still alive.
"Needless to say, Salicera and its duke will still support the kingdom. Unless you wanted me to be merciless and actually kill your son." Daniel did not respond. "I will also not make your wife's treason public, as long as you make her understand where her interests lie."
"Fine."
"See, we can understand each other when needed," Titus rejoiced. "Now, the Winter Hunt will take place in a month, it's going to be the biggest hunt in the history of Malorenia. I want it to go smoothly and without any unexpected events. So, the next parliament session will be after the hunt."
"How will you introduce the same bill again? It was already overruled."
"Let me worry about that." Titus chuckled. "All you have to remember is to be obedient and keep your wife in check. You of all people know that I am rarely this generous." Daniel's nails dug into his palms. Titus was talking about his parents' death.
'How dare you?'
"And you of all people should know that I don't forgive anyone, so you better keep your word and stay away from my family." Daniel glared at the king. "Otherwise, you know what I am capable of, Your Majesty."
The title almost sounded like an insult. That was when Daniel stormed out and headed to the stables.
THE HOUSE FINALLY CAME INTO VIEW. As soon as he reached the entrance, he jumped down from the horse and ran inside.
"Geoffrey," he called. "Geoffrey." The maids looked at each other in shock. They suspected that the poor duke had lost his mind. "Geoffrey," he called again, going from one room to another.
When Daniel opened his office's door, he stopped. There was a small body sitting on the chair, it was facing the other way, but Daniel could tell that it was a child.
He took hesitant steps and approached the chair. The head was covered with a dark hood and the hands were tied behind the back.
With shaking hands, the duke grabbed the rough fabric and pulled it up.
"Oh Gods," he whispered.
It was Geoffrey. The boy had his eyes squinted because of the bright light. His mouth was gagged, but Daniel removed the cloth immediately.
"Papa?" Geoffrey called in disbelief. He was still struggling with the brightness of the room.
Daniel's eyes teared.
"Yes, it's me, Geoffrey." The boy's tears were already racing down his cheeks.
Daniel untied the rope around his wrists and enveloped him in his arms.
"I'm so sorry," he uttered with a choked voice.
"Papa," Geoffrey called, louder this time. He lifted his tired arms and hugged his father back. "Papa," he sobbed.
Daniel kneeled in front of his son and patted his trembling body until he had calmed down.
He was silent, but his chest rumbled. He could not believe that he was holding Geoffrey in his arms. Only a few days ago he thought he had buried him.
He finally pulled away when Geoffrey's sobs stopped, his body was spasming from all the crying. His small fingers were clenched around Daniel's sleeve. Geoffrey calmed down a bit.
The duke studied his son, he had lost weight. A few cuts were visible on his neck, he would have to check if he was hurt anywhere else.
Daniel cupped his face, he needed to touch him, make sure that he was real and not a figment of his imagination. The whole situation was unreal.
"I think you need to take a bath, my boy."
Daniel pushed to his feet to call for a maid, but Geoffrey's hands would not release his sleeve. His heart ached at the sight. The boy was so scared to be left alone again.
Daniel cursed himself for failing him. He scooped Geoffrey and walked out of the office.
"Prepare a bath in my room?" he ordered the first maid he saw.
"Right away, Your Grace."
"Daniel," Laya called as she approached. "You can't just leave like that. Do you know how worried we–" The words died in her throat when Daniel turned around and her eyes laid on little Geoffrey. "What–what happened?"
"Let's talk after I give Geoffrey a bath," he said. "Where is Henry?"
"He was held up at the palace, some family business."
"Let me know as soon as he returns," Daniel requested before walking toward his room.
There was so much to plan and discuss, but all of that could wait. He caressed Geoffrey's hair as his head rested on his shoulder.
'I will never let you go again, my son.'
Daniel's heart was different, something had changed. The feeling of not wanting to take revenge because it would not bring Geoffrey back was long gone.
Seeing the marks on his son's wrists and the state he was in had triggered something in him.
He wanted to see blood, he wanted to be the one to draw it. He wanted a massacre, something befitting his nickname, and if he could not do that, he wanted to at least see Titus suffer.
'Oh, you will pay for your crimes alright.'