The carriage halted in front of the massive palace, which was supposed to be my actual home.
After my father had gone to war, I had found out through my investigation about everything. All the truth and lies.
Where they mix and thangle.
Where the water is muddy and where it is clean.
I had been half conscious during my birthing process and remembered some of the events after that, so naturally, once Father's eyes were away, I tore everything down and found some interesting things.
The massive gates opened and King Gustav Ravial—my actual father—stood at the entrance.
'Ah a headache.'
After I found out the truth, I realized why this person donts on me more than his actual children, who also adore me like a big brother.
The carriage stopped in front and before I could even get out, he was already striding towards me with purpose.
His expression was tight, but the signs of tension were clearly visible in his eyes. His hair looks more dishavel than should be allowed, but it suits him.
"Kaan," he called out his voice softly and carried a weight. I look at him, my face hiding everything it should not be showing, especially annoyance.
But the next moment, I found myself pulled into a fire embrace. His warm arms wrapped around me in almost a choke hold.
His arms tighten as if I would disappear. I could feel it then.
His aura hiking, his worry radiating, plus his mana surrounding us, creating a small bubble around.
The golden barrier shines in the light and I can't hear anything from outside.
'Sound and vision-blocking spell.' I thought to myself as I barely moved my arms to pat his back, which ended causing his grip to tighten.
I stiffened as if moving would cause the hold to get more tighter. But I relaxed when the exhaustion from the past few days made it harder to keep my guard up.
"You look thinner," he says in almost a whisper, his grip tightening slightly before he pulls back just enough to look at me properly.
His piercing gaze looked me over from top to bottom, making sure I was okay. "Are they taking care of you properly?"
When I refused to say anything and turned my face to the side, I felt his eyebrow frown and his magic swirl around us.
The next second, Jasper was pulled inside and asked the same question. He looked at me and his face turned nonchalant as he looked back at the king and said, "He doesn't let anyone take care of him, so I would not say it is our fault."
I wiped my head at him and glared.
'Traitor.'
Gustav's frown only deepened.
"I see," his voice reached deadly water and I could already tell he was planning something behind the scenes.
I sighed. "I am fine."
He looked at me and nodded nonchalantly, not convinced but he finally stepped back and removed the barrier. "Come. The meeting is about to begin."
I inhaled sharply and exhaled. Straightening and shaking off whatever moment of softness had just happened. This wasn't about family bonds, it was about survival.
And I wasn't about to let anyone take what is mine and get in the way of my plans.
***
The grand hall was filled with high-ranking nobles of the kingdom, each one a force to be reckoned with in their own right.
Everyone sits in a chair as round tables cover round and round around the sides, as the middle is left empty for the person for whom this meeting is held for.
An imposing atmosphere and an environment to doom the inferior.
Duke Lauren Cavad, the shrewd and calculating head of House Cavad, sat near the front, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
Marquis Donovan Hale, ever composed and unreadable, leaned back in his seat with his fingers steepled together.
Countess Evelyne Blackwood, a woman as deadly as she was beautiful, watched with quiet amusement, while Baron Victor Lorne seemed more interested in the golden chalice of wine before him than the meeting itself.
Also present were Lazaro and Cordilla Funar, the ever-pragmatic heads of their house.
Gavin Rowan, whose loyalty was always a coin flip, on the other hand, there is Caleb Kline, an opportunist through and through.
Aspen McCoy, who rarely spoke but always listened and Nefeli Lowell, whose sharp tongue could cut deeper than any blade.
But the loudest presence in the room belonged to Marquise Cabot, the man who had made his hatred for me clear from the moment I returned.
"This is outrageous!" Marquise Cabot's voice boomed across the hall before the king could even finish speaking. His weathered face was twisted in disdain and his sharp eyes narrowed in disapproval. "A mere child, barely past his boyhood, is to inherit the title of Duke? Have we completely lost our minds?"
His outburst sent ripples of murmurs through the assembled nobles. Some nodded and others exchanged wary glances. I remained silent, watching as he continued to rant.
I stand in the middle as all eyes fall on me. Some pity, other amusement and then there is sadness and joy.
"Kaan Mabuz has been absent and raised outside these halls, with no proper training in governance or diplomacy!" Cabot sneered, his contempt barely veiled. "And yet we are to bow our heads and accept this mockery of succession?"
Gustav's gaze darkened. "Are you questioning my judgment, Marquise Cabot?"
I turn to Arlo. "By all due respect, I have been handling the duchy in the absence of my father and I have been doing a fine job at it as well." I say but the stupid, brainless headache just ignored my words and instead replied to the king.
Cabot scoffed but quickly bowed his head slightly and feigned obedience. "I only question what is best for the kingdom, Your Majesty."
'The audacity.' Anger seeth through me but I contain my beast because I still have a job to finish.
Duke Cavad finally spoke, his tone level but firm. "With all due respect, while Young Duke Kaan's return is notable, should we not consider all potential heirs before reaching a conclusion?"
Marquis Hale smiled faintly. "Indeed. While Young Duke Kaan is, not by blood, the late Duke's heir, the matter of succession requires more than just agreement and surname, does it not?"
Countess Blackwood moved forward in her seat, her lips curling into a smirk. "Are we questioning his capability, then?"
I finally spoke, my voice calm but firm. "If that's the case, I'm more than willing to prove myself."
The room fell silent.
'So they finally see me.'
Gustav's eyes flickered with something unreadable but he remained quiet, waiting to see how the nobles would respond.
Marquise Cabot scoffed. "And how exactly do you plan to do that, boy? By throwing a tantrum? By swinging a sword around like a reckless child?"
I met his glare head-on, my smirk unwavering. "By showing you why I'm the only one fit to rule."
Duke Cavad chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Spoken like a true Mabuz. But words are easy, Young Duke Kaan. We require more than that."
"Then let's not waste any more time." I flicked my wrist as a bunch of papers appeared in front of everyone on the table around me.
The real battle was about to begin.