Rohan felt a hand on his forearm and saw his sister's mouth move, but he heard nothing. His gaze locked onto his father's smiling face, his jaw tight and fists clenching and unclenching.
Rage surged through him as he walked toward the King, ignoring the cheers around him. "What the fuck are you doing?" he whispered, his voice low and dangerous.
"What does it look like, Rohan? I am giving you what is rightfully yours. You should be grateful," the King replied, his face showing no remorse.
"I would like to speak with you privately, King Valdric. I do not want to cause a scene." Rohan's words were firm, and he was relieved when his father didn't argue, following him out of the ballroom and into an empty room.
His father—king Valdric, sat regally on a chair, his expression calm but resolute. "What is it you want? I have to return to the ball, I have people waiting for me." He replied curtly.
"What the fuck do you mean by what do I want? You know full well what I want and you still did as you pleased and as always you never listen." Rohan spat, his jaw clenching from anger.
"You will be crowned as the prince, as the heir to this kingdom and that is my final decision, nothing you say or do will change that Rohan," his father declared, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Rohan's jaw tightened. "I have told you before, Father. I do not want this! I don't want to rule this kingdom! I want nothing to do with the fucking throne!"
The King's gaze hardened. "You don't have much of a choice, Rohan. This is your duty, your responsibility. I have decided and that is how it will be. Nothing will change it."
Rohan took a step forward, his voice rising. "Duty? Responsibility? What about my choice? My life? I have spent years telling you I want no part in this, and yet you refuse to listen! You never listen!"
Before the argument could escalate further, the Queen entered the room, her presence doing nothing to calm the suffocating tension between the King and Rohan. She placed a gentle comforting hand on Rohan's arm, her voice soothing. "Rohan, please. Let's talk this through."
But Rohan shook her off, his frustration bubbling over. "I have been talking, Mother, for years, and no one listens! Father has decided my life for me without even considering what I want," he narrowed his eyes at her, "I hope you have no hand in this mother."
"Rohan," The Queen began softly, "your father and I only want what is best for you. The kingdom needs a strong leader, and you are—"
"I am not fit!" Rohan interrupted sharply, his voice cracking with emotion. "Find someone else to carry the burden of your kingdom. I've told you before, and I am telling you again, I will NOT do it!"
King Valdric stood, his eyes locking with Rohan's. "You stubborn fool! I have done everything for you. Gave you protection, a roof over your head, and all I ask in return is for you to be the son I am proud of. All you had to do was be the damn prince you're supposed to be."
Rohan took a step back, fighting the fire of his anger. "You lost that right when you banished me from your kingdom. I haven't been in Luminae for almost a century, and this is how you celebrate my return? By trying to force me into the same thing I've told you I never wanted? Why can't you understand? I do not want to be a King! All this glamour, these balls, this responsibility—it's not for me!"
The queen moved closer to Rohan, her hand itching to touch him again. Tears welling up in her eyes and heart arched seeing her dear son hurt so much. She wished she could help him, but her hands were tied. "My sweet Rohan, please calm down. We can talk about this when you both have calmed down."
"There's nothing to talk about, Mother. It seems the King has already made up his mind about who will be the next ruler. It's been nice seeing you again, but I will be leaving at dawn and never returning." His voice carried a sadness that he couldn't hide.
"Please..."
The King's dark laugh echoed through the room, drawing their attention. "Rohan, you are such a fool," he laugh finally died down. "You know..." he spoke softly, his silver eyes staring at the ceiling, "I've always wished for another son, but unfortunately, you are all I have."
"."
His gaze returned to his son's, "I am giving you two months to think it over and prepare for the inevitable, Rohan, or there will be consequences," the King warned.
Rohan scoffed mockingly, "What are you going to do? Banishing me for a second time?"
"Banish you? I would never do that. You are to become the future King, Rohan. I can't afford to lose you. You have two months to take your rightful place, or I will sell your sister to the wealthy vampire who has always had his eye on her."
Rohan's eyes darkened, his voice trembling with fury. "What the hell did you just say?"
"I'm sure you heard me, Rohan," Valdric smiled coldly, enjoying the rising anger in his son. "Lyra will be sold to him, and I cannot begin to describe the horrors she'll face."
Unable to stand the sight of his father any longer, Rohan turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, ignoring the worried call of his mother behind him. His boots echoed through the palace corridors as he made his way to the gardens, seeking the solitude he desperately needed.
The evening breeze did little to ease the fury raging inside him. Fuck! He hated his father. "Fuck!" he muttered, his hand running through his silver locks, undoing the braids in frustration.