Abbott's POV
I have never said what I just said out loud before but he was Aaron Darken and I was Abbott Raven. If I was going to admit that to anyone it would be to the man who gave up everything including his title for my sake.
I watched him.
His face was blank as usual and that vacant eyes of his stared at me just like he did when I woke up from my slumber at eleven of age.
That grim look on his face and the way he looked beyond me to that which I try to keep hidden was exactly the same. I remember that day vividly.
I remember it like it was yesterday. I mean how could I forget…I remember the bolting pain in my lower back, the tightness in my chest…the struggle it took to take in air and to keep breathing every second even though each breath felt like little daggers laced with a potent venom constructed by the devil himself.
I remember the whizzing sound I made each time I took in more than a minimal amount of air…I remember the burning pain on my armpit…burning pain because someone had actually burned me there with a hot iron rod. One eye was swollen shut and one foot was numb, I wasn't so lucky about the other one.
I was confused and dizzy and in an unbearable agony. I tried to stand up from the bed but it was a big mistake. I felt a jolting wave of excruciating pain go through me and my screams echoed.
"Don't try to move"
The voice came by the corner of the room. I couldn't see the owner. It was too dark…too damn dark but I took his advice anyway, not staying still was a fate worse than death.
I wiped my face with the palm of my hand but it didn't stop the sweat. Nothing did.
"He went too far…he never goes this far" the voice murmured.
He was closer now but halfway, he changed his mind and walked to the window and opened them. Rays of sunlight flooded the room in an instant, blinding me. I shielded my eyes with my hand until I adjusted to the sunlight.
"He never goes this far. You must have provoked him. Why do you keep provoking him, your highness?"
The man was standing in front of me and I stared at him. He was a stranger. He was tall like a giant and he was dressed for war and he looked angry. Was he angry at me?
I sincerely hope not. I don't think I could take another beating. I watched him from the way he clenched his fist to the way he squirted his eyes at me, it made me understand that he was angry alright…fuming actually but not at me. He looked…concerned about my pain.
I wondered why.
"...you just need to realize he has all the power now, Prince Markle's birth made you dispensable. You were useful as heir but now that he has an unexpected grandson from Jensen's widow, you are just something he wants to torture. You need to stop or you will die. Do you understand me, your highness? Stay alive! Can you stand?" he asked me and I nodded.
I tried to stand but it was impossible so I sat back down. I looked around once more and suddenly the panic set in.
"W-who are you? W-where am i?" I asked him.
He stopped and he moved closer to me. For the first time, I saw his eyes regain life.
"It must have worked. I didn't think it would" then he grabbed me by my chin and he made me look at him. "Do you know your name?"
I nodded. I must surely know my own name, it would be bizarre if i didn't but no matter how hard i tried, i couldn't remember.
"i …I don't know my name. I can't remember" I murmured.
"You are his royal highness, Abbott Raven…prince of Zurich. Aldous Raven is your father and you must do everything in your power to avoid his wrath, won't you dear boy? Live to fight another day, right? And whatever happens, Abbott, you must remember that everything I do, I did to protect you. Remember that one day, dear boy"
That was years ago, when I was still a little boy.
I'm not so little anymore.
*
"I thought you said his hatred doesn't bother you"
Darken's voice brought me out of my head.
I blinked to refocus my gaze. Enough trip down memory lane.
"It doesn't!" I prevented myself from yelling this at the very last moment. "I could care less about Aldous but if there is a chance that he is not…"
"He is your flesh and blood, Abbott. Why else would he keep you around?"
Darken was right. If i wasn't his son why else would Aldous keep me in the palace but something didn't feel right.
"Queen Isabella, Aldous's wife...my supposed mother, do you remember her?" i asked him.
"Barely…" Darken murmured.
"She died sixteen years before my birth. Now, tell me this…do dead queens birth a babe? No! They don't, Aaron"
"No but mistresses do. You must have thought of it. I must take my leave now and Abbott?" he looked me dead in the eyes "Some questions don't need answers"
"It doesn't mean I won't ask them. Welcome home, Aaron!" I yelled after him.
It was more of a threat than an actual welcome. I knew Aaron feels the most free when he is not in the palace but he was bound to stay if he thinks i am going off the reservations and would likely get myself killed.
He walked back in a flash of rage and he grabbed my arm, roughly.
"Why are you trying to provoke the king?"
"It is quite hilarious watching father squirm in his chair knowing that if i choose to, i could slit his throat" i smiled just a little bit. I loved that thought so much that I even imagined it. "I watch him die a little whenever he gives me another battalion of skilled fighters who are only loyal to me. Aldous Raven will keep his word to me or so, help me God, i will give him something to be afraid of"
"Who is this girl? And why is she worth starting war for? Have you met her before?" Darken asked me.
"No" I lied "She is a nobody but she can give my father something he really wants and I plan to make it extremely difficult for Aldous to get what he wants. In fact, I excel at doing my damndest to make father get as little as possible. Abigail is just a means to an end"
"Then why are you not asking for more armies in exchange for extracting the information from her, Abbott. The king would give you seven…maybe more if you get those maps from the baron's daughter. Seven more battalions would bring you closer to your ultimate goals - surpassing his majesty's army. So, lie to me if you must but this young girl you are provoking Aldous for is not a means to an end. She must mean something to you"
I stared at Darken for a few minutes. My face was blank and my eyes were glued to his.
"I just met her for the first time today, Aaron. How could she mean anything to me?"
It was a lie. A lie I hope Aaron would believe. Abby and I met for the first time, thirteen years ago. She was five years old and I was fifteen and barely conscious.
"Alright" he murmured.
"Alright?" I was surprised.
"Yes, Abbott."
"Okay, Aaron"
I turned around to leave when he spoke to me.
"While we are being truthful to ourselves, if i find out that this girl poses real danger to your neck, i will make her disappear…and Abbott, Bastian is your friend no matter how hard you make it for anyone to be your friend… since Anthony"
I felt my fist clench in an instant as rage filled me up. Darken knew better than to bring up Tony.
"You do remember Anthony, don't you, Abbott?" he asked me.
'`Of course "I turned around and started walking away. "How could i forget the summer i went crazy and tried to murder the King and in retaliation, he had my only friend, hanged…and he made me watch"