A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 26: Murder In The Pleasure House (2)

The door suddenly burst open with Elena’s figure securely held close to Gabriel’s chest. He ran his fingers on her silky hair, his eyes icely trained on the unannounced intruder.

"Has manners and courtesy fled from everyone in this damned castle?" He asked, and only then did Elena notice there was someone else in the room. She craned her neck to the direction of the door, the familiar figure of Darion gladdening her heart.

"I’ve never been known to have manners and courtesy, Your Highness. My Lady," he offered a slight bow at Elena which had Gabriel crease his brows.

"Where were you in the hour my husband needed you the most?" Elena asked, her eyes never batting for once. If Darion had been there last night, maybe all of this would have been avoided.

"His Highness never admires my services My Lady," he replied, his hands rested on the hilt of his sword.

Gabriel crossed the distance between them and placed his hands on Darion’s shoulders, heavily to sway him from his standing position. And leaning closer, he said, "I’m afraid I’m in need of your unbiased services, Darion."

Their eyes met, a smile curving up Darion’s face. "You want me to do the dirty work?" Gabriel looked surprised, but not Darion. "I know what transpired in that brothel. I’d never let you out of my sight, though I hate to admit it!"

"A fast learner, aren’t you?" Gabriel asked, a smirk dancing on his face. "You know what you have to do?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Even before it left your lips, bastard. Though I must admit this might dig deep into your coffers and feel mine. Naturally the way of things."

Gabriel forced a laugh. "Naturally your way of things," he pointed. "I’m not sure there’s a knight in the whole of Eldoria who gets paid as much as you. A commander maybe."

"I’m certain he’s worth the price," Elena intoned, walking towards the duo. She held Gabriel’s arms and smiled at Darion.

Left with no choice, Gabriel nodded which Darion took as a cue to exit. He watched his exiting back until the doors blocked out his vision.

"I don’t like him," Gabriel admitted once Darion was out of sight. "I know what men like him are."

"That’s why we need him, now especially," Elena said, tagging Gabriel’s hand hard. And come to think of it, he felt her entwine her fingers with his causing a rush of emotions through his body.

"You don’t know what men like him can do for money."

"Darion is fiercely loyal..."

"Present him with a better offer and he can have my head severed from my body. Darion is only loyal to his pockets!" He withdrew his arm from hers and walked over to the bed.

"Do you have a better idea?" She asked, pressing her lips into a thin line. Gabriel shifted his eyes towards her, the fierceness in them quickly replaced by something gentle.

"You don’t know what heights the queen and Brandon can go to have my name bloodied with every slander."

"I’m only trying to help," she replied, her voice drawn to a rugged whisper.

Gabriel gave her a longing look, annoyance flashing across his eyes. He averted his gaze towards the bed.

"Since I was a child, I thought I’d have a better life than anyone else in Eldoria. I was a prince after all." He scoffed. "Those whom I valued as family turned to be the worst nightmares of my life. I thought I needed saving, only to realize no one else could do it if not for myself."

He faced her. "I’ve survived this far because I turned into the person who could withstand the Queen’s schemes and father’s favoritism. You cannot!"

Elena swallowed the lump in her throat. Surely, he must have suffered a lot through his childhood. But she didn’t want him to hate himself again! Why did he have to endure this all alone for a crime he did not commit; being born a bastard?

"You don’t have to share this burden alone. I’m your wife," she said, as if reminding him if he had forgotten.

Gabriel said nothing to that. Instead, he walked over to the door and slammed it behind him. His thoughts were now a mess as he walked down the hallways. His hair, now let loose, covered the better part of his face, hinting a subtle red in his eyes that disappeared as fast as it appeared.

He was about to descend the grand staircase to the dining hall when the King’s Herald called him.

"His Majesty has requested an audience with you my prince."

Gabriel halted in his tracks, a flash of annoyance crossing his face the nth time in a exaggeratingly long day. He followed him to the throne hall.

Thoron was seated on the throne, alone in the empty hall, a glass in his hand. The herald bowed and left when Gabriel walked in. He descended the stairs from the far end to meet with the parallel ground until he halted right in front of the steps that led to the throne.

"You summoned me," he stated the obvious, not a hint of chivalry in his voice.

"I did," Thoron said, his hands rested on the edges of the throne. He looked around the seat. "An ugly chair for an ugly old man." He forced a smile, meeting with Gabriel’s piercing eyes.

Supporting his frame with the edge of the seat, he stood up, his bones cracking as he did. Gabriel could have laughed but the idea behind his summon was bothering him, and he wasn’t particularly comfortable being in the same room with Brandon’s father.

"I know you’re wondering why I summoned you here," Thoron said once he was upright. "The matter in the werewoods needs to be taken care of and I see no one fit for the task better than you."

"You can send someone else. The kingsguard, royal army, or your son!"

"I am sending my son!’ He replied, his voice hard and firm.

"To an early grave!" Gabriel added.

"I’m trying to help you!" Thoron said, his loud voice piercing through the empty hall. "By winning the war of the rogues in the werewoods, you’ll have an ounce of honor to your name, and away from the murder case. Isn’t that help enough?"

Gabriel stared at the king long enough for Thoron’s anger to subside. His face didn’t give any emotions, and rightfully so! The king never helped him when he was young, so why now?

"I’ll consider your offer," he said after a while of silence and walked out, disregarding the king’s status! Not even a slight bow!