Chapter 24 - Foolish Emrit

Teya, too, soon left the room and went on her way. She continued on her way back to the Firestone mansion and then went into her own room. There, she would remain for quite time as she looked through the balcony and far past the walls to where her father had last fought.

Despite her disposition, she wasn't entirely over that fact. It pained her every day and night knowing that he was no longer here.

But lucky for her, she had three siblings, two uncles and one aunt, a grandmother as well as several cousins, grandaunts, granduncles, and other relatives that were there to support her through these hardships. Her older sister, Taya, in particular was always helpful in cheering her up. So, at the very least, she was doing okay.

She only wished she could say the same for Raus. And the girl could only ponder how her eldest brother would feel about this when he returned home. Both of them were much closer to her father than she had ever been.

But she couldn't have possibly known how those two would handle this situation so as it were, she wouldn't think too much about it.

Teya laid down comfortably in her bed that was braced against the wall. Though she wouldn't fall asleep, she didn't feel like doing much so for now, she would spend the rest of day in bed.

~

Mohan made her way from Evan's room and into the castle's throne room which was now drenched in water and had shattered glass sprinkled on to the floor.

"What happened here?" the small woman asked, not even bothering to bow before the King who seemed to be in great distress whilst sitting in his throne.

"Lady Mohan, with all due respect, when before the king, one must…" Sebastian began but the king brushed him off with a wave of his hand.

"It's fine Sebastian." Roy said as he walked down from the throne. "I can at least be informal in the presence of my own daughter."

He then looked to Mohan, finally answering her question. "It was Arrone. He escaped."

"Escaped?" Mohan batted an eye. "You practically let him go. Had you chosen to, I'm sure you could have stopped him."

The King smiled and placed a hand around Mohan's shoulder, leading her away from the wet room. "Perhaps I did but that doesn't matter at the moment. What brings you here?"

"It's Evan. His Gift has changed yet again." The woman replied with dimmed eyes. "I have no idea what's happening to him."

"I see." The King's eyes sharpened. He then continued. "Mohan, my dear, do you remember the story of how the Gifted gained their powers."

Mohan twisted her mouth. "Of course I do, I may be banished but I am still a princess. I know my history"

"Yes, yes. Even so, hear me out." The two then reached out of the castle and began walking through the courtyard of stone pavements and trimmed hedges. "A long time ago, when two worlds were still connected, humans were at the mercy of the demons and the shadowy beasts that followed them. And as a result of that, the Gods took pity on mankind and gave Gifts to seven heroes who then vanquished the armies of demons and chased them back into hell. It was then that the humans closed all gates that connected our worlds."

Mohan slouched her head. "I know this already father, why are you telling it to me?"

"Let me continue dear." The king raised a finger. "My point is, that it was a miracle that we received our Gifts in the first place. And even if we do not understand what is happening to the young Evan, I am sure that he will be fine. After all, a Gift is a good thing." The King smiled and then gave a wink before saying. "Many Gifts are even better."

"I suppose you're right. Him having new powers would not cause harm." She then pulled away from her father and walked up to the circular area where a fountain was built in a cross-section of paths. "But that is not that bothers me most. When we were at the wall, Evan had become someone else. It was the King Ronan that had inhabited his body. I doubted it at first but after seeing what he did…"

"Yes, I am aware of what happened." Roy walked forward quickly, trying to keep pace with his daughter. "But we can't be certain of that. Evan was in a daze. He could have been muttering nonsense. After all, according to Marcus, the boy had manifested many Gifts while he was sleeping. It is possible that he awakened an ability similar to that of the first King."

"Do you really think that?" Mohan met the King's eyes.

"I would like to believe that it is so and this is simply a blessing that has happened to the boy who was banished on accounts of his strange Gift." The King replied with a smile. "Perhaps after all his hardships, the Gods have rewarded him with such wondrous powers, giving him the strength to vanquish even demon lords." Roy clenched his fist with pride and rose it to his chest as he spoke.

"It would be nice if that were all." Mohan smiled as well. "But I will continue to watch over him." Mohan then turned away and frowned. "On that note, how much longer do you suppose that we can stay here? With things as they are, I would like Evan to be where he is most safe but if I must, I suppose that we will head back to Ru…"

"No." The King said sharply. "I have spoken to Emrit already and I have decided that I will no longer bend to his foolishness. As King, I have given too many privileges to the Gifted and as result, the recent ordeal was allowed to occur. But no more, I will keep those with powers in check. And I will not allow Emrit to insult you any longer. I know in my heart that would never do such a thing as to be unfaithful."

"So then we will be allowed to stay here?" Mohan expressed joyously as her face lit up.

"Indeed." The King looked down at his small daughter. "But you must stay away from the Stronghold mansion. That is the only exception."

"I will gladly do so." Mohan replied and then proceeded to make her way back into the castle to return to Evan.

~

Emrit was in his personal room pondering on the events that had occurred. One thing in particular that irritated him was the King's sudden change in heart. Roy had refused to continue the banishment of Mohan and Evan. He even openly called Emrit a fool for thinking that Mohan had cheated on him.

The man twisted his mouth in annoyance. Fool? Him? Not a chance. How was it possible for a boy born of his blood to be so physically weak? Not to mention that Evan could summon clouds as his ability which was a water natured Gift. It had to have been Arrone's child. That was what Emrit had supposed at first, but now…now he didn't even know what to think of Evan.

The boy had used more than one power in the last battle. And Marcus had claimed that Evan was able to use a nature from each of the seven families. Though of course, the commander had only supposed that Evan could also use the Stronghold strength since there was no way to actually show the power other than through brute force. Brute force which Emrit did not see and as such, the man still did not accept Evan as his son. And he never would.

The man took a breath and got up from his seat. He then made way from his room and through his mansion where he then left to go into the palace courtyard.

Long walks here were usually very relaxing and allowed him to take his mind off of things that annoyed him. And it would normally work quite well but not this time, since he just happened to bump into Roy.

"Oh, Emrit." The King smiled coyly. "Good to see you up and about."

Emrit tried to ignore him and continued walking, taking the right path from the cross section that they were now in. But to his dismay, Roy followed behind. "Well, if you too are going for a walk, why not let us go together. We are in laws after all."

"No, we are not." Emrit replied coldly. "I divorced and got remarried, remember?"

"Ah, right. To Amelia, if I am not mistaken." The King batted an eye. "But didn't you also get divorced from her?"

"Could you be quiet and leave me alone." Emrit quickened his pace.

"Oh, don't be so. If you're always this cold, I can understand why marriage does not suite you well." The King still followed behind.

Emrit clenched his fists and veins began to pop out on his forehead. He stopped and then turned around to face the tall man. "What do you want Roy? You've already forbidden me to talk crudely about your daughter so why do you keep speaking about marriages?"

"Yes. I suppose I was pestering you a bit. But I just can't help but wonder, do you not still love my daughter. Despite what I said, I heard that it was you who divorced Amelia." The King replied with a finger braced against his cheek as he looked to the sky.

Emrit raged as the veins on his fist and head grew more noticeable. "I do not want anything to do with your daughter and I divorced Amelia for my own reasons. Is there anything else you would like to pry about me, your majesty?"

The King sighed and his tone became serious. "I'm just trying to be a better King and friend, Emrit. I've never said anything but it pains me to see you become like this. Mohan is once more in the Kingdom along with Evan. Don't you think it's time that you make peace. Your argument of Evan possessing the water element no longer holds reputable after seeing all the Gifts that Evan can use. So don't you think it's about time you accept him as your son?"

Emrit didn't say anything. He only turned around and paced onward leaving the King behind.