-The Truth- Chapter 8

"Your Majesty" Zach said as he kneeled in front of the Queen

"Have a seat Zach" The Queen offered

"I summoned you here regarding your current position as the Prince's Personal Knight," She said

Her assistant then handed the Queen a document. It was a contract!

Zach just quietly sat there as the Queen presented him with what was written in the contract. The contract mentioned him being a Personal Knight and that he could never and not ever in his life betray the Prince. The contract also entailed that he will spend the rest of his life fulfilling his duty as the Royal Family's- no, as Prince Dhrake's Personal Knight.

"Though you are indeed His Personal Knight, it won't be necessary for you to accompany and guard him right away as the Prince currently does not require it. You won't be signing this contract either, for now." said the Queen

"I understand Your Majesty" Zach replied

"So with that said, you'll be spending the rest of the years training and by that time you should achieve the Highest Rank among the Knights"

Zach was too stunned to speak. He could understand why he became a Personal Knight as a commoner knight could become one but acquiring something that only nobility has the right to acquire, sounded too good to be true.

"You're probably thinking that you can't achieve the highest rank because you're not a noble is that right?" The Queen asked

"Yes" He replied

"You're wrong"

"..." Zach stayed silent in turmoil.

The Queen is rather confused as to why Zach thinks of himself as a commoner, but then again his late mother was a runaway noble and that is probably why she didn't mention anything about it.

"Zach, you're probably not aware but you are from nobility, your father indeed was a commoner but your mother is not." The Queen told him

"My-my mother is?..." He asked

"Yes, a nobility" She replied

He never imagined himself as a noble let alone being one. This information for him was just too much to comprehend.

Too many questions entered his head.

If his mother was a noble, then why was she living worst than a dog?

Why did she decide to be with a scum?

And why did she never mention her being a noble?

Zach wasn't mad, not at all.

He was confused.

"I'm sorry but I was only aware of this after we did an investigation about your background"

"That's completely fine, Your Majesty, doing an investigation about someone who you do not personally know is necessary especially when that someone is from such an environment," He said respectively

"I have never doubted your honesty, but yes you're right, the investigation was necessary," said the Queen

"You-your Majesty...can you please tell me more about my mother's affairs?" He asked nicely

The Queen smiled at him first then said: "Alright,"

Her mother, Alodia Albrecht, was the daughter of Duke Ren Albrecht and Reina Albrecht. She was smart, lovely, and an obedient daughter ever since she was a kid. Though everything changed when she met Kent Braiseley, Zach's father.

Kent was not outstanding nor he is excellent at something. What caught Alodia's attention was that he was hardworking and of course good looking. She saw an opportunity to talk to him and she didn't let it go to waste. She introduced herself to him and so did Kent.

After quite a few times of talking and exchanging information about each other, Alodia couldn't hold herself back anymore and confessed her affection towards him. Kent then said that he felt the same and they started to see each other.

But that was her first mistake.

Kent who has been seen as someone hardworking isn't necessarily far from the truth. Though he certainly works hard, he only does it for himself. He would never in his life consider helping someone in need whether that someone is family or not. He's good at taking advantage of people around him and would leave them once they stop being of use to him.

Alodia decided that she wanted to introduce Kent to her parents and so she brought him home. Kent was stunned to discover what her status was. He saw this as an opportunity for himself to finally have an easy-going life so he decided that he will make her so that she will be incapable of leaving him.

Her parents no matter what she said could not accept him and kicked him out every time. But Kent did not lose hope.

Seeing him like this, Alodia thought that he loves her very much and that he is willing to wait for her and her parent's acceptance. Little did she know,

All of this was only for his good. He's only doing this so he could feel better about himself and that he actually does not care about her but only cares about how he will manipulate her.

Months have passed since she tried to convince her parents but nothing changed. Her parents told her to give up and that ended in a fuss. She was fuming with anger and that lead her into running away with Kent. She brought all her money with her thinking that that was sufficient, and it was supposed to be able to last them for a long time but it didn't. Kent from time to time would take and use her money for gambling and investing in shady businesses which somehow succeeded at the time but never told her about it. He got her pregnant and that was when he started treating her differently. He started beating her up and every day that passes it became worst. Their funds run out after giving birth to Zach and because she was getting beaten up every day, she got scared thinking that he might do it with their child as well so she sneaked out when he was in a slumber.

Alodia tried her best to raise Zach by doing laundry and serving the rich. But the exhaustion took a toll on her and made her weaker over time. She got to the point where she can't even do chores as simple as sweeping the floor, therefore, she had no choice but to leave the job.

Her illness, instead of getting better, got even more terrible that even talking is hard for her. Kent who at the time had a new family heard about it but didn't even put it to mind.

Alodia died and Zach was handed to his father originally because Kent was introduced to a wealthy family, they had a daughter about the same age as Zach and were planning to arrange a marriage for them but the family moved out even before Zach could move in.

Kent decided to not take him in anymore but her new wife insisted. She said that it's good to have another person in the house as their daughter tends to get lonely at times.

Zach moved in and that was the start of limitless abuse from his stepmother. His father was aware of it but every time that it happens, he didn't even spare him a glance nor tried to stop her.

Kent got greedy for even more money resulting in him getting executed and so does his wife and his daughter who are still missing to this day.

Zach on the other hand got to live the life that his mother wants him to live.

"That's all we've gathered so far," said the Queen

"I see, I appreciate it Your Majesty" Zach said as he bowed in gratitude.

"I shall go now as Her Majesty might be doing something important," Zach said while looking at the papers lying on the Queen's table.

"Well then, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, you may leave," She said then smiled

Zach then went on to train and refine his skills to be able to succeed in being one of the Highest Ranking Knights and of course, to be able to serve the Prince of Eisen.

"Zach..."

"Zachh!"

Zach who was on the balcony staring at the horizon was startled suddenly by His Highness.

"What are you zoning out for?" Dhrake said

"Oh! Young Master"

"Whattt? You've been out for quite a while, I thought you were mad at me so...I searched for you and saw you here, zoning out" Dhrake said not able to look Zach in the eye.

"Is Young Master lonely?" Zach said teasingly

"I'm not!"

Zach let out a chuckle.

Dhrake in his head was like: "so he can smile like that?"

Dhrake just stared at him with such delighted eyes.

"Young Master, instead of staring at me, why don't you attend your dance rehearsal for your birthday banquet?" Zach suddenly reminded him.

"I'd rather not" Dhrake strongly opposed.

"His Highness will scold you again"

"I'm already an adult, there's no need to scold me any further"

"I'll accompany you there if you want, so just go"

Dhrake could only say in his head: As much as I want to see you every day and every second, I also don't want to humiliate myself in front of you while messing up so I'd rather go alone.

"No, nevermind, I'll go by myself" Dhrake dejectedly uttered

"Mhm" Zach faintly replied