An Option

"No, you may not." Cedric leaned on the chair with a lazy smile on his face as if his words did not create havoc in the room. As if they were normal, that should not surprise them. But when they kept looking at him in confusion, he shook his head.

"Do not tell me you believe that a guest had the right to live in the chambers of the owner of the house. If I did not know any better, I would have thought you are here to arrogate your sister's belongings or usurp her position." Grace stiffened. Her face went pale and her eyes narrowed at Cedric.

How dare he? They were still partners in crime. At least she had not killed her sister to take her position. What right does Cedric have to accuse her when he had killed both of them to be duke.

"No?" Cedric continued as if he had not noticed the change in atmosphere, "then should you not be staying with Killian in his chamber. After all, he is the living memoir, your sister had left behind. I thought you are here because you are worried about Killian." he added with a chuckle when Grace trembled with rage.

But she could only nod. If she pressed, she would look suspicious.

"Of course, that would be better. But I did not want to burden the child with my presence. If he would let me, I would like to live with him in his chambers." she forced a smile on her face and turned to look at Killian. "Killian, what do you say?"

The child looked at Cedric as if he was looking at a monster. Fear, confusion and hatred was hardly hidden. When his aunt turned to look at him, he tore his gaze away from the man.

"That would be good." the words stung his throat but he still said them to end this drama. When he turned to look at Cedric again, the man was freely eating his beef as if nothing was wrong in the room. His face had a relaxed look and a smile.. It was irritating.

"And that room, it would belong to my lover or my wife in the future until Killian grows up and brings his wife to the palace." Cedric added, raising his head and meeting the eyes of Grace.

Grace did not care if it was Cedric's lover or Killian if the room could not be hers. Wait, Cedric's lover. That was her first choice when she entered the palace. Was he reminding her because he wanted to give her another chance?

She stared at him hard but he did not look at her again. He ate his dinner leisurely. Killian wanted to oppose Cedric. He wanted to remind the man that his mother's chamber would not be given to any of his lovers randomly. But he felt Elara's intense gaze on her.

When he raised his head, she shook her head and signaled him to stay silent. The child felt all the blood was draining off his body. That was right, he could not challenge his uncle until he was safe and strong. He had to survive first.

The dinner ended in silence. Killian concentrated on eating more so that he could be strong. Grace tried to strike conversation with Cedric but was ignored or insulted again and again until her face was red and her lips were tightly shut.

Killian had finished his dinner and so did Grace. But they could not leave until Cedric stood up from his seat. And he was eating the small amount of custard seriously as if he had all the time in the world.

"Your father liked custard too." he spoke suddenly, making Killian's eyes widened. "You know when we were young, he always stole my custard. But it was not the only thing he stole. I have never thought it would sit at his seat and eat custard in his palace ever. I think justice is really served.

Killian's eyes trembled. Even if she did not understand many things, he knew Cedric said that it was good that his family died. How dare he. Killian held the fork so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"How could you.."

"My lord, young master, is not feeling well. If you allow me, I will escort him back to his room." Elara came forward and held Killian by his shoulders. She pressed them hard to remind the child he could not act rashly. 

Killian closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Yes, your grace. I feel indigestion. If you allow me, I will go and rest." his voice came out with force when Cedric sighed.

His thrilling eyes filled with boredom and he waved his hands without saying a word. Elara bowed her head and took Killian out from that suffocating room.

She held his hands tightly and kept dragging him until they reached his chamber. Only then did she let him go and stare in his eyes.

"What were you even thinking?" She was angry! Mad.. as she glared at him, her voice was cold and harsh, "i have told you to lie low and try to survive but you were going to challenge your uncle. Have you lost your mind?" 

"He was insulting my parents. And he said.. He said.." Killian trembled with rage. He did not have the heart to repeat those cold words again, "how could he do this?" 

Elara sighed and stared at the sky as if asking for patience from the god.

"He can say anything, Killian, because he holds power, authority. But you can not.. Because you are weak. If you want the authority to speak your mind too, you have to defeat him and gain your rightful place. But for that, you have to survive." she held his shoulders and rubbed them. "You are so stiff. He was using you, Killian. You can not fall in his trap."