We Need Her!

Thalric had just walked out when he found his mother standing in the garden with a maid. She paused when she heard footsteps and looked behind vigilantly. This was the first time he had seen caution on his mother's face.

Normally, his mother always held a carefree and calm attitude as if nothing could ever faze her. The look of worry and hostility on her face seem foreign. When she noticed it was her own son, her shoulders slowly relaxed.

But then she furrowed her brows.

"Thalric, what are you doing here? You should be resting in your room." she scolded him with a stern face as she looked behind him as if waiting for someone to follow him. "And why are you alone? Did your adjutant not come yet?" 

A look of guilt flashed his eyes before he looked at the tiny flowers growing with the grass.

"If you are asking about Dame Midnight Star, I sent her back. I came here to meet my father, but he is busy." Venia sighed as she looked at her son worriedly.

"So much has happened. I understand that you are confused, Thalric. But you have to trust your mother. Come, we need to talk." Thalric did not want to follow her. He knew how this was going to end. 

Yet when his mother looked at him with expectation, he had no choice but to follow.

She took him to a meeting room and the previous maid made sure no one would follow them.

"Are you tired? Have you eaten?" Venia walked closer and tousled his hair. Thalric stared at his mother as if waiting for an explanation.

"Did you know about it?" as bizarre as the idea might sound, her mother did not look as shocked as him.

"How could I know something like this!" she gasped, infuriated that he accused her. "If I had known, I would have brought the child home sooner. No matter what, Alric! He is still your brother." Thalric nodded, feeling guilty about his accusation. She sighed, her face softening as she held her son's hand.

"I know you are confused. Trust me, I am too. But trust your father and trust yourself. You have spent a lifetime here, your position could not shake this easily." her voice turned gloomy as she kept staring at him.

"But if someone tries to challenge it, you have to handle it wisely. You can do it, my child. Never doubt yourself even when the whole world doubts you." Thalric frowned. He did not understand why anyone would doubt him.

"Did you meet him?" Venia nodded at her son, "that child! How is he?" Thalric had a sour taste in his mouth instantly as he looked away.

"He seems hostile. He thinks we have done it to him." Venia's face changed but she only sighed, closing her eyes. 

"It would take a long time to adapt. We are not in a hurry. But Thalric, Ethan can change your position. What if he demanded to be the crown prince?" She watched him instantly as if his reply decided her life and death.

Thlaric shifted in his seat uneasily. 

"Mother, Ethan is the eldest and stronger. If my father chose him, there is nothing I could do about it." Venia frowned at once as she looked at her son with disappointment.

"Are you giving up already? You have worked so hard for this position! Even if we forget that, you wanted to serve this empire from the start. Do you think a man who has no noblesse oblige, no sense of duty can handle such a precious position and think about the welfare of the empire?" her eyes only got colder as she stood up.

"If an argument starts, you have to take your stand. If not for you then for the empire. You can not back away." Tharlic frowned as he looked at his hands. His mother's nails were digging in his arm.

"Mother, are you afraid?" Venia was stunned. Her face changed color and she looked away.

"I am afraid that your father would only hear Ethan. It had been a day since they had entered his study. He did not come out and neither did Ethan. Son, I have only you to depend on. So make sure to stand tall during this emergency. Can you do it?" Thalric sighed and nodded. 

He could not even tell his mother that her worries were for nothing when he had seen how Ethan was reacting. That man was upto no good.

"Good! Then call your adjutant back, you would need her son." her voice went somber making him flinch.

Venia had never seen her son reluctant but she did not care. They needed Leonora! If his brother was sure then she would put his stake on her.

"Mother, there are so many skilled men.."

"But they are not Leonora! We need her and she needs us. What is the issue? Do you not like her?" her voice softened and she patted his arm. "Son, a good ruler knew how to look at the benefit of his people and keep his personal views separate. Leonora is a great strategist and she is well trained as a knight.

I can hardly trust the royal staff these days. You will need someone you can rely on and she is the perfect option for that. You must take her!" she emphasized making him sigh.

But looking at the eager eyes of his mother, Garlic could only nod and accept. 

"I know you are wise. Now, Listen to her. Even if she ask you to jump in the fire, you must do it. She had plans that I lacked. If you follow her, the position would belong to you forever." Thalric took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yes, I understand. Your majesty!"