Arranged Disaster | Dreamnotfound

Chapter 18

"That little rat."
Schlatt mumbled, arriving at his castle with a scowl present on his face and 4 knights behind him, 2 on each side.

Alex followed closely behind, his dragging footsteps drowned out by the heavy clanking coming from the knights. The little tantrum Schlatt mumbled was enough to make Alex smile, happy that his plan didn't work, happy that George managed to finally stand up to him.
Of course, he'd never tell him that. Although he was glad that it didn't work out, Schlatt was still his father and he still had to listen to him. He hasn't had an outburst like the one prior to him finding out about the letters, so that was at least good enough for him.

"We attack in the evening. You all are dismissed. Leave my sight, now. Except you, Alex." He sternly said, flopping on his throne lazily after the knights left.

"I thought getting rid of his parents would be easier, you know? Better taking a kingdom from an inexperienced King than taking it from two people who have been ruling for years now." Schlatt laid his head on the throne's armrest and threw his legs over the other side.

"You're not... going to prepare?" Alex asked, tentatively.

"Prepare for what? The runt barely started ruling, he won't know how to organize anything much less prepare for a war."

"Yeah, you're right." He mumbled, "I'm uh... heading to my room."

Alex turned around and started walking away, feeling the burning gaze on his back.

"Alex. Stop."

He tensed up, his body remained rigid and he rubbed his sweaty palms on his pants.

What did he do wrong now?

"Turn around."

Slowly, Alex turned around, his breath shaky and his heart hammering through his ribcage. His eyes swept across the floor, finally meeting the black throne Schlatt sat on.

"You never said anything at the wedding when he declined." Schlatt pulled out a dagger from his holster, playing with the sharp edges of the shiny metal.
"You could've cried, acted like you loved him, pleaded in his arms but you just stayed quiet."

"I.. uhm-"

"In fact, you seemed a little..." He sighed, sitting up right. "..glad. Why?"

"I wasn't- I just..." Alex sucked in a breath, attempting to calm his nerves.

"You just what, huh?"

"I can't. I can't marry someone I don't love."

Schlatt looked at him, once cold eyes dimming down to faux soft ones.
"Alex, I don't think you understand. This is for your mother. You wanted to see her, right? I promised after all of this was over, I'd tell you where she is. I may be a lot of things but I do keep my promises."

Right. How could he forget? Alex was doing this for the sole purpose of getting to see his mother again.

"Besides, In all honesty, you're a fucking loser. You dont have a life outside of this castle. It's not like a marriage will harm a life you don't have."

It was just marriage, why didn't he say anything?

Schlatt was right.

He didn't have much to lose.

He didn't have friends.

He didn't have someone he loved like George did.

He didn't have family he could rely on.

Why didn't he just guilt trip him? Manipulate him into marrying him?

'Because you'll end up feeling guilty about it.'
Alex thought to himself, knowing that was true. How could he mess up someone else's life, for Schlatt's gain?