The Bastard (Darling #2) [complete]

Chapter Nineteen

A S  T H E next several days passed, King James kept a very close, watchful eye on Prince Thatcher. After he witnessed the exchange between him and Louelle, he wanted to be certain there was still a secret relationship ongoing between them. He was known for allowing his emotions to get the best of him, both in punishments and the way he ruled. This time he wanted to be more than certain something was happening behind his back because the last time he did something in retaliation, like announcing the wedding at the Harvest festival, it apparently hadn't worked.

It only made his son and Louelle more deceptive.

The king wasn't understanding what the youngest Clemens girl had that was so special about her. She was an attractive girl, he'd admit, but her poor attitude and lack of manners and respect was what made her not-so attractive. He always knew she had her grip on Thatcher and was manipulating his mind - straying him away from the full potential he could've had at being a king one day. There was only so much he could blame Louelle for before he could turn to blame his son. It was why King James had to punish him so harshly in the past - to remind him of his place in the world.

Those clearly had not worked, so the king knew he had to conspire a way that would work. He always threatened to invoke consequences on Louelle, the direct source of all of his problems, and perhaps he would that time. He needed to remind his betraying and lying son that no one in the castle was untouchable. King James would mark anyone deserving of punishment.

Louelle Clemens had fit the bill for a long time.

King James thought it was time that she had what was coming to her.

While the planning was being done for the upcoming wedding date, the king mentally commended Thatcher for his faux enthusiasm. If he was unaware of the true events occurring behind his back, he would have certainly believed the crowned prince was looking forward to the union day. But since he was aware of the true events occurring behind his back, he only grew more irate with his son. Thatcher was a liar.

What he loathed even more was that Thatcher thought he was able to cheat him. He was king.

A heavy knock sounded at the door of the king's study.

He was reading over a new agreement that he was heavily contemplating, something he thought could potentially be of Darling's benefit. But before he signed it, he needed to be positive that the situation between his eldest heir and his... Mistress was handled. He could not have anything in the castle that could likely threaten the treaty once it was signed.

With a sigh, the king hid the papers under another miscellaneous stack he had on his desk. "Come in," he shouted loud enough for his voice to carry through the thick, wooden door. Just as he properly placed the miscellaneous papers on top of the agreement, the door creaked open.

Dane, a complete bundle of nerves and all, stepped into the exceptionally (and unnecessarily) large room, shutting the door behind him.

Once a month, the king had called on Dane, his youngest heir, to have a private meeting. Although it had not yet been a month since their last one - the last one having been the day before the Harvest - the king called on him anyhow, and he was unsure of why.