Lost in the Path of Fate

Chapter 96 - Loss

A/N: I have no explanation as to why but I was listening to Hunter Hayes' 'Invisible' repeatedly as I wrote this chapter. You can listen to it too for a better reading experience. Enjoy!

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"Father!" Asher slammed the table making the utensils and plates clutter. He stood up with his fists on the furniture and there was disbelief was present in his face.

King Henry only gazed at him without saying anything.

"I will marry Pier! Please reconsider your decision!" He spoke out loud with desperation but the king wasn't having any of it.

"The headmaster and the archduke already agreed with the proposition. You cannot do anything about it." King Henry firmly spoke and the crown prince's eyebrows furrowed even more in so much anger.

"You cannot give Pier away to some bastard-."

Slam!

The king's eyes glowed red and a force suddenly targeted the crown prince. Asher was forcefully pushed down on his seat.

His struggle could be seen as his shoulders were trembling from resisting the power his father had.

"How dare you call your cousin a bastard!" Henry rose from his seat and slammed his golden staff on the ground for a few times.

"I am giving you this opportunity as the ruler and as the future king of our kingdom!" Just like his son, King Henry's eyebrows were furrowed in a displeased manner.

That's right. It was an opportunity for Asher. There would be one less competitor for the throne and he would surely inherit it if he were to survive until his crowning.

If Pier were to be married with Gael, the archduke would remove his son's future from the throne but instead support Asher. It would now be a smoother journey for the crown prince on his way to the golden seat.

"I-I cannot... accept that!" Asher spoke through his struggle.

"Pier doesn't want you to be his husband anymore!" Sighing in frustration, King Henry seemed to gain his rationality back and sat down on his own seat while massaging his forehead.

"Besides, what are you going to do with Elena, Asher?" He further inquired and this time, Asher's struggle lessened when he thought about it.

What would he do with Elena if he were to force his marriage with Pier?

"Are you going to make her a concubine just as how you tried to ask Pier before?"

In an instant, everyone in the table kept their mouth shut and their eyes widened. Except for a few individuals including the headmaster and the king, every person present in the throne room all gasped in surprise at the revelation.

"F-Father..." Asher's voice became weak and he fully surrendered to the force bringing him down. He sat back on his seat and his fists shook.

"Your highness... you asked... the young master to be your... concubine...?" Elena's words were short and cut. However, she was still able to speak a full sentence despite the shock she got.

The crown prince asked the young master of their sworn household to become his concubine. It was ridiculous and unbelievable.

However, it was also baffling especially that it came from the king himself.

Asher lowered his head in shame when he heard Elena's question. He could not look directly in the lady's eyes and just stare at his shaking fists.

"What..." Gael spoke in disbelief while looking at his cousin. His eyes then shifted towards the silent nobles besides him. Just like Asher, Pier had his head hung low and his own hands were clenched.