|🌴| Shipwrecked Princess |🌺| A Novel |🌺| Complete |🌴|

🌴 Chapter Fifty-Three 🌴

Raymond watched the family reunion, silently doing a lot of thinking. He stepped forward towards his eldest son and cleared his throat. "Now that Janessa is indeed alive, this changes things." He murdered, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

William perked up at his father's words and looked over in his direction. He figured his father would go down this road, it was typical of him. "No, it doesn't." He suddenly countered, walking over to him with his arms crossed.

Raymond tilted his head and furrowed his brows. "How is it not? Your betrothal to Rosalya is void since it was crafted on the account that Janessa was dead. Now she's alive, it still stands, so we can still have a wedding and a coronation -" He tried to explain only to be cut off.

William gritted his teeth and clenched his fists at his side, gathering up the courage. "Just stop!" He suddenly snapped, everyone, falling quiet. "For once can you not? After everything we've just been through you want to continue with the wedding and coronation but with Essa?" He inquired, stepping towards his father.

Raymond didn't see the problem or why William was against it. He had always been hung up on Janessa and here she was alive. "Yes, why? You have a duty William and it's time it is fulfilled. We have wasted too much time."

William ran his hand through his disheveled hair and groaned. "Again with my duty. Why can't you just be a father? All I wanted growing up was a father who loved and cared for me, supported me, and understood me. You were a tyrant who I loathed and couldn't wait to be away from you!" He ranted, his face growing red.

Raymond was taken back. How could his son believe that about him? Couldn't he see all he was doing was for his good? "I was being a good king and doing what's right for the kingdom. As a prince, you should understand what I was doing for you." He explained, trying to justify his actions.

William scoffed and shook his head. "For me? You never asked me what I wanted! Where did you get off thinking you knew what I wanted, better than I did? It's my life, not yours! So, why? Why did you pressure me into being what you wanted?" Why couldn't his father see that? Was he that blind?

Raymond felt like he had just blown a fuse as his emotions erupted. "Because I never had someone to show me how to be a good king!" He exclaimed in a fit of anger. His eyes went wide at what had just come from his mouth.

William was shocked. He hadn't known that about his father. "What?" He muttered in disbelief. 'He never had someone to show him how to be a good king? That is what he said.' He thought as he looked around the room.

Raymond tried to compose himself, he tugged at the collar of his shirt. "My parents died young and I never had the proper training to be king. I struggled with ruling and turned cold because it was best not to feel anything than let my feelings get the best of me. I also had to be stern otherwise no one would listen to me." He explained slowly.

William couldn't believe he had never known that. It explained why his father was like that. "Why didn't you tell me?" He inquired, his gaze softening. "As a child, I would have understood why you were the way you were. I always thought you were just a heartless, cruel man who only cared about the kingdom and duty rather than me."

Raymond felt like he had a bunch of rocks dumped on top of him like the rug had been pulled out under his feet. "Oh, you thought that of me . . ." He couldn't believe that was what William thought. "I didn't see the need. I thought it wasn't important and I didn't even express my feelings."

William walked over to his father and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Maybe it's about time you did?" He softly suggested, hoping that his father would be willing to change. He sure hoped so. He had dreamed of this day for as long as he could remember.