Trash of the Royal Family (Ao3)

IX

"Follow me."

Alver followed Zed Crossman. Instead of his office, he was led to the royal library. They entered a secret passage, and soon after, he saw a boulder with the very same words that Callen said just a while ago.

However, it was only about the darkness over the skies of Rowoon.

"Do you believe in foresight?"

Alver Crossman remained silent.

"You know who we are, right?" Alver asked.

"Yes... You and your mother have dark elf blood in your veins." Zed Crossman revealed, "So is Callen's as a quarter demigod."

"His mother is a goddess."

"A goddess with both the blood of royalty and the Thames Household."

"Do you believe his words?"

"Yes." Zed Crossman replied, "His mother was the God of Death's daughter."

Everything went silent.

"Callen has just sparked the throne race, which means that having him would be significant for other princes," the king carefully explained, "but to think, a son of mine would betray the kingdom, and you, whom I neglected, will become the king of a stronger Rowoon."

Alver didn't need him right now.

"Callie was right," Alver said, "That's why we can't call you father... because you weren't there when we needed you the most."

Maybe the reason why Callen doesn't want the throne was because he knew who will rise to it.

"He was fated to die," Zed Crossman said, "Yet he lived."

"Don't tell me..."

"It was all for the family..."

Because they can't control the power of the gods.

In anger, Alver grabbed his father's collar and hit him in the face. His shoulders violently moved up and down. His arms trembled.

"A child!" he screams, "How dare you!"

He thought he didn't need to feel bad for this person, but knowing this, he can feel that resentment towards this person who's doing his duty to the house rather than his children.

"Yes," Zed Crossman admitted, "resent me... despise me... for every death in this family was my fault."

He accepts responsibility for his mother's death.

Alver, let go of him. He sighed and shook his head. He wishes he could resent him, but he can't. He's long decided not to despise anyone. He only wanted to protect his people and the child he cared about.

"For that reason..." just one simple reason.

"There are times when duty must take precedence over family."

No. Alver refuses to accept that.

"Then... I'll be the first..." He'll end all of this nonsense, "I'll destroy that tradition and everything in this Household."

He will choose his people.

"I will choose my people."

To keep the royal family in power, they must suffer the consequences.

They are sacrificed to fight for the throne to keep the darkness at bay.

This man ascended to the throne to murder his siblings and seize power for himself. To uphold the traditions, but Alver will not.