Silent Ruler [DNF]

Chapter 17: Wholesome reunion

Seeing Dream, Sapnap AND Bad all being thrown in the cell was horrible. But Dream's glare was the thing that haunted him the most.

Yet he wouldn't have chosen differently. The pieces fell in place when his brother had pulled up Bad on the platform. His teacher had always been a mysterious person. That he was the spy Philza talked about made complete sense, and George was convinced that Bad possessed crucial information for the future of the people back in the cave. Not only could George never forgive himself if he'd let Bad die without him at least trying to help. But he also knew that if his brother found Bad to be such a threat that he made his execution public, that was something that shouldn't be ignored.

Being brought back into the kingdom was awful. He wanted to run away while he still got the chance but knew that he couldn't. This castle along with everyone that worshipped the kingdom and its rulers needed to die. Tyranny had been thriving for too long and if George needed to go down with it, then so be it.

Your end will be their beginning.

That voice rang through his head. Something about it made him believe that he made the right decision even if it sure costed him everything he'd fought to build these past weeks.

Five guards circled him as he was led back into the castle, more specifically the throne room. A silver carpet was leading the way to where the horrifying throne was standing. It was a monstrosity in George opinion. Black satin cushions with a metal frame that formed three spikes on the backrest. But the worst part was the crown placed on the seat of the throne. A simple creation made from pure silver. It was shaped to replicate thorns.

An atrocity according to George.

His mom, two brothers and a dozen guards were all in the room. He kept a stale posture and his head high. Desperate to make sure that he appeared more confident than he felt.

"George." His mother greeted stiffly.

He nodded in her direction. "Mom." His gaze wandered over his brothers. Ethan was fuming while Toby seemed to in shock.

"I heard that you declared me dead." George stated neutrally.

Ethan's balled his fist. "You never deserved the throne!" He sneered.

George couldn't agree more. His dislike for the role as king certainly made him unfit to serve as ruler. But that he kept for himself.

Tilting his head sideways, George glared at his brother with as much condescension he could master. "And you do?" The question was spoken with a low voice.

"More than you." Ethan bit back and stepped closer but a guard stopped him before he got to George.

"Too. Bad." George spoke calmly while dragging out his words.

Something must've triggered his brother that broke free and quickly went in for an attack at George.

Normally, George would've lost even before the fight even began. But many hours with Dream had paid off. His right underarm blocked his brother's punch while his left fist hit Ethan's throat. His opponent stappled backwards but George grabbed him firmly and headbutted his brother aggressively. In Ethan's disoriented state, George successfully aimed a kick at his brother's kneecap, causing him to groan and fall to the floor.

George hunched down and kept his stone-faced facade. Roughly he grabbed Ethan's jaw and forced him to look up. Confidence – fake or not – was crucial for George's plan. So, with a low voice he whispered. "How wonderful, you're already kneeling to your future king. Don't think for a second that this family means anything to me. I'd gladly make a public execution with you as the star if you show yourself to be an obstacle in my way."

His brother's eyes widened, clearly not expecting George's hostility. After all, George had mostly played the part of the careful and peaceful son. So, his sudden change was probably unexpected. But his time away had brought new perspectives. There was no way in hell that he'd risk putting the lives of the people back in the cave on the line because of his power-hungry family. A newfound confident filled his body. It stung that Dream would most likely hate him forever, but George was set on correcting some of the mistakes caused by his ancestors.

Ethan stayed quiet so George shook his jaw, wanting an answer. "Do you – understand?" He demanded. His brother reluctantly nodded "Lovely." George commented and let got.

His mother seemed sealed to the floor while her gaze never left George. "You're supposed to be dead." She hissed through gritted teeth.

"Unfortunately, isn't it?" George shot back.

The woman claiming the title as his mom shuffled over the floor in a surprising speed until she got close enough to grab his face. She forced George's face down so that their eyes met. Her dark gaze held a mix between fear and uttermost hatred. That it was his newly developed eye color she studied was obvious.

"You were never meant for the place, you even fled like the coward you are." She sneered as her hand left George's face.

George gave her a maleficent smile. "Trust me, mom. I'm about as thrilled being back as you're having me back. But you were planning on killing the only sane person in this kingdom and that I'll not accept."

His mom laughed dryly. "Bad? Sane? That man filled your head with nonsense. Maybe if he never got to teach you, you would've turned out normal."

Having lived in the castle for 25 years had thought George one important lesson: Never give in to provocation. Therefore, he kept quiet and only raised an eyebrow at his mom.

He hated what to come but knew its necessity. "Are we going to finish this coronation now? Can't let the people wait forever." The only one from his family that didn't immediately hate the idea was Toby. His youngest brother stared at him, but his eyes contained no evil intentions, just pure disbelief.

"Right. Guards, let's reprepare the ceremony." The queen commanded through gritted teeth.

George was ready to quickly get changed and march out to the platform when him mom interjected again. "Though, I think it's only appropriate that our three prisoner gets to watch it too."

His heart hitched at the suggestion. Of fucking course, she would've caught on to George relation to Dream and Sapnap. When he demanded that they be thrown in prison, he thought it eliminated the chance of people linking them together. But of course not.

Knowing that he couldn't object in fear of risking their safety even further, George began heading to his room, aware that servants were already waiting for him. He mentally began bracing himself for the overwhelming sight he was about to witness in a few hours.