The King's Gamma (#Wattys2024)

Sixty two

Levi called his son towards him, at the behest of the headmaster and his two friends. He also called the teacher involved in testing the child.

"I told you to hold back." He berated Kent. "You should not have reacted to the words of unimportant persons like that unnecessarily.

"How can you call your comrades unimportant?!" Silas asked with a look of genuine shock.

"Because you are of no import to my father," Kent responded simply. "I understand, Father. I will treat it as howling pups seeking attention."

"Exactly." He smiled dotingly towards his child, much to the astonishment of many around them. Seeing Levi dote on any was a shock, to say the least.

"Wait, wait, wait, did that little punk just call me a howling pup?"

Further ignoring those around them, Levi placed a hand on his child's head. "Just remember for the next two rounds. You are a child, not a battle-hardened warrior, and you are going up against other children. And we are hunters, not tamers. We can not have more beasts at home. You will be staying here, and your pets do not always listen to your mother and me."

Kent gave a curt nod, not responding to his father's warnings.

"It is not a suggestion, Kent. I'd better not see anything we do not approve of."

"Yes."

"Kent."

"I understand, Father."

"Father!" Another voice called, running towards them. "I've made up my mind. I want him as my partner." Said the child called Ora.

"Want him?" Levi asked slowly.

The thing Levi forgot about completely was that not only was polygamy allowed, but the same gender marriages as well. With how scarce women were, men were allowed to marry other men. Boys often were brought up to expect they would not find a wife, so they looked for partners instead. Slave women were often shared amongst partners if they were to find one, so that they may procreate.

Levi groaned, glaring at the boy declaring that he wanted his daughter.

"Kent. What is your opinion?" Regardless of his feelings, he had to give his daughter a choice.

"If you can land a finger on me, then perhaps we can talk."

Ora, not seeming to hear the threat in the child's voice that the men around them did, took it as being accepted. Immediately intending to hold the child. His new intended partner. Only, he grappled air. Looking around, he found the child standing a few steps away from where he had been previously, watching Ora with some form of amusement in his eyes.

"I petition to be Kent Bardell's partner as well." This time, Azrael stepped forward, watching the much younger child fondly. Azrael was fifteen already and understood that the seven-year-old was very likely an only child of the Bardells. He was also used to being coddled by his mother and father, which was clear. The child, as an only child, was also considered a prize. With powerful parents like the Bardells and no known side branches to fight for the title, the child was set to inherit a great deal.

This attracted Azrael more than how pretty the child was or even the power the child seemed to wield. Though, as a full-blooded teenager, his mind still conjured up an image of a much older Kent in his arms, golden eyes focused solely on him. He shook his head, ridding himself of the image as he turned towards Levi Bardell.

"I am not a powerful fighter. But I would be able to assist Kent with running his mansion. I am well versed in taxes and household expenses."

"It is not me that you need to convince. Of all the things, marriage is the one thing I will not choose on Kent's behalf." Levi smirked. "You will have to win over Kent yourself."