Blood Royals Bonus Book: Prince Adryan & the Throne

Chapter 48: Drunk Love

Adryan's POV
Silence has never been heavier. All we can hear is the ticking clock reminding us that we all have an agreement expiry date. My father's came too soon. Things were not supposed to play out like that. I was only to remove him from the throne and place Relian in his place. That was all.

He is dead.

My mother is shattered. She has been crying uncontrollably for hours while Relian qnd I listened helplessly. Now it's quiet. I suppose she has worm herself out.

"Your Highness." The Butler bowed to my brother and then to me. "Lady Lenaya is requesting an audience with you."

"Send her in." Relian agreed.

Lady Lenaya. I will n ver get used to that.

She came in and curtsied; something she doesn't usually do. It's obviously not for me. Even if I wear a crown, she won't bow.

"Thank you for seeing me Your Highness. I wanted to inform you that your mother is finally asleep."

Relian stood up and approach her, holding her hands in his. I felt slight jealousy hot me over the innocent display.

"Thank you Lenaya. We appreciate your patience, staying up all night with her." He paid attention to the butler. "Please prepare a room for her to rest in."

"I'll appreciate that. Thank you." She paid attention to me. I held her gaze for as long as she looked at me. "I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Excuse me."

She curtsied one more time and took her leave.

Relian returned to his seat.

We resumed our silence.

My mind won't erase the moment my father fell backwards. I can still hear the chains hitting the floor along with his body. He died in chains. I leaned forward, bending my form and covering my face.

Am I responsible for his death?

We never saw eye to eye but I loved my father.

"What are you thinking about?" My brother spoke to me.

"I killed him."

"You didn't shoot him."

"I know. But I may as well could have. H kept begging not to be taken out through the front door. If I listened, ge would still be alive."

"If you ask me, the kingdom is better off without him." I narrowed my eyes at the apple of my father's eye. I would expect him to be devastated. He was his favorite. "What?"

"I didn't expect to hear that from you."

"It's one of those hard decisions little brother. Sometimes, things have to end for new things to begin."

"Your Highness, the Courtier is here."

"Thank you, send him in." Relian replied. "About what you mentioned earlier, I have someone who can answer that."

"Your Highness." The man I detest the most bowed his frame. He looked at me for a moment before he bowed. "You called for me."

"In the wake of the King's death, the crown is mine. You answer to me now. Whatever loyalty you had for my predecessor is gone. I'm going to ask this only once. Your response determines your place in my reign. Why didn't my father want to go through the front door?"

I paid attention to the older man. He took a moment before he cleared his throat and looked at me. "The bullet was meant for Adryan. He should be the one who is dead Your Highness."

My heart immediately sank lower than it already is. I'm beating myself up over the old man's death and yet, he intended for me to die.

"Explain." Relian carried on.