Havoc of Betrayal

CHAPTER 37 - Shackled

Chapter 37

Mathias walked down the hall, heading to the dining room, once he entered he saw everyone already seated around the table. Andries smiled at him, patting the table near the head of it where he sat, saying, "Come brother, I'm ready to eat, and so are the kids." he laughed at them sneaking bites from what was in front of them.

Mathias went to his seat, servants bringing the food to start serving before taking a step back, waiting for their next command. Mathias looked at his food, then across the table where his son was fussing, making Eloise take him into her lap, he then frowned when he saw Simona watching them before she tried to get out of her chair, a servant helping her before he watched her go to the queen, tugging at her arm.

"Simona, come here. Don't bother the queen." Andries scolded gently, but she refused, and Eloise smiled, taking her into her arms, pulling her across her other leg from where Phoenix was.

"It's no bother." Queen Eloise said, trying to give both enough attention.

Mathias sighed, thinking of how hard it would be for his brother now without his queen's help in raising the children. Andries looked back at Mathias, asking, "How is your knight?"

"Detrick gave him something for the pain, now he seems out of it." Mathias told him with a small smile, "He's watching him now, says he's worried he'd say something he shouldn't. But he seems to be healing nicely. With his stubbornness I'd give him another 3 days before he's back on his feet, shadowing me everywhere."

"Perhaps keep him on that medicine so he'd stay in bed." Andries laughed softly.

"Starting to consider it." Mathias shook his head as he took his glass to sip on.

"Brother..." Andries said, making him glance at him, "I was thinking of the future. Our father's original plan of uniting the kingdoms." Mathias gulped, his face turning to a frown, "How about we talk over the details later, see how we can get it done?" Mathias's lips parted, closing again before parting for another moment then he raised a hand, covering his eyes, feeling Andries's hand land against his. "Taye? Are you well?"

Mathias nodded, eyes still covered before he muttered, "Perfect."

Andries frowned, turning to the servants before dismissing them, looking back at his brother, hand squeezing his as he said, "Mathias, people are around us. It's not the time to have such a reaction."

Mathias nodded again, taking his napkin from his lap, covering his face with it before he removed the hand covering his eyes, wiping his face of any tears that still remained. "I think..."

"Taye..." Andries muttered, frowning in concern when his brother trailed off.

"I'm fine. I just... I'm not so hungry." Mathias said as he placed the napkin aside, eyes downcast.

"Brother, was it something I said?" Andries asked.

"No." Mathias shook his head, "I've been stuck in my own mind for way too long. I just... need a bit of time alone, brother."

"You realize you're contradicting yourself, right?" Andries smiled ever so slightly, still concerned about Mathias.

"Axel..." Mathias said, making Andries nod in understanding.

"Alright. I'll stay here and finish lunch with everyone then. Go. Rest for a bit. I'll come find you later." Andries said, his brother still not meeting his eyes when he got up, walking towards the door.

Izzy watched him leave, looking at Andries as she asked, "Is he not well?"

"Perhaps overwhelmed." Andries said, smiling at her and the children as he said, "What say you we finish lunch. Maybe later we can go out with king Mathias to the yard and play in the gardens, what do you think kids?" Andries asked, making Simona squeal, smiling when he saw Phoenix shy away, hiding against his mother, reminding him so much of his brother when they were younger. He looked at his son, eating quietly, not seeming to have a reaction, making him ask, "Matteo? What about you?"