Eclipsed

Chapter 38

Kael and Alina walked side by side down the quiet, empty streets of the kingdom, their footsteps echoing off the cobblestones. The air felt thick with the tension between them, and neither seemed to want to break the silence that had settled over their conversation. Kael's frustration was evident, his jaw clenched and his eyes fixed ahead, still trying to make sense of everything that had happened.

"Why didn't he tell us?" Kael asked, his voice tight with disbelief. "I don't understand. He clearly knew he was the son of Yoruzen before—so why keep it from us?" His frustration bubbled up again, and his voice edged with anger.

Alina, walking beside him, took a deep breath, trying to steady her thoughts. "I still think what you said and did was harsh," she replied, her tone calm but firm. "Maybe he didn't know. Maybe he's been just as confused as we were."

Kael's steps faltered slightly, and he looked at her, his eyes narrowing. "You defending him now? Taking his side over mine?" he snapped. "I feel like that's what you've been doing this whole time."

Alina looked at him, her expression softening, but there was no mistaking the firmness in her voice. "No, Kael. I'm not taking his side. You're my brother, and I'll always stick with you. But I think maybe Ren has been just as much in the dark as we were. He didn't ask for this." She paused, glancing down at the ground, clearly trying to keep her own emotions in check. "He didn't ask to be Yoruzen's son."

Kael's face twisted in frustration as he stared at the ground, still fuming. "You heard those extremists—they were sure about him being the son. He must have known by now. It's not like he could stay ignorant of it forever," he said bitterly.

Alina's eyes flicked away, her mind clearly weighing the situation. "I suppose," she murmured, not completely convinced. "But Ren's never done anything bad to us. He's helped us. No matter what blood runs through his veins, he's never once turned on us."

Kael scoffed, his hands balled into fists at his sides. "Maybe not," he said, the bitterness still evident in his voice. "But if he's really Yoruzen's son, I can never forgive him. I can't. Not after everything Yoruzen did to us. To you. To our family." His voice was raw with pain, and his eyes were haunted by the memories of their father's actions.

Alina's gaze softened, and for a moment, she felt the weight of Kael's pain. She had suffered, too—just like him—but the hatred that simmered within her was for Yoruzen, not Ren. Her voice was quiet but unwavering. "I know you're hurt, Kael," she said, her words steady. "But Ren isn't Yoruzen. He didn't choose this. And blaming him for something his father did—" She stopped herself, a sudden heaviness filling the air.

Kael turned sharply to her, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What were you about to say?" His tone was sharp, demanding.

Alina hesitated, a weight pressing on her chest. She had almost finished the thought before she caught herself, but the air was thick now, and she felt the need to explain. "It's like blaming you for father's actions," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Just because of who you are doesn't mean you're the same."

Kael's face twisted in shock, his eyes flashing. "What the hell are you saying, Alina?" he demanded, his voice rising with a mix of confusion and anger. "You think I'm like him? You think I could ever be like Yoruzen?"

Alina winced at the harshness in his tone, the sting of his words cutting deeper than she expected. She had never meant to imply that he was like their father, but now it seemed like her words had been misinterpreted. She lowered her head, her voice softer this time. "No... That's not what I meant. I'm just trying to say that Ren doesn't deserve to be blamed for something that wasn't his fault."

Kael shook his head, his anger still simmering, but a flicker of confusion crossed his face. "You're always trying to defend him. You're always trying to see the good in him, aren't you?" he said quietly, his voice losing some of its earlier force. "I get it, Alina. You don't want to hate him. But I can't just forget what Yoruzen did to us. I can't just ignore the fact that Ren is tied to him."