Bow To The King

The Gatherings

"Aiden?" His voice mirrored his expression, bafflement all over his face. His mouth was agape with shock and his eyebrows furrowed with confusion. If I was here under normal circumstances I would've been too scared to speak, too timid to move but since Gelid was here, standing right beside me, gave me the courage I thought I would never have. I stood tall and looked him in the eye.

"Good to see you, sir." My voice didn't tremble, in fact, it was more confident than Benedict's.

"Darling, what's going on?" Concerned Ms. Scarlet approached her husband trying to find answers for his current immobility only to be stricken with one too. Her face imitates her husband's to perfection.

"Sir here's my stepmother. Have I ever told you she makes the best pies around here?" Obviously, a lie and they knew. I turned to look at Gelid expecting an answer and when I did I found him watching me with glee and amusement. His lips stretched in a wide smile, and his arms folded in front. Dare I say he looked proud of me for standing up and taking the charge?

"Oh, she does? Scarlet when are you going to make one for me then?" Now Gelid turned his attention towards her waiting for a response but she was too stunned to speak.

"Yes, she will of course." Mr benedict half laughed nervously, sweating profoundly. His unsuccessful attempt to lighten up the mood didn't go unnoticed by Gelid who after a few seconds spoke, "I'm here to talk to you about something. Should we go to our regular chambers?" Benedict nodded but then his eyes darted toward me.

"Will he be joining us too?" he asked.

"When Baris used to come around did we ever not invite him inside? we always did. He is here as his replacement. So it's only fair that he should." Gelid stopped talking and then smiled "Moreover he is your adopted son. Who wouldn't want their son to be present there under such circumstances?" That's the thing with Gelid, the limited amount of time I've spent with him, I've realized one thing. Other's people's sufferings make him happy. Sometimes his mask slips off and I can see straight through him.

"Of course. I was just asking to make sure. Let's go, son." This is the first time since I've known him he has called me son.

Regardless we follow him through the hall and into a room the doors of which have been shut for a long time. It wasn't fancy or anything. In the center, there was a single round table around which there were chairs in a circle. We sat one after another. Drinks were poured before the gentlemen.

"Benedict, have you been there lately?" Gelid starts.

"To the realm? no. why?"

"I have heard some news rather concerning one. I've been told that recently my brother is frequently visited by an immortal from this earth. Do you have any idea who it might be?" immortal? earth? REALM? are they playing a joke on me? or do all these important meetings go like this? The tension in the room increased as soon as he asked that. I had no idea what his question meant but it certainly did make Benedict nervous.

"How would I know my lord?" so we are back with my lor-

"Oh, so you don't. I thought you would. I feel like whoever this person is, has motives similar to my brother." Gelid's eyes darkened, voice lower, and muscle in his neck stretched. "I think they are trying to murder me, get rid of me, and then claim my crown." He spat each line with menace. Benedict gulped with fear, unable to move as he couldn't even speak. Even I was scared of him. Suddenly he moved back, slumped into his chair casually sipped the wine from the cup.

"But I'm not sure. There haven't been any murder attempts. Knowing my brother, if he had finally decided to cut me off there would be at least some noise but the fact there is nothing, makes me doubt there ever will be one in the near future." He lied. I was there for the deed to be done but he was playing mind games with him, scaring him to his core, showing him his end, and then bringing him back to life, only with his words.

Benedict laughed. It wasn't because the situation was hilarious but because he felt the relief he desperately desired. He quickly regained his composure, "No one can dare to go against you. You have shown us mercy and what we are today is all because of you. We will protect you when the time comes." Gelid listened intensely, not giving away any emotions, and then laughed. Shook his head and then laughed again. Benedict joined too. They both laughed like there was no tomorrow all the while I sat there with confusion. Benedict's eyes filled with tears of laughter. As the laughter died down, Gelid picked up his glass and sighed before sipping the wine.

"I know you will."

We all came out and the rest of the evening was spent in a blur. Gelid talked with the people around us while I stood next to him throughout the day. Just when I thought I had seen everything, Nathanial walked in. He looked as smug as before. I was surprised that he decided to join us today considering how he mostly hated these gatherings. I tried to hide behind the crowd but sadly there was no way out.

"Sir I'd like you to meet my son," Benedict called him waving through the air to get his attention. Once he did, Nathanial walked towards us and did what appears to be the norm around here, he bowed.

"Nathanial, you are one bright child, arent you?" Tho it sounded like a compliment I knew Gelid was mocking him. I almost laughed but stopped myself before I could ruin anything and get everyone's attention. Yet Gelid turned towards me NO-

"Nathanial look your brother's here. Have you met him?" Nate's eyebrows furrowed with confusion.

"My broth-" his eyes followed Gelid's gaze and fell right on me. Previously he looked bored and distant but now his eyes sparked with something that I couldn't recognize. Was he happy?

"Aiden you are alive?" He asked with utter shock. He was dumbfounded. And then something unexpected happened.

He hugged me.

I froze yet he seemed unfazed.

"Why wouldn't he be?" Gelid asked, still Nate remained unbothered. It was as if I was the only thing he cared about right now, nothing in the world mattered to him anymore. After a few seconds, I broke free from his grip and took some steps back.

"He works for Mr. Gelid now so you better come back here." Benedict scolded him as he dragged his son away from me.

"Let's go!" Suddenly Gelid didn't look amused anymore. I had previously thought he was planning to stay for a few more hours but suddenly he had a change of heart. "But sir the food-"

Scarlet was cut off by Gelid who wasn't planning on staying any longer "We have somewhere to be. Hope you have a great weekend Ms. Scarlet." After exchanging goodbyes we left.

Throughout our ride back home, I kept on thinking about what had happened. Tho I didn't understand fully, I knew one thing for sure

He sensed something I didn't

He knew something I didn't

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Once Gelid left, Benedict hurriedly walked up to his most trusted man. He looked worried and talked in a hushed tone.

"Aris come here." The man did what he was told.

"Pack your bags and leave tonight. Go to him and tell him...." He stopped even too scared to speak

"Tell him that he knows...Gelid knows."