Always, For You

Chapter 6

Kaizen finds himself in a room with Fenric and Arianne. "Kaizen. This is not a story I am not sure about telling you. You have a choice. If you do not want to know then you don't have to." Fenric said.

He doesn't want to. He is scared to know. But he cannot keep running. He wanted to learn to face everything heads-on. "No I would like to know."

Fenric sighs as he thinks to himself for a while. "Milenna was in love with Prince Aurelius. And so was Prince Aurelius. At that time Aurelius was being voted to be the crown prince. For Milenna, we also supported him as your mother was a candidate for crown princess." He said. His eyes distant, reminiscing about the old past.

"The current emperor Alpheus was not an ideal candidate for crown prince position due to his rash behaviour. Nor was he someone who took politics seriously. And that was how Aurelius, the younger prince, became the ideal candidate for the crown prince instead of him. Everything was fine. Until the emperor then passed."

Fenric's eyes harden as he thought about that time. His fist clenching.

"Alpheus led a riot. He seized the throne. It was unexpected. No one was prepared. Everyone was still mourning for the emperor who passed... He killed Aurelius. Poisoned him. Aurelius shouldn't have been so naive. Always trusting of his brother. Blood runs thicker than water they say.." Fenric said bitterly.

"Your mother would have been killed if not for the fact that she was pregnant with you." Fenric said looking up at Kaizen whose breath hitch.

"Does that mean...." He trails off, he could hear his heart pounding in his ears.

"You are thinking right. You are not Alpheus' son. The royal features you have inherited are from Aurelius El Erindel." Fenric confirms his doubts and thoughts. It makes Kaizen breath out feeling as if his whole life was a life. But also couldn't help the relief of knowing he wasn't the blood of such a man like Emperor Alpheus.

"Alpheus truly hated his brother, your father. He was sick in the mind who wouldn't even let his brother be in peace after death. He took Milenna in as his concubine. He let you live just to put you through the tough life of being an unwanted, forbidden prince." Fenric says, anger and bitterness running deep.

"I would have gone against him. I would have..." The duke rages, only calming down when Arianne puts her hand on his shoulder to calm him down making him sigh out.

"Your mother begged Fenric to stay still and do nothing because she was desperate to bring you to this world. You are the only living piece of Aurelius. The symbol of their love. No matter how bad the life of a concubine was, all she wanted was to see you grow up, safely. She didn't look for revenge nor coveted the throne that belonged to her lover. She only thought of you and your safety." Arianne adds.

His feels sharo stabbing pain in his chest like he is being stabbed by daggers. So everything his mother endured was all to keep him safe. For a moment Kaizen wished he didn't exist. What would his mother's life be like then? His uncle could have done anything to save her then and maybe she would have lived happier, with more freedom. Among the people who who cherished her.

"Your mother would have chosen you over everything. And she did. Even when she lost Aurelius, she lived for you. She kept moving forward. Even when she had to live in the same place as the man who murdered her lover." Fenric says.

"This story. This truth. This should never come out to light. Not until Milenna's and your safety is both guaranteed." Arianna says. Kaizen breathes out, his breath stuttering.

"I get it.. I just... Does this mean I have the right to the throne?" He asked. The truth about who his father changed everything. Everything he knew.

"Yes. After Aurelius, you would have been the crown prince by default as his son until or unless you were lacking." Fenric said.

Kaizen could feel a headache coming on. Everything he has learned today, it was too much. While the fact that Emperor Alpheus wasn't his father comforted him; knowing that his real father, the man his mother dearly loved, was killed and murdered made him feel sick.

"Kaizen. I have kept myself away from you according to Milenna's wishes but I was relieved when you sent me your letter requesting to be taught by me." Fenric admits. He stands up placing a hand over Kaizen's shoulder.

"I will support you. I will gather support for you. If we are really doing this then we have to make sure we come out as victors with the crown in our hand. For the sake of everyone's safety." He added.

Kaizen nods swallowing. It felt like there was a lump forming in his throat. He had so much to ask, so much say yet he couldn't find the words. But the truth he had been shown made him feel more determined.

That night Kaizen lays on the bed unable to sleep. His mind a chaos. He sighs placing an arm over his eyes. He wished he could see Camille. Her green eyes, her beautiful smile and her kind words would have calmed him down. It would have felt like home with her.

[On the other side]

"Dear Kaizen,

How is the north? I hope it is not too cold. Winter is arriving even in the capital. The snow looks pretty. I have never been to the north but I hear that the north looks magical during the winters. Please stay warm. I hope you stay as healthy as always.

Also I met your mother. She seems okay. I will keep visiting her until you come back. We will miss you.

I hope it won't be too long before you return.

- Camille Astrid."

"Lady Camille it is time for your classes." A voice speaks up. "Please give me a second." Camille says.

She puts down the pen she was using to write the letter. She neatly folds up the paper putting it inside an envelope she had prepared putting on the seal. "Have this sent to the Stormvale Duchy and to the Duke's estate." She says handing it to the maid who takes the envelope with a bow.

Camille smiles on her way to her class. She hopes the days will pass by soon. She simply cannot wait for the day Kaizen comes back.