The Knight Commander's son

Chapter 8

The next day Amauri was really excited about going to the zoo. Alden couldn't sleep way too angry about what happened the day before but seeing Amauri overjoyed he had to smile. They prepared happily and Alden was relieved to see Tyon didn't come for breakfast. However his good mood didn't last long because soon after he discovered that the gates were closed off until Tyon came back in the evening.

Alden tried arguing with the knights but there was nothing to do. Alden started getting very angry. He tried to control himself in front of the child but he was boiling. He knew it wasn't the knights fault but Tyon wasn't there and he needed someone to knock out. To make things worse, it was the exact moment the five knights who ost Amauri decided to walk past. Seeing Alden all worked up, they went up to the knights and told them they would handle the situation leaving Alden alone with them because Earl decided to take Amauri to make a bouquet of flowers for his mama.

"What's going on? asked Gaillard, the knight closest to Alden.

-What's f*****g going on is that I am going to murder your commander. Bring him back here right now!"

Two of the knights looked at each other awkwardly while the others tried calming Alden down:

"Calm down and let's sit down for a bit.

-I am not sitting down! He does this every time! He is doing his best to destroy that adorable child but I won't let him. How could he just lock us up here? His list of crimes just can't stop getting longer. He kidn*pped me for f**k's sake! I stayed by my own volition but now he is locking me up? What would he have done if I had said no to staying here? Would he have tied me down? And what about Amauri? He has been locked up all his life! That's not the way to raise a child! I should call child services or something. This is unacceptable!"

Alden had been screaming without breathing and finally stopped almost choking. Gaillard took advantage of the situation and signaled to Willie, the second knight closest to them, to bring something to drink. Willie ran away and soon came back with a glass of water. It was so quick that Alden frowned and went silent for a second drinking slowly. Not knowing what to say, Gaillard turned to yet another of the knights: James. That knight seemed older than the others and when he felt the stared he signed before walking closer:

"It's okay."

Alden lost it hearing him say that:

"It's okay? How the f**k is this okay?"

James immediately raised his hands in the air and retreated as if saying he did what he could. Gaillard was not impressed, almost ready to cry. Alden was back to screaming and Willie seemed ready to run for another glass of water.

"Is it okay to kidnap and lock up people? What kind of sick people are you hanging out with? Has he done this to other people before? That's not normal, no! I will call the authorities!"

Gaillard panicked thinking of the first time they met:

"Please, no. He never did any of the sort.

-Oh it's just me then! Then everything is okay!

-Please calm down...

-No! It's driving me insane! That guy is the worst person I ever met!"

Alden continued screaming and James already gave up when Amari and Earl walked back with a bouquet of flowers. Alden turned it off immediately and smiled warmly which shocked everyone. How could he go from 0 to 10 so easily?

"Look mommy! I did this for you!

-Oh... You are adorable. Thank you so much.

-Could you tell me what these flowers are?

-Of course."

After Alden finished his little class, Amauri turned to the gates excited:

"Can we go now?"

A big cold went through the group and it took a second for Alden to respond.

"I am really sorry, baby. I know I promised we would go today but something came up. We can't go today but that doesn't mean we won't go ever.

-Oh... I see. It's okay, mommy."

Amauri tried not to seem disappointed not wanting to worry his mommy but he couldn't hold back his tears. They started flowing and he couldn't hold them back despite all his tries. Alden was heartbroken and so was everyone else. Willie ran to get another glass of water but James told him he was an i***t for doing so. Willie seemed very sad and looked through his pockets to see if he had something else. The fourth knight, Owain, found a candy in his pockets and wanted to give it to Amauri but the child never accepted anything if it wasn't from his mommy. Alden took the candy and gave it to Amauri who ate it. Amauri couldn't stop apologizing for crying. Earl went to look for Amauri's favorite toys and Alden kneeled down to be on Amauri's level:

"It's okay, Amauri. You can cry. Let it all out."

Amauri jumped into Alden's arms and cried even harder for multiple minutes. When he calmed down a bit Alden said:

"It is important to understand what you are feeling. Why are you crying?

-I-I... I a-am sad.

-You are sad?

-Yes...

-Okay, I understand. Why?

-B-because I-I d-don't want mommy t-to feel bad..."

Alden frowned:

"What? Why would I feel bad?

-Mommy is a-angry..."

Alden was really touched that the child was more worried for him than for himself.

"Yes I am angry but I am not angry at you everything is fine.

-B-but I don't w-want mommy to be mad. I want mommy t-to be happy.

-You know, we can't be happy all the time. Sometimes we get angry too and that is completely fine. Do you know why I was angry?

-Why?

-Because I really wanted to go to the Zoo with you today."

Amauri's tears doubled:

"Me too... I wanted to see the lions...

-And I promise you will see them. Have I ever lied to you?

-No.

-But we can't go today. Is that okay?

-Y-yes..."

Despite this talk, Amauri continued crying and everyone tried their best making him smile. They were really worried about the child and tried to comfort him but there was nothing to do. Despite all the candies, all the toys, Amauri couldn't smile. Janyn heard about the situation and came to help as well. Now eight grown adults were doing all they could to make one person laugh and thanks to their efforts, Amauri finally calmed down. It happened when they took him to the armurerie on the fifth knight, Nicolaus' suggestion. Amauri finally forgot about all of this and everyone was exhausted. However they didn't stop because of fear of Amauri starting crying again and they spent the afternoon playing together.

By the time Tyon got home, Amauri fell asleep exhausted after all that had happened. Amauri sleeping, Alden would have had to eat alone with Tyon but he was so angry that Gaillard advised him not to go scared that he would commit a crime. Alden knew he wasn't stronger than Tyon but he would hit him as many times as he could before being arrested. Therefore the new friend group ate together outside in a peaceful and comfortable silence. Taking care of a child brought them closer and they all sat in their exhaustion. Alden felt grateful:

"Thank you for helping me calm him down."

Janyn smiled:

"I am glad he is fine now.

-No thanks to that other guy."

Alden signed. He didn't have time for this. He couldn't keep his eyes open anymore and went to sleep soon after.

Therefore Tyon ate alone. He tried not to think about Alden all day but as usual he didn't manage to. However he didn't really feel bad about what he did. He thought he did the right thing but then why didn't he feel happy having won? He was so irritated by Alden always having the last word and had finally gained advantage in their relationship. He had what he wanted but for some reason he couldn't feel happy about it. Seeing the expressions on his servants made things even worse. They all seemed sad and avoided eye contact. Alden had only been there for a few weeks but how did he manage to influence everyone the way he did? It felt as if the whole mansion had been waiting for him and now they mimicked his emotions depending completely on him. Tyon should have felt infuriated and should have pushed everyone but instead he hid in his study.

If anything, it felt weird eating alone. Tyon didn't realize how bad he had been looking forward to these moments but now he was all alone. He hadn't eaten in silence for a long time and he missed the voices. He hated hearing his fork against the plate. As he fled to his study, things got even worse because outside he saw Alden surrounded by seven other people. They were eating all together and Alden seemed completely at ease. He wasn't guarded at all the way he was with him and Tyon started burning with jealousy. He realized what he was feeling and froze. He raised his hand to his heart and turned away rushing to go to sleep. He thought the next day would be better but the atmosphere at the table was even worse than expected.