The Knight Commander's son

Chapter 13

Everyone froze. Tyon never went to any plays and when he was forced to go he would just openly be bored and leave as soon as the lights were turned on. No one thought he would accept to go but immediately after Amauri asked, Tyon jumped on the occasion and answered yes. Amauri was so happy he could have cried and he turned to Alden with shiny eyes:

“Let’s go together!”

Alden wasn’t that happy about the idea of going somewhere with Tyon. He couldn’t deny that something had changed between them but he didn’t know if it was a good thing. Instead of jumping at each other’s throats all the time, Tyon didn’t say or do anything bad at all and Alden felt like the calm before a storm. He was constantly on edge and couldn’t lower his guard.

He didn’t trust Tyon and he knew people couldn’t change. He did horrible things and aside from the fact that he didn’t forgive him, he knew he could do it again. Of course he knew he would always have the last word but he didn’t want to be taken by surprise. But the attack never came and it was stressful waiting. Alden really just wanted Tyon to say something so he could feel better but it never came. Instead Tyon couldn’t stop staring at him and tried to make conversation often.

Alden decided he couldn’t take it anymore and he went up to Tyon after breakfast while Amauri was getting ready:

“What are you planning?”

Tyon frowned, not getting what Alden was talking about. Did he make a mistake again? He started panicking. He couldn’t. He did everything right and made sure not to do anything that could anger Alden. But if he was angry then Tyon was hundred percent sure it was his fault. He wanted to apologize but didn’t have time:

“Why are you so weird? You stared at me all breakfast. If you have to say something just say it. You didn’t have a problem with it before.”

He was right. Tyon wasn’t the type to soothe his words and he usually told everyone what he thought without any care for their feelings. He had been the same with Alden because at first he had despised him and later on because he was jealous and mostly because he didn’t know how to talk if not that way. He never tried minding his words ever. Therefore he just became silent.

“I don’t have anything to say.

-Then why are you staring at me?”

He didn’t know what to answer. He knew why he was looking at him, because he was gorgeous. But wouldn’t Alden think he was making fun of him if he did say that?

“Listen, you don’t have to force yourself to do things you don’t like but Amauri really loves you and he is very happy that you agreed to come. If you are having second thoughts then don’t. Do you know how much he cried when our plans got canceled because of you? He really just wants to make memories with you. Is it that hard?

-I want to come.

-Good. I really want Amauri and you to be a happy family but it seems you have a hard time warming up to him. I can understand, you are not his biological father, you don’t know how to act around him but you shouldn’t think too much about it. You just have to make time for him and be nice. That’s all.

-Okay.

-I’ll help you. I really want Amauri to be happy and he really needs you to like him. Or at least to openly show that you do.”

Alden had known for months that he had to help Amauri and Tyon get close but he never did anything because he really didn’t want to talk to Tyon, not liking him at all. He couldn't push things back anymore and decided to help the two to have a good relationship. It was hard building relationships and Alden only had six months left. He had to hurry up and do everything he could. He decided to start by making time for Amauri and Tyon to warm up to each other. They needed to be comfortable around each other before anything and he would monitor Tyon to make sure he didn’t say anything mean to the kid.

Therefore they left for the play. Soon the whole town heard that the knight commander would assist to the play and that stressed the actors out. They knew how he acted in theaters and they knew they would have a horrible night not able to ignore his imposing aura. The nobles rushed to the theater to buy all the tickets they could. Despite being terrified of the knight commander, he was an important person and people wanted to get close to him despite knowing they wouldn’t or at least do all they could to make their young girls marry the man.

Tyon took more time to get ready than ever before. Usually his clothes were pre chosen and he jumped into them before leaving but now he couldn’t stop staring at the mirror thinking about what Alden would think seeing him in these clothes. He hated being so bad at this and left the room in a very bad mood. However his mood immediately changed when he saw Alden. As usual the young man was gorgeous and Tyon’s heart couldn’t stop pounding wishing he had taken more time getting ready. But it was too late and they had to go. Alden didn’t think anything about Tyon’s dress and just turned to Amauri. The latter had been dressed by his mommy and was very proud of it.

“Dada, I am gorgeous right?”

Tyon frowned. He never heard anyone be so confident and it took him a few seconds to make sure it was really his shy nephew. He looked at Alden knowing well that this was his doing. Alden took the look differently thinking that as usual Tyon was irritated by his sense of style. He didn’t have time for a fight, especially not in front of Amauri so he just rolled his eyes and signed before turning away. Amauri loved Alden carrying him and being used to it he waited for his mama to lift him which he did. Seeing him do so, Tyon frowned.

“You shouldn’t carry him.”

Alden turned around, losing his patience.

“What? Scared of what the others would say?”

Tyon didn’t care what the others would say. He was worried about something else and turned to Amauri:

“You are not that light anymore, Amauri.”

The child understood and asked to be put down immediately. He didn’t want his mommy to be hurt while carrying him. Alden felt defeated and he didn’t like it but again he couldn’t argue in front of the child and let it go. He was convinced that Tyon lied and didn’t want him to carry Amauri because he didn’t want people to talk. As they arrived, there were already hundreds of people present and all eyes turned to them. Alden froze. He was in the carriage of the knight commander and he knew that if he came out with them, people would start talking. He didn’t care about gossip but he stopped thinking about what they would say.

As he was frozen, Tyon opened the door, got out, lifted Amauri out and turned to Alden with his hand extended towards him. Alden almost fell because of the surprise and just stared at Tyon not understanding what he wanted. He was a man and men usually weren't helped to get out of a carriage. People usually extend their hands to help women or their love interest. But why was Tyon extending his hand to him? He never acted as a gentleman towards anyone.

Alden stared at the hand for a long time. Tyon didn’t flinch but Alden was staring for so long that Amauri turned around and seeing the funny scene he too wanted to escort his mommy. Seeing how happy Amauri was, Alden accepted both the hands and came out of the carriage not letting go. After a fair amount of time he wanted to let go of Tyon’s hand but he just pulled Alden closer and put his hand around his arm. Alden frowned but didn’t say anything. He didn’t understand why Tyon was acting this way and thought he just wanted to mess with him. He wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing him mad and he just grabbed the arm harder. Tyon immediately froze his heart going crazy and he couldn’t even remember where he was going.

A lot of people came to say hello to the little family but they got completely ignored by Tyon. He didn’t answer any question and didn’t even look at the others. Amauri took the initiative being really excited and told everyone about how happy he was to be with his parents. People frowned hearing him talk about his parents when there were only two men by his side. Alden knew Amauri would say something about him being his mother so he quickly jumped to save the day:

“We should go, Amauri. The show is starting.”

Amauri was unstoppable and despite rushing to his seat, he couldn’t stop telling his mommy about all the plays he had seen so far and what he was expecting for this one. Alden listened with a smile while he heard other people whisper not that silently:

“What is Mister Alden doing with Sir Farroworb?”

“Why are they holding hands? I never saw Sir Tyon be this tactile with anyone.”

“Does Mister Alden have something on him?”

“How could he seduce him? He must be forced.”

Alden really didn’t care about what was being said but one group irritated him greatly:

“That child talks way too much. He should learn how to behave or he’ll never get married.”

Alden saw red and before thinking he was already walking towards them. Letting go of Tyon’s arm, the latter finally woke up and turned to Alden to know what he was doing. Seeing Alden this angry, Tyon immediately told Earl to look after Amauri and followed his hand on his sword. Amauri didn’t like being separated from his parents especially when they looked so angry and he started fidgeting, worried. Alden on the other hand was way too angry. He didn’t care if people talked bad about him but they had no right to say anything about his son. He was ready to rip their heads off.