The Knight Commander's son

Chapter 14

“What did you just say?”

The group lost its composure when everyone turned to them. They never would have thought that someone would call them out for gossiping as they did usually and especially not Alden. The latter didn’t have time for games:

“I heard what you said. You have no right to say anything about that child. He behaves perfectly well and I will not stand by and let you talk about him because people like you could lower his self esteem.”

Now the group started feeling offended:

“We didn’t say that.

-I heard you.

-No we didn’t.”

This was the time when Tyon caught up to Alden and he stared at the group with his cold menacing eyes. Being terrified by this man, the group knew they had to be mindful of their words. Alden didn’t care being right and signed:

“I just want you to understand that you can’t go on and say anything without having repercussions. Some people could be really hurt and traumatized by being gossiped about. Don’t ever do that again or I’ll lose it.

-But we didn’t say anything!”

Alden was ready to go but Tyon wasn’t budging. He suddenly signaled and knights surrounded the group before grabbing them from behind. Alden opened wide eyes being as shocked as the group was.

“What are you doing?

-Let us go! He lied! We didn’t say anything!

-Will you really believe one person against a whole group?”

Tyon was staring at them not changing his mind:

“Take them to headquarters until you get a full confession.

-Tyon!”

Alden was completely lost and grabbed Tyon’s arm making him turn to him. Everyone froze. No one was used to Tyon accepting being touched and no one dared move, scared that they would be the next ones being locked up.

“What the hell are you doing?

-They insulted you.

-First, they didn’t talk about me. And you know I don’t care about what everyone says. I am used to it even here it doesn’t do anything to me.”

Tyon’s eyes went even darker as he looked around the room.

“Who insulted you?”

Alden was completely lost. What was going on here? No one ever defended him against gossip before and especially not Tyon who even if he didn’t say anything, he agreed with what was being said about him. Why was he acting all scary now?

“Arrest everyone present.”

Alden didn’t have time to say anything because a scared Amauri struggled to get away from Earl and the knights and ran to his mommy crying his eyes out. Alden immediately hugged the young child and hit Tyon on the shoulder with force:

“You are scaring him.”

Tyon immediately lowered his gaze and started looking like a sad puppy which was even more shocking for everyone than what happened before.

“What is wrong, darling?”

Amauri was holding Alden with all his strength not wanting to let go and being way too scared to speak. Alden thought he needed some space and walked into an empty room to sit down and calm Amauri down. Tyon followed them and told the knights to stay in front of the door. Alden slowly rubbed Amauri’s back while whispering soothing words to him:

“Let it all out, darling. Tears are human. Everything will be fine. You are safe. Let it all out.”

Tyon was standing in front of the door staring at Alden having no idea what to do next. Alden was way too focused on Amauri to pay attention to the knight commander and let him stand in silence. Amauri calmed down rather quickly and held his mommy even more tightly.

“What happened, darling? Why were you scared?

-Mommy was in danger…

-Me?

-Y-yes…

-Darling… Everything is fine. I wasn’t in danger.

-But Dada called the knights to arrest everyone and he seemed very mad.”

Alden glared at Tyon who made himself very small. They were supposed to have family bonding time. Not child traumatizing time.

“Dada misunderstood the situation and got angry for nothing. I wasn’t in danger. Do you understand?

-Yes.

-And if I were, you shouldn’t run up to me. You should stay safe.”

Amauri shook his head violently.

“No.

-You shouldn’t get yourself in trouble. Your safety is the priority in case of emergency.

-No. I will never let mommy be in danger. I will protect you!

-I am very touched, darling. And I trust you but you know, in this world there are a lot of very strong people and for now you are only a child. But thank you a lot for the sentiment.

-I will protect mommy.

-Promise me that you will stay safe first.”

Amauri didn’t seem ready to promise anything which stressed Alden out.

“I won’t let any of you be hurt.”

Tyon had been silent for so long that they had forgotten about his presence, Alden and Amauri looking back at the same time. Tyon came up to the two and kneeled down in front of them.

“I would give my life to protect you. As long as I’m here, you will never get hurt.”

Alden didn’t say anything. He felt weird seeing how intense the knight's gaze was but he didn’t think too much about it. Tyon was finally doing his best to comfort his child which was good. He didn’t think for a second that Tyon was being honest but that wasn’t the issue at hand anyway.

“If you want to protect the ones you love you have to be powerful. Until then I will be your sword.”

Amauri extended his pinky finger towards his dada.

“Pinky promise.”

Tyon seemed very confused for a second but Pinky swore. These two were so serious that Alden couldn’t hold back a laugh. Both Amauri and Tyon looked at him confused. Seeing his mama happy, Amauri started laughing too while Tyon heart almost gave up work. He never saw happy Alden from this close and he thought he would die soon.

“Mommy is gorgeous right?”

Alden thought Amauri was adorable and started hugging him again. He didn’t expect Tyon to talk:

“Yes. He is.”

Alden immediately froze and turned to him. What was wrong with that guy? He was acting so strange lately and Alden had no idea why. Without thinking he touched his forehead, his brows furrowed. Tyon didn’t dare move but felt his skin burn.

“You must have a fever.

-I don’t.

-Then why…

-Why?”

Alden signed.

“Nothing.”

Being calm, Amauri remained curious:

“Why did dada call the knights?

-I told you darling, it was a misunderstanding.

-They insulted mommy.”

Alden grimaced. He didn’t like being called mommy by Tyon and he really wanted to stop the misunderstanding.

“They didn’t.”

However for some reason Amauri and Tyon started some weird pact and stopped paying attention to Alden. Amauri frowned and his face looked a lot like his dad’s when he wasn’t smiling:

“They insulted mommy?

-Yes. I will have them locked up.

-You should send them to prison.

-I will.”

Alden thought he would faint.

“Stop! No one is going to prison.”

Once again, the two stared at Alden with exactly the same disappointed face.

“Promise me that you will behave.”

The two of them pinched their lips looking away from Alden. But he was more stubborn than them:

“Promise or we are not going to see the play.”

Alden thought Amauri would immediately yield but surprisingly he didn’t. Still preferring to protect his mommy than to see a play.

“I won’t talk to you ever again if you are sending them to prison.”

They both froze at the same time and Alden really needed to hold back his laughter.

“So?

-But…

-People can’t be sent to prison for saying something. That would be censure.

-That wouldn’t be so bad.”

Alden wanted to kick Tyon but he couldn’t in front of the child.

“What do you choose?”

It took a minute but they promised not to send anyone to prison. Amauri did however grab his dad’s hand and sign for him to bend down before whispering to show him who hurt his mommy. Alden immediately lifted Amauri and left the room.

“We don’t have time. Let’s go to our seats.”