The Knight Commander's son

Chapter 15

There was a huge silence when the small family left the room and everyone stared at them without daring to cross their gaze. Especially not Tyon’s.The play went well and Amauri really enjoyed his night. During the break, a table full of sweets was waiting for the small family in the waiting room. Alden was sure Tyon asked for so many sweets to be brought to get on Amauri’s good side. Alden had brought them to help them get closer and it had worked in a strange way.

Amauri and Tyon had an awkward atmosphere around each other before coming. Tyon cared for the child without knowing how to treat him and Amauri loved his dad without daring to be a child around him. Alden thought it would be harder to get rid of the awkward vibe but for some reason it evaporated after the incident. They still weren’t best friends but talk to each other without problem.

Following the play, Amauri got interested in sparring and Tyon decided to teach him. Alden was very surprised by this and didn’t understand what had happened but he was happy to see them get on well. However Tyon was a ruthless teacher and Alden had to supervise to be sure he wouldn’t traumatize Amauri. The little child was strangely stubborn and didn’t get discouraged despite all his hours of hard work. Alden was really proud of his baby but still did his best to force them to take a break from time to time.

Amauri never wanted to take breaks but Alden came from time to time to bring something sweet he liked. In those moments he went up to Tyon and told him everything he couldn’t in front of the kid:

“You have to compliment him. Tell him when he does something well. That will give him the motivation to go on.”

Tyon didn’t say anything, always seriously listening to what Alden was saying. However Alden wasn’t used to talking to someone so silent and felt as if talking to a wall which was unnerving. He cut the conversation short and left to compliment Amauri while Tyon was staring at his back, disappointed about how quickly he left.

“You are amazing out there!

-Thank you mommy, I know.

-But aren’t you tired?

-No! Not at all!

-You can take a break if you need to. You are already amazing.

-I want to get strong quickly.

-You have a lot of time, you know.

-No. I want to be the one protecting mommy.”

Alden didn’t know what to say. He had been this child’s mom for months and he had grown very attached to him. He couldn’t say how touched he was by this declaration and hugged him. Amauri laughed happily, liking to be in his mom’s arms. Tyon on the other hand realized that Alden never hugged him and he didn’t like that thought:

“How long are you going to relax? You won’t become strong anytime soon that way.”

Amauri immediately ran to the field and fired up. And for some reason the two seemed to be competing against each other. At the end of the teaching Tyon saw that Alden wasn’t happy and he looked away a bit ashamed. What was he doing being jealous of a kid? But this weird competition for Alden’s love and attention became the new everyday of the mansion. Amauri didn’t like not being the one to protect his mommy and felt inferior to his dad which he couldn’t handle. Therefore he started competing about everything else against his dad.

During meals, Amauri wouldn’t stop talking about everything he did with his mommy during the day and about everything he knew about his mommy that others didn’t. Amauri was happily smiling to Tyon who was boiling in rage. At least all the awkwardness disappeared, Amauri was no more scared of Tyon at all. But now they were some kind of enemies as well as partners.

Everytime they got to eat together, Alden would be the center of attention and conversation. No one was talking about anything else and everyone was handing Alden things he should taste. Amauri and Tyon couldn’t stop stuffing him and when Alden couldn’t eat anymore, they would panic asking him if he was sick and if he needed to see a doctor. Alden shook his head violently:

“I just can’t eat anymore. It is too much for me.”

Amauri frowned, worried:

“Mommy doesn’t eat a lot. That’s not good for your health.”

Tyon agreed and Alden was ignored while the two talked about what they would give him to eat next. Alden turned to Janyn for some help but no one in the mansion could stop the two. Alden didn’t get any help from everyone. Usually Alden was the only one who could reason with the two but they didn’t listen to reason when it was about Alden’s well being. Alden was really touched that he was that close to Amauri but it was weird that Tyon was starting too.

Tyon wasn’t close to Alden. He knew that and he hated the fact that it was all his fault. For a long time his only card was being stronger than Amauri and he put everything on that. The sparring classes turned into tortur for the child but he never gave up having a real knack for sparring. Every time they spared, Tyon would destroy Amauri with a smile and Alden soon lost it and ran up to him furious. Amauri wasn’t good enough to control his sword yet and almost hit his mommy who had run between the two to stop the torture. Tyon quickly embraced Alden in his arms and got the hit instead of him.

“How could you just run in front of a sword? What were you thinking?

-What were you thinking? You are going way too hard on that kid! Can’t you see how tired he is? What are you? A beast?”

Alden pushed Tyon and turned to Amauri who started crying.

“Are you okay, darling?

-I almost hurt mommy…”

Alden hugged him.

“You didn’t, baby. I was the one who ran in front. I am sorry I scared you.”

Still hugging Amauri, Alden couldn’t see the terrifying smile the child was showing his father. Tyon’s blood boiled seeing that Amauri was taking advantage of the moment to make him jealous. Tyon grunted and Alden looked back seeing that he was bleeding where the sword had cut him. Alden got up, Amauri still in his hands and walked to Tyon, worried. He did get hurt because of him after all.

“Are you okay?”

Tyon didn’t feel anything but he didn’t say that and just grimaced. Alden put Amauri down and stared at the wound.

“You have to see a doctor.”

He grabbed his hand and pulled Tyon after him into the mansion. Tyon turned around and smiled at Amauri who saw red. This was a war and he was going to win it. Alden had no idea this was going on and was still on edge around Tyon not understanding why he was being so different around him lately.

As Tyon was being patched up, Alden couldn't stop staring at him. Tyon felt his heart panic and he couldn’t stand his gaze much longer. When the doctor left it got even worse because Alden grabbed a chair and sat down inches from Tyon who thought he would die right there.

“What’s up with you?”

Tyon frowned. It wasn’t the first time Alden asked him what he was planning.

“Why are you being so weird?

-What did I do?

-I don’t know. You… You feed me and protect me from a sword. Why?

-I told you, I wouldn’t let you get hurt.

-But why?

-Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Alden scoffed.

“You hurt me before.”

Tyon felt really uncomfortable for a second and bit his lip.

“I know and I am sorry.

-I am not looking for an apology. People don’t change, Tyon. You hurt me and you will again.

-I won’t. Never again.

-You will and that’s not a problem. But at least don’t lie to yourself.

-I will prove to you that I’ll never hurt you again.

-How will you prove it? You would have to be absolutely perfect for the rest of your life. That would be exhausting for both of us.

-I’ll do it.

-What?

-It’s not a problem.

-It is. Why are you so weird? You hate me.

-I don’t.

-What?”

Tyon bent towards Alden and looked him straight in the eyes:

“I don’t hate you. I never could.”

Alden was completely lost.

“I don’t need you protecting me.

-I know. I am doing it because I want to.”

Alden signed:

“I don’t need you to protect me. You hurt me a lot and I didn’t forget about that part.

-I don’t want you to. I just want you to be safe.

-You can be really stubborn, did you know that?”

Tyon nodded, not letting go.

“What changed your mind?

-I got to know you.”

Tyon was way more honest than usual because he knew he needed Alden to understand why he was doing all of this. Despite him being this honest, he still couldn’t say the whole truth. Alden just frowned.

“You know what? Talking to you is useless. Do whatever you want.”

Alden was ready to leave but Tyon still had something to say:

“I am sorry.”

Alden turned around surprised:

“What did you do again?

-I am so sorry I hurt you. I will never forgive myself for it but please trust me, you will never be hurt again.”

Alden rolled his eyes and left.