Chapter 65
Kaelon stood in the throne room, surrounded by family, and everyone waited in tense silence.
Usually, when Kaelon was in the room, he would just look at the throne and feel pure pride at being part of this family, this empire.
But on this day, the air felt different. Heavier, almost oppressive.
The entire family was gathered. Brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts, grandchildren, great-grandchildren – they were all there. Such meetings were rare, and when they took place, it meant that something of great importance had to be discussed.
Kaelon stood a little apart, surrounded by his wife and children, and let his gaze wander over the spectacle.
He had stood at his father's side long enough to recognize the subtle nuances. There was a reason why they were all here and this was just the calm before the storm.
Then he heard the heavy doors of the throne room swing open, and the room fell silent. His father entered the room and Kaelon immediately sensed that something was wrong. His father was angry, he realized that immediately.
It wasn't an open anger that broke out immediately. No, it was a deep, calm anger that was just waiting to explode.
Kaelarys stepped up to the throne and sat down on it while his eyes scanned the faces.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I've summoned you here. The reason is simple: I have the feeling that my generosity is not appreciated." his father said in a deep voice and even though Kaelon showed no outward reaction, he was not surprised inside. He had seen how some of the other children behaved and it was he himself who pointed it out to his mother Seraphine.
"I created the elixir of life to give this family the greatest gift in the world... time. Only time bears witness to our existence, and when I beat time itself to spare us what so many in the world regret - seeing their own family members die - I did so out of love for my close ones." He spoke gently and every word struck deep into the soul of each person gathered.
"Out of love," Kaelarys repeated, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked around the room. "But what has become of that love? Some of you have begun to take the gift I have given you for granted, to use it as a tool for your own ambition. You have forgotten that it isn't yours, but given to you!!!" His father suddenly reared his head up and yelled at great volume, and Kaelon could feel the betrayal in his tone.
Kaelon watched as his relatives took in his father's words. Some bowed their heads, while others stood nervously in silence. The accusation was clear, but no one dared say anything.
Kaelon looked up at his father again and saw the tension gradually leaving Kaelarys' body.
Kaelarys leaned back into the throne slowly, his posture calmer but no less threatening. An ominous silence spread throughout the room as everyone waited to hear what he would say next.
"For this reason, I have the following to announce," his father continued, "From now on, the elixir will no longer be given to you. You will have to earn it."
Kaelon noticed a murmur going through the ranks, the faces of those present were a mixture of shock and concern.
He too fell silent for a moment before realizing that he had nothing to worry about. He was his father's firstborn and he and his siblings had nothing to worry about; it was others who should be concerned.
"You can't do that!" an agitated voice suddenly came from the back rows and everyone turned to see who was speaking.
It took Kaelon a moment to realize who it was. Vaegon. Of course. The young man was a descendant of Syraena Baelaeron, sister of Zelarys Baelaeron and daughter of Valaena Baelaeron – his father's aunt. Kaelon shook his head inwardly; the irony was unmistakable. It always seemed to be the descendants of his father's aunt who felt the urge to raise their voices, as if the stain of rebellion was deeply rooted in their line.
"What did you say, boy?!" his father said, incensed that someone would dare speak to him so disrespectfully.
"It is our birthright, just as it is our birthright to ride dragons! It is in our blood!" Vaegon argued with burning defiance in his voice. Kaelon could only sigh when he heard the young man. So young, so foolish, he thought.
The whole situation reminded him of Zelarys.
"Your birthright?" his father asked quietly, his eyes boring into Vaegon's. "The only reason you even exist is because of my foresight and hard work in saving House Baelaeron from utter destruction! Don't talk to me about birthright! You did nothing to earn it and yes, noble blood runs through your veins, but that means nothing in the grand scheme of things!"
Kaelarys's teeth were almost grinding, his face was so red with anger. "I invented and researched the elixir and it was I who built everything you know and call home, and that goes for everyone here! I alone am able to produce the elixir and no one else. And should I die, then the elixir dies with me," he announced in a cold voice, and only now did everyone realize how truly powerless they were without their father.
Vaegon's face paled as the reality of his emperor's words slowly sunk in. But his will kept him standing, even though his lips visibly trembled for all to see.
"I apologize for speaking out of turn, Your Majesty." Vaegon apologized, and his father only scoffed at him before standing and taking a few steps forward.
"Serve the house and the family with honor and loyalty and you will see the light of the sun until the end of days. Don't do that and you will disappear in the annals of history, be forgotten like all the other mortals. It's your choice." His father spoke gently and with a calm voice and Kaelon saw how his words filled the room like a wave crashing on the shore.
The silence that hung in the room after Kaelorys' last words was almost tangible. Even when his father left the room, hardly anyone dared to move.
In the days and weeks that followed, Kaelon observed a change that he had rarely seen before. The young people, who had always seemed so carefree and relaxed, were suddenly serious. Their bearing had changed, the ease with which they had previously gone through life was gone.
Those who had previously spent their time in the gardens or lost themselves in the luxurious halls of the palace now entered the library or training yard in their free time.
Kaelon saw cousins and distant relatives, who had never cared about the knowledge of the ancients before, roaming the endless shelves of the library, leafing through old books and studying with a serious expression on their faces. Others who had never picked up a sword before were now standing in the training yard.
He was glad that there had been such a clear turnaround. Kaelon knew that such tensions would always arise in a family like theirs.
But while House Baelaeron was at war, it could not afford internal conflicts, and his father had solved the problem in his own way.
Even though Kaelon sometimes thought his father's way was rather harsh and unyielding, he couldn't deny that it was effective.
No one asked how in retrospect. All that mattered was whether it worked or not.
And it had worked. The unrest in the family was calmed for the time being and everyone was working towards the same goal.
But what even Kaelon didn't know was that his father's words were not entirely true. Because in reality, there existed a secret 'fail-safe plan' that Kaelarys himself had created in case he ever died for whatever reason.
But only time itself knows whether the 'fail-safe plan' will ever be activated.
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I already know that some people will whine in the comments because some think that this is unrealistic or not alpha enough. The fact is, people have done stupid things often enough that you could only shake your head.
But anyway.
Now, take in mind that he didn't address everybody. It was solely for those who disregarded him and had fancy thoughts growing in their head. And they know who he talked to. Anyway, good day to you :D
Also, the next chapter discusses Volantis' reaction. Stay tuned!
Men scroll
Men see
Men smile
Men gifts Stones
Men leaves Review
Men leaves happily.
Yours,
Jasonenrick!