Uncle

"Your memories are returning faster than we anticipated." Dion frowned as he got up and poured him and Nicholas some wine.

"My memories returning faster should be celebrated and yet you seem to be bothered by the fact that I recall my Uncle Glenn." Nicholas couldn't help but point out the bothered expression he had noticed Dion carry the moment he spoke.

"It's not that, your highness." Dion handed Nicholas his glass as he took a deep breath and sat back down.

It didn't slip Nicholas' attention that there were times that Dion returned to addressing him formally, even when in private.

It bothered him, but at the same time he noticed that it was Dion's way of pacifying his temper.

"Your Uncle Glenn, his eminence, was once one of the highest ranking Corporali Mages. He was quite close to your mother and you." Dion hesitated to finish his statement, but Nicholas' eyes were trained on him, watching him like a hawk.

"His death greatly affected both you and your mother, you were never the same after his loss." Nicholas turned pale as memories suddenly surged into his mind.

The world went white as the scene in front of him changed.

Nicholas was no longer in his office, rather, he was in the throne room, walking in with trumpets and applause.

He looked up to see that he was holding his Uncle Glenn's hand on one side and his mother's on the other.

"Liira." A loving voice called out, drawing Nicholas' attention to the man on the throne, his father, King Alexander of Merlen.

He was much younger, there was not a trace of his white hair or the wrinkles on his forehead or around his eyes.

He gazed at Liira with so much love that it was clear that the King did love his mother.

"I have returned to you with our son." Lady Liira said, her tone cold as she showed no love towards the King.

"I am glad you have chosen to come home with Freroy. I was worried that he would need to force you." The king glanced at Glenn as his expression turned cold and almost deadly.

"My brother." Liira quickly introduced Glenn, making sure that the King did not misunderstand their relationship.

"Your brother that kidnapped you." The king declared, jumping into conclusions, making his guards take a step forward, ready to arrest the Corporali Mage.

"My brother, that saved me and protected your son, a prince of Merlen." Liira corrected the king, making him raise his hand, ordering his men to back down.

The king nodded as he gestured for Liira to take her seat next to him, the throne of the most favored wife. Next to it was a smaller throne for her son.

Liira looked at Nicholas and gave him a smile and a nod, before lifting her head and looking the king directly in the eyes.

"No harm is to come to my brother." Liira commanded the king. "I will not sit next to you if you cannot promise me that."

The king gripped the armrests of his throne, Nicholas could see the anger and resentment in his eyes.

"If you truly love me, you will give me that mercy." Liira declared in a kinder, softer tone.

"You will not run?" The king asked as he stood and walked towards their small group.

"No, but my brother will be one of my son's ministers." Liira demanded.

"As you wish, my queen." There was an audible gasp across the hall as Nicholas' vision went white and the image before him changed.

He was running through the palace, he could hear his Uncle Glenn's voice, but the man's words were muffled as it echoed across the hall.

"Run Nicholas, don't let them find you! Run!" Uncle Glenn's voice said as Nicholas' small feet worked harder as he ran through the halls and everything went dark.

The next thing Nicholas saw was his mother weeping over a coffin. It was black with the Corporali Prince's crest on it, his own crest.

Nicholas reached out to touch the coffin, but he was pulled back by someone. He then saw Dion appear next to his mother and place a hand on her shoulder.

"He protected him, as I will, sister." Dion said as he glanced back at Nicholas.

"Your highness?" Nicholas heard Dion ask as his vision blurred and he was returned to his office. It was not just him and Dion, alone in the present day. He blinked at Dion as he tried to process the memories that had just forced themselves forward.

"You're my uncle too?" Nicholas asked as his jaw dropped.

Dion seemed just as confused as he was, unsure about how to answer Nicholas' question.

"You knew?" Dion finally managed to ask.

Nicholas nodded in response.

"Uncle Glenn died protecting me?" Nicholas asked as he looked up at Dion, the guilt eating through him.

"It wasn't your fault Nicholas." Dion tried his best to comfort the prince, but Nicholas remained unresponsive. "Your father or maybe your brothers or one of the wives wanted him dead. Many people hated him because he was everything a Corporali Mage wasn't supposed to be."

"What do you mean?" Nicholas asked.

"Glenn was the eldest, he always fought back and refused to accept that Corprorali mages were made to serve others." Dion sighed as he shook his head. "People wanted him dead, they wouldn't dare kill you before the king died. It could have caused a succession crisis."

Nicholas was about to ask Dion more questions about his Uncle Glenn and the rest of their family, but a knock interrupted them.

Regina entered, catching Nicholas' attention once more.

His eyes lit up, a fact that Dion did not miss, making him shake his head in response.

"His majesty sent his guards to escort you to the training field, your highness." Regina bowed deeply, giving Nicholas a good view of her ample cleavage.

"Have Regan accompany me as well." Nicholas told Regina as he dismissed her and stood from behind his desk.

"A word of caution, nephew." Dion said, reminding Nicholas of their blood relation. "A king's marriage is a political one, never one of love. Love matches end up with someone getting killed, especially if it's one sided."

Nicholas raised an eyebrow to question him, but nodded, letting the topic drop as he walked away from Dion.