Chapter 3: A mother's Concern

Kaidrian entered his mother's chambers, his expression stern. "Mum, I know, but I want you to keep shut."

Queen Calantha's eyes flashed with defiance. "Over my dead body, Kaidrian. Don't you know this is the king's life we're talking about?"

Kaidrian's voice rose. "Please, Mother, I said keep quiet, and you will obey me. I don't want anyone to hear about this. Only Rylan and I know, and until I carry out my investigation, you keep your mouth shut."

The queen's face contorted in worry. "Kaidrian, this is your father we're talking about—"

But Kaidrian cut her off, his words laced with anger. "No one is innocent. Father started this, and now I have to end it. If you all want to live."

The queen's eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back, her face pale. "How dare you, Kaidrian! He is your father, and I will not tolerate any disrespect towards him!"

But her outburst was interrupted by a fit of coughing, her body shaking violently. Kaidrian's expression softened as he rushed to her side, concern etched on his face.

"Mum, lay still. Haven't you taken your medicine?"

He helped her sit up, his eyes filled with worry, and handed her the medicine. "Sorry, Mother, but I need you to trust me on this one, okay?"

The queen's anger dissipated, replaced by a weak smile. "I'm sorry, Kaidrian. I shouldn't have shouted at you like that."

Kaidrian's face relaxed, and he put his mother to bed, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek. "Good night, Mum."

"Good night, Kaidrian," she whispered, her eyes closing.

As Kaidrian left the room, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his family was torn apart by secrets and lies.

As Kaidrian entered his chambers, he was met with a sight that made his blood boil. All his brothers were sitting on his bed, waiting for him with impatient expressions. The tiny relief he had felt after leaving his mother's chambers vanished, replaced by frustration.

"For the moon goddess's sake, why can't you all just leave me alone?" Kaidrian thundered, his eyes flashing with anger.

Erian, the eldest, tried to stifle a laugh but failed. "Kaid, we need to talk to you about something."

Kaidrian rolled his eyes. "Can't it wait? I'm tired."

But his brothers remained seated, their eyes fixed on him. Lysander, the quiet one, spoke up. "Kaid, we know you're hiding something. You can't fool us with that extinct animal story."

Kaidrian sighed, knowing he had no choice but to tell them the truth. "Fine, I'll tell you. But are you happy now? Can you leave me alone?"

As he finished speaking, his brothers looked at each other, then back at him. Lysander nodded. "Okay, Kaid, but this meeting continues tomorrow."

Kaidrian's eyes narrowed. "And don't say anything to anyone, especially Xanthe I don't trust Xanthe one bit."

Kael's face reddened with anger. "That's Queen Xanthe for you, Kaid!"

Rylan chimed in, "Oh please, Kael, we all know how your mom acts."

Erian tried to stifle another laugh, while Lysander smirked. Kael's face turned beet red, and he warned Rylan, "I'll chop off your tongue if you don't shut up!" Erian remembered something and couldn't help but smirk nd said kaidrian dad wants to see u tomorrow after breakfast I heard that he wants u to get married as soon as possible

Kaidrian raised an eyebrow. "What?

The room erupted in laughter again, especially from Rylan, who poked his head back in and said, "Good luck with that, Kaid!"The tension was broken when Rylan quipped, "Bye, lover boy!" and ran out of the room, laughing. The others followed, still chuckling, except for Kael, who looked like he was about to explode

Kaidrian's face darkened, and he shouted, "Get out! All of you!

The laughter faded as they left the room, still chuckling. Kaidrian slammed the door shut, his heart racing with frustration. What did his father want now?