Chapter 142: My Little Wolf
Song For This Chapter: Dreams by AURORA
King Wilhelm;
I stroll through the garden as I read the letter Cassia sent me. I was right. Elián is a primordial... That doesn’t bother me much, though. It just confirms my suspicions.
What I find interesting is that Koda plans to marry Elián. He’s not planning something big. He just wants an official wedding so Elián will be recognised as a true member of the family, and he wants to marry Elián before marking him.
He’s invited Rhydian and me. I’m happy for him. Things seem to be going to plan... but how will Rhydian react to this?
I know the boys bought Elián with the plan that Koda would him pregnant first... but Koda marrying Elián? Rhydian may not admit it, but I know he’s completely smitten by the boy.
How will he react to this news? Will he attend the wedding?
My thoughts get put on hold when, across the lawn, emerging from the path that leads to the dungeons, I spot Rhydian.
His face, aura, and even steps scream one thing. Anger. Anger and... hurt.
I stare at him as he marches away from the dungeons with tears streaming down his face. He angrily wipes them, and my heart slows when I realise that he must have gone to see Liandria.
What did she say to him now?? She keeps pushing this boy so hard; sometimes, I fear he just might go over the ledge.
I stop moving as I watch him, as I realise that he needs a hand. The boy’s sinking. I can see it.
He hasn’t noticed me yet... or anyone else for that matter. He’s lost in thought.
I let out a breath and begin to walk in his direction. I can’t leave him like this.
"Rhydian!" I call, and he stops. He looks in my direction, and as soon as he sees me, he wipes his tears off like he’s always done since he was little.
It’s almost like he’s counted it as an abomination for me to see him cry.
I can honestly say, I’ve seen all my boys cry before... but this one. He’s always hidden that side of him from me.
"Good morning, Father." He greets, as he struggles to make his voice sound tonally perfect, and I smile.
Without words or the knowledge of what to possibly say to him, I close the gap between us and pull him into a hug.
He freezes in my arms, but I don’t let go.
I understand his shock. I stopped showing this kind of affection to them as soon as they turned teenagers.
Hugging him out of the blue will surely come as a shock to him, but I know he needs it.
Now isn’t the time to be the mystic, ruthless king he knows.
I need to be his Father now.
He’s hidden his troubles and sorrows from me. I always waited, hoping someday he would trust me enough to open up to me, but I’m done waiting.
He needs a parent.
Of all my boys, when it comes to mothers, Koda is the luckiest.
Zephan and Zethar lost their mother at birth, Lioran got a Father who suffocates him with what he thinks is love, and... Rhydian?
Rhydian got Liandria, who always treated him like an accessory and still somehow built a chasm between me and him.
No matter what I tried when he was younger, he always treated me like a business partner. Like he always had something to prove to me.
He never acted like a little boy. It was more like my approval mattered more to him than my affection.
I didn’t just send him and Elián here to save Elián. I was hoping that after all these years, Liandria might have realised her mistakes with him and would use this time to fix the damage she caused.
But... I was wrong. He’s even more broken now.
"What are you doing, Father?" He questions, and I let out a breath.
"I need a hug," I reply, and he falls silent.
"You won’t hug your father?" I question as he still stands frozen, and I feel his hands move hesitantly.
They hover behind me for a while before he finally hugs me back.
His grip is light at first, but I gently rub the back of his head and tighten my hold on him.
"I’m lucky to have you, Rhydian," I whisper, and I feel him pause. Like he wasn’t expecting my words.
I smile as I gently pat his back.
"I can’t tell you how happy I was the day you were born. You never had to do anything for me to love you. You’re my flesh and blood. I’m proud of your good heart and pure soul. I... know I never said it before... I would say it’s because you never gave me the chance to say it, but I won’t make excuses. You are my son, and I love you. I should never have let you doubt that for a moment." I add, and then... just then, I feel him crumble in my arms.
He breaks down, and I hold him tightly to myself. He buries his face in the crook of my neck and lets go of the tears that feel like his been suppressing for years.
I stroke his hair, as we stand in silence, and this moment helps me realise something I’ve long turned a blind eye to.
I know that I am a king. I had my kingdom first, but I am more than a king now. I am a Father. I have five wonderful boys who need a father.
Not a king. Emotion isn’t weakness. It’s bravery. I know that now.
My family shouldn’t have to wonder if I care for them or not. I love them, and it’s high time I show that.
Tomorrow is uncertain, but despite that, the one thing I will make sure my Family is always sure of... is that they’re not just my subjects. No... they’re my family.
A family I would give anything to protect.
"I am proud of the person you are, Rhydian. I need you to be proud of that, too. Learn to trust your heart. Stop fighting so hard against yourself. You’re worthy to make decisions for yourself. Your opinion matters. You don’t need approval, son. You need to learn to trust yourself. Listen when your heart speaks. It sees things the mind wouldn’t." I whisper to him, as I know part of this trouble is over, how torn and confused he is regarding Bram.
He sniffles in my arms, and I hold him. I pat his back gently as I look up to the sky.
Life has once been very cruel to me. Life taught me to treat everything like a business. But I was given a second chance. Another chance at Family.
Just because the first ones failed me... doesn’t mean these would.
My sons are different. This family is different. I won’t let my fear rule our relationships any longer.
I will be the father my boys need. Afterall... It’s better late than never, right?
I will do right by them. Starting with this wounded cub in my arms.
My little boy... I won’t lose him. He needs to know that he is loved.
I pull away from him gently, and I stare at his tired face.
"You have my blood flowing in your veins. You’re no weakling. You’re a king in the making. My priceless son. You’re the pristine howl of Howleroot. My second son and one of my greatest joys. That’s not something you should easily forget, Rhydian. It’s not something you should ever forget." I say softly to him as I wipe his tears, and he stares at me in silence.
He lets out a sob, and to my shock, he wraps me in yet another hug.
I chuckle softly as I hug him back.
"Thank you, Father..." He croaks, and my smile grows as I pat his head.
"You’re welcome, my little wolf. I’m sorry I haven’t been the Father you needed. I hope to change that now."