章 2: Chapter 2: Four years in passing II

Charlton could never live in peace with the suspicion that his father did not die naturally. However, his own circumstances were not in his favor.

First, he wanted to protect his mother. The fact that she chose not to do anything and even advocated that her brother, the king, was innocent, did not paint her in a positive light to everyone in Suffox. Aside from that, she was already the way she was. How could he just leave her in his quest for vengeance when that knowledge would most likely cause her death first before he could dismember someone?

Second, he understood too well how precarious his situation was. He just came back to Suffox from a mission which demonstrated his devotion to the crown. Add his mother's stance and his undeniable blood relation to the one who was most likely his own father's murderer, he knew that even those who have always shown loyalty to him were bound to have some dissatisfaction.

Third, to take action towards the suspect without due evidence would be futile. The king was guilty on his father's murder no matter how one looks at it. He too agreed that this fact was irrefutable. Even if the king was not the main perpetrator, just by the fact that he sent his father there and did not adequately protect him already made him a culprit. However, Charlton wanted to be sure that the king was not only being used as foil by some people.

Thus, with these factors to consider, he had no choice but to curb his own angst and bow his head like a coward. Of course, he knew that he was only doing so for show, but that did not make the experience less humiliating.

Right after his father's casket was buried to the ground, a meeting amongst the grand council of Suffox was held. As expected, dissatisfaction was imminent. Meanwhile, those who have long been eyeing the seat of the grand duke, particularly some of his father's relatives, sought to seize the opportunity.

Not wanting a bloody battlefield in his very own territory and home while securing his birthright, Charlton had to propel himself to the ground, hold the king's outstretched hand, and kiss his ring in a pledge of fealty for everyone in Suffox to see.

He felt disgusted, of himself, the king, or who else, it does not matter. Either way, he had to stomach at least that much on his quest for truth and vengeance.

Of course, he did not completely play the part of the ever-loyal lapdog to his uncle. If he did not show some obstinacy, even he would not believe himself. Thus, even when taking his hand, he has shown his reluctance.

His uncle was more generous towards him. Perhaps it was partly because of his guilty conscience, his mother, the combination of both or maybe something else, he was not certain. Anyhow, in contrast to his usual behavior, the king took the time to explain, as if to convince him that he was innocent regarding his father's demise. He even gave him the document which incarcerated his father when he demanded to see it.

A part of him wanted to push more buttons just to test how far his uncle was willing to indulge him, but he knew that touching that limit was not wise, and it was best for him to quit while he was still ahead.

In the end, he had to show that even though reluctant, he was not unwilling to reconciliate. This led to what he knew was a publicity stunt engineered by his uncle to display his allegiance to the crown.

In any case, stomaching everything that transpired was not for naught. He was able to secure his position, and to some degree, restore his mother's sanity. Yes, her sanity.

To princess Georgina (the grand duchess and Charlton's mother), the death of her husband has been a huge blow that in just a short period, she became a shadow of her former self. She became frail and prone to anxiety attacks. Charlton first noted this when he purposely tried to get her off his back that one time.

Make no mistakes, he loved his mother. However, having her hovering over him daily, though not literally, was getting annoying, not to mention counterproductive.

So, on a particular day, with no particular reason other than his desire to just breathe and clear his head, he left their palace for half a day without informing anyone where he would go or what he would do.

The result? When he came back, he was welcomed with the scene of his mother having a miserable appearance, one of her wrists, bleeding, while lashing out and pointing the dinner knife to the servants who, as he was informed, were only trying to stop her.

Thankfully, when she saw him and heard his voice, she was quick to let go of the knife. At once, she went to hug him, then, she began crying, sniffing, asking where he went, and telling him that she would never be able to live without him by her side.

It was horrendous. Honestly, he would have preferred that she used the dinner knife to stab him instead. He was the one at fault, but why did she hurt herself? Till this day, he still blamed himself for what happened.

In retrospect, he should have already anticipated the possibility of something like that transpiring given his mother's condition. Although he never expressed his desire for vengeance out loud, he knew that she suspected it. Due to that, she kept on hovering over him in fear of what he might do and where it might lead him.

He would not lie. A part of him loathed his mother for cowering in face of the injustice served to their family. However, he understood where she was coming from, and above all else, she was still his mother who he has loved all his life.

Hence, he tried to calm her with false promises of never trying to seek vengeance, and that he would try his best to accept his father's death peacefully.

His mother did not want to take his words for face value. So, to validate his claim, she demanded that he consider reconciliating with his uncle.

Though he did not want to, he already knew that it was the easiest and fastest solution out of his own predicament. The king's involvement would legitimize his title without causing blood to spill.

For a moment, he took time to scrutinize his mother. Wondering, wishfully thinking even, that there was a hidden agenda behind her words, that like himself, she had a grand scheme to seek justice for his father. However, she did not even blink.

Anyhow, his words and later actions were effective in his attempt to assuage his mother. Then, not long after he took the title grand duke, he was able to successfully get her off his back. This granted him more freedom to pursue his investigations.

TBC