章 67: Chapter 67 - Unwanted Crown
Declan had been summoned by his father first thing that morning, it made him anxious because it was right when he had begun to make headway into the proceedings. He had approached his father first before going ahead to fight for the law against hybrids to be removed, and his old man had basically chosen to be an observer.
Declan knew that it was because his father didn't expect him to be able to sway the court of elders, and while that stung, he didn't need his father trying to ruin his plans.
Breakfast had been out of the question, he couldn't even sleep, much more eat. The night had been endless and he found himself in Faun's room without meaning too. The other's presence had been incredibly calming - Declan really didn't deserve him - He had just tucked him in and then returned to his pacing.
Now he was in his father's study waiting for him to show up.
He had mulled it over several times in his head ever since he got the information that his father wanted to see him first thing the next day, and he still couldn't figure out why his father needed to see him. Or more like he hoped that it didn't have to do with Faun or the law on hybrids.
He sat stiffly, his restlessly tapping legs a true show of how he really felt inside. Did his father always show up to his study this late?
Ivan walked in quietly and paused to study his son, after a few beats, Declan was yet to notice him, it made a wry smile appear on his face. "I never thought the day would come when I would see you nervous." He revealed his presence, walking over to his seat.
Declan flinched, his eyes narrowing as he trailed his father's movements. This was already off to a terrible start. "Your summon was a little surprising is all." He said in a lackluster tone. "Now why did you want to see me?"
Ivan could drag this out and finally get to enjoy an upper hand against his hardheaded son but he knew better than to do that. This was Declan he was dealing with, things could still possibly flip on its head.
"I have a proposition to make," Ivan calmly began, lacing his fingers.
Declan's leg started to restlessly tap against the floor again and he immediately reached out a hand to still it, his expression grave.
"If you agree to become King, it'll add more weight to your words and you'll be able to repeal the law against hybrids." He said slowly, steadily looking at his son's face to gauge his reaction.
Ivan had always known deep down that Declan didn't want to become King or more like, he never showed an interest in the throne. His biggest fear was the Crown Prince refusing to be King and it was why he had tried to tie him down to his side as much as he could but that had only made Declan evade him more. Even the threat of marriage didn't faze him so Ivan was certain that he was going to be turned down.
"Sure," Declan's monotone response came.
"It's not an ultimatum, merely a suggestio- wait what?! You agreed?!" Ivan's eyes bulged in shock.
Declan fell silent, his expression grim. This had been the last thing he had been expecting but fortunately, it wasn't the worst.
Ivan sobered up as well, a twinge of guilt stabbing him in the back. He told himself that this was for the benefit of all werewolves as well as Declan's future, he was just doing what any parent would.
He had backed away from the court proceedings as well because he didn't approve of Declan choosing to mate a hybrid who couldn't even give the royal family an heir but he had to make his choice.
Ivan would rather have Declan mate a hybrid than lose the heir to the throne.
"When?" Declan asked, his voice distant.
"In two days, all the preparations should be in place. You'll be crowned King in a private coronation." He concluded, rising to his feet.
Declan did the same, bowing to his father before striding out, his demeanor cold. He would have liked to go to Faun's side but he doubted that Faun would be happy to hear that he was going to be crowned King.
Just a couple days more now… he could bear it, they had already come this far already.
He needed to go outside for a breath of fresh air though and to organize his thoughts. His father's offer had blindsided him and he had responded on reflex, willing to do whatever would speed up the process of repealing the law.
Declan had always known he didn't want to be King but he didn't fight it too hard because there wasn't anything else he wanted to do either. But his life had been tilted at an angle ever since he met Faun… he might have found something else that he truly wanted.
-*-
Faun's eyes widened and he took a couple of steps back, "And why should I trust you?" He bit out, wishing he wasn't completely hooked in by the werewolf's offer.
But if it was genuine, it might be his only chance out of this palace that had become his prison. He would return to the woods, his first mistake was leaving his haven in the hopes of meeting up with his kind and finding somewhere safe.
As lonely as it was living in the wild, it was also very peaceful. He wanted to return to that.
"You don't," Allan replied, lifting a hand to his neck sheepishly. "But I haven't been able to rest easy since I was informed my brother brought back a hybrid with him."
Faun narrowed his green eyes suspiciously as he studied the werewolf in front of him. He could believe his claims of of being Declan's brother because the shade of his eyes was achingly familiar, and it didn't really surprise him that Declan hadn't told him he had a brother, he hadn't told him about Gigi either.
He had no disputes with Declan doing that because he knew that it was only to protect him, he was just troubled. He had no confirmation that he could trust Allan, and he didn't have time.
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