Bold Souls

The other son

King Edgar was sitting in his office buried deeply into his work. The setting sunlight shined through the huge windows behind him and painting the papers in his hand burnt orange. His assistant walked to the window and pulled the thick red curtains closed. Than he lit the oil lamp on the King's desk and cleared his throat.

- Your Majesty, soon you have an appointment with her Highness and the Prince for dinner. - Edgar sighed and buried his face in his hands. The assistant glanced at the papers in front of him. It was a report about Prince Blake's case.

- If you pardon for my discourteous behavior your Majesty, but you look rather tired. - Edgar looked at his loyal assistant and head butler Oscar. This man knew his since they were children, being at his side through the best and worse times of his life.

- I told you many times that you can drop the formalities when its the two of us Oscar.- Oscar cleared his throat and fixed his tie.

- In this case, you look shitty Ed! - Edgar's eyes widened as he looked into his friend's warm, brown eyes.

- That was harsh, but true! - Oscar grinned with a childish smile, and bowed dramatically.

- Anything for your Majesty! - after a long time Edgar could finally laugh a little. Oscar lifted his head and looked at his friend. The king lost lots of weight and his wrinkles deepened.

- By the way, I admire your genes Ed. - Edgar looked at his friend. Oscar was tall, slim, with a long face, meticulously cut, dark hair and an always impeccable appearance.

- I'm afraid to ask, but why? - Oscar's eyes twinkled and Edgar already knew he f****d up.

- Because it is a true miracle that after neglecting your health this much and after all the stress you are going through, your hair still has no white hairs in it! - Edgar's laughter filled the room. Oscar put his hand on his shoulder.

- Still nothing about Blake? - Edgar shook his head sadly.

- I'm getting desperate, Os.

- Have you tried to search for him in the mountains? - Edgar looked at Os with a surprised expression.

- Not yet, but what would he be doing there? - Edgar asked and Oscar shrugged.

- What would he be doing at the desert? It worth a try. - before Edgar could've said a word the doors of his office swung open and they heard the guards saying.

- Your Highness, please! You cannot enter till his Majesty is working! - Linett stormed into the room. Linett lifted the skirt of her gorgeous, light green dress from the ground and she stepped with so much frustration, that the marble under her black heels clicked loudly. She marched directly in front of Edgar and hit his desk with both of her hands.

- Why are you late again?! - Oscar tried to say something, but Linett immediately shouted at him.

- STAY OUT OF THIS! - Oscar bowed and left the room. Edgar leaned back in his chair.

- I'm the king Linett. I'm working. - the pearl decoration in Linett's hair danced as she moved.

- What is it so important that you skip dinner with your family every goddamn night?! - Linett asked and grabbed the papers from Edgar's desk. He reached for them before she could read it but Linett was faster. If looks could kill, Edgar would've been already dead. Linett looked at her husband with anger. She threw the papers at him.

- THIS AGAIN?! Why?! Why don't you stop this madness finally? It's been three years since he got kidnapped! - Linett screamed. Edgar stood up and hit the desk with his fists before he shouted back at Linett.

- HE IS MY SON! - Linett's gorgeous face got distorted with anger.

- NOAH IS YOUR SON TOO! AND YOU ARE IGNORING HIM AS IF HE WAS A GHOST WHILE YOU ARE CHASING AFTER A REAL GHOST! - Edgar took a step back to avoid his anger being pushed on Linett.

- Get out now. - he hissed between his teeth. Linett snapped at him again.

- No! I'll stand my ground for once and for all! I'm fed up with this! I miss Blake as well! My heart breaks for him but Noah is still alive and he needs his father Edgar!

- Blake is not dead! He is the crown Prince of this kingdom! - he said and his voice was low and threatening. Linett shut up and stormed out of the room. As she left, Edgar noticed a small figure standing in the door. It was Noah. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves and motioned to Noah to come in.

- Close the door Noah. - he did as his father said and stopped in front of the doors.

- Come here. - Edgar said and the kid obeyed. As he walked towards him, Edgar's throat dried. He looked a lot like his older brother. But in character, Noah was nothing like Blake. Blake wouldn't hesitate a minute to go against him if he thought he was wrong. Blake was Edgar's moral compass sometimes.

- How much did you hear? - Edgar asked and Noah answered in a low voice.

- All of it, Father. - he was thirteen this year, same age as Blake when he disappeared.

- I'm sorry for not being there enough. - Edgar said and Noah looked straight into his eyes. He walked closer to Edgar and said.

- Don't tell mother that I said this, but, I want my brother back home. So I'm not bothered by your absence during dinners. I prefer to skip these meals now, and have more when Blake is back. - Edgar's eyes filled with tears and he hugged Noah.

- You are such a pure child Noah. You'd also make a great king one day. - Noah pulled away, just enough to look at his father's eyes.

- I'm not fit for that role, or at least not now. And I believe that Blake is going to come back, but if he won't... I'll make sure to be fit for the role of the Crown Prince and I'll make you proud, father.

- You are already making me proud Noah. Go after you mother and calm her down. I'll join you for dinner in fifteen minutes of it's still fine.

- Thanks father! - Noah said and he ran to the door. He rushed to his mother's room and knocked as she thought him. She was sitting at her beauty desk looking into her mirror and cleaning her face from the tears.

- My baby! I'm okay, I'll be in the dining room in a minute. - Linett said and Noah walked behind her hugging her shoulders. His glance met Linett's in the mirror reflection.

- Father will join us soon too. - Linett pat his arms and smiled at him.

- You are such a clever boy, my dear. Let's go together then, we shouldn't make you father wait am I right? - Noah released her and bowed offering his hand for his mother. She took it and they walked back to the dining room.