200 Know Your Place (1/2)

Eskyl gritted his teeth as he exited the courtroom with Torbuck Patterwing by his side.

”My sister needs to know her place,” he spat as he tightened his fists.

Torbuck rolled his eyes as he placed his arm around Eskyl's shoulder, ”Come on now, is that how you talk about our King?”

Eskyl pushed his friend away with a grin on his face,” Hah! If she had the brains to manage things on her own, I wouldn't need to make all the royal decisions.”

Just as he finished his sentence, Eskyl noticed a familiar face coming towards him. As soon as he realised who it was, the young man kept his mouth shut and walked up to her. When they met face to face, he bowed respectfully.

”Brighter days, mother,” he said.

”Brighter days, Eskyl,” Lady Yvon greeted her son. Both of them stood in the hallway as the other ministers and nobles left.

Even Torbuck, who had initially intended on staying back for a chat with Eskyl disappeared along with the rest. Now there was only the mother and son, and their bodyguards.

”Shall we take a walk, mother?” Eskyl asked.

”We shall,” she replied as she held onto her son's arm as they walked down the hallway together.

The walls of the palace had ears. That was one of the first lessons, Lady Yvon ever taught her son. Hence, it was not until they had reached the courtyard garden, that they began to talk. Eskyl relayed the court affairs to his mother.

”Sylvy is getting out of hand, mother,” Eskyl said as he gritted his teeth.

”Our King,” Lady Yvon placed emphasis on her words to remind her son, ”Is not the gullible girl anymore.”

”Well, I should have been King!” Eskyl exclaimed.

As soon as those words left his mouth, Lady Yvon slapped her son across his face. Eskyl flinched as he felt the burning pain on his cheek. He could see the anger in his mother's eyes, he knew where he had gone wrong.

Lady Yvon pointed at her son, ”You need to keep that mouth of yours clean, Eskyl.”

Like a puppy accused of a crime, Eskyl looked away from his mother. Ever since he was a child, he had been brought up to be next in line for the throne. The Flutterheart Family placed their hopes on Eskyl.

”Look at me,” Lady Yvon said coldly.

Her son ignored him.

Lady Yvon placed both of her hands on her son's face and forced him to look at her.

”You're the pride of the Flutterheart Family. You are to uphold the interests of our family, do you understand?” she said.

”Yes, mother,” Eskyl replied,

”Do not disappoint me,”

Lady Yvon whispered specific instructions to her son on what needed to be done. After that, she took her leave and left the castle for Flutterheart Mansion.

As she took off her reading glasses to give her eyes a break, Sylvy noticed the small portrait of her father she had kept on her desk. Seeing his face in the portrait made her smile a little. Torfin Flutterheart, her father, died when she was twelve.

He was the only one who ever believed in Sylvy.