Chapter 88: Was This Truly The End?
Cassius knew his father was a ruthlessly evil man, but evil had layers and Halvar had just declared himself the devil incarnate.
"If I had known the boy would grow up to be such a persistent headache, I would have rewritten the story and killed him right alongside his parents," Halvar mused darkly.
"Does Aunt Freya know any of this?" Cassius asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"No, she knows nothing. Aside from that foolish pact you struck with her regarding the assassination of Kane’s women, I have no dealings with that woman," Halvar spat with sheer disgust. "You must never place your trust in Freya. She is a selfish snake who looks out for no one but herself."
"I find that hard to believe, Father," Cassius countered, defending her despite himself. "The woman in question raised Kane, and she did a remarkable job of it."
"And then she turned around and made him the most miserable creature on earth by convincing him he was cursed," Halvar chuckled, shaking his head at the irony. "That makes her far more dangerous than I am...if she could inflict that kind of torture on a child she raised as her own."
"She is obsessed with making her daughter Queen," Cassius revealed, still struggling to process the vast web of lies his father had spun over the decades. "Though I doubt Samantha is worthy of the throne... and honestly, the girl is going to be a thorn in our side before long."
"Freya’s daughter will never sit on that throne while I still draw breath," Halvar agreed coldly. "She would only make matters far more complicated for us. Assassinating Kane is difficult enough as it is, but with Samantha wed to him, Freya’s influence would make him nearly untouchable."
"What about the human girl, Arianna?" Cassius asked. It was clear his father hadn’t yet grasped the true threat she posed. "She is nothing like the women Kane has taken to his bed before. I am terrified she will be the one to unearth the truth."
Halvar’s satisfied smugness instantly vanished, replaced by a grim, sinister scowl. "I have laid eyes on her only once, but I pray that the next time I see that human, she is lying dead alongside Kane."
"Are you planning another attempt on her life so soon?" Cassius pressed. "Our last attempt failed miserably."
"I will handle it myself this time," Halvar stated, rising from his chair. "I will find a killer who is actually capable, seeing as you seem entirely incompetent when it comes to handling women."
He paused, scanning the interior of the tent as if searching for something before fixing his son with a piercing glare. "I expect you to remain focused on your task from here on out and cease waste your time on the wenches in the brothel."
Cassius swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the dirt floor. He offered a muted, obedient nod, desperately hoping his father would still protect him if the guard came knocking.
"I must return to your mother," Halvar said, turning toward the entrance. "Her condition has worsened, and I need to procure a healer... the old priest refuses to assist me no matter what I offer."
Halvar took a step toward the canvas flap to leave, but Cassius quickly reached out to stop him.
"Will you help me cover up the situation with Alara? I promise to find a skilled healer for your wife," Cassius pleaded, his heart hammering against his ribs.
Halvar paused at the exit, not even bothering to turn around. "Fine then, Cassius. Consider it done."
A massive wave of relief washed over him as he watched his father disappear through the tent flaps. Cassius exhaled a long breath and walked over to the clay jar resting in the corner, pouring a generous measure of water into a cup.
He downed the entire contents in one long gulp and set the cup back down. The horrific idea of being forced to marry Alara had nearly broken his spirit, but now the nightmare was finally drawing to a close. His father had given his word and Halvar always finished what he started.
"Lord Cassius," a voice called out sharply from outside the entrance, making his heart drop into his stomach.
"Who goes there?" Cassius demanded, trying to steady his shaking voice.
"The King’s guard, my Lord. His Majesty commands your immediate presence at the central pavilion."
Kane?
A cold grip of sheer terror seized his throat. What could possibly compel the King to summon him at this hour of the morning?
"I... I will be there shortly," Cassius managed to force out, his hands clenching into tight, white-knuckled fists.
If Kane had uncovered even a single fragment of his secrets, he was a dead man.
******
"Is that true?" Aunt Freya demanded, staring down at her daughter. She desperately wanted to accuse her son of lying, but the guilty terror written all over Samantha’s face proved otherwise. "What on earth have you done, Samantha? Do you have any idea the danger you have placed this family in?"
"I... I didn’t mean for it to turn out like this—"
"What do you mean by that?!" Aunt Freya’s voice rose, her mind spinning as she wondered if she was trapped in a nightmare. "I stood before the entire tribe and publicly declared that my jewels had been stolen! I accused the Queen herself... and you knew the truth all along, yet you sat there in silence?"
"I just wanted to get rid of her, Mother!" Samantha whimpered, tears welling in her eyes as she tried to defend her actions. "That was all!"
"Fortunately, you only succeeded in getting rid of yourself," Ragnar chuckled bitterly, shaking his head in absolute disgust. He was utterly finished with her.
"I truly thought the plan would work—"
"You shouldn’t attempt to think at all with such a pathetic brain, Samantha!" Aunt Freya screamed, nearly losing all control. The sheer, blinding rage etched across her features terrified her daughter into silence. "If you had even a shred of understanding of what you’ve done, you wouldn’t be standing here making excuses!"
"That is precisely my point, Mother," Ragnar added coldly. "Samantha doesn’t grasp the severity of this at all. She doesn’t feel an ounce of real remorse. I still surprise at how she is my elder sister...she certainly lacks the intellect for it."
"Just because I made a mistake does not give you the right to disrespect me, Ragnar!" Samantha snapped defensively.
Ragnar merely looked at her and shook his head in silent contempt. He didn’t bother to reply—his sister had lost her way a long time ago.
"Kane is going to be furious with us when this comes to light," Aunt Freya muttered, pacing the floor as dread settled over her. "A terrible storm has fallen upon our household, and we must find a way to—"
"Why do you keep saying ’we’, Mother?" Ragnar interrupted smoothly. "I am not in trouble, nor will I be dragged into this disaster. You were kept in the dark as well, which is precisely why it is only right that I inform the King immediately."
"What? No, Ragnar!" Aunt Freya shouted, stepping into his path before he could do something reckless. "Kane will execute her! We must remain silent and resolve this quietly."
Ragnar’s brow furrowed in deep frustration. "I swore an oath of absolute allegiance to my King. I will not betray a man who has been like a father to me. We must confess the truth to him, Mother."
"And I said no!"
"Your daughter should have weighed the consequences before committing such treason!" Ragnar retorted, his voice rising. "Look at her...she doesn’t feel a single drop of remorse for what she put that innocent handmaiden through!"
"I am sorry, Ragnar! Please, I beg of you, do not tell Kane!" Samantha cried, dropping heavily to her knees and clutching at her brother’s boots. "I would rather die than have him discover what I’ve done!"
"You will not do this, Ragnar," his mother declared, setting her jaw. "We will not utter a single word of this to the King, and that is final."
"Very well, Mother. We will not tell him," Ragnar agreed smoothly with a calm nod.
A faint smile of sweet relief began to touch Aunt Freya’s face, but Ragnar immediately shattered it.
"However, I will tell him. It doesn’t take both of us to deliver the truth."
"What—?"
Before Aunt Freya could reach out to grab him, Ragnar rushed through the tent flaps and vanished outside.
She turned to rush after him, but her path was blocked as the guard stepped inside with a hasty bow.
"Why are you in my face this early?" she snapped in frustration.
"The King commands Your Grace and Princess Samantha to report to the central pavilion immediately," the guard announced.
"M-me?" Aunt Freya stammered, her voice wavering. Why would Kane summon her so early in the morning? And to demand Samantha’s presence alongside her?
Does he know?
No, that was impossible since Ragnar had only just left the tent moments ago. There was no way he could have reached the King so fast.
"Was he... was His Majesty angry?" she asked, staring down the guard, who shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. "Do not dare lie to me."
"His Majesty stood outside your tent for quite some time while you were inside, My Lady," the guard admitted in a low tone. "He looked terribly furious when he walked away."
Aunt Freya froze, rooted to the spot, entirely speechless as the guard bowed once more and stepped out into the morning chill.
He had heard everything. Every single word.
An icy shudder washed down her spine, freezing the blood in her veins as heavy, silent tears welled in her eyes.
Was this truly the end?