Chapter Twenty Six

Tidus marched into the dining hall, figuring his father would be there due to the presence of guards. As soon as he entered, he found his old man staring out the window silently as Jesse accompanied him.

Jesse turned around hearing the prince enter the room. "My prince!" He exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Where is your sister?"

"She is with Lady Fontaine, however I am here to speak with fath- the king himself.." Tidus replied bitterly.

Jesse nodded and stepped away from the father and son, preceding to watch what Tidus would say to him.

Tidus could only see his father's back turned, presumably from the death of his wife and the mother of his children; or could it be Jaden was afraid to face his son's anger and sadness, at least that's what Tidus believed.

"Where were you when the assassination took place?!" Tidus demanded. However Jaden still refused to turn around and face his son. The king wondered if Tidus was trying to accuse him of something.

The boy clenched his fists tightly before speaking up. "You could've protected her! Now you have your own daughter terrified of what she witnessed! She was under mother's CORPSE! The royal castle is supposedly the safest place for years….yet the kingdom has lost its own queen?!...You lied to me and Amy that you'd protect us..." The boy ranted. "You...you lied to MOTHER!"

"Think what you will!" Jaden replied rather darkly at the fact his son was even speaking to him like such. Both Tidus and even Jesse felt startled at the king's change of tone.

The king then faced his son, giving him the most intense glare ever witnessed; even his eyes changed into a more goldish tone which showed his anger. It was something no one had ever seen, not even his family and closest allies have witnessed.

"You think you can talk that way to the one who gave you food, shelter, the clothes in your back?! This kingdom?! The title you call prince?!"

"Jay, plea-" Jesse spoke up, trying to empathize with both father and son. They both lost someone dear, so of course there may be some tension and stress.

"Silence." Jaden interrupted. The king hesitated as he looked at his only son, his eldest child. Jaden had always loved his children, he admired their cleverness, their competitive nature, how kind they were...they were the true product of the love he had for Queen Alexis. It was like they reminded the king that there was a reason to change the world...and make it a perfect place for them. While he didn't spend as much time with them, Jaden would take little notes of how his children would develop and it made him proud to be a father.

However he'd now have to make a huge decision since there was a murderer...a decision that would involve his children. Even though his plan was still in action, it was far from completion. He would reunite with the dead...and his children would have their mother again.

"Now that I have you here, I should tell that you and your sister will no longer stay here." Said Jaden as he then watched the widened eyes of his shocked son.

"Your majesty, they're your children!" Jesse interrupted, only to be silenced by the king.

"What…What are you saying?" Tidus asked.

"You will be sent away, far from this place into someone else's care." The king explained bluntly. "Both you and your sister will be leaving tonight.."

To be continued…