[Evening]

A victory had occurred. Albeit, small but he was proud of it. He had a sense of direction now, a purpose. He would become more than he was now with the help of his brother's training. It would take months or even several years to arrive at that destination but it was a start. A minute one. 

For now, his objective was his father's study And despite the lateness of the evening, the cold squirming in his stomach and the anxiety which threatened to overwhelm his mind; he readily obeyed his older brother's instruction - to go to father without delay. 

Upon entering the room, the familiar loud thumping in his head could be heard, along with his father’s command to.. 

King Valentin: Sit

..and a soft click of the doors closing behind him. 

No one but he and his father were present in the room. Hesitantly he sat, clasped his hands and looked ahead.

The King was not behind his desk, nor was he seated but he stood unsmiling; stern and directly in front of him. 

Mindful to maintain eye contact, he unblinkingly stared at his father; or at least he made an attempt to., for soon his eyes pricked and stung and he blinked. 

His father’s gaze however, narrowed as he approached him and now he stood large and ominous; hovering over him like a dark and heavy storm cloud. He then began speaking without notice. The King’s hands clasped behind his back as he asked a question.

King Valentin: Did you know that you're my greatest disappointment?

Alex was certain that the question was rhetorical, therefore, he did not reply and instead remained silent and still. 

Even if he wanted to reply, he felt as though he could not; his mouth felt dry and sealed shut.

The King then began pacing around him. For which Alex was grateful, as it meant that he no longer had to stare into his father’s eyes.

King Valentin: I would rather have my daughter sitting here in front of me than you. You’re weak. Useless. Untrainable. You have no one to blame but yourself for all of your failings. And the disasters you've caused… You completely serve no purpose to me…

Alex: …

His lips quivered, so he lowered his head to avoid his father’s stares and pressed his lips together; but his eyes betrayed him as they began to well up, and he dared not make an attempt in wiping them. So he kept his head bowed and his hands clasped upon his thighs.

King Valentin: …but there is a purpose for you yet. I have made certain of that. Surely, you’re wondering why I summoned you?

Rhetorical or not. He was unsure but he replied simply

Alex: y-Yes, Father

King Valentin: I strike against the Empire in less than a month…

Alex’s eyes widened and he saw that his father had now paused in his pacing. The tears in his eyes threatened to spill over. 

He could tell without looking that the King was staring down the back of his head. 

To his relief, the King soon resumed his circling, like that of a great onyx shark in the Black Sea and he continued by saying

King Valentin: …and you shall be present at that battle. Damian, will be your superior. And you will obey his every command. Am I understood?

Alex: Yes, Father

On his left, his father now stood, the heat radiating off of him easily felt. 

King Valentin: Did you think that I forgot?

Alex: …?

King Valentin: Don’t think that I’ve forgotten that pathetic and disgraceful display  at the hunt. Not to mention…what transpired afterwards…

Your crowning ceremony should be held around the same time, if not the exact day of the battle, yes?….. There will be no ceremony!!

Perhaps, it was because the King caught sight of his son flinching at the sudden loudness of his words or irritated by the sight of his son’s tears which stained the thighs of his trousers, he became enraged and grabbed a fistful of hair at the top of his head and yanked. Lifting Alex’s face upwards.

Reflexively, Alex’s hands struggled to pry his father’s grip off of him but there was no success in that venture and there was also no hiding his tears now. His father saw his face plainly and said through clenched teeth.

King Valentin: Look at me boy!

He unwillingly complied as his father repeated

King Valentin: There will be no ceremony! NONE!! The only thing you have to look forward to is serving me! And you will serve me boy…on that battlefield

To his son’s ear he leaned in close and hissed words which seeped into his heart; Alex then closed his eyes 

King Valentin: Understand this- STOP STRUGGLING BOY AND LISTEN!

He obeyed.

King Valentin: The only purpose left for you…is to die. And you will fulfil it. For I well know that you will never survive out there on that field.

With that, the King finally released his hold and resumed standing to his full height. Down at his son’s tear stained face, he glared and added

King Valentin: But, prove me wrong will you. Prove to me that you are the same as your brothers. Skilled. Determined. Brave. Kill as many of those disgusting Empire mutts as your feeble arms can. Return home victorious and I shall reward you immensely.

But should you survive Alexander -Uninjured or no - And fail to kill anything at all... Do not return home.

Blurry and distorted was how he saw his father’s silhouette, so he wiped away his tears unabashedly. He now found it quite difficult to breathe.

The King then questioned

King Valentin: Am I understood clearly in all I have said?

Alex: -hic!- Yes, Father

The conversation ended as it had begun - with the King unblinkingly staring at his son while standing directly in front and above him. However, Alex was now shivering and silently sobbing in his father’s presence. 

King Valentin: Get out of my sight now Alexander

He heard his father’s command but his body would not move and what was further, his legs felt as though they did not exist.

King Valentin: ALEXANDER!!

Still nothing moved; except that is, the arm of a furious King. Whose hand easily clasped his son’s neck. 

Lifting him from his seat, he pushed him away and roared

King Valentin: I SAID GET OUT NOW!!!