Chapter 9 (Independence)

Edward (POV) I know another Edward POV but I promise to get Jacan in next time.

I groaned as my left hand cramped up due to my constant writing. I sat back in my office chair and shook it out; my breath sounded weary as it came past my lips. I glanced at the clock on my laptop screen. My eyes widened as I saw that it was almost 9. I looked back at my desk and gulped, not only did I not have all of my paper work ready but I also didn't eat my lunch. Nana was going to kick my ass.

I groaned at the thought of Nana walking in and not seeing me eat anything for the whole day. I already hated the fact that she babied me around but when I don't 'take care of myself'? She would spank me. Yes, Nana still thought I was 10 and would try to spank me.

I groaned again, but this time in embarrassment, she never failed to make me endure the indignity to know that I was always her 'little boy'. Not that I don't really mind it, because it does make me feel better sometimes to know that I cared for, but it always made me feel inferior. To know that I didn't even look like I was old enough to take care of myself made me realize that, despite the pain it may cause, my father may be right about being useless; to some degree. I don't think that I would never be able to become king; I just don't feel like it is my place to become one now.

The air changed as my thoughts caused my mood to drop. To try and get my mind off of the depressing thoughts, I opened up a browser and went to a daily quote site. One of my greatest memories is of Alexios telling me all his favorite quotes and showing me places where I can find mine. This is another thing that has kept me close to him. My eyes flicker across the screen as I found my quote: 'No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.' –C.S. Lewis." Well, thank you, Narnia man. I thought bitterly and closed out of the browser, slamming my laptop shut a little harder than necessary. That only caused my mood to dampen.

Though, I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself as there was a timid knock on the door. I cleared my throat as I straighten out my outfit and sat up poised in my chair. "Come in!" I called. Not a moment later, one of my father's assistances poked her head in. I could see the sad look in her eyes and I knew that she has had a night with my father recently. It makes my heart drop; whether it be because I felt sorry for her, since she actually thought she had a chance with the man, or it was because that meant that she would be someone I also had to be careful around.

"Your father would like to speak with you." She sniffled. I resisted the urge to sigh. What could he possibly want with me? I haven't done anything and all I've been doing work all day! What could I have done?

I nodded at her and stood up, brushing my hands through my hair and straightening out my clothes. I could feel her gaze on me, seductively. Wasn't she just upset about my father? I turned to face her as she swung around and walked out the door. I groaned inwardly as I moved out into the hallway. I followed the women all the way to my father's office. Once there, she opened it and called out to the king: "Edward is here." She spoke. My father grunted and must've motioned because the door was held open for me despite his lack of an answer. I made my way inside and watched as the women bowed and stepped out before shutting it again. I turned to my father. His black and grey hair was swept back in a short ponytail that rested against the nape of his neck. He was wearing a white long-sleeved button up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the jacket thrown carelessly against his chair. His face held a slight scruff and his dark brown eyes were focused on the paper as his hand moved swiftly. My father continued to write as if he didn't even acknowledge me. This made my temper boil. How can he ask me to come here and then not even acknowledge my existence?

It seemed to take years before he set his pen down and rested back in his seat. His right thumb twirled around the ring on his middle finger and his other one rested against the desk. I didn't even have to look to know that the wedding ring wasn't there anymore. They had stopped wearing it before Alexios had been gone. "I heard –" he started off, his tone deep and angry. What the hell did I do now? "–that you have been leaving once a week, late at night, and not coming back until three in the morning. Is this true?" His brown eyes bore into mine and my temper raised as I crossed my arms, folding them against my chest.

"Yes, and what of it?" I asked, a hint of attitude in it. His eyes narrowed at my tone as he clenched his fist up.

"Don't use that tone with me." He stated angrily. He paused, as if waiting for me to show that I understood him, but I didn't move. I was far too pissed off that he thought that this was so important that it ruined my work time. I was planning to be done by ten tonight and then get to have a small party with Nana and Albert. Now, I would be lucky to get it done by eleven. "I want to know why you are doing it." He said once he noticed I wasn't going to answer him. He was, once again, met with silence. That is really the only reason he wanted me here? So I would tell him that I was seeing someone that wasn't in his little circle? Was he really that desperate to know every single detail in every single person's life?

When I didn't answer, he stood up swiftly and came around the table. He stepped right up to me and got in my face, our bodies the same height. "I asked you a question," he growled out. I felt my jaw start to tick as I glared right back at him. I had never been defiant of my father before, what it Jack that was making me like this?

"I don't see how that's any of your business." I stated, causing my father's left brow to rise in disbelief. It was only a moment before I felt the sting across my jaw. He had slapped me.

"As your king," he grounded out, "I demand you to tell me." Our eyes didn't once waver from the others face as I pondered my options. Defy him and risk everything or back down and be a coward always? A smile came across his face and he glanced at his curiously.

I spit in his face. His hand came up slowly and wiped it off, a look of fury was in his gaze as I smirked at him. "Go fuck yourself." I said lowly, my voice slow as to get through his head.

His fist landed on my jaw.

***

"I don't know where he is, Albert! I've searched everywhere and I heard that Layla sent him to his father's office! Oh god! What if something's happened? We should go see and check on him." I heard Nana say as I made my way to the kitchen. I glanced at the time on my watch and grimaced. It was almost eleven o'clock. I was in my father's office for over two hours.

"Gale, we can't rush to anything. What if they are having a conversation? Plus, we can't just waltz in and –" he froze as I limped my way in. His eyes widened and Nana spun around. She made a sound as if she's been punched and quickly ran to me.

"Edward!" She cried. I groaned as she touched my arm. She flung off as I sat heavily on a bar stool. "What happened?" she cried, tears rolling down my face. I couldn't blame her. I looked awful. I couldn't even bring myself to wipe the blood off my face. It hurt too much and I knew she would take better care of me. I didn't even have to ask her to clean me up as she quickly went to the extra first aid kit under the sink. Albert's eyes were still huge as he came over and placed a towel to a cut on my collarbone from my father's boot.

"Remind me –" I muttered as Nana came over and started to wash away some of my blood with a damp towel, causing me to hiss. "–to never defy my father if I don't have on protective gear beforehand." I stated, a smile on my lips as I laughed. The laugh then turned to a cough as my lungs still felt like collapsing.

"How is that funny?" Albert asked incredulously. I smiled as Nana started to apply medicine to my wounds.

"I defied my father, Albert," I said, "Ha! To be honest, this is worth it if he now knows that I'm not ten anymore." I sighed as I noticed their distress look on their face. I then proceeded to tell them the first part of our meeting. Albert's brows rode incredulity.

"You spit on his face?" Albert asked as he helped Nana dress my arm. I grinned and nodded.

"What happened after that?" Nana asked softly. Throughout this entire process, she looked like she was going to kill someone and cry all at the same time. I gazed at her in sympathy.

"He then proceeded to hit me in the face, knock me on the ground, and pummel me until I blocked out." Nana choked, "After that, I woke up to him sitting at his desk, working with his bloodied knuckles and telling me to get out." I was still smiling and my Nana glanced at me. She had an angry look on her face, whether it be directed to me or my father, I didn't know.

"How the hell is that making you smile?" she asked a little bit of anger in her face. I continued to smile as I reached up to brush my hand across her tanned cheek, her blue eyes gazing at me in worry and clouded with tears.

"'The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself'." I quoted to her, glancing sideways at Albert, who also looked upset at my story. "Mark Caine said that." I hopped off the stool and tested the weight on my leg, which had time to rest after Nana put a bag of ice on. I kept speaking as my back was turned to them: "Of course I'm upset that I was beaten to the point of unconsciousness but, I've won." I asked and I could feel myself feeling lighter at the thought. "I didn't back down a –and I stood up for myself!" A laugh of disbelief once again escaped me. "'True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right.' Brigham Young." I said and swung back around. "Guys, I'm doing something good." They both looked skeptically at my attitude, as if they thought I had lost too much blood. Maybe I had but I knew what I wanted to do with my life! "Someone needs to stand up to my father and become a better person. Don't you think I know what's going on outside? How everyone is scared or how people are becoming hungry! I need to do something as my right as the next king and sitting there afraid of daddy isn't going to change anything." After my little speech, I sat back down on the stool and reached for my cake that hadn't been put into the fridge yet. "Now, that that is over, I would like to be a normal kid for one night because after this one, I would be lucky if it ever happened again. I plan on doing everything in my willpower to be better than my father." I told them. I saw Albert and Nana share a look. Then, smiles crept across their faces. I knew they approved of my plan.

They both sat down as we discussed our next plan of attack.

Hey guys! Thank you so much for reading! I'm going to be totally honest, I did not know what to write when Edward invited his father's servant in. I was stuck right there and then one night, I decided to send Edward to his father's office and it all came together from there. I didn't even anticipate writing so many quotes but I've decided to make Edward speak in quotes. xD I am going to say I am quite proud of how this turned out.

Anyway, please comment below on whether you liked it or not. Please tell me any mistakes and I will gladly change them. How is everyone and (if your celebrating Christmas), what do you want for Christmas? I love you guys! <3 (2137)