Chapter 206

Chapter 206 The last brother Daniel looked… completely fine. He looked tired and a little worn, but fine. She didn’t know what she expected, but it was a relief to see him look so untouched. Doris hurried over to him and he caught her in his arms. “I’m so glad you’re okay! I am so so sorry for what happened to you—“ “Doris, it’s fine.” He set her down, not even a smile cracked his face but she didn’t blame him. She wouldn’t be smiling either.

“How are you? When did you get back?” “I just got here about an hour ago. I was caught up on all that happened while I was gone.” He walked further into the library and glanced around as if he didn’t want to even look at her. “I see that William got what he wanted.” “Daniel, I am so sorry for everything,” “It is not you that should be apologizing, Doris. I know that you didn’t poison me, so don’t bother trying to apologize for that. This is all because of William.” Doris didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t defend William after all that he had done. Daniel went into a coma with all his family alive, and came out of one with only one remaining. Just because she loved William didn’t mean that he was free of blame.

Daniel collapsed in one of the chairs by the window. Doris hesitated before she joined him. “He wanted you to be safe. He didn’t do it to hurt you, he wanted to make sure you weren’t harmed in the war because he knew you would have been out there in the fight.”

Daniel stared out the window as if she wasn’t there, but she knew he was listening.

“William loves you… he loves you so much. You are the only member of his family he made sure that nothing could harm. He knew the risk when he did what he did, and he made sure that you were going to be fine”

“He poisoned me, Doris. He killed our brothers and now our father is dead.” Daniel tightened his grip on the chair. “Listen to yourself, he doesn’t care for anyone but himself. He tore through his own family to get the crown. Who is he now that he has it?”

Doris bit her lip and waited for Daniel to take a breath. “I’m not defending his actions. He lives in his regret and I can see how it weighs him down every day. I’m only explaining to you how he felt.”

“How he felt doesn’t matter.” Daniel muttered. He sunk deeper in his chair and Doris realized that she was seeing a new version of Daniel form right before her eyes. This war changed the boy she knew before, and her heart knew he would never be as easy going as he was before. “I came here to tell you that I’m leaving.” Daniel said. “I’m going to get as far from here as I can.” Doris placed her hand on her chest in shock. “Daniel—I thought you loved being the general. Where will you go?”

“I thought I loved it. I spent my entire life training to be the best warrior for this kingdom—to protect my family. I couldn’t even do that.” Daniel sighed and stared out the window again. He looked so empty, Doris didn’t know how to help. “I want to travel out of this kingdom and start somewhere new.

Somewhere that they don’t know who I am.”

“I… I understand. I will miss you terribly, I hope you will write to me once you find where you belong.”

Doris leaned forward and gripped his hand. He glanced down, but still didn’t look her in the eye. “I wondered… I wondered how my brother ended up with someone as kind as you. I know he doesn’t deserve you. Being a king doesn’t mean he deserves nice things in life, and you are the greatest prize he could have won.” “I see William for all of his flaws and I choose to love him anyway because I see more than that.” Doris whispered. “It’s not always about deserving something. Sometimes you just need to find a person that realizes you’re better inside.”

Daniel snorted, but it held no humor. “I bet if you cut my brother up, he would be black inside. Black and rotten.”

“You wouldn’t be wrong.” A voice said from the door. Doris turned to see William with his hands deep in his pockets and his crown absent. “If my insides match my actions, I would be rotted.”

Daniel stood. “I had hoped to escape you, brother. I didn’t realize you would be around with all of your new duties.”

William stepped a little further in the room, but not by much.“I hoped we could talk. I’ve been waiting for you to return—“

“Are you upset that I didn’t die too? Were you hoping that you would be all alone in this big palace to have everyone else do as you wish?”

“Daniel, I never—I would never want you to get hurt. You… you are the only family I have ever cared about. I always wanted to protect you.” William stepped closer but maintained his distance. “You poisoned me, William. I was in a coma—and when I came out my entire family was dead! I didn’t even get to attend my fathers funeral and I was told that you had our brothers buried quietly!” Daniel closed his hands into fists. “I don’t understand how the crown meant so much to you. More than your blood.” “I’m sorry, Daniel. I never wanted it to end this way—“

“How did you expect it to end? Did you expect the war to end with hugs and happy songs? War is always death, William. Do not act like you didn’t know that.”

William took a breath. “I’m sorry, Daniel. Nothing I can say will make up for my sins.” William held out his hands to his brother as if to show him he meant no harm by coming here. “I love you, Daniel. You are the only brother I wanted to protect because I know you didn’t deserve to be in the middle of this. I’m sorry I did what I did, I’m sorry I was selfish and didn’t take your feelings into consideration.” “Your words and actions are so far apart, William. What you did… was unforgivable.” Daniel wiped the warm tears from his eyes angrily. “I’m leaving this palace. I don’t want any part of your leadership or this kingdom.”

“I understand.” William said. He lowered his arms back to his side. “You are always welcome back here if you change your mind. This place will always be your home if you want it to be.”

Daniel said nothing. He only stared across at William with tears streaming down his face. Doris wanted to hold him until all of his pain faded, but she knew that would take a long time. Losing one family member was heart breaking, losing three at once could shatter worlds of even the kindest souls. “I don’t want to live in fear. I don’t want to live here and be reminded of what happened.” Daniel finally said.

William lowered his head a little. “I’m going to start somewhere fresh, and I hope you won’t expect to hear from me.”

“Anything you want, any money or supplies, all of it is yours to make your journey easier.” “I don’t want anything from this palace. I’m only taking the things that I earned.” “You inherited a fortune from father. I hope you realize how expensive it is to start a new life.” William said gently. “He left it for you because he loved you and wanted you to be okay wherever you went in life. Don’t be too proud to take it.” Daniel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. William cautiously approached him loudly so he knew he was coming. “You were always the best part of my life when we were young. You always brought out the ounce of softness I had in my heart and kept me from turning to stone.” “I should have been around you more, then.” Daniel muttered. He opened his eyes and looked up at his brother. “Clearly I wasn’t there enough for you.” “You were there more than you realize.” William hesitated before he gripped Daniel’s shoulder. “I will spend my life trying to make up for what I’ve been. Please don’t spend the rest of your life hating me for it..”

Daniel tensed beneath his touch, but he didn’t move him off. “I hope you find your peace, William. I hope you earn that crown in your heart.”