Ethan's POV
I took another glance at Allison, unsure of what I just saw. Did she really give me that cold look?
She deserved what happened, and I don't care about her fear of whippings. But the way her mother acted... It made me feel a little bad.
"How come I never knew that woman was her mother all along?" I murmured.
She has so much to teach her daughter. I once trusted that girl with my whole heart, and now she's showing off our past like it's something to brag about?
Could it be that she came here for me?' I quickly brushed away the thought.
I watched her leave the hall with her mother from the corner of my eye.
"Mom, why didn't you say anything? You were the one who asked the maids that question first," my brother said.
Mother raised a brow. "What? I was only asking if they knew each other."
She patted my shoulder gently. "You don't have to be too hard on her, son. Just ignore her." Then she pushed a cup of tea toward me. "Try this, it's very good."
"Allison is actually one of the cleanest maids," Thomas said. "I trust her when it comes to tea."
I took the cup and sipped slowly. "Grandmother…" I muttered.
Mother chuckled. "You see? I knew it would remind you of her."
I stared at the tea, dazed. How is that possible? Allison doesn't even know how to make tea nor know anything about royal tea taste.
"Do you miss her that much?" Mom teased. "She's living her best life overseas now, travelling everywhere she likes."
"When is she coming back?" I asked quietly. I really liked that old woman. This tea tastes exactly like hers.
Mother smiled. "When you've rested enough, I'll invite my favourite high-class single ladies for a party. You can use that chance to choose one to marry. I'd suggest the most powerful, but they're all the best princesses anyway."
'Of course, she hadn't forgotten about marriage.' I shook my head at the thought.
"I'm not ready," I said, frowning.
She looked disappointed. "Don't let your father hear that. You're the crown prince. You'll rule this kingdom soon and all the kingdoms under us."
"Mom…" I sighed.
"Didn't your father tell you? He's planning to retire soon."
I looked at her with surprise. "What?"
She laughed softly. "Yes. He wants to retire soon. We'll leave the palace and enjoy life like your grandmother and grandfather did. That's why you must marry soon, so your wife can give us a healthy baby boy for the next throne."
" Random lady can't give me a boy"
" Ohhh that, don't worry about that, you will definitely see one once they are gathered here, I know fate won't be cruel to us, you need to start preparing for the throne…"
I noticed Thomas clench his fists. He dropped his fork and stood up. "I'm full. Welcome home, brother," he said coldly and left the table.
He's always dreamed of ruling the Silver Kingdom, but that's impossible. He's not the chosen heir, only the male firstborn.
"Father should've told me this earlier," I said. "I'm not prepared to take the throne," I mumbled, not even now, taking my father's position will change me a lot. I will no longer be going out to join friends and other things, I will become a powerful ruler everyone won't dare to offend.
"The throne has always been yours," Mother said firmly. "You knew that from birth. Why are you running away from it now?"
"Why not let Thomas rule instead?"
"The king is always the firstborn, unless he dies. And that's not happening to you," she said and shook her head. "Your friend Elijah will visit us tomorrow."
I nodded and stood, wiping my mouth with a napkin before leaving the dining hall.
On my way out, I saw Thomas on the balcony, staring at the flower garden. That's what he always did when he was angry.
I walked over and stood beside him. "You're really funny, brother," I said calmly.
He looked at me and moved away. "Ah, who am I to stand next to the next ruler of the Silver Kingdom and the other seven kingdoms surrounding it?" he mocked.
I turned to him with a cold stare. His mocking smile faded immediately. "Look at you, hungry for power."
He frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"I saw your reaction at the dining table. You want us to end up like the Silas brothers? Killing each other for the throne?"
Thomas flinched. He knew he couldn't beat me in anything. If I really want to fight him for power, ending him would be too easy.
"I'm not fighting you," he said quietly.
"I thought you'd support me. Instead, you're jealous. Jealous of what? The burden?" I shook my head in disappointment and left him there.
Everyone in the palace already knew Thomas had eyes for the throne since childhood. He's bad when it comes to controlling his emotions, I can read him like an open book.
On my way to the study, every maid and guard bowed their heads low. No one dared look at my eyes.
Then I noticed the second head maid forcing Allison to bow. She looked confused, not knowing why she had to bow for unknown reasons, until the maid pointed toward me.
She looked up, rolled her eyes, then finally bowed.
I almost laughed. She rolled her eyes. At me? I couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"What's funny?" I muttered to myself, quickly putting my cold expression back on.
When I reached the study, filled with books and maps, I nodded to a nearby guard.
He hurried over and bowed respectfully. The respect they gave me now was almost the same as they gave Father. He must've already announced his retirement plan in the palace.
"Go find a maid named Allison," I said. "Tell her to make a hot tea and bring it to my study."
"Yes, Your Highness." He said and left in a hurry, they knew my orders were never to be delayed.
I sat behind the large desk, surrounded by stacks of books and a laptop. Our kingdom had the most advanced technologies, thanks to Father's trade in gold and other rare treasures.
Expensive cars, tall buildings, everything looked modern, unlike the smaller kingdoms surrounding us that are still living in the past.
Even their rulers bowed to my father's power. Father was the one who provided them with the little technologies they had.
Soon, all that will be my responsibility. Just thinking about it made me sigh.
Then a knock came at the door.
"Come in," I said.