King Ambrose: The Rise of the Bastard Son

02: Tense Dinner

"Father!" Darion glared at me before he looked at his father to plead whatever case he has. "He can't marry Olivia!"

"And why the hell not?"

"Because..." Darion shifted in his seat as if he suddenly lost the words. "Because Kingsley is not an Olivieri. I am sure you wanted one from this family to marry one from de la Fontaine for business purposes but he doesn't carry your name—"

"Like I said, he will carry it from now on. He will now become Kingsley Olivieri and he will be the one to marry Olivia de la Fontaine. End of discussion."

Silence filled the whole surrounding and the dread I was feeling was getting heavier and heavier.  

"Father, I don't understand—"

"What is so hard to understand, Kingsley?" he snapped. "You are to marry Olivia de la Fontaine as, among the three of you, you're the one with the cleanest records."

"This is so unfair. Darion should be the one marrying Olivia—"

"Then he should have worked harder for it. Not deal drugs. I won't be able to settle a business arrangement with the de la Fontaines if I keep on covering my son's atrocities. From now on, Kingsley will carry my name." He looked at me. "Despite being a bastard, I will give you this chance. Don't mess this up or you will find yourself on the streets. Is that understood?"

It doesn't leave me with much choice. Whether I accept it or not, I will always be at the other end of their irritation. And I certainly don't want to be on the streets either.

So I said, "I understand."

Father eyed me for several seconds before one of the butlers came and announced the arrival of the guests. The words I wanted to say choked me and I immediately went to get a sip of water. 

The guests entered the dining and I was so tempted to run back to my room and never get out. But the last thing I wanted to happen is Father kicking me out of the house. I have nowhere else to go. Whatever meeting we have tonight, I just wish the de la Fontaines will decline. 

One man came in, followed by a middle-aged woman, and finally a girl around my age. Or perhaps older than me, I don't know. She was walking in the hall as though she owned it and I have never met someone as confident as her. Maybe that's what money could do. 

The man came up to father and they did a handshake and tapped each other's backs. The man then introduced his wife and his daughter, Olivia de la Fontaine. The one I am set to marry. 

Father did the introductions next.

"Here are my three boys," he said. He clasped Darion's shoulder first and I saw how father's grip tightened. "This one's my eldest, Darion. This one's Henry," he said and eyed Henry. The latter smiled to the guests in response. Then father's eyes went to me. Everyone's eyes went to me.

"And this is Kingsley. My youngest. He's the one I talked to you about," Father introduced and all I wanted to do was sink from the seat. But I maintained my composure and looked at the guests in front of me.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. de la Fontaine." I looked at Olivia and offered a small nod. "Good evening, Miss Olivia." 

I didn't know what to say or if I should even say something but the smile on their faces was enough to tell me that I did the right thing. When I looked at father, he gave me a subtle nod. 

For the whole dinner, I was silent. I couldn't muster the courage to say something else. Darion and Henry were quiet too but I am already expecting them to deal with me once dinner is done. It was just father and Mr. de la Fontaine who were talking about business. While I was in the middle of eating dessert, I cheated a glance at the girl I was supposed to marry. She was quiet too and the passive expression on her face was enough indication that she didn't like to be here. I wanted to tell her that it isn't in my best interest too but I don't want to freak her out. 

Her eyes darted in my direction and I immediately went back to eating my desserts. I swallowed hard and that's when father called my name. 

"Kingsley here has been going to a public school. According to him, he wanted to live amongst others. He doesn't let his father's riches blind him," he said with so much pride, and had I not known that this was all an act, I would have commended me too. 

"Such amazing young boy," said Mrs. de la Fontaine. The warm look in her eyes tells me enough of her fondness. "My Olivia here has been donating as an anonymous donor to some public schools too. You see, she's already making money from her own clothing brand."

"It's not all the time that people get to do what they love. Isn't that right, dear?" Mr. de la Fontaine smiled at his daughter but I saw how tight the smile was. At that moment, I knew that Olivia was forced to sit at this table. Just like me. 

Is this what kids of rich people do? Forced to do what their parents want just for the sake of business? Even marriage is for business now. I wonder if that was how my mother and father got married. Did they even love each other?

"That's impressive!" Father said and looked at me--eyed me--as though he wanted me to say something. 

"Ah. I'm a part of this organization that does beach cleanup every month. It's quite fulfilling," I said. The moment those words came out of my mouth, Darion and Henry snickered. The sound did not escape my father's ears and they both received a glare from father. 

"What my boy is trying to say is that after being part of that organization, he wants to take his leadership skills to another level." 

Mr. de la Fontaine looked at me, beaming. As though he had just found a priced possession. 

"You must have taught your boys well, Gideon. You are right, he is indeed a perfect match for my Olivia. Don't you think so, dear?" His hand went to Olivia's knees and Olivia's did not escape my eyes. She couldn't say no to her father, too. 

"Yes, father," she said, and when she looked at me, I saw her eyes were welling up. I averted my gaze and focused on the dessert instead. 

For the rest of the meal, I couldn't help but wonder what father wants me to do. 

When the meal was done, the de la Fontaines invited us to their homes for another dinner, something my father immediately obliged. When we were the only ones left at the table, we were all silent. 

"Good job, Kingsley," Father said and I looked at him. I was very much aware of Darion and Henry's icy glares but I did not dare meet them. Father looked at the both of them and went on, "I know you two have been picking on him and I want that to stop now."

"Father--" Darion's words were stopped when Father raised a hand. 

"I don't want to hear any excuses. I don't want you two picking on him anymore. He's proved himself useful tonight. Maybe that is something you two should ponder upon. And also, don't try being sneaky with me. Even if Kingsley doesn't tell me you are bullying him, I'd know. And trust me, you won't like the consequences. Is that clear?" 

The two of them were silent--clearly, they can't accept the new rules father had imposed. I couldn't believe it either. In just a matter of hours, my life had changed. Father used to not care about me and now, I have become his puppet. The one who will marry another rich family to expand his business. 

I am not so sure if this is a good change at all. If anything, I think I have become more like a prisoner.  

Father stood and left the dining, leaving me with my two half-brothers. I already prepared myself for their nasty comments but it didn't come. Instead, Darion stood and threw the napkin on the table before walking out. Henry followed him. 

I was left alone in the dining, still processing the course of events.