One Condition

“This way, young master Knight.” Thomas bowed his head gesturing his arm forward, like a butler will do to their master.

Alexander nodded and started to walk past the opulent hallways with Thomas following closely, as he walked through the hallways; he couldn’t help but reminisce about his childhood. He used to play in these hallways, with his mother or his nanny chasing him around. He smiled at the memory but he cleared him mind as he had an important confrontation with his father.

He passed a few paintings on the wall without looking at any of them but one painting caught his gaze. He stopped briefly to stare at the painting.

The image depicted an extremely beautiful woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes and a pretty smile. She looked strikingly similar to Alexander.

“Mother.” Alexander murmured under his breath as he was filled with a deep sense of loss. He stared at the painting for about 3 minutes before averting his gaze and continuing the walk down the hallway.

They walked for a few more minutes passing several paintings, photographs, sculptures and other fascinating items before coming to a halt before a huge door.

Thomas stepped forward and knocked thrice on the door. There was a brief silence before a deep voice oozing raw power and authority replied to the knocks.

“Come in.” The deep voice sounded out from behind the door

Thomas stepped backward

“After you, young master.” Thomas gestured for Alexander to open the door.

Alexander hesitated briefly, his heart beating twice the normal rate as he was very nervous; every resolve he had built up for this confrontation seemed to crumble. He knew the person behind that door was his father, the one person he hated the most in the world. He had spent years running from him but now fate had brought him back.

Alexander took a deep breath and exhaled loudly before steeling his resolve. He reached out for the handle, opened the door and stepped inside the room. It was time to meet his father.

Alexander stepped inside the room and his father’s study was just as he remembered it. There were large floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lining the walls filled with rare and first-edition books. The study was bathed in natural light from a wall of windows overlooking the lush garden outside. In the corner, a fireplace crackled and at the very center, a large mahogany desk was placed surrounded by leather armchairs. Behind the desk sat an old man, he was fit for people his age with a tall physique. He had intense gray eyes and his black hair had started showing signs of grey, he was going through some documents and he didn’t even raise his head from the work he was doing.

Thomas entered the study after Alexander and cleared his throat to catch the attention of the man.

The man looked up from the documents and his eyes widened when he set his sights on Alexander.

“Alexander, is that you?” the man asked incredulously as he rose from his seat and urgently made his way to Alexander. Thomas made his way to the side of the room to allow the father and son reunite.

“6 years, 6 years. After all these years you’ve finally returned to me.” The man said excitedly as he tried to hug Alexander but Alexander shoved him aside.

“Hello Nicholas.” Alexander said coldly as he stared at his father with a wicked look in his eyes.

“No love lost, I see my son? No matter you’re here now that’s all that matters.” The man named Nicholas composed himself as he stared at Alexander with an intense gaze.

“Come Alexander, sit with me.” Nicholas gestured for Alexander to join him at his desk. Thomas followed them and stood behind Nicholas.

“You’ve done well Thomas. You brought back my Heir, you’ve done extremely well.” Nicholas said to Thomas with a grateful tone.

“Fate brought us together master, I merely convinced him to return home.” Thomas answered, bowing down.

Nicholas nodded and focused his attention on Alexander who still had an emotionless expression on his face.

“How has life treated you these past few years my son?” Nicholas asked with a small smile on his face.

“Don’t ask me that question like you actually care. And who said I agreed to become your Heir.” Alexander scoffed.

“Oh, then why are you here my son?” Nicholas asked with his eyebrows raised in question.

Alexander had no answer to his father’s question and he opted to shut his mouth.

“You see Alexander, you ran away once but there won’t be a next time. Stop fighting me, my son, my Empire; the Knight Empire would need a successor when I’m no longer here. And you are that successor, you cannot run away from your destiny.” Nicholas said fervently

“Accept this Alexander, forget any bad blood we’ve had in years past. I promise you will have everything you’ve ever wanted. Money, women, lux….” Nicholas said trying to entice Alexander but he was cut off mid sentence.

“I have one condition.” Alexander said interrupting his father’s words