The Unlikely Heir

Chapter 1. Ryker

Ryker stepped out of the lavish bedroom, the soft glow of the candles and the warm light of the fireplace casting a golden hue on the opulent furnishings. But despite the grandeur of the room, Ryker couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't home. He had grown up on the streets, sleeping under bridges and scrounging for scraps. This luxurious bedroom was a far cry from the poverty and hardship he had known.

He walked out of the room, leaving the maids and manservants to their duties. As he passed by, they looked up at him with scorn, their eyes flicking over his rough-hewn features and his worn, ill-fitting clothes. Ryker was used to it. He had grown accustomed to the disdain and contempt of the wealthy and powerful. He didn't let it bother him.

He made his way to the dining hall, the sound of clinking silverware and muted conversation filling the air. The table was set with fine china and crystal glasses, and the aroma of roasting meat wafted through the air, making his stomach growl with hunger.

As he approached the table, the Queen looked up from her seat, her eyes narrowing as she took in Ryker's appearance. He bowed his head, greeting her with a respectful nod. "Good evening, Your Majesty."

The Queen didn't respond, her gaze lingering on him with a mixture of disdain and annoyance. Ryker took his seat at the table, trying to ignore the tension that seemed to emanate from her very presence.

But before he could even sit down, the Queen's voice cut through the air, sharp as a knife. "Ryker, stand by the door and wait for the masters of the house like a good dog. You're not worthy of sitting at this table with us."

Ryker's face remained impassive, but a spark of anger flickered in his eyes. He had heard it all before, the condescending tone, the belittling words. He had grown up with it, and it no longer had the power to hurt him.

He stood up, his movements fluid and calm, and took his place by the door. The Queen's words had been a familiar refrain, one that he had heard countless times before. He knew his place, and he knew his role. He was the unwanted son-in-law, the poor relation who was tolerated only because of his connection to the royal family.

As the King and Princess Lirien entered the dining room, the atmosphere grew even more tense. The Queen's words still hung in the air, and Ryker stood by the door, his eyes fixed on the floor.

Princess Lirien's eyes scanned the room, and when she saw Ryker standing by the door, her expression turned stern. She frowned, her brow furrowed in disapproval, and turned to her mother.

"Mother, how could you?" she said, her voice low and even. "Treating Ryker like a servant? He's my husband, for goodness' sake! He deserves to be treated with respect."

The Queen's face turned red with indignation, and she opened her mouth to respond, but Princess Lirien didn't give her a chance.

"I won't have it, Mother," the princess continued, her voice rising in anger. "Ryker is a member of this family, and he deserves to be treated as such. You're embarrassing me in front of our guests, and I won't stand for it."

But before Princess Lirien could continue, the King intervened, his voice firm and commanding.

"Lirien, sit down," he said, his eyes fixed on his daughter. "We'll discuss this later. Ryker can have his meal after we're done."

Princess Lirien's face turned bright red with anger, and she opened her mouth to protest, but the King's words cut her off. She took a deep breath, and then turned on her heel, storming out of the dining room.

Ryker's eyes followed her, and he felt a pang of surprise and curiosity. What had just happened?

But before he could process it, Princess Lirien was back, her face still red with anger, and she grabbed Ryker's arm, pulling him out of the dining room.

"Come with me," she said, her voice low and urgent. "We need to talk."

Ryker's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't resist. He followed Princess Lirien out of the dining room, wondering what was going on, and what the princess wanted to talk to him about.

As they walked, the princess's anger seemed to simmer just below the surface, and Ryker could feel the tension between them. But he also sensed a glimmer of something else, something that looked almost like... affection?

He pushed the thought aside, unsure of what to make of it. But he knew one thing for sure: he was in for a wild ride.

Princess Lirien dragged Ryker to their room, her anger and frustration evident in every step. Ryker followed her, unsure of what was going on, but sensing that something was seriously wrong.

As soon as they were inside, Princess Lirien slammed the door shut behind them and turned to face Ryker. Her eyes blazed with anger, and her voice was low and even.

"You know, don't you?" she said, her words dripping with accusation. "You know I'm pregnant."

Ryker's eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded slowly. "Yes, I do."

Princess Lirien took a deep breath, her anger seeming to simmer just below the surface. "Well, it's about time you acknowledged it," she said, her voice cold. "The sooner you man up, the better. The royal family is already talking about marrying me off to someone else once I give birth. And I don't want that."

Ryker's eyes widened in alarm, and he took a step forward. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly.

"I mean that they're looking for someone to marry me off to, someone who will secure the royal family's interests and provide a suitable heir," Princess Lirien explained, her voice bitter. "And I don't want to be married off to some stuffy old noble who will treat me like a possession. I want to be with you, Ryker. I love you."

Ryker's heart skipped a beat as he heard the words. He had never expected to hear Princess Lirien say that she loved him. He felt a surge of emotion, but before he could respond, Princess Lirien continued.

"But I hate you too, Ryker. I hate that you can't stand up for yourself. I hate that you let the royal family walk all over you. I hate that you're so weak and helpless."

Ryker felt a sting from her words, but he knew that she was right. He had been weak and helpless for too long. He took a deep breath and looked at Princess Lirien, his eyes locked on hers.

"I promise to do my best," he said, his voice firm. "I promise to stand up for myself and for us. I promise to be a better husband and a better man."

Princess Lirien's expression softened slightly, and she looked at Ryker with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "See that you do," she said, her voice a little softer. "I'm counting on you, Ryker.”

Just as Ryker and Princess Lirien were about to continue their conversation, a knock on the door interrupted them. The princess's eyes narrowed, and she turned to the door, her voice firm.

"Who is it?"

The door creaked open, and a manservant stood in the doorway, his face expressionless. "It's me, Jenkins, Your Highness. The King wants Ryker to help him get the library dusted as a few prominent academy professors will be arriving at the castle by noon."

Princess Lirien's face turned red with anger, and she stormed out of the room, leaving Ryker alone with Jenkins. The manservant's eyes flicked to Ryker, and he let out a scornful snort.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The great Ryker, the prince of nothing. I'm sure he'll be delighted to dust the library for the King."

Ryker ignored Jenkins's sarcasm and headed towards the castle library, his mind focused on the task at hand. He had a feeling that this was more than just a simple dusting job, and he was determined to find out what was really going on.

As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. Why was he always being treated like a servant? Why couldn't he be taken seriously? He pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the task ahead.

When he arrived at the library, he found the King already there, surrounded by a team of servants and maids. They were all busily dusting and polishing the shelves, and Ryker could see that they were making a good job of it.

The King looked up as Ryker approached, a hint of a smile on his face. "Ah, Ryker. Good, you're here. We need to get this library spotless for the professors. They're going to be impressed, I'm sure."

Ryker nodded, taking a deep breath. He was determined to prove himself, to show the King and the rest of the castle staff that he was capable of more than just dusting and polishing.

But as he began to work, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this task than met the eye. Something that the King wasn't telling him…