Who were these people and where are they taking me?

"Don't even try to escape, kid." One of the guys in the carriages sneered at me.

"We didn't lie. We are taking you to your parents and they can't pass the border, so they sent us over in a plain carriage to not stand out. King Walton has missed you very much." Another smirked at my terrified expression, "he's upset you left him."

My hands shook with fear. I couldn't go back, who knows what he'd do to me? I couldn't escape these men, my stamina was pretty much nonexistant and my body was still weak.

"Oi! When are we going to arrive at the border?"

"Around an hour," the driver replied.

"What? What's the hold up?"

"They're doing carriage checks."

"Tch, great. What are we supposed to do with the kid now?" All three men stared at me. I fidgeted in my seat, praying that someone would come rescue me.

"We just have to hope they don't stop our carriage."

A long time passed as the carriage arrived at the border.

Please check this carriage Please check this carriage Please check this carriage!

However, they let the carriage pass the border. My heart sank like a rock. There was no hope left now.

Even if I had a weapon in my bag, these men would overpower me in an instant. I'm surprised they haven't taken my bag away.

"We're here," the carriage rolled to a stop at the back of a fancy hotel.

"Move it, kid," the men shoved me out of the carriage and dragged me into the hotel. We went through some servant hall, which was oddly empty, and stopped at a door on the top floor.

"Your majesty, we have brought him." They tossed me into the room. I landed on my side. I winced, that would leave a nasty bruise.

"Ah, my son. How glad I am to see you. Did you miss me?" There King Walton was, lounging on a comfy looking chair.

"I see. Well, that's unfortunate for you then. Did you really think you could escape me?" King Walton stood up and came over to me. "I can't blame you really, I haven't been the best father. But to run away... it seems you don't know your place." He slapped me across the face.

"Look at you, pathetic. You could pass off as some poor orphan."

"You cheeky bastard!" He kicked me in the ribs. All the air left me and I struggled to breathe in. Thankfully, it didn't feel like any of my ribs were broken. "I'll put you in your place." He walked over to the fire place and grabbed the fire poker. Oh no, he wouldn't go that far... would he?

He put the fire poker into the flames and it was red when he took it out. I saw that it wasn't a fire poker, but rather a brand.

"Now everyone will know who you belong to." King Walton pulled my hair and put the brand near my neck. I whimpered in fear. I couldn't believe this was happening.

He pressed the brand onto the left side of my neck. The white hot pain flashed through my whole body and black spots were speckled across my vision.

"Ah...ughn," I couldn't scream, but I tried nonetheless. All I wanted in the moment was to pass out, to not have to deal with the pain.

"There. That'll remind you everyday of who you really belong to." King Walton had a self-satisfied smirk on his face. He let go of my hair and I blacked out the moment my head hit the ground.

"...ot...s...no!" I heard faint voices along with thuds. The ground shook under me. What was going on? My neck burned and flared up when I attempted to lift up my head.

"He's here!" A male voice shouted. I felt something cool brush against my neck.

"That bastard branded him!" A deeper voice boomed, furious.

"LET ME SEE HIM!" A female cried out. I slid open my eyes to see the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, even more than Queen Rosetta. She had the same silver hair and light green eyes as I did. Tears slid down her face and she caressed my face. This was her, my mom! "My poor baby! I'm so sorry! If only we were a minute earlier you-" the woman sobbed.

I got up from the floor and looked around for my bag. It was on the floor right by my feet. I sifted through it and pulled out a new handkerchief Sadie bought me a couple days ago. I wiped mom's tears away and gave her a smile.

(

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME! DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!" I heard King Walton shout. I whimpered and snuggled close to mom as she hugged me tight.

"We know who you are. You have no authority in Efluya. The King has given me permission to bring you back to Fascus and execute you for your crimes." I heard the deep voice from earlier.

"THIS MEANS WAR!"

"We are prepared to take Aplana down. We made a deal with the King and promised Efluya half of Aplana if they fought with Fascus."

"Ugh!" King Walton's voice faded until I couldn't hear it anymore.

"Is he okay, love?" A handsome brown-haired man came in. He had sun-kissed skin and dark charcoal eyes. Oh my god, is this King Blake?

"Yes, for the most part." Mom ran her fingers through my hair. "Alcott is stronger than most."

"I can tell," the man's gaze softened and he kneeled in front of me, "he looks just like you."

"Alcott, this is your step father, King Blake." So I was right, he is King Blake! I made grabby hands for him to come closer since I couldn't reach my notebook.

Dad came closer and I gave him a hug and a big smile. He smiled back at me and hugged both mom and I.

It wasn't the family reunion I expected, but that's okay.