Gerold receives a letter from the castle!
He is summoned to the new king, Alaric, who tells him that the former king, William, has died during the night. He also tells Gerold that William has confessed to being Gerold’s father, and that Alaric would now like to invite Gerold into the royal family. He will live in the castle, he will have a title, and he will live out his days in luxury.
Alaric looks surprised. “You don’t want to live in the castle with us? You don’t want to be a part of our family?”
“Perhaps...” says Gerold thoughtfully. “...My Liege...”
“We are brothers! You should call me Alaric.”
“I remember you...Alaric. You and your brother. We used to play in the forest together as boys.”
Alaric smiled. “Yes! And we built a fortress out of branches and whatever we could find. And we imagined we were knights. And now you are one! How funny!”
“I did not know you were the prince.”
“I did not know you were my brother! Please, accept. Join our family.”
“I will accept. But I can not stand to live a life of luxury, as you call it. I must have something to do. I will be your personal knight, I will protect you, and the entire family.”
Alaric grinned. “As you wish.”
Gerold moves into the castle and takes up the position of personal knight to King Alaric. Soon after, he meets the newest lady-in-waiting, a gentlewoman named Daisy, and he’s immediately smitten....