Part 9 (1/2)
Daniel shook his head, ”I don't believe this; none of it. You betrayed us once, and we cannot trust you again.”
”Then as a token of my allegiance, as a sign of my redemption, let me tell you who Alex really is.”
”Alex? So that is his name,” Daniel reflected. He wanted to know more, and Nick sensed this.
”He is the Falsifier. He is both human and vampire,” Nikolas said, maintaining a strained eye contact with his son.
”Hmm,” Daniel said with nonchalance, not wanting to believe what his father had said. ”Only the blood tests will prove that.”
”And,” Nick said, ”He is the direct heir of Argos I.”
”What do you mean?” Daniel said, ”That's impossible.”
”Do you know the real reason why Anaxagoras cast his son out of the Nyrax Dynasty?”
”No!” He couldn't believe what his father had just said; he didn't want to. ”Do you mean...?”
”Yes,” Nikolas smiled, ”Alex is Aidan's son, born of a human mother, who is...was Howe's sister.”
”Then, that means...” Daniel's eyes widened, the whites contrasting with the dark crimson, ”No...no, it can't be.” He looked at Nikolas, who was laughing at the shock on his face. ”Well, if the scans show that what you say is right, then I will immediately tell the council that your true allegiance is to Lord Anaxagoras.”
”Daniel,” sighed Nikolas, ”You think I don't see what you're doing? You want power! They want power, Erik wants power; all of us want power over the king. I'm right, aren't I? Listen to me. Like I said, my allegiance is not to the king. The truth is...it's to myself.”
”I have only one objective and that's to do the bidding of Anaxagoras.”
”I know...I know what you're saying is just for your own benefit. You're waiting for the right time and so am I. You went away from me and Aidan. You left us all and made your own plans. Then you joined him and are now waiting. You've been waiting a long time for your opportunity. Now, my son, with Aidan dead and Anaxagoras far away, is the time to overcome this rule. We can join forces and create our own dynasty: the Gareng Dynasty!”
”What!” Daniel jumped off his chair. ”How can you say that? That's treason.”
”Calm down. If you think I don't know that you want power, then you're mistaken.”
”Get out! How dare you- I can't have any of this.”
Nikolas smiled and walked calmly out of the office.
As soon as John walked downstairs to keep his friend and mother company and get ready for the meeting with the Senate, the doorbell rang. A butler answered it and led the guest into the living room. It was Angel. Helen got up and welcomed her. ”Oh Angel, what a pleasant surprise!”
”h.e.l.lo, Mrs. Howe,” she smiled at Grandma Howe and hugged her, ”Are you okay?”
”I'm fine, my girl. The question is: how are you? Is everything okay?”
Angel sighed, ”I really don't know,” her eyes watered up, and Mrs. Howe embraced her once again.
John smiled at Angel, ”Hi Angel. How are things?”
”Okay, I guess.” She said, trying to be optimistic. ”Any news about Alex?”
”He's fine,” John said as he gave her a quick hug. ”Um, you know Mr. Bacon, right?”
”Oh yes, of course,” she shook Richard's hand, ”How do you do?”
”Fine. Thanks.” Richard gave her a warm look.
”Your paper on the Political System of the Pre-WWIII era was excellent,” Angel said, trying to make light conversation as they sat down.
”I'm glad you think so,” Richard said, ”Not everyone agrees on it, though.”
Grandma Howe went to the kitchen to fix up some tea for John and Angel.
”Oh, wait Mrs. Howe, let me help you.”
”It's alright, Angel. Stay here and I'll be back in a sec.”
”No, Mom. It's okay,” added John, ”We won't be here for long. We have to get back to the Senate.”
His mother ignored him saying, ”Your work can wait. Besides, we have visitors and I don't want them leaving without any refreshment.” She left them and could be heard calling one of the maids to come and help her.
”So, what brings you here?” John said as Helen walked out of the room.
”I needed to talk to you about Alex, Mr. Howe. I'm really worried about him.”
”So are we,” John said. ”But don't worry too much. Everything's going to be fine.”
”I saw the news and my parents are a little apprehensive.”
”This is only temporary,” said John. ”I'm only doing it for Alex; I want him back and this is the best option we have. Don't worry about politics, Angel. These things happen every ten years or so.”
”Mr. Howe, if I don't get married to Alex, it will be bad for everyone.”
”What do you mean?”
Mrs. Howe came back with four cups of tea and a plate full of scones and biscuits.
”Mom! There's no need”
She shushed him and sat down, taking her own cup of tea.
John smiled and shook his head, sipping his cup. He sighed and sat back, more relaxed. ”Now, Angel, what do you mean by all this?”
”I need to tell you...alone.” She said, eyeing Richard. ”It's a family thing.”
Richard cleared his throat and finished his cup of tea. ”Thanks, Mrs. Howe, for the tea.” He got up and walked to the door, as the butler opened it for him. ”I'll be waiting in the car.”
John nodded and said, ”It won't take long.”
”Sure,” said Richard. He left the Estate and waited for John outside.
”So, what's this big thing?” asked Mrs. Howe, ”I hope things are fine between you and Alex.”