Ksar stood and headed out of his study.
He had a ball to get dressed for.
But on his way to his rooms, he was accosted by the King-Consort.
“Ksar, I wanted to speak to you,” he said.
Ksar slowed his steps, allowing his father to catch up. “Yes?”
“I want to go to Earth and check on Harry,” Zahef said.
“Are you asking for my authorization? You don’t need it anymore. The Ministry no longer regulates visits to pre-TNIT planets.”
“I am aware of that,” Zahef said dryly. “I may not be as interested in politics as your mother and you, but I’m not entirely oblivious. I know I don’t need your permission anymore. In any case, I have no interest in talking to the Lord Chancellor. I want to talk to my son.”
Ksar grimaced. Sometimes the King-Consort was as naive as Harry.
“I’m all ears, Father,” he said, forcing himself to be patient.
“Do you think Harry and…his young man would be pleased to see me?”
“It hasn’t even been ten days since I left Harht on Earth,” Ksar said, almost smiling at his father’s choice of words. “Ten days ago, Adam Crawford didn’t even know about the existence of extraterrestrial life. Let him adjust to the fact that his boyfriend is an alien before forcing him to meet an alien father-in-law.”
Zahef chuckled. “Indeed, that would probably be too much for the poor human. But I worry. What if Harry isn’t being treated well? I know you said Harry’s human received the news relatively well, but he might have changed his mind since then—”
“Do you actually think I left my brother unprotected?” Ksar said. “Borg’gorn is monitoring him. I’m receiving updates daily. If Harry is in danger, he’ll be teleported home.”
There was a short silence before Zahef sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?”
“You didn’t ask. I didn’t know it was of interest to you. I’m entirely capable of handling the issue.”
“But you don’t have to, Ksar,” Zahef said, his voice soft.
“On the contrary, it’s my duty.”
Heaving another sigh, Zahef said, “It isn’t your duty. You have parents, Ksar. You aren’t the king yet. I know your mother thinks that it’s fine to give part of her duties to you prematurely, ‘to build character and prepare you,’ but it’s hardly normal. You have your own duties as the Crown Prince and the planet’s Lord Chancellor. Frankly, I’m amazed that you aren’t keeling over from exhaustion. You shouldn’t think that Harry is your problem to handle, too.”
“You’re a few years too late for this speech,” Ksar said and suppressed a grimace. He didn’t need to look at his father to feel his guilt. Guilt was an unpleasant emotion to feel, even if it was secondhand.
“I know I’m being quite hypocritical,” Zahef said, clearing his throat. “I admit that, just like your mother, I relied on you to find a solution for Harry’s situation. I’m guilty of expecting you to perform miracles—I won’t deny it.” He chuckled, self-deprecation written all over his face. “It’s a bad habit parents tend to develop when their child never fails at anything. But it doesn’t mean I don’t worry about you. It doesn’t mean I don’t see the sacrifices you make. It doesn’t mean I don’t see how unhappy you are.”
Ksar looked straight ahead and walked faster. “I’m not unhappy.”
“I haven’t seen you smile in months.”
“You know I don’t smile much.”
“No,” Zahef said quietly. “You don’t.”
Ksar let out a sigh, starting to get angry. A lecture on his life choices was the last thing he needed tonight.
“I’m perfectly happy,” he said again. “Almost everything went according to my plans. Harht is free of his bond to Leylen. His health is much better. And since it’s so important to you— I believe his human makes him happy.”
“And what about you?” Zahef said. “You were saddled with your brother’s bondmate instead. I don’t remember you being particularly fond of her.”
“She will suffice,” Ksar said evenly. “I don’t need your pity. Cease acting like I have no agency. No one can force me to do what I don’t want.”
He could feel his father’s gaze on his face.
“Is she what you want?” Zahef said. “There is a difference between wanting something deeply, with all of your heart, versus wanting something with your brain. When was the last time you did something for yourself? Not because it was the rational thing to do but because you wanted it?”
Ksar’s jaw clenched. “I don’t have time for this,” he said, entering his rooms. “If you’ll excuse me, Father.” He shut the door unceremoniously in the King-Consort’s face and stood still for a moment.
When was the last time you did something for yourself? Because you wanted it?
A harsh chuckle left his mouth. If his father wanted him to act like an irrational, mindless animal, he was out of luck.
The only person capable of making him behave that way was no longer in the picture.