Chapter 85: Surprisingly Bewitched
Eldric did not knock. He pushed the door open and stepped into Marek’s chamber, already irritated by the sounds coming from inside. Marek was pacing back and forth across the room, his movements sharp and restless. His clothing was wrinkled, his hair messy, and his face looked drained of color. He looked like someone who had not slept at all.
"Marek."
At the sound of his father’s voice, Marek stopped mid-step. For a moment, relief flickered across his face. He turned and took a step forward.
"Father, I—"
The slap came hard and fast. Marek staggered back, his head snapping to the side. His cheek burned instantly. He stood frozen, shock written all over his face.
Eldric’s voice was sharp and unforgiving. "You disgrace me!"
Marek slowly turned his face back, staring at his father in disbelief. "What?"
"You heard me. You have dragged our family name through filth." Elder Eldric said coldly.
Marek swallowed. "Father, please, let me explain—"
"Explain? Explain how you managed to humiliate yourself, me, and everything I have worked for?!"
Marek shook his head. "I didn’t plan for any of this. I swear to the—"
"If you wanted to play with two women," Eldric cut in, his voice rising, "you should have done it properly. Quietly. Without getting caught."
Marek stared at him, stunned. "That’s not what this is."
Eldric scoffed. "Then enlighten me."
Marek ran a hand through his hair, his breathing uneven. "I never planned to play either of them. I never planned to hurt Aveloria. Rowena forced herself on me. She kept showing up."
Eldric laughed, short and bitter. "Listen to yourself."
"It’s the truth," Marek insisted. "She cornered me. She kept pushing, saying things, touching me when I told her to stop. I didn’t encourage it. She...she kissed me first."
Eldric stepped closer. "And then what?"
Marek’s jaw tightened. "It happened once." He explained how it happened.
"It was a mistake."
"A mistake that Evander saw. A mistake that has now reached the palace." Eldric said.
Marek shook his head in disagreement. "Evander didn’t tell Aveloria."
Eldric raised a brow. "Oh?"
"I spoke to him," Marek said quickly. "He swore he didn’t say anything to his sister. He said we were still on good terms when I last saw him."
Eldric shook his head slowly. "You are a fool."
Marek clenched his fists in denial. "I also spoke to Aveloria. She didn’t act distant. She didn’t confront me. She didn’t accuse me of anything."
"And that should have worried you more," Eldric snapped. "You were deceived easily, just like a boy with no sense."
Marek looked down, shame creeping into his expression. "I didn’t think—"
"That is obvious. You don’t always think, Marek. Aveloria had it all planned." Eldric said. "Do you understand what you’ve risked?"
Marek hesitated. "My bond."
"No," Eldric corrected. "My influence!" He roared.
He turned away, pacing now just as Marek had been moments earlier. "Everything I’ve worked for depends on you becoming the King’s in-law. If that fails, I lose my standing. My reach. My plans."
Marek lifted his head. "You’re worried about power?"
"I am worried about survival," Eldric replied sharply. "Do not pretend you don’t know how this court works."
Marek stepped forward. "I know I messed up. But Aveloria and I are bonded. You don’t have to worry about anything."
Eldric stopped and laughed outright. "Bonded?" He turned back to him. "You are not married."
Marek frowned. "That doesn’t make it meaningless."
"It makes it fragile," Eldric said. "A marriage seals loyalty. A bond alone can be rejected."
The words hit Marek harder than the slap had.
"She wouldn’t," he said quietly.
"She could," Eldric replied. "And after tonight, she has every reason to."
Marek’s shoulders sagged; he ran his hands through his hair. "Oh my goodness, what have I done to myself? I don’t think I can face her."
Eldric stared at him. "Self-pity will not fix this."
Marek looked away, shame washing over him. "I don’t think I can face her again."
Eldric’s eyes hardened. "You will."
"I betrayed her. Even if I didn’t mean to." Marek said.
"You will do whatever it takes to win her back. You owe this family that much." Eldric said.
Marek opened his mouth to respond, but suddenly his body went rigid. His breathing changed, becoming uneven and sharp. Eldric noticed immediately.
"Marek?"
Marek lifted his head slowly. His eyes were completely black.
Eldric stepped back instinctively. "What is happening to you?"
"I need to find her," Marek said, his voice strained and unstable.
"Find who?" Eldric asked cautiously.
"Rowena."
Marek moved abruptly toward the storage chest near his bed. He yanked it open and began pulling clothes out, shoving them into a bag with no care or order.
"Marek, stop," Eldric said. "You’re not thinking clearly."
"She needs me," Marek muttered. "Or she’s in danger. I don’t know which."
He paused suddenly, pressing his hands to his face. "No. I need to apologize."
Eldric stepped closer. "To whom?"
"To Aveloria," Marek whispered. "I betrayed her."
Then his tone shifted. "No, I need to find Rowena. She understood me." His hands shook as he packed. "She made me feel seen."
Eldric’s chest tightened. "This isn’t normal."
"I didn’t mean to hurt anyone," Marek said, his voice breaking. "I never meant to. I should have been patient with Aveloria. I’m bonded to her."
Then he straightened abruptly. "I have to find Rowena."
"Marek! Calm down!" Eldric grabbed his shoulder, striking him across the face twice. "Get yourself together! You’re being influenced!" Eldric snapped.
Marek jerked free, pushing his father. "Don’t touch me!"
"Your mind is compromised. You’re switching too fast."
"I’m fine," Marek snapped. "I just need to move."
Eldric grabbed his arm again. "No, listen, Marek, this isn’t normal. You’re bewitched."
Marek ripped free. "Let go of me."
"We need to take you to the temples. They can cleanse whatever this is." Eldric said urgently.
"I am not going to the temples!" Marek shouted. His eyes darkened again. "They’ll chain me and think I’m mad. I need to find Rowena."
"You are not well," Eldric insisted.
Marek shoved him hard. Eldric stumbled back, barely keeping his footing.
"I won’t be controlled. Not by you."
He slung the bag over his shoulder and headed for the door.
"Marek! If you leave now, you may not return the same."
Marek paused with his back to him. "I already won’t," he said quietly.
Then he walked out.
The door slammed shut, leaving Eldric alone in the room, staring at the space where his son had been, his jaw tight with anger and fear he refused to acknowledge.
