New lineage
Joel sat up in his bed, his heart racing as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. He looked around the room, taking in the rich furnishings and the portraits of people he didn't recognize that hung on the walls. It took him a few moments to remember what had happened to him and how he ended up in this unfamiliar place.
As he tried to process his thoughts, he heard a soft knock at the door. "Come in," Joel called out, his voice a little hoarse.
The door creaked open, and in stepped a man in a black suit. "Good morning, Master Joel," the man said with a bow. "I trust you had a good night's sleep?"
Joel rubbed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, thank you. And you are?"
"I am Joseph, your butler," the man said. "I have been tasked with looking after you during your stay here at the manor."
Joel frowned, feeling a little disoriented. "Stay here at the manor? What are you talking about?"
Joseph's expression remained calm and collected. "You are the illegitimate son of King Christopher Barrington, Master Joel. Your mother was a member of the Van Forge clan, and she passed away during childbirth. The king discarded you, and your mother's family took you in to keep you safe."
Joel's head spun at the revelation. He had never known his real name, let alone that he was the king's son. He struggled to come to terms with his new identity and the betrayal of his mother.
"I don't understand," Joel said. "Why did the king do this to my mother?"
Joseph sighed, his face darkening. "The king was a cruel man, Master Joel. He raped your mother and discarded her like she was nothing. It was a disgraceful act, but there was nothing anyone could do about it."
Joel clenched his fists, feeling a surge of anger and grief. He wanted to avenge his mother, but he was powerless in this new world. He was just a discarded heir, a pawn in the king's game.
"Is there anything I can do?" Joel asked, his voice shaking with emotion.
Joseph's eyes softened. "For now, Master Joel, all you can do is stay here at the manor and wait. Wait for the day when you can rise up and claim your rightful place as a member of the royal family."
Joel nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over him. He may be powerless now, but he would not let his mother's death be in vain. He would become someone who could change this world for the better.
As Joseph left the room, Joel lay back on the bed, lost in thought. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his new identity settling in. This was his new reality, and he would have to find a way to navigate it.
Ambient_Noice · Fantasy
