The King Of War Returns

Free Chapter

Nora had not expected this. Twenty years away, and this was what returning home looked like. She stood there for a moment, blinking against the sting behind her eyes, and then she nodded.

“Fine,” she said quietly, her voice thick. “Let’s go. Back to our own home.”

Jaden guided his family toward the exit without another word, without looking back. Vane kept close to Nora, his hand at her back. Selena stayed at her mother’s side. None of them spoke.

They were nearly at the door when Franklin Wilson stepped into their path — not to block them, but simply because their routes had crossed. He saw Jaden and moved instinctively, beginning to lower himself into a bow.

Jaden gave a brief shake of his head. A single nod. That was all.

Franklin straightened, and something unreadable crossed his face as he watched Jaden’s family file past him and out through the entrance. He stood still for a moment after they had gone, eyes on the doorway.

Brown appeared at his shoulder, already manufacturing a smile. “Major-General Wilson, please don’t mind them. Come, let me show you to your—”

“What happened to them?” Franklin asked. He didn’t look at Brown when he said it.

Brown blinked. He recovered quickly and let out a small laugh. “That’s my daughter’s family. Poor commoners, all of them. We hadn’t seen each other in decades, and they showed up tonight looking for a free meal. Caused nothing but trouble, especially the son-in-law — injured my son, struck my wife in my own home. I lost patience and showed them out. Think nothing of it.”

Franklin was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “I see. In that case, you should chase me out as well.”

The smile froze on Brown’s face. Around him, the nearest guests went very still.

Brown recovered with a nervous laugh. “Ha — you jest, Major-General Wilson. You’re our most honored guest tonight. I would never dream of such a thing.”

Franklin turned to look at him for the first time. His expression was composed and entirely serious. “I’m not joking. Do you know the reason I came here tonight?”

The laughter died in Brown’s throat. “I — no. Please, enlighten me.”

“Because you have a good daughter,” Franklin said, “and your daughter has a respectable son-in-law.”

The words fell over the hall like a stone dropped into still water. The Maxwell family exchanged glances. The guests murmured. No one seemed to know where to look.

Brown felt the ground shift beneath him. His voice came out smaller than he intended. “Major-General Wilson — what do you mean by that?”

Franklin’s gaze swept the room without warmth. “Your grandson-in-law, Mr. Rift, is the man I respect most. The sole reason I came tonight was because I heard he would be here.” He let that land, then continued, his tone dropping to something colder. “You just drove him out of your own home. So tell me — what exactly is the point of keeping me here?” He looked at Brown directly. “That is why I said you can chase me out as well.”

Brown’s face had gone the color of ash. “I would never dare,” he said quickly. “Please, Major-General Wilson—”

Franklin scoffed, cutting him off. “How would you dare.” It wasn’t a question. He straightened his uniform jacket with a short, precise motion and added, “I won’t waste further time on this. Consider it a courtesy — extended entirely on account of Mr. Rift’s connection to your family. Nothing more.”