16

"Your majesty, Squall Kinneas has returned."

Gavin's eyes narrowed as his little brother walked in, "Squall!"

The brunet turned and smiled weakly at Gavin, "Hey, how is mother?"

"She's doing better than before. What happened? You lost weight, so did Dran."

The wolf wagged his tail happily as Gavin stroked him.

Squall shrugged, "Nani mo nai. Gavin, tell me something…you know…refresh my memory for a sec"

"Now, come here, young lad. What is Seifer's weakness? Huh?" Angelus asked across the room.

Squall glared at him, his eyes full of hate and determination, "I'm talking with my brother, wait. As I was saying, nii-san"

"What do you mean you're talking…do you know who you're saying that to?" Angelus roared.

Squall smirked, "Yeah I know…The great king Angelus, wasn't it?"

Gavin's eyes widened, "Squall"

"I suppose you have the pendant, Gavin. My heirloom?"

"You"

"Nii-san…Do you stand by me?" Gavin frowned for a minute and nodded, "I'll get mother."

Squall smiled, "Yeah. We don't fall for the same mistake twice, eh?"

Angelus stood, "What are you talking about back there? Come here so I can hear you…and Squall I suggest you start listening to your elders."

The brunet walked over to the throne, "Ah, yes…you have waited so long, right…so long to get your hands on Esther."

Angelus frowned, "Don't use that tone with me."

"Or else what? Comon, Angelus, what will you do? You took everything already. My castle…my kingdom, my parents lives, Gavin and mother, and Seifer…you took it all…what do I have left that catches you eye? Comon, tell me…who knows, maybe it's something I am willing to give up."

"What"

"am I talking about?" Squall drawled, "Ara, guess I really am not as polite as my mother would have preferred, but maybe this will help you remember."

Squall unwrapped the cloth his brother had just handed him and held an amulet before the king's face, "The Leonhart heirloom…you want this too?"

Angelus gasped and turned to call for the guards, but Squall was on him in a flash, holding a knife against his neck, "Was it fun…taking over this kingdom, that is?"

Gavin came in, supporting his mother around the waist, "Squall?" Elisa called.

"Hello, mother, how are you doing? Did the king bother you in any way?"

"No…I missed you, son…but what is going on?"

"Nii-san, would you kindly go into this room over there with mother and lock the door?"

"Hey, you might"

"Everything is under control here, Dran's with me too. While you're there you can tell mama not to worry. I'll be following you in a short while."

Guards had no choice but to let Gavin escort his mother and lock the door for protection.

"Tell me something Angelus, did you enjoy raping my mother? And what about my father? Was it you who drove the blade into his heart?"

"You won't get away with this."

Squall pricked the king's neck with his knife, "Wait a minute, isn't that what the good guy tells the bad guy? And if you really haven't guessed by now, oh great king, I happen to be the good guy."

Angelus gasped in pain.

"Seifer's homeland, do you know what it's like? Have you seen it?" Squall smiled sadly, "Such a peaceful place. You should have seen it." He spoke to the guards, "There were roses and flowers everywhere…birds sang in the lush trees and there were hills with fresh, green grass adorning them."

The men looked at one another.

"Heh…but what do you have here? You live only to pleasure your king, who sits on his throne spitting orders like he owns the place. Seifer lives in a cottage among his people."

Tears flooded his eyes, "When he arrived home the whole kingdom was there to greet him…the children were running around him playing games. Tell me something, would your kids ever dare to be in the same room Angelus is in?"

The brunet could see most of the men wavering. "Sure, they would dare if they had suicidal intent."

There was harsh laughter form the prince, "Why did you burn this castle before only to build a new one…a waste isn't it?"

Angelus turned to him, "You can't have this kingdom."

"It was never yours to give."

"If you kill me the soldiers will get rid of you…the cooks will poison you as you eat!"

"Will they!" Squall laughed, "I don't think so…why would they kill a ruler who would give them freedom and peace? What is it that you offer them? You conquer lands like the greedy bastard you are but your soldiers come home with nothing."

Squall pushed the king down, "You want him to rule you? You want to live like rats in a lion's den?"

Many of the men shook their head and threw their weapons aside. "Look, Angelus, here is your repayment."

"What are you going to do now? Kill me?"

"Kill you? No…you took everything away form me…I'm only going to give you a taste of your own medicine. Sir," Squall talked to one of the soldiers, "Take Angelus here to a nice cottage in the village center,"

Angelus gasped in surprise, "What is your intent?"

"I will take away all your lands, your titles, your riches and power…and give it to the people…"

"You can't do that!"

"I can't?" Squall chuckled and he pushed the king off the throne, "Why, I'll gladly escort you there myself. As for the castle, it's for the people."