292 The Truth About Owen's Personality

Jareth dropped his hand from hers and so did she as her gaze wandered off into the distance. Whenever her aunt told her of the story, she was a bit sad but more intrigued by it and happy about the love between the half breed and the merman.

This time around, she was sad. Sad because her life turned into something else because of a past she knew nothing about.

Astrid was sad because the teller of the tale was no more. She was sad because she was left alone in this word with a burden to bear all alone.

She was sad because the bitter truth was really bitter. Her people had suffered the most in all of these and her mother ended up being the mega victim.

This was the story of her people and how she, the first hybrid, came to be.

"Okay, come and rest. You can eat something while I gather some woods to make a fire."

"No need for that. We all need a good rest. I would set the barrier now and we sleep. Tomorrow we would eat," Astrid stated.

Jareth nodded at her and proceeded to the side where Snow slept to spread his cloak on the ground.

Astrid did the same and when she was done, she erected the barrier and went to lay at the other side of Snow.

"Good night."

"I hope so. Night."

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~HUMAN KINGDOM – PALACE~

By the evening of that day, Owen and Cullen arrived at the Kingdom and headed straight for the palace.

It was already getting pretty late when they arrived and both of them made their way to Bayard's chambers to see him.

KPOR! KPOR!

Bayard was in his bed chambers lying down when he heard the knock on the door.

'Who could it be at this time of the night?' Bayard thought.

He had a stressful day and so decided to rest early so he could get up on time and continue with the loads of work and meetings he had to attend.

What was even more annoying for him wad that he had locked his door and dismissed his servants on time, so he had to leave bed to attend to whoever it was.

After some dragging of his feet, Bayard arrived at his door and unlocked the damn door. As soon as it slid open, he came face to face with the two faces he had least expected to see.

Yes, he gave the order for him to arrive quickly, but knowing his son and ladies, he never would have thought Owen would arrive now especially when he found out East Bane had lots of beautiful girls.

Honestly, he as expecting him to arrive two days later. That was why he even made the order seem urgent. A part of him was scared that his son would not even take this seriously and forget what he went there for once the ladies started flocking around him.

This was one of those times when a father regrets his attitude. It was as clear as day that Owen took his womanizing from him and his was actually worst.

"Owen, Cullen!"

"Greetings, your majesty," Cullen greeted with a bow.

"Evening father."

Bayard still had the look of shock etched on his face as he stared wide-eyed at both young men.

Owen raised his brows at his father, giving him the 'what is it look' as he waited for them to be invited in.

After a minute, Bayard regained himself and stepped to the side to allow the two young men entrance into his chambers before closing the door behind him.

"Welcome back, son, Cullen."

"Thank you, father."

"Thank you, your majesty."

Bayard nodded at them and directed both of them to his living chambers to have a seat. As soon as they sat down, he went to get a bottle of wine and three glasses.

Seeing the king about to serve them, Cullen got up and went to assist him but he refused and told him to go and sit down.

After serving each person their drink, Bayard took his and sat down opposite from them.

"I received your order and rode here immediately, father. What really happened? The decree did not state so much?"

"Erwina found out about your leaving to East Bane. I never wanted her to know, at least not until you return."

"And why is that so?"

"Your return may have been compromised. You were not in the palace. I could not guarantee your safety, Owen. Whatever happens to you outside would be blamed on no one. It can be called an accident or worse still, the villagers would be blamed and put to death."

"But it would not change anything if he is dead as the crown prince," Cullen stated, further buttressing on the point the king made.

"Exactly, Cullen." Bayard nodded at him and then returned his gaze to Owen. "I know I have not been the very best of father's to you."

"And the best of a husband to mother too."

"Yes, I admit my errors in the past but that does not mean I do not care for you as my child and not just as my heir. I cannot lose you too. My misbehaviours caused me to lose your mother in the past and ever since then, I promised to do all I can to make sure I do not lose you too and make sure you get what is rightfully yours."

"Father." Owen wanted to say much but paused in his speech instead. "I…"

He could not believe his ears and what he was hearing right then. This was his father who never so much as sowed any care towards him, especially after his mother died.

Well that was what Owen thought, but in reality, after Bayard lost his wife, the queen, he tried to be closer to his son but Owen pushed him away and followed after his father's footsteps in getting solace in living life anyhow.

Truth be told, he was too hurt to admit it, that he cared about his father and wished he had done more for his mother.

Because the pain was too much, he became a trouble maker and a good for nothing as his way to get back at his father for what he did to his mother.

Bayard tried several times to reach out to this son of his, doing all he could and knew but all proved abortive as Owen ultimately closed his heart to him and frustrated all efforts made.

He played with his studies and did not take any seriously. For the first three years after his mother died, Bayard felt it was his son's way of grieving but after those three years, everyone ultimately gave up on him.

His teachers got tired, his trainers, frustrated. And everyone's love moved away from him to his younger sister who showed great progress in her studies and training.

Cyrena was a complete opposite of her brother and a well-groomed princess. Well, she never had the chance to be anything other than that under her mother's strict tutelage.

At the end of the day, Owen only got pity from those who still cared about him and scorn from some others at his way of living.

It was really a cause of concern that the kingdom would fall into his hands to rule one day. After much scolding from his father and push from Gerald, he finally started showing some sign of seriousness but he was still not good enough and had lost the people's love.

And that was how the once good, loving and intelligent young prince turned into the die-hard womanizing, good for nothing prince who struggled to get it right now.

Thanks to Bayard's intelligence of making him and Cullen work together, there was now a better hope for the Prince to correct his errors.

But with that singular decision, both he and Cullen now had a huge target on their heads as Erwina would not stand or sit for it to happen.

They had begun ruining her plans and she definitely would not sit down, fold her hands and watch,

No, she intended in taking matter s into her own hands. Bayard knew the woman he made his royal concubine and her twisted mindset, that was why he sent for Owen in a hurry.

Luckily for them both, Owen's head had started returning to him. That, coupled with Cullen's depressed state over cheating on Nova, he decided to leave immediately.

"I understand Owen and I am to blame for all the things you had to go through and endure in life. I only wish I had done this sooner and I would have been able to curb Erwina better."

As much as it was nice hearing his father say that, Owen did not know why his blood began to boil.

"What? Did you just say if you had done this sooner? No father."