He returned home depressed, and annoyed. But at least there was one good thing in his life. He had Vaida. Though they hadn't communicated for a few months, he still loved her. And now that he was back from war camp, despite the circumstances, they could finally get married.
He had plans to figure out the truth of what really happened at camp, and find out who framed him for crimes he didn't commit. But first, he needed to see the love of his life. But when he stepped into his family estate, his life was turned upside down. His plan was to go to his room and change before going to see Vaida, but as he passed Kalen's room, he heard a moan that sounded like his fiancee.
He shook his head, and scoffed internally. No way. He must just be hearing things. After all, he hadn't seen or spoken to her in a while. He wrote letters, and tried calling, but he just assumed that maybe she was just busy, and that's why he got no response. He was about to walk away when he heard her voice this time, much louder and clearer.
"Oh Kalen. I love you. Please, don't stop."
He froze, and grabbed the door handle. His heart was beating so fast that it felt like it would escape his rib cage, and his palms instantly became sweaty. He forced himself to open the door, and his bag dropped from his hand loudly.
"Vaida!"
The two people on the bed were startled by Alrik's presence, and rushed to cover themselves up.
"Alrik! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be back so soon." She yelled.
"How dare you barge into my room without permission!" Kalen snapped.
"So this is why you stopped talking to me. You were too busy cheating on me with my cousin.' Alrik scoffed in disbelief with tears in his eyes.
Vaida just rolled her eyes. Their plan to get Alrik disgraced worked, so she no longer had any reason to pretend to be in love with him.
"Why would I want to keep in contact with a lowly soldier?"
"Have you forgotten that I went to war camp for your sake? Because I love you, I decided to give a year of my life fighting battles against portal beasts just to save your brother's life. And this is how you repay me? After promising me that we would get married."
"Oh don't be so dramatic, Alrik. You went to war instead of my brother, and so what? I didn't force you, did I? And no one dragged you there. You went with your own two legs. It's not my fault that you're too stupid not to realise when you're being used." Vaida responded and he was shocked.
She had never spoken to him this way before. Was she always like this and he was just too blinded by love to see it? Or had she just been corrupted by Kalen while he was away? He didn't even know what to believe anymore.
"You couldn't even serve out your time completely. Instead, you disgraced the family name by being a thief and a traitor. The news has already spread. How disgusting." Kalen mocked him.
"Those accusations are false, and I'll find a way to prove it. I put my life on the line serving at the war front for months, so don't you dare insult me.: Alrik snapped, but they just laughed.
"Whatever. I'm glad you caught us, so we don't have to hide anymore. Besides, you're just in time for the wedding." Vaida announced with a smile and showed Arlrik her new engagement ring.
"Wedding? You're getting married to Kalen?"
"Yes. We've been planning our wedding for months. I have a special invitation for you, with a seat reserved next to the trash, where you belong." Kalen said and they both laughed again.
"So this was your plan from the beginning? To make me leave for war so you can be together? Were you hoping I would die? Was that your plan?"
Alrik's anger was slowly rising, and quickly overshadowing his sadness.
"Did you even think of how it would affect the family when the news spread that you're jumping from one Zerdon male to the other? First, my fiancee, then his?" He asked Vaida.
"No one will care about that now. Everyone is more focused on you. The Zerdon traitor and thief." She smirked, and Alrik's eyes widened as he saw the looks in their eyes.
"It was you. You're the ones that set me up."
"Your words mean nothing without proof. Now, get out so I can enjoy my woman in peace." Kalen said and pointed towards the door.
Alrik clenched his fists, and then stormed off, immediately heading to his grandfather's study. He barged in without knocking out of anger, but paused when he realised that his grandfather was not alone. His uncle, Kalen's father, Jett, was also in the office.
"Do you have no manners?" Jett snapped.
"If anyone should be mindful of their manners, it's your son. I just caught him fucking my fiancee."
"Language! In case you've forgotten, you're standing in front of your elders, so mind your words."
"That's what you have to say to what I just told you?" Alrik asked in disbelief.
Jett just scoffed. "Vaida is no longer your fiancee. She's engaged to Kalen now. What did you expect? That after bringing so much disgrace to our family name, she would still want you? Your own parents didn't even want you. They abandoned you here and vanished into the sunset. If only they took you with them, so you wouldn't be a burden now."
Alrik's heart hurt as he heard the words. Everyone always said his parents abandoned him and ran away, but he had never believed it. The vague memories he had of them was proof that they had loved him a lot. He always suspected that something bad had happened to them, but without any proof, no one was willing to believe him, especially since his uncle Jett was his prime suspect. He decided that speaking with Jett would yield no results. The man would always side with his son after all, so he faced his grandfather.
"Are you aware of this?"
Instead of responding to his question, Griffin Zerdon, Alrik's grandfather, asked with a stern tone.
"Why did you return here, Alrik? Do you think I want a traitor and thief in my house?"
"Grandfather, I…"
"I don't want to hear your excuses. One year! That's all you had to serve and make this family proud, and you couldn't even do that. What use is your battle prowess when your reputation is garbage?"
Alrik wasn't even given a chance to explain, or defend himself before his grandfather ordered the guards to throw him out. Vaida and Kalen had dressed and joined in to watch Alrik being thrown out of the house.
"And don't ever come back here. You are no longer a member of the Zerdon family."