Our Crazy Father

TALIA'S POV

The tiny cell stinks worse than the time I was locked in it. I had sworn that I would not be coming back here after the last time I walked out fuming. But I feel like it's right that I hear my father's side of the story first before he gets sentenced by a council that doesn't really give a shit about the truth. Their main aim is always to please their king, not to make a fair judgement.

I don't think there is anything he can say that can justify what he did to Taylor. Only an insane person would confine their teenage daughter in a dark cabin for months and rarely give her food. Our mother called him a monster and I believe that's what he is.

I still want to know what happened between him and our mother before he left. Why did he leave with so much resentment?

The soldier that unlocked the door followed me inside but I gesture at him to leave because I don't want the public to know about every one of my family issues.

What our father did to Taylor is already shameful enough. Any more appalling rumours about my family will make people think we are not worthy of being in their king's palace.

I look around the tiny space that reeks of sweat, dust and miserly. Each of the three people inside is curled up in their own corner, keeping their distance from one another like foes.

The former Queen looks more alive today than she did the last time I was here. Evan ordered that they be fed today, but they are in the same filthy clothes they had on when they got arrested. His mother's burnt dress barely hides all her privates. But her wounds are almost fully healed, and her skin no longer looks like it is rotting while she is still alive.

She purses her lips when she sees me but doesn't utter a word. Rose only takes a brief glance at me, frowns then goes back to burying her face between her knees. I imagine the horror of being in here for days has destroyed the vitality they had to confront everyone that isn't acting the way they want. I kind of pity Rose though. She isn't a good person, yes, but she is here because I, Evan and the former Queen manipulated her goofy brain. So far I think she has learned her lesson and should be set free. Evan and his council will most likely make the same decision so there is no wrong with her waiting until they do.

I turn my attention to the only man in the room. I thought he would look as cute as Michael but his features are shabby like those of a thug. He is tall but thin. The scars and wrinkles on his face make him look older than his years.

He stands when I walk closer and halt a few steps away from him. At first, he looks dumbfounded, then an ugly smile curves on his pale lips.

"Talia?!" He exclaims stepping forward. He reaches out to hug me but I hold out a hand and step back.

The smile fades from his face and he regards me with a look of confusion. "What.. . you're not my daughter? . . .you don't like the way look?" He questions, both his eyes and voice turning cold and threatening. It's quite evident that he is violent and quite a fool.

"If I considered you my father you wouldn't be in this cell," I answer and disappointment takes over his face.

He retreats back and leans against the wall. He sighs loudly and lets out a devilish laugh.

"I see you're no different from your insolent mother." He mutters and shakes his head. "You were not this beautiful when you were a child and I actually thought that you didn't take after her. I had hoped that you would become a smart, obedient woman that respects men. But it looks like you slowly turned into another copy of her, a beautiful but rebellious woman!" He stupidly snaps at me.

He is apparently the worst fool I have ever met. Does he really think that women are supposed to be that submissive? Even to ugly fools like him? No wonder he and our mom didn't get along. They were definitely a bad match.

"Why did you kidnap my sister?"

He shrugs his shoulders and exhales deeply. "When I was married to your mother she disrespected me in every humiliating way. She wouldn't do a thing I asked her to. She instead argued with me as if we were equals. She was a notorious woman that would go out every day to train fighting like a man. And when I confronted her about it she challenged me to a fight, right in front of my neighbours and friends. Everyone knew that she could kiss my ass. Can you imagine how embarrassing that was? She made me look weak!" I rave in an angry voice, his cold eyes turning red. "Since then I knew that she was the worst of women. So I left . . . and sore that one day I will take my revenge!" He snarls and I frown in disgust.

If our mother actually kicked his ass I would totally understand. He is awful in every possible way. I now feel glad that he left and we didn't grow up calling him father.

"You're more pathetic than she let us know," I say and he glares at me.

I could magnify his pain just to teach him that being a man doesn't put him above anyone. But I think his thick brain needs a lot more than pain to learn any kind of lesson. "Now that you took your revenge," I take a few steps forward but don't get too close to smell the stink of his sweat, "I think it's my turn to take mine. I promise that what you did to my sister will be nothing compared to what I and Evan will do to you!" I hiss.

I don't see him breathe for a few seconds as his glare turns into a look of shock.

"The young King already punished me enough when he stormed inside my home. I already paid for my crimes!" He defends.

"Yet you didn't learn a thing. Perhaps the punishment didn't hurt enough. I will make sure you get exactly what you deserve today!" I snarl, leaving his mouth gaping as I turn and make my way out of the cell and don't look back.

I even feel stupid for thinking that the man had a good reason for hating us and our mother. He is literally the densest and self-absorbed person I have ever met. Evan can order his head cut off and I wouldn't care.

* * * * *

TALIA'S POV

The three culprits stand looking down and shaking, right at the same spot I and my siblings stood three years ago. I can relate to their terrified looks. I too was shaking in fear when the former King's soldiers dragged us into this room. I didn't know what to expect and the whole council was glaring at us with the most disgusting expressions.

The councilmen are wearing even meaner expressions today, no doubt they are even more eager to please their new King. They will need to give him a good reason to keep them as his council.

As their future Queen I was allowed to attend and sit beside my mate. Two of the culprits in front of us are his evil mother and my very stupid father. Their actions have been unbelievably wicked to a point that it's impossible to defend any of them. Not that I would ever defend our father if I had a chance to. I am actually here to ensure that he gets a harsh sentence that will make him regret being so stupid and a jerk.

Evan wouldn't give a damn about his mother since he found out that she has always been a devil and continues to be one no matter how many chances you give her to change or stay away.

He gently touches the back of my hand to get my attention and smiles reassuringly. I force my own smile just to make him relax and not worry about me. His smile turns into a menacing glare when he looks back at the culprits.

The former King's beta steps forward and halts in front of the council and a few steps away from the culprits. None looks up at him even after he loudly clears his throat.

"Mr Andrey Rayman, you're accused of kidnapping your sixteen-year-old daughter and locking her up in darkness for months. She nearly died of starvation and sickness." He pauses and casts my father a glare. "If it was up to me I would have your evil head cut off! Unfortunately, our laws allow even monster's like you a chance to defend yourself in front of our powerful King and his council. So how do you plead?"