Chapter 43

Thane's POV

After my short workout session, I hurried back to the room to have my bath. Scarlett was still sleeping peacefully at that time. I slipped into the bathroom, slipped out when I was done, and changed into fresh clothes. I went over my plan to swoon the King all over again.

If there's a chance for me to rise above being just a regional Alpha, and seize more power than my parents think, maybe I'll have the freedom to do whatever I choose.

I walked out of the room, and headed straight for the Registrar's office.

“Come in.” He ordered before I could knock on his door. He was holding the morning's newspapers, which made me wonder who still uses them.

“Good morning , Registrar.” I greeted.

“Morning, Thane.” He responded , dropping the papers on the table. “Are you ready?”

“I nodded, having released most of the tension in my body, “I am.”

Registrar Thane stood up and led me out of the office to the King's quarters in the Academy. It was sparkling clean. I tried to maintain the whole Academy to this level, but boys can be a little difficult to lead. It was almost as good, but definitely not as good.

He knocked on the King's door, and one of the guards opened it.

“We're here to see the King.” John said, and he nodded.

“Let them in.” The King's voice came through, just as he was about to go in and ask.

I walked in feeling nervous, but I did everything to make sure it wasn't showing on my expression.

“Good morning your Majesty.” We both bowed, greeting the king.

“You guys should sit up already!” King Jon Vargr said, holding a cigar in his hand. He hadn't lit it up yet.

“So, you're here for the same reason others were here?” He asked.

“Yes, your Majesty.” I responded, preparing my mind to give the answer that was probably going to be the worst.

“They've all bored me out with theories as to who killed who, and now, I want you to surprise me with something different.” He said. “Blow my mind.”

“So, who killed Luke Grant on the 23rd of October, 2012?” The king asked, and I sighed. It was only this morning Alpha Harry had told me I'd be presenting my answer to the King. It apparently came to him as a surprise. He also never knew the answer to the question as it was passed down to him by Registrar John.

I wished I was better prepared, but this was the best way to tackle it.

“It was an accident, not a murder, but it was also a murder, and not an accident.” I said, and King Jon was taken aback.

“Care to explain deeper?” He asked, and I took a deep breath.

“The truth sometimes, is what we want it to be.” I said, taking a brief pause. “Sometimes, we make up the truth to be whatever we want in our heads, just like this case.”

“Two bullets, and the truth now becomes him being killed by someone who wants him dead.”

“This is a very interesting take.” King Jon scoffed. “How do you explain the bullets then?”

“They were made after 2012.” I said. “The bullets were shot on October 23rd, but the bullets had the engraving of a 2013 product on them. Might I also add that the autopsy was taken in the early days of February which is quite unusual .”

“That proves that he wasn't shot at the time of his lifetime, and it wasn't a gunshot that led to his death.” I muttered. “And if you ask about his car? It was an accident, it could have ended several ways.”

“So, are you saying that he wasn't killed but had an accident?” King Jon asked.

“I'm saying that the truth is subjective.” I said.

“Luke Grant was killed coldly.” I said confidently. “He was chased into the ditch where he was found dead by someone who wanted him dead.”

“The double race marks on the road proves that.” I blurted out, and the King just kept looking at me. “He was shot twice in the chest from the side, and that explains how the bullets come in from an angle of 46.5. That's the only way his body could have had such a mark.”

“The bullets were changed by the killers in the following year to avoid being traced, and since we already know that he was killed, there's only one person that could have killed him.” I said, now realizing so many things as I spoke.

“Who?” He asked, looking at me. “Luke was a man of power, a man of intellect, and a very creative man. Who would dare kill such a man?”

I had a strong feeling that it was someone working for the King, but I wasn't going to go that route. Why would I sacrifice what I've built for so long just for a moment of truth?

“His brother.” I shrugged, and the King chuckled. “It's an easy argument to say that he was jealous given that they were very vocal about it.”

“Or I can say it was the King's current aide at that time.” I said, and Registrar John stared at me with surprise.

“What I'm saying is that the truth depends on what is told, not what is true.” I said. “The truth here is subjective, and it is a weapon for whoever wields power.”

“I'm not saying that there isn't a very long gap between the actual truth, and a lie, but I'm saying that power thins that line until it is almost nothing, and whoever thins that line can make the truth he wants.”

The king looked at me for a while, and I dared to look at him for a few minutes. I gave up almost immediately after I stared into his golden eyes. I just don't have the guts and mental grit to stare at someone so powerful that he could blind me for staring too much.

The king scoffed, shook his head, and then clapped his hands. I heaved a sigh of relief as he clapped. He added laughter to his consistent claps, and I just knew I had impressed him.

“I was going to say there's no answer to this, but you've given me the best answer all day.” He said, and I nodded, trying hard not to freak out or scream. “The truth is really subjective.” He smirked, chuckled dryly , and I could tell that he was very cunning.

“What kind of power do you think one should wield to make him have such ability to make the truth subjective?” He asked, and I shrugged.

“Depends on the people he has power over.” I muttered. “If I have absolute power over ten people, then the truth about them depends on me.” I said.

“Your argument might be very flawed, but I really like it.” He said, pointing his cigar at me. “It's the best I've heard all night.”

“How big do you want to broaden your horizon?” He asked.

“The ends of the world.” I said gently.

“You are indeed Him.” He nodded, pointing his cigar at me.

“Also, a son is whoever you call a son.” I said, and he chuckled.

“Go, Thane. Go and rest.” King Jon said.

I bowed, and then I left the room.

I fell on getting outside, grabbing my chest to breathe properly. That might have just been the best thing that's happened to me!