My blood boiled as she humiliated my parents, in our own home. She has no right to scream at their faces. She has no right to judge how they raised us. I could accept insults that would be thrown my way. But to do that against my family was different. We were raised perfectly by parents who were also parents to a kingdom. 
She has crossed the line. 
“For those complaints to come from a living embodiment of a boar is an absolute shock,” I remarked as I approached them. 
“Just as I was talking about,” she pointed at me. “Is this what you call manners?” she looked back at my parents. 
Without any warning, I stepped in front of her, face to face. My distance caught her by surprise, which made her step back. With a low voice and my hands behind me, “And who are you to call us animals? Who are you to tell my parents that they have poor parenting skills? Who are you to disrespect them in their own castle?” 
Her eyes widened in a panic as she began to feel uneasy with my tone and close distance. She tried avoiding my gaze but she couldn’t. 
“Robert, please,” James attempted to stop me. 
“You have no right to stop me, James,” I replied, not lifting my stare from Bethilda. “This hog is a relative. But she’s also a guest. She has no right to scream at you and demean you within your own household,” I continued. 
Bethilda swallowed a big gulp. Sweat formed on her forehead, which she quickly wiped away. 
“You may be a relative but as a royal visitor, your actions were unacceptable. Must I remind you that you insulted the ruling monarchs of this kingdom?” I started my own rant. “You call us animals because of how you were treated? We did our part in respecting you. However, you overstepped your boundaries as a visitor and as an aunt,” I gritted. I counted on my fingers, “You were given a beautiful room. You were served and pampered by some of our best handmaidens. But I received word that you treated them like animals.”
She opened her fan and began to fan herself. She took a few steps back, only for me step even closer. 
“Our parents taught us to stand for what is right. You are in our home. We did our part but did you do yours?” I continued. “You were welcomed with a great fanfare, with open arms. And you dare to treat us this way? If you weren’t a relative, if you weren’t a woman, you would’ve been kicked out of this castle from your very first offense.” 
The room stood quiet as my fury reached its boiling point. The servants stopped with their actions, not wanting to be within my reach. 
I stepped back. “Now, if you would be so kind to leave our peaceful home, that would be highly appreciated. And don’t even think of returning if you still act this way.” 
With one final look, she turned around and walked away. The servants rushed to get the rest of her things and followed her. As the doors slammed shut, her carriage left. A wave of relief washed over me, knowing that my family would be left in peace. 
I turned around to face Mother and James. But instead of receiving approval for what I did, James scowled at me. 
“How could you do that to her?” he scolded. “She was your aunt. No matter how disrespectful she is, she’s your relative and deserves respect.” 
I rolled my eyes as I chuckled. “Thank you for your appreciation.” I walked past them, bumping shoulders with James. 
“Son, please,” Mother spoke as I went up the grand staircase. I didn’t bother turning around as I don’t want to have an argument with James. I stood up for them and this is how I’m thanked? Is this how James expresses his gratitude? If so, that says a lot about his actions. 
♔♔♔ 
Dinner has arrived. 
Gonzalo said the family requested that I join the family dinner but I declined. After what James did, I didn’t want to see him. I didn’t want to spoil dinner all because of him. And besides, I don’t have the appetite to eat right now. 
Another knock came upon my door. “Whoever you are, let me be,” I answered, adjusting myself underneath the sheets.
The door opened and I looked to see who it was. Elizabeth’s head peeked from the door. “Can I come in?” 
I groaned. “I kindly asked to be left alone,” I laid down and covered my face with a pillow. 
As I turned my back on her, I felt her sat beside me. “Come now, little one,” she suddenly removed the pillow, making me wince from the sudden light. “Join us for dinner. Mother is still waiting for you.” 
“I don’t want to see James right now. And I don’t want to eat,” I said, my back still turned. 
She then sighed. “I know what happened between you and James. But you shouldn’t let that get in the way of your growing relationship.” 
“I thought…” I started after a sigh. “I thought everything was doing great between us. But today, we just returned to where we started. And I don’t see why I should keep trying.” 
“Don’t give up, Robert,” she replied, turning me to face her. 
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.” 
She said nothing. She stared, trying to persuade me by her stare. However, when she saw there was no chance of reconsideration on my end, she gave up. Her shoulders lowered as she sighed another. “Think about it for a little longer.” She left a kiss on my forehead and left my room. 
I groaned as I rose from my bed, putting my head in my hands. I couldn’t take it in anymore. All of these emotions that have built up inside of me. And there’s no one in this castle that would take my side. To hide it from everyone has become tiresome at this point. Everybody would always defend James and tell me that I should give him a chance.