[2 months later]

*

[March]

[Late evening]

[Southern Kingdom - Inside King Roman DuMont's office]

By lamp and candle light; the room was brightly illuminated. A handsome tall standing clock, walls with shelvings filled with many books and a tidy work desk.

He took it all in with a small smile on his face as he slowly paced the silent room. His heart thumped away excitedly but commanded it to be calm.

Eventually though, the foreign guest came to a halt; his eyes resting upon the large portrait over the mantle.

The Southern Kingdom's Royal family.

Silas' eyes roved over to the eldest; the crown prince's little chin was high and proud while his father's hand rested on his shoulder.

From Roman to the shorter prince at the centre his eyes moved before settling upon the swaddled babe within the queen's arms; hidden, save for its tiny hand.

{The youngest...}

The Queen smiled warmly; her cheeks rosy. Her blue eyes, quite lively and her fair hair...

Roman: Good evening.

He had failed to hear the doors open and taken by surprise with the greeting, he quickly held himself tall. Smiling wide, he replied

Silas: Good evening

He smiled and his yellow-green eyes twinkled.

Roman, however, remained silent and wore a bored expression as he observed intently the young man; whose smile had now faded.

Silas: Long have I thought of and I admit, even fantasised about meeting you. I am relieved that you finally agreed to meet with me.

Roman: ...Your father I agreed to meet, not you.

Wide-eyed as though surprised, he questioned

Silas: Oh? Were you not made aware?

Roman: ...

Silas: Hm. I was certain that I had sent correspondence stating father's passing...Perhaps, I was mistaken.

He concluded solemnly

Roman: ...

With admiration in his eyes, he added

Silas: Such a ferocious expression you wear. It indeed suits you well.

Roman: ...I agreed to meet. Now speak.

Roman made his way over to his desk, past the Duke who then asked authoritatively of him

Silas: You thought me father and hoped to have him answer for his betrayal..

Roman: ...

Silas: ..Is that why you agreed to meet with me?

Roman: ...

Silas: ..Possibly to have him executed?

The foreigner lastly added with a sly smile

Roman: ...

Roman's eyes searched and considered him further before seating himself at his desk.

Staring right back at him, Silas was, before seating himself as well; gently clasping his hands as he did, his slender frame upright and alert.

Roman: Your father agreed to fight alongside us during the battle and instead he turned against us.

Silas: Indeed, father did. But no...

Roman: ...

Silas: I mean..quite honestly, I too would want him dead if I were you.

Roman: ...

Silas: However, in order to gain a greater victory, it was necessary that I took his role. Removing father was but part of the process.

Roman: ...?

He caught sight of the questioning look on Roman's face and smilingly continued

Silas: During the battle..that was- well, I betrayed father's plans and by extension your late King's as well.

Upon noticing Roman's critical glare he added

Silas: All for a greater cause of course. So, you see...I killed him before you could.

**

**

Silas: You see, father entrusted a secret to his men. Brave of him to do so, because any one of them could have ruined the entire plan..though I suppose they still can. However, it was father himself who destroyed it.

To fight alongside you, the enemy, he suddenly found the risk too great and began to slowly fall apart. He became fearful and weak and foolish. And I had to witness the entire shameful thing.

So he, in a secret meeting with all of his trusted allies, changed the plans.

Roman: ...

Silas: Even so, I know what sort of men my father had under him. And in uniting with your father to destroy the Empire- they would not have said anything untoward or lift a finger against him, though they desired to.

A wide and unrestrained smile Silas wore while Roman; seemingly uninterested, listened.

Silas: However, I would. And I did. Father's sudden and severe illness was my doing. I used his indecision for my own purpose. With father on his deathbed and I in charge, it would have been completely foolish of me to join you.

Roman: ...

Silas: Therefore, I played my part. Ensuring a victory at the battle to serve as my future endeavours' foundation. Surely you understand, yes?

Roman: ...

Silas: ...You and I, we are as brothers. We are indeed so. Very much alike.

Roman: ...

Silas: So, what do you say? May we be allies? Friends? Instead of having this ...this inherited animosity between each other? It is not right...

Roman: ...

Silas: ...What do you say?

Roman: I say, I do not trust you.

Silas: ....

Roman: Whose side are you on really?

Silas: Yours of course. Don't you see brother? In order to keep our secret, I had t-

Roman: All that I heard was a tale of disloyalty.

Silas: He was going to betray you. Altogether and completely. Outrightly betray you.

Roman: And what you did was different? Your father was a treacherous snake. So, what does that make you?

Silas: ....

With visible restraint he next spoke. His sharp jaw tense as his teeth gnashed before saying

Silas: I am not as my father was.

Roman: ...

To his boyish smile his expression then unexpectedly returned, as he asked

Silas: And you? Are you the same as yours?

Roman: ...

Silas: Hm. ...I simply wish for us to be friends. To assist you. But I see...you will not trust me so easily. I do not blame you. How can I?

Roman: ...

Silas: Therefore, I shall gift you this...

Smilingly; from his breast pocket, he removed an emerald green pouch. Small, with tiny golden stars embroidered onto it.

By the drawstring he held it and placed it on the desk before him.

Silas: ...to help you reconsider our friendship. In hopes of future plans together, yes?

Roman: ...

[A few days after]

*

[Late afternoon]

[NORESTA: Belleverde Castle - Inside the Duke's Office]

The long journey there and back wearied the body, his mind however, thought about much on his return and throughout the entire day. But now, even his mind was tired.

Not from the chess game in front of him but by

Silas: Henri. Focus.

Henri: But Sire, should y-

Silas: Would you focus on the game please?

Henri: But Sire?

Silas: If you question me again, you will be having your tongue for dinner.

The manservant seated opposite him, instead whispered his concern, disobediently questioning

Henri: But, sire...you told him everything?

Silas: I told you. I had to

Henri: Even about...your father?

Silas: I left out the specifics, but I told him. Yes.

Henri: But, M'lord-

Lifting his eyes away from the board game, Silas demanded

Silas: Henri, would you be silent?!

Henri: ...

Silas: If he is to trust me, it is the only way.

Henri: ...

Silas: That, along with the little present I gave him- I am quite certain he will consider to once again be allies.

Henri: b- But...m'lord-

Silas: What is it?!

Henri: uhm,...but what if- if it is indeed his brother, what is to prevent him from coming up with a plan to take him on his own terms?

Silas: In other words...what prevents a rat from stealing the cheese?

Henri: Sire?

Silas: It is simple..

Henri: ...?

Silas: ..Death, of course.

Henri: ...

Silas: Not so much his own death in this case...but that of his brother. That fear alone, he will not dare chance it.

Henri: ...

Silas: And to attack that island..they shall never come near it. He will require my assistance should he attempt such a thing. I am certain the Southern King fully comprehends this.

Henri: ...

Silas: He shall also discern too that the reward for loyalty will be much greater. He shall indeed play along. What other choice is there?

Henri: And...His Eminence..The Emperor? Surely he won't keep the prince on the island forever. What if he releases him? Or demands a ransom or makes an agreement of some kind? Then, your plan-

Silas: Henri?!

Henri: y-Yes, Sire?

Silas: You are filled with too many questions today. Much more than the usual. Would you be quiet for a moment so I may collect my thoughts?

Henri: ......

Silas: Thank you.

➵