"There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds."
― Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral's Kiss
Inside the palace walls lay another who was feeling the wrath of this scandal was Ilaka who because of guilt (contrary to the one who caused Grace to fall over that railing) was seemingly going mad.
She laid in her room which was dark from the black curtains that hung on her windows. Seemingly trying to hide her sins from having a hand in the death of Grace also the fact that Alexia (no matter if she was the one who had caused all of this) was taking the blame from her dying.
All of them…everyone who had a hand in this were murderers and kidnappers. Whether Agustin wanted to admit it or not. Unlike Ilaka no one else showed true remorse for the death of Grace. The only thing Alexia was sorry for was getting caught. Agustin felt nothing but anger and frustration that his plans didn't go the way he wanted and now he had to figure something else out to marry Canary.
"The queen is losing her mind over the sight of the servant girl". Decimis said. Him, Shimon and his siblings sat in the council room around the table. But Decimis did not sit down; instead he stood close to a window looking out at nothing. "Marchioness Whitewood is behind the death of the servant girl who is part of an even bigger scandal". Decimis sighed.
"A trial will soon start I expect each of you to be on your best behavior neither taking sides now speaking anything of the case". Decimis said. "Any other case you wouldn't mind us talking about". Alan said. "But since it's one of the Whitewoods you want us to be tight lipped about it". Alan sneered. "Oh the favoritism".
Declica and Alan both began to laugh but Shimon and Hamish weren't amused about this situation at all neither was Decimis. "A poor joke brother". Hamish said. "This case is not only about the poor life of a dead girl but another who is alive Lady Canary Whitewood's life is falling apart and another has been lost and you make a joke of it". Hamish frowned.
"The recluse has spoken". Alan chuckled. "Indeed he has for the tomfoolery of you". Hamish said. "I beg your pardon"? Alan said sitting up in his chair (For he was slouched down previously). "The pardons begged" Hamish said. He shook his head. "Our mother wants to put a fool on the throne". "Say that again"! Alan screamed and stood up. "Our mother wants to put a fool on the throne". Hamish said plainly. "SILENCE"! Decimis roared. Alan startled instantly sat back down in his chair.
"Aruging like children"! Decimis said. "Leave my sight at once, I have nothing else to say to you" Decimis said irritatedly. Everyone nodded and got up and left but Alan sped up to catch Hamish at the door to shoulder bump him. Alan expected him to do something tarried a bit but Hamish (As always when it came to fights) simply walked away followed by Shimon.
For he and Shimon (Oddly considering the relationship Shimon had with his mother) were close. "Do you believe the rumors"? Shimon asked Hamish. "Do you"? Hamish asked back. "Nothing can be overlooked these days especially with what happened in the countryside". Hamish said. "I just can't imagine Marchioness Whitewood murdering someone". Shimon said. "I could". Hamish said. "What why"?! Shimon said, wondering if it was something he had missed about Alexia. Hamish shrugged. "With the way that our parents act and they are royalty I wouldn't put it past a noble to do the same". "Do you know what nobles and commoners have in common"? Hamish smirked.
Shimon shook his head no. "They both keep secrets". Hamish said. "They both when needed hide something from society's eyes". "Nobles aren't so better off than commoners afterall". Hamish said. "If all goes well you will surely be my hand when I become king". Shimon said, smiling.
"Why me and not Eddison". Hamish asked. "You are a scholar and will give me great advice". Shimon answered. "Eddison is also a scholar". Hamished said. "Eddison does not want to be in court affairs so closely to the king". "Hah"! Hamish laughed. "So you only want me as your hand because Eddison doesn't want to be on the council". "Eh not true I chose you as my hand when we were children". Shimon laughed. "I hardly believe you". Hamish laughed.
"It's the truth". Shimon said seriously. Truth it was that Shimon had chosen him as his hand when they were children. When Hamish was born Shimon was eager to meet him but was blocked from seeing him. Until when they grew older and Shimon was eleven and Hamish was nine did Shimon finally meet him. Although it was by pure chance Hamish was running away from his sword training.
A chocolate brown hair boy with equally brown eyes appeared before Shimon he didn't have any of the features of the royal family nor did he look like Ilaka and Decimis so Shimon thought he wad a nobles son and during that time the nobles children were bullying Shimon so he didn't say anything for fear Hamish would bully him.
By that tree where Shimon and a few servants would come, Hamish sat down next to Shimon and opened his book. There the brotherhood between them began. With them coming to the tree everyday. It wasn't until Shimon asked Hamish why he was always out of breath and running to the tree did he find out Hamish was his younger brother. Surprisingly it made Shimon love Hamish even more for Shimon was alone in this cold palace and now he had Hamish.
Through the years Hamish grew at odds with his mother and siblings simply for the fact that he was close to Shimon and didn't want the throne. "Alan still spreading rumors about you"? Shimon said, opening his office door. Hamish nodded. "Mother knows what he is doing, she doesn't care because it will help Alan go on the throne". "Although we both know that wouldn't happen in a billion years". Hamish chuckled sitting down in his chair.
"How do you think the Whitewoods are taking this"? Hamish asked. "As best as they can". Shimon said. "Although it's really Canary Whitewood we should worry about how she's taking this". Shimon said.