"I'm not really sure why. But... do you stop loving someone just because they betray you? I don't think so. That's what makes the betrayal hurt so much - pain, frustration, anger... and I still loved her. I still do."
~Brandon Sanderson, Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1)
What no one knew of ilaka is that before she became queen she wanted to be something quite different. Her and Isolde had seemed to swap destinies. For what she wanted in life Isolde had gained and what Isolde had gained Ilaka wanted.
Ilaka was one of the women that was sought after in her younger years. She once too had golden hair just like her older sister Isolde. She wished to explore and be on a ship visiting different kingdoms but what she got in the end after the death of Curciana. Ilaka didn't even have a thought in her mind that she would become queen.
But she became the queen and with it all her dreams were stowed away on some ship that she wanted to be on. For a moment the life of queen seems like gold to Ilaka. She could have anything she wanted and do anything she wanted in the palace that was.
Then it dawned on her that she couldn't really leave the palace. That she was stuck there. Seeing the same things and seeing the same things. She soon realized that she was trapped. She soon realized why her sister Isolde changed her mind about wanting to be queen. And that her mother who seemed to favor her sister over her whispered sweet words to her about being queen tricking her out of her freedom.
An anger grew inside of Ilaka and now she was in a situation where is she wasn't happy neither could anyone else around her be happy. Shimon was kept away from her so there was no bonding there and then came the birth of Hamish which was a particularly hard labor on Ilaka. She soon became pregnant again with Alan and it became clearer to Ilaka that if she as tricked into this position and had to go through all these things it was only fair that she would do what she want and get what she wanted…and that was Hamish being on the throne.
Although she knew something wasn't right with Hamish. He seemed to be a child trapped in a grown man's body. He wasn't fond of anyone but himself and his activities of hunting. Alan was a slob and stupid and Declica was spoiled rotten by Decimis.
But nevertheless Ilaka could at least control Hamish somewhat. And if she was still alive after this passing she could control his son. All she had to do was get Shimon out of the way but Shimon had Agustin Abarca on his side. The Abarcas were always known to be a trump card with whoever's side they were on. So naturally just like the king Ilaka did not like him and Agustin shared similar thoughts of not liking them.
But what Ilaka was not expecting was Agustin to turn on his own soon to be wife. Though Ilaka did not spare anyone with her actions she felt for the girl Canary Whitewood just as she had felt for Curciana Hennis.
"Thank you for joining us this evening". Decimis said, smiling at Numa and Shayan. "Our pleasure, thank you for having us". Shayan said, sitting down next to Shimon. "It's come to my attention that you are quite acquainted with the Longwoods". Decimis said. "Ah yes". Shayan said. "The walls have ears huh". He chuckled.
Decimis let out a nervous laugh of his own at Shayan's remark. There was heavy silence afterwards, no one knowing what to say. When Declica decided to speak up. "Has Canary always been that size"? Declica said. "I-what"? Shayan stammered. "Canary I mean she's quite on the heavier side, a lot of fat". Declica chuckled.
Shayan and Numa exchanged words between each other without speaking. Silent words that even those who looked at them could tell what they were."I'm sorry". Shayan said his eyebrows furrowed. "For what for"? Declica said. "I must have made you feel very comfortable to speak about Canary that way in my presence". Shayan said. "Fat"? Shayan said. "Canary is not fat, it is pure muscle". Shayan said. "Canary was trained in archery and dagger". "The late Longwoods even had me trained in archery; it's why I gained the nickname Hawkeye".
There was a long pause with Declica dumbfounded that Shayan would speak to her that way. But she could not say how dare he talk to her that way because although she was royalty Shayan was crown prince of Lyikar. Any wrong move and word would be taken as a act against Lyikar. So she sat back with a visible annoyance on her face. Finally drawing Shayan's glare away from her with a sigh. He had heard about the princess and princes from Numa but having seeing it firsthand was tiring.
"wow Canary knows archery". Shimon said, breaking the awkward silence. "I would've never known". Shayan nodded. "Yes the ladies here don't seem to know how to protect themselves much here, quite a shame". "Shame"? Declica said. "Yes, quite a shame". Shayan said annoyed that once again Declica was talking. "Everyone should know how to protect themselves".
Decimis cleared his throat to take away the attention from Declica. For he could too sense the annoyance from Shayan. "What did you think of Duke Abarca having met him firsthand". Decimis said. "He's like any other Duke a little on the child side". Shayan said. In reality this wasn't the answer Decimis wanted and Shayan knew this. That Decimis was poking at Shayan to help him win this war between him and Shimon.
But Shayan had no interest in a war between a son and a father they should handle that themselves instead of getting innocent people involved. The great Fire was proof of that. "It is a pity though". Decimis said. "That he decided to marry Canary Whitewood the Whitewoods have always remained neutral in these types of fights and by marrying her he involved my best friend". Decimis sighed.
"So just because Duke Abarca has decided to marry Canary Marquis Whitewood is involved"? Shimon said. Decimis grinned. "He has chosen a side precisely by letting his daughter marry Duke Abarca. Everyone knows me and Duke Abarca aren't on friendlier terms". Decimis sneered. "If you two are going to get into an argument could it be away from the table". Ilaka said.
"I do not wish to lose my appetite". The meal went on rather quiet. With only Alan and Declica talking. They seemingly couldn't feel the tension at the table and neither could Ilaka who silently ate her meal. Numa nudged Shayan to see if he was done for he was done and couldn't eat due to the tension.
"We shall excuse ourselves". Shayan said taking heed to Numa's nudge. Decimis nodded with Shimon and Tearina getting up to leave right behind them. "We are also finished". Shimon said. But Decimis did not say a word to him.
They all left with Shimon apologize for both his father and Declicias actions but Shayan simply waved him off. They walked in silence afterwards parting ways with Tearina and Shimon. When Shayan was quiet like this Numa simply stayed quiet as well for he was in deep thought. Sooner or later Shayan would come to tell Numa these thoughts and Numa would offer him advice.
"Your highness". Ilaka's voice came from behind them. "Might I have a moment". Numa and Shayan both side eyed each other. Wondering was this another ploy of Decimis's but they were rather surprised at what she told them.
"If lady Whitewood is truly your friend as you have said I would advise you to stop her from marrying Duke Abarca". Ilaka said. Shayan frowned. "And why is that"? He asked. "Agustin Abarca is a very ambitious man who will bring a gentle girl like Canary down". Ilaka said. "If you are trying to say Canary is weak she is not". Shayan frowned.
"Weak? Maybe not no one could get through what she went through after that fire but gentle and pure yes". Ilaka said. "An man with an huge ambition like Agustin Abarca will only harm Canary". Ilaka said. "Is that your only reason why I should stop their marriage"? Shayan said. "No but that reason is not for your ears". Ilaka said. "No gentle woman like Canary should marry a man with huge ambitions like Agustin Abarca". Ilaka said.
"Gentle women always get ruined by ambitious men they should not marry them". Ilaka said. "Curciana Hennis was a gentle woman and now she is dead". Ilaka left both Shayan and Numa quiet at this saying.
They were both confused and worried at why Ilaka would warn them about Agustin marrying Canary. For it was not from a place of not wanting your enemy to marry a particular someone but it was coming from a place of concern. And when a woman like Ilaka Declan is worried about someone else all should be worried.