"Ay, that I had not done a thousand more.
Even now I curse the day—and yet, I think,
Few come within the compass of my curse,—
Wherein I did not some notorious ill,
As kill a man, or else devise his death,
Ravish a maid, or plot the way to do it,
Accuse some innocent and forswear myself,
Set deadly enmity between two friends,
Make poor men's cattle break their necks;
Set fire on barns and hay-stacks in the night,
And bid the owners quench them with their tears.
Oft have I digg'd up dead men from their graves,
And set them upright at their dear friends' doors,
Even when their sorrows almost were forgot;
And on their skins, as on the bark of trees,
Have with my knife carved in Roman letters,
'Let not your sorrow die, though I am dead.'
Tut, I have done a thousand dreadful things
As willingly as one would kill a fly,
And nothing grieves me heartily indeed
But that I cannot do ten thousand more."
― William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus
~Six days before Grace's(Oblita) Death) ~
"A ball"? Alexia said, staring at the invitation. Thomas nodded. "Why a ball when the foreign prince is about to leave"? "How long has the foreign prince even been in the capitol"? Alexia said. "Far longer than what we think that's for sure". Thomas said. "At least his attendant has". The room grew quiet at Thomas's words. A thought that everyone was thinking began to form in their minds but no one would dare say a word…no one but Canary.
"What do you mean are you saying that Numa was around when the fire happened"? Canary said. "The crown prince's attendant has a similar build to a clothed man I saw leaving the king's office". Thomas said. "I don't know if he was involved in the fire but it's too much of a coincidence that the crown prince and his attendant appear in the capitol after the great fire". Thomas said. "Then wouldn't the king be involved"? Thaddeus said.
Thomas turned to Thaddeus with an expression on his face that he couldn't believe Thaddeus had said this or that he could even be responsible. Decimis was his friend of a long time. Why would he do something that would harm the Whitewoods? "The king is one of my oldest friends". Thomas began. "No". Thaddeus said. "Back then when he was just a prince and you were just an heir to Whitewood you were friends, he is the king now" Thaddeus said. "Everyone leave us". Thomas said his rage burning inside of him.
Everyone got up and left leaving just Thaddeus and Thomas in the room. "What is the meaning of this Thaddeus"? Thomas said. "My little brother I thought I told you not be so naive when it comes to these matters". "Decimis is my friend of a long time what could I possibly be naive about"! Thomas yelled. "I told you, didn't I"? Thaddeus said. His voice was ever calm and in moments like this Thomas hated. It truly showed that Thaddeus was the older brother and even in their old age Thaddeus was still his older brother. Always calm..always stern..Never wavering in his emotions when scolding.
The opposite of Thomas who had to learn how to be levelheaded in times like this. But when Thomas was angry he was never composed as Thaddeus. Thaddeus who will tell you he was upset would never look like it. He should've been the marquis..Thomas had always thought this and in moments like this it came ever true to Thomas. "I told you didn't i". Thaddeus said. "A long time ago when the king and the late duke had fallen out to watch your back and do not be so naive to think that people like kings and dukes will not backstab you". Thaddeus said. "I told you a second time when the late Duke passed away and I am telling you again for the third time". Thaddeus said. "I implore you Tommy, do not let it be a fourth time of me telling you this". Thaddeus said.
"But the crown prince and the attendant-". Thomas began and stopped when Thaddeus shook his head. "They are not involved in this". Thaddeus said. "Look at the way the crown prince and Numa look at your children". Thaddeus said. "Remember that Agustin Abarca and the king are at each other's throats". Thaddeus said, pouring himself and Thomas a cup of tea. "Everleigh has someone that will turn the tides over to Crown prince Shimon and duke Abarca's side". Thaddeus took a sip of his tea. "Do you truly think he will not choke anything that will threaten him? For all bets are off when it comes to war". Thaddeus said.
"Whether or not anyone wants to admit it, a silent war is going on and eventually it will be a loud one". "The king is no longer your friend, an old one? Yes,most certainly. But a current one? No". Thadeeus finished his tea and set the cup down and stood up. "Decide little brother if you will take heed to my advice". Thaddeus left the room leaving Thomas at a lost of words and thoughts. Could Decimis truly be targeting him and his family.
The death of Arley was rumored to be caused by Decimis but that was only a rumor because Arley and Decimis weren't getting along at the time of his death. For Decimis was in tears at his funeral….Was he? Thomas thought again. Were the tears really real? For Decimis showed more tears than Arley's brother but then again Arley and his brother didn't get along either. But Arley's nanny who had known them for the longest Decimis was crying harder than her. And then it dawned on Thomas of words he had heard at that very funeral. "The ones who make the biggest fuss are the most guilty". Thomas stared to the side and saw his father. The person who had said these words to him was his father. He stared at the fuss Decimis was making and saw Thaddeus in his face.
A stern but calm and gentle expression. He could read an entire room with just one look and Thaddeus had inherited this trait. For Thomas had inherited the traits of his mother of being gullible. For Thaddeus and his father were kind but they weren't gullible. Thomas couldn't read people as well as Thaddeus and his father could and in his youth Thomas had fallen victim due to this trait and now he feared it was happening again.