Roche stole a grape off of Tigris' breakfast tray, frowning unhappily as some of its juice spurted down her throat. The princess was still asleep, snoring in her giant bed. Roche had crept out of the room the moment the sun had risen and followed the tug in her soul down the winding halls. She had unlocked the library doors with shaking fingers, finding Verita standing in the middle of the suddenly cavernous space, looking as helpless as Roche felt.
Roche had crossed the distance between them, sorrow branding her soul. They didn't say anything as they began to wade through the ashes.
They didn't need to.
Roche's inkblood had saved what seemed like a quarter of the texts. The rest, the texts, the shelves, the stories, the facts, the goddamn history, was nothing but powder and scorch marks. Roche had to leave as the castle awoke to a world that had a little less ink than the nights past. She had a princess to serve after all.
Kai was in the kitchens when she arrived and snacked on Tigris' grapes. He looked weary and bedraggled, like his night had been just as awful. Roche didn't doubt that it had been. He'd probably been up all night tending to Finn.
"You look terrible," Roche informed him as gently as she could as she approached. Kai smiled at her tiredly.
"Good to know, I feel terrible," his smile faded, and his warm brown eyes scrutinised her carefully, "How are you doing, Roche?"
She forced a smile to her face. "I'm still kicking. How's Finn?"
Kai frowned instantly, hefting the prince's tray in his hands. It was packed with sweets, Finn's favourites, probably.
"Inconsolable," he murmured, "He's furious. I've never seen him like this. I almost didn't believe it when he told me it would happen."
"He told you it would happen?" Roche asked, her eyes widening. Finn was going to get himself killed if he told the wrong person. Kai's eyes widened in panic.
"He told me he already told you!"
"He told you that?" Roche hissed. They both looked around furtively to see if anyone in the bustling kitchen had noticed their conversation. Roche dragged Kai out by the elbow, tugging him into an abandoned hallway.
"What exactly has Finn told you?" she asked, her heart lodged in her throat. Kai met her gaze, as steady and resolute as he always was.
"Just that he saw it in one of his visions," Kai answered. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And that no one would believe him. Not Tigris. Not Aodh. And not you."
Roche swallowed as Kai raised his brow at her, emotion rendering her temporarily mute. She'd messed up so terribly.
"And what about you?" she rasped when she seized control of her voice again, "Do you believe him?"
Kai lifted his chin a little, his eyes bright with what looked like protectiveness. "Finn's not a fool. I trust him."
I don't understand why you didn't.
The words went unspoken, but Roche felt them anyway. She bit her lip sharply, her eyes stinging.
"I'm glad," she said after a long pause, "He deserved a good friend right now. You've always listened to him in a way the rest of us haven't been able to."
Kai shifted, staring intently at Finn's breakfast. He righted a muffin carefully, studiously avoiding Roche's gaze. "It's not hard," he admitted softly, "He's the last heir to the throne, but he's one of the smartest. Yet no one tries listening to him."
"No one except you," Roche pointed out softly, watching her friend fidget, "You're a good man, Kai. A good friend."
Kai's eyes slid shut. He looked so tired that Roche's heart twisted. She leaned forward.
"Can I give you a hug?" she asked. Kai's eyes widened with surprise, but he nodded anyway. Roche looped her arms around him, holding him tight. She felt him smile against her temple, and he shifted the tray to one hand to hug her. When they pulled apart, Kai's smile stayed with him.
"Thanks, Roche."
"Anytime." Roche pointed her finger at him with teasing menace, "Now, are you going to tell me what's been bothering you?"
Kai leaned back against the wall, gripping the edges of Finn's tray in a white knuckled grip.
"It's Tigris," Kai admitted softly, "And Finn. I feel like they're both waiting for me to make a choice and I don't know what to do. How do I refuse them both?"
Confusion swirled through her both. "Wait, you don't want either of them?"
"I do," Kai whispered, his eyes darting around the hall like he feared someone would overhear, "But Finn's already sparked the king's anger. You saw what he did. If Finn was caught looking in my direction affectionately," Kai's breath shuddered, his eyes glistening, "I don't know what he'd do. I can't risk Finn like that. Or Tigris. What do you think the king would do if his heir was caught liking a servant?"
Roche's heart ached for him, for the raw distress on his face. "But... you like them?" she asked. Kai closed his eyes.
"Of course I do," he sighed, "I can't like them both. Not in that way. My heart will pick a side one day, I know that, but for now I'm confused. Even worse, I don't think this is a choice I can risk making anymore. What might the king do to them?"
Roche swallowed. There was nothing she could say to make this better. She squeezed his shoulder.
"When Tigris is queen," she said quietly, "I know things will be different."
"I know," Kai whispered, his eyes brimming with unshed tears, "But they might not wait that long. And if I tell them no... what if I lose them both for good? They're all I have, Roche. I grew up in this castle. My parents are dead. Aodh is the closest thing I have to a brother. My entire life is in this castle. If they get bored of waiting for a different time... I don't know what I'll do."
"Woah!" Roche grabbed both of his shoulders, giving him a small shake to pull him from the reverie, "Kai, a blind man could see how much you mean to them. If they care for you as much as I know they do, they'll wait. They'd wait ten lifetimes for you. You know why?"
Kai lifted his brow. Roche smiled warmly.
"Because you, Kai, you are the kindest man I've ever met. You cared for those three royals on your own since you were a boy. You continue to serve them, even after their father locked you in a cell and sentenced you to burn. Again and again you open your heart to them, even though the world tried to beat you down. They know that, as your friends. They'll keep you in their lives, no matter what, be it as a friend or a lover, because you're just that good. Hell, I'd court you myself if I saw you that way, but I guess I'll have to leave that to the royals."
Roche patted his cheek fondly, frowning when his grin turned watery.
"None of that, Kai! If you start crying, I'll start crying, and we'll both never stop!"
"Thank you, Roche. Truly. You always know what to say," Kai sniffled. Roche nudged him.
"Well, you always know what to do, which I'd argue is far more useful."
Kai's eyes widened in realisation. "Roche, we're supposed to be serving breakfast!"
Roche cursed and ran towards the kitchens. "Bye, Kai! Love you! Have fun with your royal triangle of heart problems!"
Kai shouted something back that Roche was glad she couldn't hear. She grabbed Tigris' tray quickly, loading it up with more fruits, some breakfast sausages and buns before hightailing it out into the halls. She was running so quickly that she didn't register the low hum of voices in the royal wing until she was just outside Tigris' door.
"-shackled him. Like he was an animal." Aodh's voice rumbled furiously through the air, through his opened chamber doors. Roche furrowed her brows. She'd locked that door last night.
"I'm sorry, your highness. I know what that's like." an unfamiliar voice replied. Roche shifted the tray to her hip and crept closer, curiosity overwhelming her.
Aodh was pacing his dark, uncleaned chambers, his curtains pulled tightly shut. His normally perfect hair was tousled.
"Do you?" Aodh was seething, his hand gripping the pommel of his sword tightly, "I can't believe my father would do this! Lying, threatening, being a tyrant! How long have I been loyal to him?"
"I imagine a long time," the cloaked figure replied placidly. Roche couldn't recognise the voice, but her inkblood was beginning to simmer.
Aodh turned, running a hand through his cropped hair. His jaw was clenched tight with frustration.
"I have been loyal to him my entire life. Yet he ignored me like I was a mere nuisance as I begged for my brother's life."
The figure leaned back, crossing their arms. Roche caught a flash of pale skin amongst the shifting fabric.
"And now what do you think?"
"I think my father has betrayed us all," Aodh hissed, his eyes gleaming with ruthless fury, "I think he's lied to me. I think... I think I want to see him pay for what he's done to my brother." Aodh looked up, like he was surprised the words slipped from his lips.
Roche's blood went cold as the stranger lifted their head.
"I'm glad you think so, Prince Aodh," they replied, voice perfectly level and calm, the antithesis to Aodh's passionate fury, "I'm glad you sought us."
"I didn't. You sought me out last night," Aodh pointed out. The stranger laughed.
"You might as well have summoned us, what with your impassioned argument in the lower town."
Aodh glowered. "That knight insinuated my brother deserved such a foul treatment," he spat, "That argument was well deserved."
"It was," the stranger agreed, rising to their feet. Roche tucked herself behind the doors quickly in case they turned around, but they only rose to stare at Aodh. "Your feelings against the current king are not unique, Prince Aodh. Many have been working to create change for many years since he began his unjust reign. We are at a tipping point. The question is, what will you do? Will you help us? Will you follow us into the side of change, or will you continue to let your people suffer?"
Roche's stomach bottomed out as Aodh's face hardened.
"For my brother," he swore, "And the injustice he faced, and all those who suffered for being associated with ink as he has, I would do anything."
The stranger lifted their hand, letting the sleeves of their cloak fall back. They waved a hand through the air, and Roche felt her own inkblood stir. Like a paper peeling away from skin, veins of inkblood became visible against the stranger's pale skin.
Roche nearly collapsed when she realised Aodh didn't look remotely surprised. In fact, he looked fascinated as the man whispered, "Kowtheia!"
Aodh remained perfectly still as a powerful orb of inkblood materialised in the man's hands. Roche was nearly flattened by the power.
Not another Councilman, Roche groaned to herself, how many were there? Surely they had to be running out of Councillors to send. It was the Council of Seven, not the Council of Infinity!
The inkblood held out his hand, orb still in place.
"Say it again."
Aodh looked at him, his face stony yet steady. "I would do anything to right the injustices my people face," he swore, his words slow and careful, "Especially the injustices my brother faced."
The orb began to glow an ethereal green, the same shade as Tigris and Finn's eyes. Aodh glanced at the Councilman, who dispersed the orb with a shake of their hand. Roche was nearly hyperventilating. The prophecy rang loudly in her mind.
Aodh was consorting with the Council.
A part of her mind denied it fervently, numb shock rippling through her mind. Aodh would never betray Tigris. He was far too loyal to her.
As if the Councilman had heard the thought, he asked, "And you sister? Will she stand with us?"
Aodh's lip curled. "She knew the truth of what my father had done, and yet she still stood behind him. She stopped me from getting my brother out of that cell before the library burned. As much as I love my sister, she has become far too complacent."
Roche's blood roared in her ears, her jaw dropped. The Councilman nodded, tilting his head almost sympathetically. "Ah, so you see?" he said, almost pityingly, "She was never the Silvia destined for the throne. You, however, have been the one that the people wanted. You, the true heir, the one who will fix the wrongs of his father. We will see you to the throne, Prince Aodh. With the Council's help, you will restore this kingdom."
Aodh nodded, tilting his head thoughtfully. "I do not want my sister dead, though. She's been my father's lackey, yes, but she genuinely believes she is doing the right thing."
"The wrong always think that, Prince Aodh," the Councilman replied, "But justice cannot wait for intentions and beliefs. Justice starts with action. Are you willing to do what's right?"
Aodh hesitated. Roche wanted to scream.
Don't do it, she begged silently. But because the universe hated her, Aodh straightened, his eyes flattening.
"Of course," he said, "But this plan of yours better not involve killing my brother or sister. They've done no wrong."
"Of course. You've heard the plan, Prince Aodh. Simply do your part, and the Council will do the rest."
Aodh considered this for a moment before nodded. He clasped arms with the inkblood, shaking on it.
"I suppose you'll need an audience with the king, then?"
"Yes, that would be splendid. I'll see myself out?"
"Naturally. Don't be seen."
"Trust me, Prince Aodh. The Council knows how to go unseen."
Roche scrambled back, entering Tigris chambers hurriedly before the Councilman could meet her in the hall. She quickly shut Tigris' doors, her mind racing. Tigris groaned at the sound.
"Wha?"
Roche clutched the tray tightly to her chest. Aodh had betrayed them.
Aodh was going to try and steal Tigris' throne.
"Roche, shut up!" Tigris grunted into her pillow, "You're breathing too loud."
Roche sucked in a steadying breath. "Sorry, my lady." she murmured, setting down the tray on the study. She needed to figure out what the Council was planning, and fast. She stared at Tigris' dozing form, overwhelmed and terrified.
The princess had no idea what storm was coming.
-------
The throne room was noticeably emptier than the day before. The Tseltan party had finally departed after the uproar, well on their way back home. The king sat on his throne, flanked by Tigris and Aodh. Finn was still recovering in his chambers. Around them, courtiers watched in silence, suitably cowed by yesterday's fire. The entire castle was awash with gossip about the flames. Now, however, everyone watched eagerly for the next bit of drama to hit the courts.
Roche watched, her body buzzing as she watched the plain looking man kneel before the king. He had long, shaggy dark hair that brushed his shoulder, which filled out his clothes nicely. He was toned and muscled, his arms hidden by thick sleeves. He peered up at the king with innocent blue eyes. Yet his voice was the same, serpentine croon that Roche had heard in Aodh's chambers earlier.
"Prince Aodh says that he said you had an urgent message to share with us?" the king prompted sharply. The Councilman nearly fell over on himself.
"Yes, my lord. My party and I were travelling from Irulia up to the Faultless Kingdom. We were following the coast looking for merchants to trade with for wares. We were nearing the city when we saw smoke coming from the Valley of Akhlynx."
"The Valley of Akhlynx?" the king repeated, his brows furrowing, "That valley has been abandoned for centuries."
"We thought so too, my lord," the Councilman shifted, doing an impressive impression of discomfort, "There are rumours what might stir there."
"Rumours?"
"Inkblood, my lord," Verita interrupted, her voice somewhat icy after the burning yesterday. "The old prophecies state that when life stirs in the valley again, the kingdom that has flourished will fall. It is a common tale with the locals."
Romulus' lips crimped. "Surely those are just ghost tales," he dismissed with a wave of his hand. Verita frowned.
"Actually, sire, we housed those very prophecies in the library once. I'd check to see what information that might be left, however the library is inaccessible at the moment."
The words were said evenly, but Roche sensed a hidden barb in them. Leinos threw the woman a warning look, but thankfully, the king didn't seem to notice. The monarch seemed deep in thought.
Aodh cleared his throat. "Perhaps a few knights, Tigris, and I could go check to see if there is anything worrying there?" he offered, keeping his voice impressively bored and uninterested.
A jolt went through Roche's body. Why did he want Tigris with him? What was he planning on doing to her?
The king was already nodding, his eyes tense.
"Go. See what stirs there. And strike it down if it is of danger to these lands."
Aodh's smile didn't reach his eyes as he bowed. "You know we will father. Injustice will not stand unpunished."
Roche's heart sank as she noticed the triumphant twinkle in the Councilman's eyes.
A/N: ... :O Did any of you see that coming? I have to say, I was shaking my head in disappointment the entire time while writing this. As I've said before, the royal children share one brain cell, and Aodh definitely did not have it today LOL!
What do you think the Council is planning?
Heads up, this arc is going to be a lot shorter than the rest, but it is pretty packed with events, so stay tuned :D
As always, happy reading!