Emeron dreaded the feast from that moment onwards. He knew his siblings—and he knew that things wouldn’t stay peaceful for too long after the reporters left. The “real” feast—a dinner with other important nobles in Aecara, as well as a few reporters—was mostly spent talking about politics. Nobles asked when Arrika or even Erryl might consider pursuing a romantic partner; reporters asked after Rayluin’s daughter and if that was the reason Talaya decided to rule in Tibrel’s absence. No one in the royal family said anything they wouldn’t want plastered all over headlines across the nation. Arrika spared a few, more accusatory, glances at Talaya and Rayluin. If anyone with the press realized it, though, no one would know until the next morning.

Then the toast to Aedrisea’s future success was made and, slowly, all the nobles and the reporters left.

Talaya got up to leave, too. “Thank you all for this evening. It was good to spend some time with you, even if it isn’t what I’d call ideal.”

“We’re not done,” Arrika remarked. “I’d like you to tell us what happened to Merrelle. What actually happened.”

“I told you once,” Talaya said slowly, “and I’ll tell you again. There’s nothing more to the story, dear. Merrelle’s dead—lost her fight with the demons’ temptation. That’s all there is to the story.”

Emeron nervously shuffled then, after a moment’s consideration, explained, “We found a notebook in the things that belonged to her. It… mentioned how you and Dad were visited by Caeso, and he said that he’d use her to be his voice. Did that… all actually happen..?”

Oh, her expression was more than enough of an answer. Yet she drove the point home by near-desperately muttering, “None of you should’ve been able to find it.”

“Where is it?” Rayluin asked, much more calmly. “With the rest of Merrelle’s old things, right? All the things in Arrika’s estate?”

Arrika slammed her hands against the table. “I know that voice! You just want to get rid of it!”

“A damn thing like that is only going to cause problems. If you know what’s good for you, you’d give it to me without any issues.”

“And what is it that you don’t want us to know, anyway? What the hell are you hiding?”

Rayluin sighed. “You’re letting emotions get ahead of you. All of this will make sense later. In fact, I’m even sure you’d thank me once—“

“Are you hearing yourself?” Erryll asked, unimpressed. “You don’t realize why she’s upset at all, do you? Is it really just being ‘overemotional’ to you?”

“Interrupt me again and I’ll remind you of where you should be—wandering the streets as the disowned prince.”

Erryll made a clear sign of starting a much bigger—louder—argument until he froze as Talaya’s stern tone.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Boys!” That was all she needed to say. Erryll slid back into his chair, grumbling, and Rayluin muttered an apology even if his expression didn’t change. Seeing as they were all silent, she continued, “Arrika, you will give Rayluin that notebook. No exceptions.”

Arrika opened her mouth to protest.

“No. Exceptions,” Talaya repeated. Her tone softened when she spoke again. “But… I will answer a little bit of your question. Yes, what’s in it is true. Caeso came to us and spared Merrelle’s life, allowing others to stay safe as well. I’d advise against trying to find her, however. Her path… it shouldn’t cross with yours. Only bad things can come from meeting her.”

She proved unwilling to answer any more questions, as she immediately walked out.

Slowly, Arrika turned her attention to Rayluin and asked, “You knew about this all along, didn’t you? And you never said anything?”

“Of course I knew. I was trusted with their burdens—the kinds of things that the three of you never should’ve known, and don’t need to know.” He seemed to grow more defensive, even if it was clear that he’d fight for his point.

“And just why do you think knowing that our sister is still alive isn’t important? What grand plan of yours could possibly involve hiding something like that?”

“None of you would understand, even if I tried to tell you.”

“Well, then, try anyway. No good is being done by keeping secrets.”

Rayluin sighed. “You know, I’m starting to get tired of this. All of this will make sense eventually. You’ve just got to trust me… and never speak of this again.”

Emeron, nervously, prompted, “Why..? All we want to know is what happened. What’s the real harm in that..?”

“Only someone as ignorant as you could fail to realize the role you have in all of this…” Rayluin muttered as he walked to the door. Louder, he continued, “Speak of Merrelle—try to learn more about, or find, her—and you will regret it. And I wouldn’t try to hide it from me, either, if you’re dumb enough to try. As your brother, I only want to see you succeed, and to be free of the truths Father, Mother, and I bear… and I know exactly what it will take to make you all understand that, one way or another.” He casually glanced over his shoulder and added, “I assume you’re done eating, Arrika? I’d like you to show me the notebook now. I wouldn’t want you to ‘lose’ it sometime tonight…”

There was another threat shared when their eyes met and Arrika reluctantly stood up to follow him. “Right…”

Erryll got out of his seat, too, but it wasn’t in compliance. “What the hell—“

“You heard him,” Arrika sighed. “There’s only one course of action: listen. I don’t want to see either of you punished for this. The blame’s all on me, really…”

“Quit talking. The sooner we get this damn thing over with, the better.” Rayluin then took her hand and practically dragged her away.

“He’s just digging himself into the grave at this point, isn’t he?” Erryll grumbled. He also went to leave. “Emeron, get the maids to clean this up. I’m going to follow them to make sure Rayluin doesn’t upset Arrika just for the hell of it.”

Emeron nodded, but his brother had already left. As the only thing around him was the suffocating silence, he thought about everything that happened over the past two days…

They’d learned something they apparently weren’t supposed to, something that had a lot more story to it… and, if Rayluin’s comment meant anything, a part of it was related to Emeron.

And he had mixed feelings to acknowledge that, one way or another, it was only a matter of time before they all knew. He couldn’t tell whether he should look forward to or dread the moment…