"Embers wait. Then they burn."
❅❅❅❅❅❅
My emotions eventually calm, my stomach rumbling.
'Are you hungry?' Uncle Nox asks.
'Yes.'
'You haven't eaten yet?' He looks concerned.
'I haven't really been able to eat since Mamma died,' I blush, feeling embarrassed. As a mental adult, I should be able to take care of myself without needing supervision.
'Well, what would you like to eat? You need something light, so no steak or fried foods.'
'Jook?' I ask, hopeful.
Since I got sick two years ago, Mamma rarely made me anything. I just wanted some level of comfort after my emotional outburst.
Uncle Nox smiles knowingly.
'Jook coming up,' he says cheerfully.
One hour later, a bowl of chicken jook sits in front of me. Taking in the scent, I sigh. It smells exactly like Mamma's! I slowly grip the spoon, take a small portion of jook off the top and gently blow on it.
Nom.
The warmth and familiar deliciousness fill me to the brim, tears forming once more. Uncle Nox just watches me with a smile, as he too digs into his own bowl.
Faster and faster, I eat the jook until there's not a single grain left in the enormous bowl he'd given me.
Sigh.
That was delicious, I think, as I pat my full stomach.
Uncle Nox takes my bowl, cleaning up the table. It doesn't take him long before he sits down again.
'So, Adira, what are we going to do now?'
'What do you mean?' I ask, confused.
'I mean, what're your plans going forward? Seeing as Cardinia is now gone, you're in a lot of danger in the palace. You need to plan what you're going to do so that you're not caught off guard.'
'Well, I want to talk to Brother Xander…' I start.
'About what?'
'Well, everything. About how Mamma taught me magic, and how I need help surviving in the palace. Brother Xander will help me.'
'No,' Uncle Nox says flatly.
'Why not?'
'Because he's Oceanian royalty.'
'I am too!'
'But you're a female. You weren't taught like the males were.'
'I don't understand, Uncle.'
Uncle Nox sighs.
'When Oceanian royals, no all male royals, turn two, they start their Kingship studies. These studies include our true history and what needs to be done as King.'
'Including the suppression of women?'
'Yes.'
'So, Brother Xander knows everything?'
'Most likely.'
'Why does no one say anything?'
'Because they are forbidden from mentioning it. If they do, they die.'
'That's scary!'
'So remember, Adira, you must never trust your brothers with everything you have.'
'…I can't trust anyone?'
'You can trust us. We won't exploit you or hurt you. But the palace? No one.'
I sit in silence for a few minutes, processing what Uncle Nox told me. Brother Xander will always be my enemy? But he cares for me! He helps and protects me! I know he won't harm me. Not if he can help it. I look at Uncle Nox once more.
'Uncle Nox, do you know who killed Mamma?'
Uncle Nox remains silent for a moment before nodding slowly.
'Who?' I ask urgently.
'Why do you want to know?'
'So I can get revenge for Mamma!'
'No. Cardinia doesn't want that, Adira.'
'But I do! It's my life, Uncle!'
'You'll be in terrible danger.'
'I don't care!'
Uncle Nox stares at me before sighing.
'I'll tell you, but I have a few conditions.'
'What are they?' I ask eagerly.
'Number one, you must come to me when you're in trouble. I don't care what time of day it is. You come to this tavern and me, alright?'
'Yes!'
'Two. Don't face them head on. Be cunning about it and don't get hurt.'
'Okay!'
'Three. Don't rush into things. Always triple-check your plans from every angle.'
'Done!'
'Good.'
He looks down at his hands, before looking at me once more.
'The ones who killed Cardinia are Queen Satine and Lady Kaitlyn, though Lady Kaitlyn is the one who ordered the actual hit on your mother.'
Queen Satine.
Lady Katilyn.
My hands curl into fists as I try to hold my anger in. I want them dead.
'Queen Satine is off limits right now,' I grumble.
'Yes, I know.'
'But Lady Kaitlyn isn't. Do you have any information about her?'
'I sure do. I looked up all of them before Cardinia married your father.'
'So?'
'Lady Kaitlyn, age forty-seven, daughter of the Duke of Scotland, and is the second wife of your father.'
'I know all that,' I say impatiently.
'She has two sons, Third Prince Leod and Sixth Prince Brutus. Her third son was stillborn, something she attributed to Cardinia, which is why you both were punished.'
'I know that too,' I mutter in anger.
'She has lost all thoughts of putting Prince Leod on the throne and is focusing all of her efforts on Prince Brutus, though rumour has it, both Princes hate her.'
'So, to make her hurt, Brother Brutus is the key. We hurt Brother Brutus, we hurt Lady Kaitlyn.'
'Basically.'
'Why does Lady Kaitlyn and Queen Satine hate Mamma?'
'Because your father fell in love with Cardinia. He had arranged marriages with his other wives, but Cardinia was love. Plus, she's much younger than they are. They can no longer have children, but your mother could. She was in her prime, after all. And that threatened them, because as much as your father punished you two, he never executed her which is what they were originally after by saying she killed a royal heir.'
'She could've died?'
'Both of you could've died. The death of a royal heir is punishable with execution.'
I shudder at the thought.
'So that's why Mamma said Father loves us still…'
'Well, I don't know about Cardinia's optimism, but he did care for her.'
'So, what about Brother Leod and Brother Brutus?'
'Third Prince Leod, age nineteen, son of King Hori and Lady Kaitlyn. Prince Leod has been on the battlefield for years and rarely returns. Like the King, Prince Leod has stone magic. He is efficient and cruel in his use.'
'Wow! And Brother Brutus?'
'Sixth Prince Brutus, age sixteen, son of King Hori and Lady Kaitlyn. Prince Brutus has super strength, and he uses it on the battlefield to enhance his martial skills. He returns more often, though he disappears a lot when he is back.'
'You've never found out where he goes?'
'We didn't look too deeply into it.'
'Aren't you supposed to be an information network, Uncle?'
Uncle Nox grins sheepishly.
'The Princes were never our target. We'd gather basic information on them, but not in detail.'
'Can you please find out where he's been going, Uncle? It might be a good bargaining chip.'
'Alright.'
'What's the best approach against Brother Brutus?'
'Well, he's pretty straightforward from the information I've received.'
'But there's got to be a better way! I can barely keep myself from trembling in front of him…'
'You're scared of him?'
I nod.
'Well, that changes things… Maybe do some investigating of your own?'
'What do you mean by that?'
'Literally follow him around in the palace.'
'I can't get close to him, though.'
'If you can't get close to him, get help.'
'From who?'
'Well, you said you trust your brother Alexander, right?'
I nod.
'Talk to him about the fact that you want to find out who killed Cardinia. Maybe he'll help.'
'Why would he, though?'
'If he wants to survive the palace, he needs to become King. Therefore, investigating Brutus will be his best bet.'
'…I'll try…'
'I'm pretty sure he has his own network within the castle. All the princes do.'
'Really?'
'Yes. They have their own trusted servants and everything.'
'…Why are you so calm about this, Uncle?'
'Because I have to be. Being part of the Servants Network, we learn how to push our feelings aside so that we don't make any rash decisions.'
'Does the rest of the family know Mamma's dead?'
'Yes. We're all devastated.'
'But no one's doing anything?' I ask, feeling resentful.
'No.'
'Why not?' I choke up, tears forming again.
'Because we're looking long term. If we don't, everything we've done will be for nothing,' he says, shutting his eyes in frustration. 'I don't like it any more than you do.'
Seeing him look so defeated makes me feel sadder. At least I can try to do something. Uncle can't even move in case he hurts the entire Network he's a part of. Hundreds of people are at stake. Realising this is much bigger than Mamma and me, I sigh.
'What can you do to help me?' I ask.
'We can help you investigate outside the palace.'
'Not inside?'
'Inside is too risky. We keep people in the palace to make letter deliveries easier, but nothing more.'
'…Can I come again?' I ask softly.
Uncle Nox smiles at me.
'Of course you can. You're family, Adira. And if you need anything, just place a letter on the desk in the library. Don't forget to code it, though.'
'Adi.'
'Sorry?'
'Call me Adi. Everyone close does.'
'And Cardinia?'
'Well…Adira when she's mad, Sweetheart or Sweetie normally. Occasionally, Honey and Adi.'
'That's so her,' he laughs.
'What was she like?'
'Bright, full of life, and the most cheerful person you can find. She's optimistic to a fault and believes in the good in everyone.'
'Really? Mamma was always warning me about the people in the castle.'
'Well, 12 years is a lot of time. It changes people.'
Uncle Nox looks at the clock. It's beautiful with gems charged with light magic.
'It's time to head home, Adi.'
'I don't want to go.'
'I know, but like I said, you can always come back, okay?'
'Will you be here at night?'
'Yes, but don't come every day. You need your rest too.'
'I know.'
'And make sure you're discreet when following Brutus. Also, when you enter and leave the palace. There are many spies. Even in places you don't realise.'
'Okay.'
Uncle Nox hugs me tight.
'This is not goodbye. It's a see you soon.'
I close my eyes, breathing in his scent.
'I know,' I choke out. 'See you soon, Uncle.'
'See you soon, Sweetie.'
Letting go, I pull my hood over my head again. Opening the door, I take one last look at Uncle Nox before leaving. He waves, smiling warmly.
Going outside, I notice it's nearly daybreak. I'd been out all night! I need to hurry home so that no one catches me. I head back to where I exited the palace. Luckily for me, there are no guards again. I quickly clamber up the wall, but I hear the clanging of metal.
The guards!
Moving quicker, I make my way up, just escaping the guards as they come around the corner. I feel my heart pounding so fast I'm out of breath. Sitting for a few moments, I slowly calm down. I stand up, ready to head back to my room. It's a good thing the escape route is close to my room, so I can quickly slip back in through the window with no one any the wiser.
Lying on my bed, I think back on the night I had. I found out that I have an uncle, and that Mamma has more family. I found out who killed Mamma, and who I should target next. Now, I just need to execute my plan of killing Lady Kaitlyn. And to do that, I will target Brother Brutus. My hands still tremble at the thought, but it's the best I can do. I'm only twelve, after all. But I have Mamma's teachings, and if I can get Brother Xander's help, things will be much easier.
My first step is to talk to Brother Xander and see how he feels. Then I can move forward with my revenge. I will get revenge for you, Mamma. Just you wait.