By the time Clark had digested her words and was able to relay them to Amory, he felt a little nervous. With Velio being accused of so much, it would not be pretty. The people would suspect the royals of other offences and mistrust would be prevalent throughout the kingdom. Not to mention the Velio was simply difficult.
He knocked on the door to Amory's study and his brother called for him to enter. Pushing it open, he announced his presence by saying, "Dear king, would you prefer the good news, the bad news, or my question…s?" He added the plural "questions" because he realized that he had much to discuss with his brother.
"Just tell me them in that order." He said dismissively.
Clark refrained from rolling his eyes as he began, "The good news is that I believe your wife and queen is wonderful. So far she's proven to be kind, intelligent and beautiful."
"As well as being weak, quiet and a witch."
Clark hummed as he thought of how to tactfully refute his brother's words, "I'll give you, she's a witch. But besides that, if she wasn't currently recovering from an injury, I'd think she'd have a lot to say. And of course she's physically weak, she's a young, small, frail woman. Who apparently has just come into her magical abilities-"
"How can you act as though her magic is acceptable? She's a witch, Clark. She's dangerous and I'm stuck with her as a queen."
Clark's mouth was still open as he listened to his brother. He tilted his head and shut his mouth as another question surfaced in his mind, "Amory?"
"What?"
"When you said that your wife wasn't the same woman whom you courted for so many years, you meant that she wasn't…" He couldn't finish his sentence.
~~~~~~~~~~
Amory only watched as his younger brother attempted to discern the truth that both he and his wife had been concealing. The room descended into silence as Amory held the gaze of the young general. He knew that his silence had confirmed his brother's suspicions.
"Does Velio know?" He finally asked.
"No." Amory answered slowly. When the silence had become tedious, he said, "What were your other items?"
"No, no. You asked why I could be so casual about her magic, and yet you seem to be ignoring a crucial part of this. Amory."
Amory narrowed his eyes. He could guess what he was aiming for, and he didn't appreciate it.
"She's the one and you know it."
Amory scoffed, "She's the one? You're beginning to sound like Velio."
"Well Velio's right." Clark replied with a scoff of his own.
"She's not the one."
"And how do you know that? Why are you so sure of that fact? Hm?" He asked pointedly, "Were you told by someone? Did she tell you herself?"
"She doesn't even know of it."
"I wouldn't be so sure. Yesterday I went to the library to do some research on some formal laws in relation to our case on Lady Vivian and our brother, and as usual, Douglas was there—"
'Tiresome old man.'
"He told me that he's been giving her majesty history lessons. And explaining Kieran and the curse to her."
Amory clenched his fist in anger, he thought he had erased those memories from her.
"Amory. If she's going to be your wife, you need to tell her." He paused, as though unsure, "You are the hundredth king. This is your duty and responsibility. We all knew this day would come, and that you would find her. You must go through with this. Velio doesn't want to-"
"I know what Velio wants." He paused as an idea occurred to him, "What do you want?"
"What do You want, Amory?" Clark shot back, "I do not want this on my shoulders, so I leave it up to you."
The air stood tensely still as both brothers were absorbed in their thoughts. If he told her, he would have to do it right and get something out of it for himself. She had already vocalized the fact that she was not Mirella and I fact her sister, and it caused an itch in him to know why. Why was she the one given in marriage to him? King Absolom had much to answer to. His anger flared again; he wouldn't have given a damn if Mirella had caused a scandal. But other kings, including King Absolom, considered it the greatest crime of a woman.
He was brought from his thoughts by Clark's tired sigh, "Her magic is important and I think we should educate ourselves on it. She's been trying to educate herself on it, Douglas said that she's been reading books on magic and such—you also should have someone teach her Noth. And I'm not saying I'm taking this matter lightly, I'm certainly not ignoring it. But I'm saying that we shouldn't make as big a deal of this as you are making it. She's a young woman who doesn't know us. Don't scare her."
Amory logged the information away. He didn't want to admit that Clark was correct. She was clearly young and frightened. But he just couldn't stand being in the same room as her, every movement she made grated on his nerves and her voice—it was intolerable before, but now that Velio had injured her voice, he never wanted to even see her for having to relive hearing her voice.
"I suppose I should move onto the bad news." Clark sighed, "She says that Lady Vivian knew what Velio had done."
"How would she know that? Did Lady Vivian mention it to her?"
"No." Clark replied, restrained, "She simply told me that Lady Vivian was clearly aware of how the bruises ended up on her throat."
Amory sighed, "So the woman is in league with our brother?"
Clark hummed, politely saying that Amory was wrong, "Likely not. I suspect he hired her—or simply exerted his status over her—to have her spy on her majesty."
"Well then, it looks as though she is guilty. Have her executed and send Velio to the frontlines to get him away from the castle."
Clark nodded, "Excellent, your majesty." He turned to leave but Amory stopped him—
"You said that you had questions?" He began to resort through his letters, his brow furrowing when he saw one from the Outborn Pack.
"I believe I've gotten the most important ones off of my chest. If the others become more pressing, have no fear. I will bring them to your attention."
Amory nodded, indifferent now as he stared at the envelope.
"I will take my leave then." Clark said. Amory could hardly listen to his words, his heart pounded in his chest. "You're sure that you want Lady Vivian executed?"
Amory blinked and looked up, "Ye-yes. Yes, she has made many offences to the crown, many of which were nearly lethal. It is the wages of her actions."
Clark nodded, "Very well then. It will be done."
"Good." He responded and registered the door shut and as his brother's footsteps receded until he could no longer hear them. He observed the envelope scrupulously; rubbing it between his fingers, turning it over multiple times, sniffing it. But in the end he knew why he felt the rush of emotions he did.
He knew that handwriting.