Edmund is restless, he has heard the news from Juwan. He didn't know where Vrag is though. They have to change their plans.
He then think about Zils, worrying about her more because the Crown Prince has been murdered. The power struggle will start and there is no guarantee that Vrag can become a King. Zils will be caught up in the middle and if everything fail Zils will be destroyed together with Vrag.
Vrag has arranged letters between him and Marley, his old mentor. It seems Vrag managed to persuade Marley to communicate with him. He opened the only letter that Marley replied to him.
°°°
To Prince Edmund,
My dearest pupil. I was surprised to hear from you. It seems you have decided to help Prince Vrag stop this war and I'm really grateful about that. You have been my greatest pupil and I'm sure you will be the best King Arethea can have. I apologized that I have chose to involve Lady Zils in this but she is the only daughter of your Father. She will be the key to the negotiation as a unison between two countries. I understand your concern that she will not be able to go back to Arethea but this is the necessary sacrifice we have to give in. I apologize for betraying our country, my Prince. Please rest assured once the war is over I will be back to Arethea and pay for my sins.
Marley
°°°
Marley is the wisest man in Arethea. He was offered Prime Minister position but he refused, he chose to indulge himself in his own researchs. He is obsessed with them. Edmund admire his knowledge so much. He will never be able to win his brothers in physical strength so he decided to take all the knowledge he can get.
His two brothers has always teased him, scolded him when he cried, asked him to be strong because he has to be a man. Nevertheless he loved them both as his blood brothers. Zils though has a special place in his heart. The only sister that he has, even though they are from different mothers and didn't look alike.
Edmund and his brothers inherited their mother's features, hazel eyes and wavy golden brown hair. Zils however have eyes like ocean, just like their father's and Edmund love her since he lay eyes on the small baby.
A knock can be heard and Edmund lay his eyes on the door. He saw Juwan there gave him a bow while holding a tray with several dishes on top of it.
"Prince Edmund."
"Juwan, where is Vrag? I need to talk to him."
"Your Highness is taking his rest since he haven't been sleeping since the investigation. We are currently waiting for the reports from the chemists about the poison."
"I see..."
Juwan placed the tray on the table.
"Your lunch, Prince Edmund. Rest assured it has been tested for poison."
"Poison?" Edmund is a bit startled by what he heard.
"The Crown Prince is murdered using poison so there is a precaution for everyone that their meals will have to be tasted before they are served."
"Oh... I see..." Edmund is relieved that his brothers never poison each other during their power struggle.
"Then please excuse me..."
"Wait, Juwan."
"Yes?"
"Could you have lunch together with me?"
Juwan is kind of stunned with Edmund's sudden request.
"It was a bit boring here...eating alone for few months. I hope I can have a person to talk to and learn more about Slothian while I'm staying here."
Juwan gave Edmund a faint smile.
"If Prince Edmund can wait, I will collect my lunch and bring it here."
"Please do that."
Edmund watched Juwan exited the chamber and he came back after a while with another tray with the same dishes. Both of them sit themselves on the big table in the room and started to eat together.
"Juwan, what kind of man is Vrag?"
"You are worried about Lady Zils, Prince?"
"You can call me Edmund. I have told you few times."
"It is improper, Prince."
"You are the only friend I have for now in Slothia. Please call me Edmund." Edmund insisted.
Edmund is grateful that he is not locked down in the dungeon but few months has passed and his company has been Juwan most of the time. Juwan has a pair of grey eyes and black wavy hair. He cut them short and Edmund has heard a bit about him from the chambermaids. He is quite popular among the ladies. He is a gentleman naturally and has noble blood running in his veins. He decided to be Vrag's aide despite his eligibility to participate in the politics.
"So why you choose to be Vrag's aide?"
"I have been under Prince Vrag's command in military so I'm familiar with his governance."
Juwan become quiet and cut the meat on his plate.
"I believe he will be a good King. It is not long since I become his aide when we went to the war at Judecca."
Edmund felt the food become tasteless when he heard the name "Judecca".
"Were you at Judecca?"
"Yes, Prince."
"Were there child soldiers?"
"Unfortunately... Yes..." Juwan take a deep breath, reminiscing on the battle more than one year ago. An unfair battle.
Edmund sighed.
"In Arethea..." Edmund hesitated. "They said that Slothian devils has slaughtered the children of Judecca."
Juwan just keeping his quiet.
"But Marley's research papers..." Edmund gripped the fork and knife on his hands. "I'm so angry with them..."
"How could they did that to the children...our own children!"
Juwan watched Edmund gritted his teeth in anger. His hands holding the cutlery are shaking. He gave him a sad sympathetic face.
"But Prince... It doesn't change the fact that we slaughtered them."
"Juwan, I don't think..."
"We are devils...it's something we can't change."
"But it's not your fault."
"Prince...our hands are covered with their blood."
Edmund has never seen much of Juwan emotional face but he can see the sadness, guilt and anger in his eyes now.
"We dug the graves for a whole week...Prince Vrag did it with us too."
"Juwan, you don't need to..."
"I have told him he shouldn't do it. But too many dead bodies. He insisted to help us with it. After the sixth day..." Juwan suddenly stopped.
"Juwan?"
"It got a bit overwhelming for us." Juwan start to compose himself. "I'm sorry I get ahead of myself, Prince Edmund."
"Of course not."
Awkward silence.
"Well, let's finished our lunch before it gets cold."
Edmund and Juwan continue to eat, exchanging stories about Slothian and Arethean customs, food and weather. Both have their own mind occupied with different things though. Edmund wonder what happened in Judecca and Juwan a bit surprised by his own doing that he almost spill what has happened in Judecca to Edmund.