As we gathered around the table for dinner, the scent of home-cooked meals filled the air, and my mother's warm smile greeted us.
As the conversation flowed, I couldn't help but be curious about my brother's injuries. I set down my fork and looked at him with a playful glint in my eye.
"Who are the men who hurt you, by the way, Thomas?" I asked, curiously.
He glanced at me then his shoulders suddenly got tense.
"Why are you asking?" he replied.
"Because the fresh scar on your arm looks more like the work of a sword," I said, pointing to his arm.
He leaned on his chair like he usually does when he was being serious if his expression wasn't a clear indication.
"James and I chased a group of men"
I playfully scolded him thinking that it was a normal occurrence for knights, "You can't just go around chasing people, Thomas"
He didn't smile at my jest but rather clench his fist that was on the table, "In that case, it is when they are about to escape and surely report that I and James saw them. We cannot let that happen as it was jeopardize our investigation"
I stop smiling. It looks like it is more complicated than I had thought.
A deep frown appears on my forehead as I dissect his words.
"Wait" I raised a brow fully invested now, "Investigation should be authorized by your commanders and higher-ups"
Thomas simply nodded, "You're right"
My eyes slowly widened at the realization, "Oh my god! Don't tell me you're investigating something behind their back?"
"Right again"
"Tell me it is not a big deal?" I bargained.
He sighed, "How I badly wish it was not a big deal but it's f*cking not"
"Goodness, Thomas, you will be jailed if they found out about this!" I exclaimed, getting up from my seat.
My mother looked at me with her composed self, "Calm down, Emily"
"You knew this?" I asked in disbelief.
When my mom looked away, I got my response. I turn to face my troublemaker twin brother.
"What the heck is happening Thomas?"
He briefly glanced at Sir James before turning to my mother who both gave a nod which translates to my dictionary as 'Tell-her-now' kind of look.
"We think that there was a traitor among the nobles, Emily," he confessed.
"And are currently planning to start a rebellion against the royalties" Sir James added.
I gasped. I opened my mouth to say something but I immediately shut it as no words came out. Well, I had always known this kind of plot only in books!
When the information sinks in, I exclaimed, "Say what? Are the two of you being serious right now?"
Now I am pacing in nervousness. Maybe I shouldn't have asked then. Then I still have a worry-free mind right now.
"Gravely serious, Emily," Thomas said.
"I don't know what to say" I replied absentmindedly. "I mean I get that the royalties would have haters because honestly, everyone has but a rebellion? It sounds too much"
"However the rebellion was not against how the Royalties was leading the Kingdom" Thomas continued.
I squinted my eyes at my brother, "What do you mean?"
"James and I think that the plan of rebellion was to kick out the Aldridge lines on the throne and..." his voice had a hint of anger, "Put back the Guillan bloodline on it"
I gasped and covered my mouth in shock. "That's not possible, the Guillan bloodlines have been executed a long time ago. There are no records of someone who lived carrying that surname"
The Guillan Clan raised a rebellion 100 years ago under the lead of Prince Francis Guillan. He was the brother-in-law of King Clement Aldridge. Prince Francis had no royal blood but he became greedy for power when he married the youngest sister of the King—Princess Elizebeth Aldridge.
It was a year after the death of the princess that the rebellion started which accounts for so many deaths of nobles, knights, and people. It was not only that, but Prince Francis helped the South Kingdom to attack us at that time. It was the dark age of our history. But King Clement had successfully defended his throne and the Kingdom but the day after the victory, he died. His eldest son who took the throne ordered the Guillan Clan to be executed and wiped out in the kingdom.
"That's what we also thought but it looks like we are mistaken" Sir James replied.
"We were supposed to go back last month but on our way, we saw a group of knights hauling men to one wagon. It was suspicious enough as it was in a secluded place and the men looked to be unsure so we decided to approach them" Thomas explained, "We never saw the faces of those Knights before but we gave them the benefit of the doubt. They told us they just needed help in their camp but one of the men shouted that he didn't want to be a part of any of whatever bullshit it was and tried to run away. But before he could escape, his head was cut"
"Oh my god" I whispered, goosebumps breaking on my skin. "That's where you get your wounds"
Thomas nodded, "We plan to spare one for interrogation however the man take his own life and before he died, he mentioned that a Guillan bloodline will seat on the throne soon"
"Did you report the incident?"
When my brother shook his head, realization dawned on me—the armors.
"That's where you draw the conclusion that there is a traitor inside the palace"
"You never failed to amaze me" Thomas smiled, "Those men were wearing the armor of knights. Only the royals, a few members of the Parliament, and commanders have access to them"
Sir James added, "We talked to the only person we trusted inside the palace and it was General Helmer. We told him what happened. He confessed to us that they also received intel about it and they are investigating it for months now"
"But what happened to the men?" I asked in concern.
"They are safe and went to their own places but only after we asked them few questions"
I nodded as a sense of relief settled on me. At least those men were saved and few people knew about the plan of rebellion aside from my twin brother.
Then as if on cue, the image of the man with enchanting electric blue crossed my mind. There was only one person who still had the Aldridge blood now and it was Prince Sebastian Maxwell Aldridge.
"Does the prince know this?"
"We don't know as General Helmer didn't confirm to us. He just said that there are a lot of eyes on the prince right now watching his every move especially since the talk of his coronation is being discussed" Sir James replied.
"Oh," I replied, suddenly feeling nervous for that man.
I mean I don't like him a lot right now since last night but he was still the crown prince and my future King.
Thomas suddenly shifted on his seat, drumming his fingers on the table—a mannerism when he was nervous.
"There still some more news?" I frowned. "I can only take one at a time gentlemen"
But it looks like Thomas didn't hear me.
"One of the men mentioned a village where they are supposed to go. General Helmer ordered us to personally confirmed the information and investigate from there" he seriously said, "I need a favor, Emily"
Sir James suddenly cleared his throat and excused himself while my mother gave my hand a squeeze. Okay, they are scaring me.
"What favor do you need?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.
Thomas glanced at our mother for a moment before turning back to me, his expression serious.
"To avoid suspicions knowing that there is a traitor among the higher officials, we decided that it is best if someone takes our places inside the Capitol. We are supposed to go back last month after our mission here and I know that they are expecting our presence"
I blinked at him, fearing the following words he would say even though I have a good and solid idea of what it is.
"I want you to disguise as me, Emily, '' Thomas straightforwardly admitted to my face.