“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” — Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

  ???

  The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the Imperial Palace’s back courtyard, bathing it in an almost eerie light. The trees in the courtyard swayed gently in the night breeze, with the long shadows wavering with every movement.

  A plain and modest carriage waited in the courtyard. There wasn’t a single banner or emblem on it to identify the passengers. Humble and plain. And almost forgettable. It could have been mistaken as a commoner’s carriage, rather than that of a prince.

  A black horse pawed restlessly at the ground, its ear flicking at unseen sounds. It stood patiently, as Jonah Mitchell fixed its harness to the carriage, before gently patting the side of the horse and feeding it an apple.

  The Crownsguard no longer wore the familiar black and gold uniform of the royal family’s protectors. Instead, he now wore simple travelling clothes with a travelling cloak, and a travel sack over one shoulder, his sword visible at his hip. Every line of his posture was, however, drawn tight with silent disapproval.

  Ewan Nightray, too, was dressed similarly, with his blade visible in a sash on his back. His gaze was locked solely on the small boy standing between them.

  Prince Lucien von Aubere.

  Yuliana Nightray had her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, standing on tip-toe as she held him close. Prince Lucien’s expression was unreadable as he returned the embrace. His eyes were dry, and it is entirely likely he had run dry of tears a long time ago.

  In the courtyard, Lord Hamilton Nightray was present, as was Prince Rem. And even Queen Lysandra. The king didn’t even bother to show up to see his son off. Not that anyone expected him to. And then, again, if he had shown up, the Nightray heiress might very well have snapped the moment she saw him.

  “…Write to me,” Yulia was whispering in Luca’s ear, too low for anyone but him to hear. “You can get Ewan to pass the letters to me. I don’t care what the king says. Promise you’ll write to me. Take care of yourself. Don’t forget to eat and sleep. Keep up on your training. Maybe someday…” Her voice trailed off slowly.

  Yulia stepped back from Luca, and he gave her a small smile. “I know. I promise,” he almost whispered. The forced smile and cheerfulness he’s trying to put on for Yulia’s sake are almost painful for those watching. “Don’t forget me. Even if they try to make you.”

  Yulia shook her head. “Never,” she swore fiercely. “You’re the one I swore to protect. As far as I’m concerned, you’re Alathia’s Crown Prince. The boy I grew up with.”

  Standing behind her, next to Queen Lysandra, Rem flinched. He knew that barb was targeted at him.

  Luca managed a small smile. “Promise me. Watch over Rem,” he whispered. “You can be angry with him. I won’t begrudge you for that. You have every right to do so. But Yury… He needs you by his side. More than I do. Someone to keep him from making the wrong choices.”

  Yulia’s eyes narrowed slightly, but the look that Luca gave her softened her heart. “…I promise,” she whispered at last. She then looked at Ewan, who was standing silently by Luca’s side. “Ewan, please watch over him. Keep him safe.”

  Ewan nodded, one fist over his heart. “With my life, my lady,” he swore.

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  Hamilton approached just then, kneeling to Luca’s eye level. There is a look of sorrow visible in the silver eyes of the normally composed and stern Lord Nightray. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I did everything I could. Tried my best. Maybe once this war is over…” He trailed off slowly, though he didn’t sound all that sure that he was able to change the king’s mind.

  Luca wouldn’t be surprised if the king secretly sent assassins once he’s at the villa to make sure he’s dead. Probably not from House Nightray, as the king knew they would never agree. But contracted killers.

  Luca shook his head. “You tried your best. You and your House. I understand that. I appreciate all that you’ve done for me,” he said quietly. “Even if it’s for a short time, I’m grateful for the time I spent in Nightray Manor, where I get to experience the warmth of a real family.”

  Queen Lysandra and Rem flinched. Just how bad were things for Luca in the Imperial Palace?

  Luca tried to force a smile at Hamilton, who looked wrenched. “I can only be thankful that it’s exile and not execution,” he murmured.

  Hamilton flinched with those words. Even without saying it, he knew that Luca had known about the king’s original order.

  Queen Lysandra stepped forward next, tears already welling up in her eyes, as she dropped to her knees in front of Luca, hugging him, uncaring about the fact that the ground was dirtying her gown. Luca stiffened, as rare is the time when Lysandra had hugged him. The last time had been when he was five.

  “I’m sorry,” Lysandra murmured. “No matter what the king says, you’re still my son. That will never change. Maybe once this war is over… If I can gather the support I need, then maybe…” Her words trailed off slowly.

  Lysandra couldn’t even believe her own words, let alone convince Luca.

  Luca only managed a small smile at Lysandra, and she felt tears well up in her eyes once more. “Oh, baby…” The queen tried to hide her tears as she hugged Luca once more, trying to memorise the feel of him. Who knows if she’ll ever see her son again?

  Jonah stepped forward just then, an apologetic look on his face. “Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but… It’s time.” Lysandra blinked away her tears hurriedly, rising to her feet. “I’ll make sure His Highness will be safe. I swear it.” He vowed, one fist against his heart.

  Lysandra nodded grimly. “Do whatever you must to keep Luca safe,” she murmured, her words for Jonah’s ears only. “I wouldn’t put it past Edric to send assassins, especially with the war looming. No matter what, Jonah, promise me. Promise me you’ll keep my baby safe.”

  “I swear it,” Jonah promised solemnly, and Lysandra nodded. He turned to Luca. “Your Highness, let’s board the carriage.”

  Luca nodded. Yulia then watched alongside Hamilton and Lysandra as Luca boarded the carriage, with Ewan moving to follow him inside. Jonah then moved to take the driver’s seat. With a light shake of the reins and the neighing of the horse, the carriage creaked forward, with its wheels groaning against the stone path.

  Yulia continued watching in silence even as the carriage disappeared through the rear gates of the Imperial Palace and down the winding road, until it vanished from sight.

  Clenching her hands into fists by her sides, Yulia turned slowly to face Rem, the expression in her young face carved from fury and heartbreak. Rem almost flinched when he saw it. “Why didn’t you say anything when the king gave the order?” she whispered, an undertone of fury within her voice. “Why didn’t you speak up?”

  Rem flinched like Yulia had just struck him. If anything, it might have hurt less than hearing the disappointment and fury in the voice of his only friend. Yulia looked as if she was restraining the urge to throttle him. In fact, if Queen Lysandra wasn’t present, alongside Hamilton Nightray, Rem is sure that Yulia would already have her hands around his neck.

  “Answer me!” Yulia almost snarled. “You didn’t do anything at all! You didn’t speak up! You just stood there and let it happen. You didn’t even say anything to Luca. Do you even care about him at all, or do you feel the same way your father did?”

  Rem flinched with those harsh words. Even his mother isn’t looking at him, still looking at the rear gates where Luca had disappeared, like she could still see him.

  “Yulia,” Hamilton warned, stepping forward. “I understand your feelings, but leave it.”

  Yulia shook her head, wiping away angry tears with the back of her hand. She looked coldly at Rem, who flinched at the look she was giving him. “I’ll protect you,” she said. “I’ll watch over you. Like I promised Luca. Because it’s my duty.” She took a breath, her voice cracking. “But know this: I won’t accept you as Crown Prince. Or as king. Not until you earned it. The way that Luca did.” She took a step backwards, her face twisted with grief. “I will never forgive you for this.”

  The silence that followed was almost devastating.

  Rem only looked at his feet. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Yulia or anyone. Not his mother. Not Lord Hamilton. Not even Yulia. He couldn’t even bring himself to answer.

  He already knew the looks he’ll see. Looks of disappointment. Rage, perhaps.

  The crunch of pebbles beneath feet caused Rem to look up again, only to see Yulia walking away from him without a word, with her father following her, leaving Rem alone in the dark with his mother.

  Queen Lysandra finally turned to face Rem, a weak smile on her face that didn’t reach her eyes. “Come on, Rem. You should turn in for the night,” she said, a warble in her voice. “It’s getting late.”

  “Do you think Yulia would ever forgive me?” Rem asked quietly.

  Lysandra hesitated. “I don’t know,” she admitted at last. “It’s clear that something broke tonight, Rem. Whether it’s your father’s cruelty or your inaction.” Her voice shook. “I told you a long time ago that you don’t have to be fearless to be brave. Courage isn’t always about standing tall. Sometimes, it’s just doing the right thing, even when you’re scared. Even when it’s hard. But doing nothing at all…” Her voice cracked. “Doing nothing causes more harm than doing the wrong thing.” Lysandra looked away. “This is something you need to learn soon, Rem. Or you’ll lose more than just Yulia’s friendship.”

  Rem was silent before he turned his gaze back towards the open gate where the carriage had vanished, with the night swallowing everything outside the gates.

  The night wind is getting colder. And it’s getting quieter. Like the world had silenced itself.

  His twin was gone. Luca was gone. And Rem feared that this time, he might very well have lost Yulia’s friendship for good.

  And he had no idea how to fix it.