Lucia

Nulla II

Nulla II. He Who Sought Justice

“Is the lady’s clothing in your remembrance?” discreetly, I listened to the interrogation just outside the carriage. 

I remained quiet inside the small space enclosed in jewelry and velvety cloth, careful despite the closed windows. Unless I want to double the usual ruckus in the already buzzing streets of the mainland, I must keep my presence unknown. 

“Hm…” the man started, “I don’t quite remember, you see…” silence ensued at their discourse. The rest of the city resumed their busy lives, while a few threw curious glances towards the small interrogation.

The face of the head knight is the cause, certainly. His bravery and accomplishments do not remain unacknowledged by the entirety of the kingdom. He is the king’s favourite, after all. In every expedition with his leading, generous celebrations ensued.  

His attendance is only ever required for the royal’s grave troubles. Nevertheless, he continuously appeared on his own accord. Seeing him in the streets so early in the day is quite an intrigue--garnering attention was natural.

I should have dismissed him early on if we intended to prevent this issue from being publicized. But father was quite a persuasive man. It was a chance to show the skills of his favourite, and he trusted him.

“Are you aware of the occurrences?” A passerby whispered, quite loudly. They must have been beside the carriage. 

“Not at all. However, rumors have been spreading.”

Ah, it seems that keeping matters private would be more difficult.

“With regards to?”

“To the first prince!”

A gasp from the first woman, before a sharp shushing was heard from her company, “Unless you want us both detained, you must not speak of him!” 

Realization immediately met the other as she covered her mouth in an act of apology, “He disregarded his royal duties to travel among lands and partake in trading, how could I forget!”

Another gasp, “You--! Stop talking about him!” And their gossiping quickly transformed into a whispered banter. 

Closing my eyes in dismissal, I recalled the earlier occurrences. 

“Your grace, it is to my regret that I must halt thy dining with the prince, your son, but a matter of great importance has occurred-!” a high-ranking man from the King’s retinue barged in the room, speaking rapidly.

It was breakfast, then. Meals were of high significance and symbolism in our kingdom. The disruption of one without previous notice was considered as impolite and would damage the image of the doer, but the disruption of the King’s? No simple matter can be the cause, for if so, heavy punishment awaited the man. Death being a strong option.

It was quite extreme, but it was favorable most times. 

The man did such a thing, but his posture remained composed in contrast to his expression. He remained in a graceful bow in front of the large doors to the dining, awaiting the King’s permission. Despite the apparent urgency, he maintained his formality. But he failed to hide the way his eyebrows met stiffly, the way his jaw remained clenched through his quick words, and as his fists did the same, their paleness grew evident--he was distressed. 

A bud of sweat formed on his forehead. He must have ran to this hall.

Even without a talent for remembering those whom I acquaint, recognition of the man who stood uneasily was something I could accomplish. He was part of my brother’s retinue, and was left in the kingdom as instructed.

With his apparent urgency, position, and distress, I could only infer that it is bad news from my brother.

I waited for the news he was to speak of as the King temporarily overlooked his unmannerly actions and gave him permission. And so he spoke. 

As he did, the relaxed posture I expected to maintain through the meal, crumbled. My indifference turned into a suppressed shock as each word fed the anxiety I previously described as unlikely. Every meal was a time to relax my well being, but today, my expectations failed to come about.

My inference was corrected. 

It is not news from my brother, for it is news about my brother himself. 

“...The second prince was killed.”

I often unfavoured my brother’s recklessness. 

He lived as if he had no more days left to live. Disregarding royal rules took part in the routine he implemented daily.

He drinks until dawn. Without any consideration of the days proceeding, he does so until no more can he hold.

He plays with women, something he developed as he took part in trading among kingdoms. But even before then, he already had the habit of doing such a distasteful act. 

He flirted even with the castle’s maids without shame. In royal balls, to him, anyone is sufficient. He indulged in the obedience of those around him even if they were solely responses to his position as the first prince. Most women would fall to the tempting possibility of marrying into the royal family. But I knew my brother never intended to marry one of his enjoyments.

I figured and often told him that someday, his impetuosity would bring forth his doom. However, it was a warning at most. I never expected it to in fact come about.

It feels as though I have cursed him. 

I banished the thought. Self-induced guilt caused by unsupported accusation would lead to the advancement of nothing fruit-bearing.

Whenever I pointed at his actions, he would often laugh at my remarks, but there were times when he would first look outside the window and think before dismissing the scolding I gave. He was aware of his actions and he did not intend to stop.  

He knew what he was doing. But I did not. Every scolding I have given him must have appeared as petty whining. 

Indeed, he had his fair share of short-comings as the prince.

But as a brother, he lacked none.

“Rogue, I am aware of your concerns as my brother.”

What foolishness is he aiming to surpass this time? Directly taking part in trading? Has he finally lost his mind? 

He is my brother...

His blatant rebellion against his royal blood was sure to cause father’s wrath.

“Do you intend to die?” 

He was looking outside the open windows, towards the garden of roses, before snapping his gaze to my direction, the absence of humor in his eyes was quite surprising. Nonetheless, I did not avert my own. I meant whatever I said.

He reached towards a porcelain tea cup placed neatly on the table we sat around on, his eyes following his own motion. As he smelled the blooming aroma with appreciation, he smiled.

“Why must you speak of undesirable happenings to your dear brother? Is that what the words of a king must be? My, if so, then you must be quite the strict ruler,” he playfully spoke, sipping the tea with satisfaction. 

He was fond of the tea in our kingdom. He knew the flowers that would best suit the tastes of each individual by simply looking at one’s appearance and their presentation of themselves. Thus, as he practiced his skill, he became knowledgeable of what appeals to the majority..

“Kid me not,” I spoke sternly, but he continued his words with a sincerity I cannot  confirm.

“But if I were a subject of your own, reassurance is certain,” He took another sip as he, once again, looked outside, “It is to our misfortune, however, that you are only the second prince.”

But at that moment, he spoke as the first prince.

That day was a day not easily can I forget, for aside it being one of the rare days he spoke of his position, it was also the day he left to visit another kingdom as, finally, a representative of our own. 

“See me off and await my return, brother,” he said.

That day, I did as told, out of respect as both the second prince and his brother. 

But the latter, his return, is one I can no longer await, for his return is no more.

And so will be whoever had killed him. 

For as I have told, he lacked as the prince, but not as my brother. 

And so I will find whoever has killed you, brother. And I shall return the favor so as to let your soul rest in peace. 

Rest assured for I swear under my name that I shall and I will.