Harvey thought about the just-concluded meeting. He and Alvin had been told during their little investigation that Sir Wilson and his family had been killed, and it had been done by the royal guards. But judging by the reactions of the noblemen, they had no idea of such a thing. Did it mean someone in the royal family had carried out such plans without the knowledge of the other noblemen?
Was it perhaps the king?
He didn't think so. The king was not that kind of person. Besides, if he wanted to kill Sir Wilson for any reason, he would have done so in a reasonable fashion and maybe spared his household too, unless he had really gotten involved in treason.
Then who else?
The only other person who had such authority aside from the king was Lord Damon. But what reason would he have to kill Sir Wilson?
This was the second meeting he just finished having with some noblemen, while his father also had the ones he had been attending. Since he had confirmed that his father had returned to their chamber, he decided to go meet him and see what they had been able to gather. Also, he knew his father knew a lot of things—more than he would ever know, even though he was a member of the court too.
But just as he got to their hallway, he saw his mother coming in the same direction. When she saw him, her eyes lit up, and she increased her pace to meet him.
"What is wrong, mother?" He asked in a tone of urgency, but she held him by the hand and began to head in the same direction he had just come from.
"I want to speak with you. Privately." She added as she continued pulling him with her.
Harvey didn't like the tone of that. He never liked it when his mother asked to speak privately because there were two things she usually talked about. One was finding a bride, and since he 'had' Susan now, he knew it was the other one she wanted to discuss.
Regardless, he obediently followed her.
They both stood in a clear hallway, looking out the window as the afternoon breeze passed through them.
"How was the meeting?" She asked.
"You know I cannot openly tell you what was discussed there." He reminded her.
"I know. I know. I am not asking for you to tell me about it." She said and then sighed. "Isn't it exhausting now?"
It was Harvey's turn to sigh, and he did so deeply. He knew this was what she wanted to discuss.
"Mother, I like being in the court. I already told you this many times over."
"Do you?" She prodded.
"I do."
"You are sure it's not because your father made you?"
"Father didn't make me join the court. It was what I've always wanted to do because I admired him. He never forced me to be a nobleman."
"But there are so many other things you can do. You can be a merchant. You can start a training school for warriors. You can even choose to stay idle for the rest of your life and not do anything. We can afford it—"
"Mother..." He called in a warning tone.
"I have done this a lot of times, and I... am exhausted." She said in a pained voice as she looked at him with pleading eyes.
"My father was a nobleman. Your father is one. Your sister is being made to marry Prince Ivan. And you... you are also slaving your life for the kingdom—"
"If I do not do it, who else would do it—"
"There are many other people!" She cried. "Noblemen of the royal court are all bad people. And they do not end well. They never end well." She spoke in a desperate voice, trying to convince him.
"Do you think Father is bad?" He asked her calmly.
"You think your father has never done something he regrets because of this kingdom?" She retorted, making his brow furrow. "Do you think he is happy?"
"What are you saying?" He asked her, confused.
"I worry about you two. He probably agreed to have you be a nobleman in the royal court because he knows you are kind and just. He wants you to be the person he never was in his younger years. And I am certain that is also the reason he has continued serving the court. Because he wants to be a better person now—"
"Mother, I know you do not like that we are in the royal court very much, but do not speak ill of Father." He chided and looked around them to be sure no one heard.
"I have been in the court for 2 years, and I have seen how different Father is from the rest. He is your Lord husband. You should believe and trust him."
"I do not want my family to get involved in other affairs that will endanger our lives." She said in a serious tone.
"You are already openly showing your loyalty and support for Prince Harold, and the day he gets accused of treason without any support for him, you are aware that you are going to be punished for treason too, and so is every member of your family."
"Mother, you are thinking too much about this. I swore to you that I would only follow the right path, and that is what I will do."
"Then are you going to agree for us to fix a wedding date soon? If you are married to Lady Susan, you will have the support of the Queen's side at the very least."
He sighed. "It is unnecessary to talk about marriage at this point. But I promise to take care of myself and to protect our family."
"Harvey—"
"I swear it, mother. Rest assured."
She looked at him, feeling disappointed. He wished he could assure her more than he had, but honestly, he had no idea what else to say to her. But he saw the pain in her eyes, and she turned around and walked away from him; even when he tried to reach for her, she ignored him and left.
He only sighed sadly before he went back to their chamber to meet his father.
This wasn't the first time he had had this conversation with his mother, so he knew she was going to come around soon.
When he entered their chamber, he found his father reading through a thick note while drinking tea. From the smell, he could tell it was the calming tea his father liked to have after being stressed out.
Harvey instantly went to sit across from him. Usually, he would wait until he was done reading before he interrupted, but now he didn't have much time anymore because he had to report back to Prince Harold.
"Do you have any idea about what happened to Sir Wilson?" He asked Sir Richard, who lifted his head and looked at him.
Putting aside the book, he shook his head as she said, "I also heard that he died. But the kingdom was going through a turbulent time then, so many of us were distracted and didn't pay it any mind."
"Is there a reason for anyone to kill him?"
"I don't see why anyone would kill him." Sir Richard answered honestly. The man was a rather gentle person and not a troublemaker.
"Why are you asking?" He asked Harvey.
"I'm just curious about a lot of things," Harvey answered, and what his mother had said rang in his ears. He had never questioned his father before about his years as a nobleman. His father had always been a just and upright person who stood for the truth. But maybe there have been times his hands were tied and he indirectly supported evil? Just like the time 'Princess Amber' and Paulina had almost been killed. Even he hadn't been able to do anything useful and had only counted on Lance to speak up.
"Do you... ever regret being a nobleman in the royal court?" Harvey asked his father, who was rather taken aback by the question and looked at him.
"You have never asked me that before." He said softly.
"I know."
"Are you regretting being one?" Sir Richard asked him.
Harvey thought about it and shook his head. "Have you?"
Sir Richard sipped from his glass before he said, "I do not know."
Harvey frowned. "Why don't you know? You are noble. Many people adore you and wish to be like you. I grew up admiring you and wanted to be a nobleman just like you."
"A nobleman." He scoffed. "What is 'noble' about us?" He asked, looking directly into Harvey's eyes.
Harvey just looked at him, speechless.
"I wanted you to understand that working for the court is not an easy feat. I'm sure you must have noticed it in the few years since you joined. One way or the other, we directly or indirectly get our hands dirty. I just hope... you, at least, become a 'noble' nobleman."
"Fath—"
"I won't stop you from showing your support for Prince Harold. But the noble thing to do is to never betray the one you have chosen to support."
"Even if the lives of our family are on the line?" Harvey asked.
"Then, son, that is the price you pay for nobility."
"Will you pay such a price?" Harvey asked. It was only now that he was fully able to grasp his mother's fear.
Harvey noticed how his father's expression changed when he asked that.
"I... didn't before. And if it happens again, I don't know if I will make the same choice or not." He looked at his son and smiled sadly.
"If it is too much, you can always retire and live a simple life."
Harvey observed him quietly. It felt like his father had been loyal to someone and betrayed them. Or maybe he had been indifferent in order to save himself and his family. It made Harvey curious.
"Who... were you loyal to?"
Sir Richard looked at him. Silence passed between them for a moment before he answered honestly, "The one called... the Mad Prince."
******
A/N:
Been trying to write in the AUTHOR'S NOTE section but for some reason, I cannot access it.
So... we received lots of gifts in February! Yay! Thanks to everyone who sent me gifts. Thanks for your votes and comments too. It's super wonderful! You all are wonderful!
So we received Super gifts from Ayana_Heels today which means the update schedule is going to be doubled (or tripled if I'm not able to upload 2 chapters in a day for some reason)
Furthermore, I would like to have your opinion on something.
There is supposed to be a little backstory about Queen Anne. But I do not want this book to seem too draggy or slow so I'm considering taking it out.
What do you think? Would you like some backstory about Queen Anne and Prince Wilder or I can just mention them on a passing?
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