An Expected Betrayal |TBATE

Chapter 16 - Interrogation

CAERA DENOIR

Upon hearing that name Grey when pale as a ghost and his eyes shook in pure terror. "H-How do you know that name?" Grey asked, I never saw him like this before. Even when talking or thinking about his past. 'Does this have something to do with his secret?' I pondered while taking Grey into an even deeper hug.

"I don't know everything, I only know your circumstances. If you wish to know more your friend might have the answers," answered Seris still in her serious tone. Instead of answering Grey put his arms around me, probably for comfort. "What are you going to do?" asked Grey, his voice shaky. His grip on me tightened, refusing to let me go.

"Nothing, I'm planning on letting you live peacefully. I will warn you though, he is very angry at you," said Seris. Grey was still pale and shaking but after a while he calmed down. Everyone was looking at Grey with confusion and concern. "Would you like to see him? He's just outside," asked Seris.

I looked at Grey in the eyes, terror and another emotion I couldn't make out was present. Grey let go of the hug, took a deep breath and turned to Seris. He was still unwell but no one said anything because we didn't know how to help him.

"Please bring him in," said Grey. I sat down next to him and held his hand tightly. Then Seris walked outside and when she came back in she came with a boy on a wheelchair. He had mana suppression chains all over him. He also had a metal muffler over his mouth.

He had short black hair and hatred in his eyes. Once he saw Grey he started to squirm and twist, as if he wanted to attack Grey. Judging by how much he was twisting I started to wonder what had happened in between the two. "E-Elijah?" stuttered Grey.

Seris shook her head, "No, this is and always has been Nico. He was brought back after the attack on Xyrus." Seris's eyes went wide before she covered her mouth. Grey's hold on my hand tightened until it hurt, but I kept quiet for his sake. "What do you mean by attack on Xyrus," demanded Grey.

"I'm sorry, it isn't my place to tell you," answered Seris. Grey's face was unreadable, "Everyone, please leave me alone with him," asked Grey. We all left, mainly out of consideration of Grey and how none of us wanted to be in such an awkward situation.

GREY

I looked at Elij-Nico. How? How is Nico here? It would make sense that Seris would know if Nico told her but how would they even know in the first place? Wouldn't he say something back in Dicathen? No, he might've not had his memories back then.

Nico was twisting with hatred. I thought back to when I last saw him. His eyes were the same as that day. Knowing Nico he won't listen to me if he can speak so it's a good thing Seris gagged him. I sat down across from him. "I want to say one thing. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not listening to you about Vera. I thought I could save us. I thought that becoming king would allow me to save all of us."

"I will say this though, I never meant to kill Cecilia." Nico started to flail around more aggressively. "You and I both know I couldn't have killed Cecilia even if I wanted to. S-She impaled herself onto my blade," I stuttered, the memories of that day drove back up to the surface.

Nico had disbelief in his eyes before he started to shake again. He probably already knew this but still chose to deny it and blame it on me. I don't care, he should blame me. "I never meant to hurt either of you. I'm sorry, please forgive me," I begged, tears flowing down my eyes.

"If there is anything I can do to redeem myself please let me know," I said before taking the gag off of Nico. "Redeem yourself? How delirious, do you not know the amount of pain you caused Cecilia and I? The amount of touture she went through while you were with that bitch is nothing compared to what happened to you," scoffed Nico.