The Last Midnight

Chapter Twenty-Three: "When It Rains, It Pours"

Nathan stood with his parents inside the greenhouse with a handful of guards. It had been the interesting point where the guards had taken them and offered an easy escape from the castle. His father's captain of his personal guard informed his king of the situation periodically. Though it did nothing to calm his father. His father paced the large greenhouse, asking his wife seriously. "Why would do this? Why now? We haven't upset anyone recently... have I?" Nathan glanced at his mother, who stood calmly in the corner. At least, she looked calm on the outside from what he could tell. Lifting her chin, she told his father casually. "The marriage with Italy did fall through... Maybe they are upset we are trying to marry our son to someone else?" The king shrugged, stating out bluntly. "And that's OUR fault? We had nothing to do with their daughter falling for her guard!" The queen smirked but said gently. "True, but that doesn't change the fact that our countries won't unite because of it. We should send an envoy and talk to them. Before this gets out of hand. We don't want them to think we weren't serious about extending the hand of friendship and lending aid."

The king nodded, mumbling out to himself. "Yes. I agree. Until then, I'll increase security. I want to keep this hushed as much as we can. We'll tell the guests... It's to keep the disappointed families from doing anything rash when a bride is chosen tomorrow." The queen nodded, chuckling out. "A logical reaction. That would work." His dad's captain of the guard appeared in the doorway, informing the king gently. "Your highness? We have him. He had this on him." The king strolled over to take the book from him. Looking it over briefly, he handed it off to Nathan and asked the guard sternly. "Where is he? I want to speak with him." The guard bowed his head, telling him with disappointment. "He won't say who hired him. He won't talk at all... What do you want to do with him?" The king walked up to the guard, answering firmly. "Maybe he'll talk to me. If he doesn't. Take him to the dungeon. We'll pry it from him." The guard bowed, then led the king out. Just before the king followed him, he blew a kiss to his wife in a gesture to sooth her. Nathan noticed the way his mother dug her nails into the tips of her fingers discreetly now.

She never liked when the king went to speak to criminals. It made her worry that it was a trap. That he'd never come back. Though, her face never reflected that worry. Moving closer to her, he let her wrap her arms around him to hug him close. Her grip tightened on him so much that he had a little trouble breathing, but he didn't pull away. Against his shoulder, she asked him in a low quivering voice. "Are you alright?" Nathan nodded, hugging her back as he answered in a strong tone. "Yes. I'm ok, mother." She held him longer than he normally would have liked but refused to push her away. He rarely saw his mom shaken up like this. Keeping her grip tight, she told him in a slightly calmer voice. "I know... Just let me hold you a bit longer. It's... a mother thing." Rubbing her back, he warmly told her. "It's ok. To be honest... I don't mind it right now." He felt her chuckle silently, before her hand ran through his hair comfortingly to keep him close. After another minute or so, she pulled back and straightened herself back up. Upon taking a deep breath, she asked him in a collected tone. "What did he take?" Nathan handed her the logbook, replying a little confused. "He took this. Why?"

Accepting the logbook, she strolled over to a comfortable chair in the greenhouse and sat down to flip through it. Rain began to patter lightly over the greenhouse glass, filling the silence with a calming sound. While flipping through the pages, the queen informed him coolly. "It's documented records of births within noble families. An interesting choice for a thief... There is a page missing." Slipping into a seat across from her, Nathan told her openly. "Mother? Is the page with Countess Linda Patrick missing?" His mother's eyes slowly rose from the torn page to meet his, before she asked with light curiosity. "What do you know about her? I've been hearing her name a lot lately... Why?" Nathan bowed his head guiltily and sat back in his chair. His mother closed the book with a soft thud, staring him down with those powerful motherly eyes. Relenting, he told her clearly. "Before I saw him... I was heading to the archives to look up someone. Countess Linda Patrick." His mother folded her hands over her leg as she crossed her legs regally and informed him coolly. "I see. Why the sudden interest in her?" Nathan shrugged, avoiding her eyes. He didn't want to say just yet.