𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍; 𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍

23

"Tobias got what he deserved." Eren's tone went from serious to aggressive. "He committed some disgusting atrocities during the war we now face." He continued to speak with a furious look on his face. "Tobias will not be missed." Eren's voice still held immense rage, and his lips were pressed tightly as he glanced at Zeke. "Are you satisfied with my answer?" Eren asked his brother as he raised his eyebrow.

"Not quite."

"Not quite?!"

"You have yet to be specific on the why exactly his head ended up on that pike."

"Zeke, take my word."

"Eren I believe you, but the rumors I have heard must be settled if not now when?"

"Fine. Tobias was a traitor to the crown Captain Levi told me of his influence on the rival kingdoms. He will not be missed." Eren gritted his teeth. "Does that answer your question?"

"It does, to an extent."

"An extent?"

"Another reason for his arrest and decapitation was that he kidnapped and beat Venus, was it not?" Eren's eyes widened as he sighed.

"That is also correct."

"I figured it was; with the way you are with that young lady and how the guards were quite adamant about that being the main reason, I should have just believed them instead of coming to pester you about it."

"It was a justified killing. I can not undo such a decision."

"I just wish you had waited."

"Waited? What for?" Eren sat down at his desk as Zeke began to pace the room.

"Tobias was our father's favorite general. A close friend if you will. What will he make of this!"

"I dont care, favorite or not he was a monster and in our folktales, if I recall, monsters die by decapitation." Eren's voice had taken on a more forceful and intense quality as he spoke, his words laced with anger and frustration.

"If father confronts you... by gods Eren.. leave Venus's name out of it. Only speak on his acts of treason."

"Why should I? I am telling you, Venus was a victim!" Eren's face turned red angrily as he glared at his brother. "Why should I not use Venus' name? She deserves justice, not my silence. I'll tell him the atrocities he did to Venus and everyone else he hurt."

"DAMMIT EREN! I UNDERSTAND YOU WANT TO BE THE SAINT OF THE FAMILY, BUT HE MUST NOT KNOW OF VENUS. Open your eyes Eren. If he knows that you killed his damn lap dog of a general for a maid. He will seek her OUT. God only knows what our father will do."

"Fine then! Be a coward and not tell Father how much of a bastard that lap dog was. But, I will not stay silent." Eren was now standing very close to Zeke; rage was visible on his face. "Continue to be a coward. You are just another impediment."

"You are a fool if you think I meant to keep this situation under lock and key. On the contrary, I advise you to keep Venus'sname out of your explanation. I do not want her getting hurt."

"A threat? I live to protect both her and my kingdom. I can not simply ignore the attrocities."

"YES, I AM WARNING YOU. WHY CANT YOU SEE IT? BY THE GODS EREN I AM PLEADING WITH YOU NOW. If Father finds out and you say her name. You will live to regret it." Zeke sat on the lush sofa and looked up at him. "Please for once in your stubborn life, listen to your brother."

"Why such a strong concern for a woman who do not holds the same class we do? I have a reason. What is yours." Eren declared coldly as he stood before Zeke.

"Because that woman is the closest thing we have to our mother. That woman has finally made you smile for god knows how many years. That woman as much as I may say outlandish and insubordinate comments, she has an honest heart. I don't need our bastard of a Father tainting it. I will not have it." Eren's eyes softened by his brother's declaration. A hint of sadness arose in his eyes as he looked up at the painting of his mother and smiled.

"I suppose I am too focused on my goals. You are right, our father is not to be trusted. He will simply use Venus as some sort of trophy and make an example out of her." In an attempt to hold back his emotions, Eren applied pressure to his face with his fingers, hoping to quell the tears threatening to spill over. Zeke noticed, and without a second thought about Eren's overwhelmed emotions, he promptly stood up from the sofa and hugged him.

"Father already ruined my life with his bastard ways... you still have a chance to change your fate and be happy. I don't want him ruining your happiness too." Zeke patted Eren's shoulders with a laugh and looked to the window.

"You never told me of this." Eren watched as Zeke walked to the window. "What did he do Zeke." All Eren heard was a soft chuckle from Zeke. He turned to face Eren and smiled.

"That's a story for another time."

꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶꒦꒷

𑁍┊-TiredBunBun