Fire and Ice

Words Lost

~Nashi's continued~

My parents listened to my part of the story quietly and intently. Now it was my turn to listen.

"Why was Jude sent away? Certainly you had to have a reason to send your son away." I asked my parent, turning the conversation to them.
"He told me he left because he didn't want me to be sent away from home but....you still let him aside from him deciding to leave."

My parents were both silent, avoiding my eyes.

I don't know their reasoning for letting Jude go. I wish I did. At times I thought of reasons why they did it....or even reasons why I might do it in their position.
He was twelve years old then. Yes, I know he wasn't having the bet time at home. Even I could tell. But... I don't think I could have done it.

"He....wanted to leave. Your arranged marriage was his key out. Jude wanted to do it...but he wanted to leave anyways. This was just his way of leaving for a purpose." My mother said weakly.

"And you let him?" I questioned.

"Yes," my father interjected, "It's true. He wanted to leave. But we also took into consideration that....we also didn't want you to be sent away too. You were only 10 and we thought...."

"We thought that letting Jude go on his adventures...instead of you beginning sent miles away...was a better choice." My mother finished.

"So you faked his death? Lied to me and told me he died from sickness? I lost a brother that day you put on a show at the funeral," I questioned, escalating in anger, "Were your tears even real at his funeral mother?"

I turned to her in frustration. I looked into her eyes and saw sorrow. Light tears began to leave her eyes as she said,
"Yes...yes they were. I lost a son that day. It was the only way the kingdom would believe he was gone."

"The kingdom's people knows he didn't die from sickness. They believe he died by murder." My father said coldly.

I looked over to him to see that his hair was covering his so I couldn't see them.

"They believe Simon, Norman's father, killed him." He finished.

I gasped from loss of words.
That can't be.
Simon was the nicest man I've ever met.

"Once I told Simon about Jude's leave he thought saying my son died from sickness wasn't going to be convincing to my people. That next day he decided to tell the people that he killed my son. The people never trailed him but stoned him in the street right where he stood."

Tears, once again, began to escape my eyes.
I couldn't believe what I was being told.

"All I say is true." My father muttered shamefully.

"You never told me that....you never told Norman." I asked, wide-eyed.

My father shook his head.
"Sickness for Jude and Travel troubles for Simon. Both lies to keep you and Norman safe."

After hearing that....I felt dirty.
Simon, Juvia, Romeo.....who else?
All were on my families hands.
This was all too much.

I curled up into a ball, pulling my knees to my chest.

I am a young princess who has been living in a castle all her life. She has had the convenience of comfort and servants at her finger tips since she was young.
But she was blind. Blind to all the hidden meanings of things. Her parents were loving but too busy to spend time with her. Her brother was fun to be with but always sot adventure outside the walls they lived in.
Yes she was a pretty little princess, loving and sweet. But she hadn't seen the true horrors of some things until now.
And it was too much.

And It hurt.

My mother wrapped her comforting arms around me to try and cheer me up.
Her action made me feel warm but I wasn't going to get over this so quickly.
I know she thought that too.

~

It was getting late and my parents had to retire for the night.
We had nothing else to discuss, for now, so we all parted for the night.

After saying good night and leaving the room, I wandered down the halls until I reached my room.

I didn't realize how sleepy I was getting until I had to take myself down the many hall and down several flights of stairs.

My cheeks were red and tear stained. One of my scratches on my leg is really bothering me now.
Healing is such a slow process.

Once I finally got down to my room, I find that my chamber door is open a bit.
I thought I had closed my door when I left but I guess I was wrong.

I reached to push open the door but was stopped by a small noice on the other side.
In the room, I heard small sniffling coming from someone young.

Slowly opening the door I find...

"Sylvia?"