The World Is Still Beautiful (King Livius)

Chapter Seven

"Why would they attempt another assassination? After so many years?" Livius huffed in irritation as he discarded the documents he was holding carelessly onto the table.

"I'm not too sure my king but... It seems that they are hell bent on overthrowing you this time." Neil commented.

"What makes you say that?"

"Well for starters, they tried to blend in as one of the guards and maids here but thankfully we managed to sniff them out before anything happens.."

"Okay but that's only one point."

"Well for the second one.. I don't know what's your alibi since you refuse to tell me or anyone for that matter."

"Stop talking in circles Neil."

"As you wish your majesty. My question is; where were you on the night of the celebration that we held for Amari and her family?"

Livius showed no signs of nervousness as he replied his advisor.

"Here and there."

"... Alright. If you say so my king."

"Why?"

"It's... just that... you seem troubled after the celebration... Are you sure that you didn't run into any trouble? Like being kidnapped or chased after by enemies?"

Livius sighed in relief in his head...

Guess Neil or Nike hasn't figured out anything yet...

"No. I was just clearing my head."

"For?"

"I... Nothing."

Neil studied Livius before speaking again.

"When you have sorted out your thoughts, you know you can always count on me to listen.."

"Hmph. Even if the secret is a... say... a negative one?"

Neil immediately gave a nod as his answer, earning a wry smile from Livius.

"Thank you. Well... when I feel like it, I might just tell you."

*~*

"Kei, Hiru, does Amari know how to write?" Nike asked the two men as they were walking towards the garden to check on Amari and Livius.

Livius had gone on ahead to bring Amari to the garden. They both carried on their routine as if that night never happened...

"She knows. Why'd you ask my queen?" Hiru asked curiously.

"Hmm... Well... Ever since that celebration night, she has been... How do you say.. more reserved? I was thinking I could get her to communicate with us by writing.."

"She has always been reserved. If you hadn't figure out yet she can't talk." Kei answered sharply, earning a warning look from Hiru.

"Pardon my son's tongue your majesty. He is over protective of Amari since she has been in our care for so many years."

Nike didn't take Kei's words to heart but she was indeed very surprised to know that Amari doesn't have the ability to speak..

"Oh... It's okay Hiru. I... Is there any other way to communicate with her?"

Before Hiru could answer, Kei beat him to it.

"Why are you so insistent on communicating with her?"

"Don't you notice she's been quite distant lately? Like she doesn't smile as often or... Use much gestures to continue a conversation.."

"Hmm... She seems normal to me." Hiru commented as Kei thought hard about it..

"Nah." Kei shook his head. "She acts normally around me and my father. I haven't seen her alone with you or your husband so I wouldn't know."

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the garden. And there was Amari, sitting and looking at the butterflies flitting from flower to flower as they collect nectar..

Kei's eyes hardened when he saw Amari..

He has never seen her like that, staring with an emotionless expression at the flowers or butterflies...

He turned his eyes to Livius who was standing a few meters away from Amari with arms crossed.

Livius doesn't seem angry, so that means Amari wasn't being scolded...

Come to think of it, this is the first time Kei has seen them together, alone...

Without a word, Kei marched over to Amari and bent down to her eye level, grabbing her shoulders and turning her to him.

"Amari, tell me! Something's wrong!"

Amari's violet eyes went hazy for a while before she looked into Kei's silver ones..

The girl blinked slowly before her lips drew into a thin smile...

"No... This is not right. That smile... is not from her heart..." Kei thought to himself, looking up at Livius who was studying the whole situation intently.

"What the hell did you to her?!" Kei yelled.

"Me?" Livius raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what the fuck you're talking about."

"Kei calm down!" Hiru hissed as he approached his junior but Kei refused to back down and hugged Amari tightly to him.

"You know... Every angel has the ability to detect liars..." Kei whispered in a dangerous tone, making even Hiru stop in his tracks..

"Kei... I told you not to interfere didn't I.."

"Hiru! You knew! You knew something will cause Amari to be like this?! You knew this bastard will have something to do with it?!?" Kei roared accusingly as he stared down Hiru.

Hiru didn't say anything in return but Nike almost tore her hair out..

"Wait! What on earth is going on?!? Is there something going on between you and Amari?!?" Nike yelled out, staring at Livius.

"No."

"Don't fucking lie!" Kei gritted his teeth, getting ready to go into his real form..

"Your majesty! You and Princess Nike must get out of here! Follow the guards and Amari and the rest will follow me!" Neil shouted as he rushed into the garden with a few royal guards behind him.

"What's going on?!?" Nike demanded and Neil composed himself before speaking quickly.

"The people who were trying to assassinate you has managed to infiltrate the palace! We must separate you into two groups so we can throw them off!"

Hiru raised his head suddenly before turning to Kei.

"Wait. The enemies. They're not after the royalties..."

"Huh?" Neil asked in bewidlerment.

"They... are after me, Kei and Amari..." Hiru finished as he nodded to Kei and both of them immediately transformed into full angel form.