Numb: The Genesis

VIII. Death

Traversing through the corridors, I thought I'd stop by palace kitchen, perhaps to converse with the cook, Olina.

Olina had been working with the Westergård family for about twenty years, before I was born. I talked to her here and there, just to reminisce memories of my mother. They were close, close enough that Mamma considered Olina as her own mother, and I would see her as my grandmother.

Over the years, Olina would tell me more about my mother. It was the closest thing I had to remember her. I learned from Olina that Mamma had neither a mother nor a father; an orphaned child, she was. Olina saw her in the streets. She was gaunt and roughened up. I believe Mamma was sixteen by the time Olina found her. She had told me Mamma came from a harsh childhood and went along with the wrong crowd growing up. Olina knew Mamma shouldn't be involved with such bad influence at a young age, so she took her in. She taught her the basics of home economics and the essentials of being a respectable housemaid.

I snuck near the entryway of the kitchen just to be sure that none of my siblings could spot me. Then I heard a familiar voice. Not Olina's, but Kenneth's. Out of curiosity, I took a peek. I was right. It was Kenneth. Along with the kitchen maid. I watched in rattling disbelief as Kenneth skimmed the girl's neck with his lips. She giggled, twirling his hair on her finger. Then she stopped. Her baby blue eyes looked my way. I was frozen and stiff onto my place. Kenneth noticed the kitchen maid's halt and turned his head towards me. To my horror, our eyes locked, both filled with stupefaction. He pushed her away from their embrace and his fists tightened at his sides. He was angered terribly, but I wasn't so sure if it were directed towards me for finding him in this manner or at himself for not being so careful. I stepped into the kitchen and stood against the wall parallel to the one nearby the couple. I didn't think of the consequences of what would happen if I said what was stuck in my mind, and so I said it anyway. My eyes narrowed, looking into his, and I spoke this inappropriate-yet-appropriate phrase:

"Like father, like son."

His eyes grew bloodshot, and he was ready to approach me with his heavy gait. I sucked in air, to get ready for the pain. But what I said was the truth. And he was going to toss me around because he couldn't swallow it. He raised his arms my way. I shut my eyes so I couldn't see his horrid face.

"What is going on here?"

Silence.

"Hans, open your eyes!" I swiftly widened them. Olina! "Now tell me what is happening between you two. Lord have mercy, you both are always tangled in a quarrel. What gives? And Olivia, don't tell me you're involved. Are you?"

"Yes, ma'am. I am."

Olina grumbled with her hands on her face.

"Well, we shan't be dealing with this nonsense right now. The king has called on a meeting, and you two have been keeping him waiting! Now go!" She pushed us out of the kitchen.

Kenneth and I both walked down the halls to Pappa's office. No words were shared, not even glances.

I opened the door. The king, queen, all of my brothers, as well as men I've never seen before occupied the office. All of their eyes looked at Kenneth and I. Their expressions left me tingles on my spine. They looked as if they saw death.

And when my father spoke, I knew for sure it all meant death.

"Kenneth. Hans. The Southern Isles is at war."