Bright One | Empire of Blood and Swords Series

13. Having Doubts

"So, how do you find life here?" Seth  asked as we walked down the flight of stairs.

We were going to the main castle, where the tailor is to make my clothes, and Connie's. Connie was beside me, walking silently, not daring to say a word. She seemed rather to get out of the Healing Room, but regretted it when she stepped out. Seth and I tried to pull her into our conversation, but she would flinch and shake her head violently. It's only natural for a human in another creature's world, not to mention that Seth's here as well. If he wasn't, she might be talking to me.

"It's only my third day here," I replied. "But so far, I guess it's pretty good, really peaceful and calm."

Seth turned to look at my human friend, and arch an eyebrow, Oh, truly? He seemed to ask. Peaceful and calm for me, but not for Connie. I took a quick glance at Seth, he's wearing his armor, or training outfit as he likes to call it. The breastplate has iron and runes engraved onto it. There were no sleeves on his armor, revealing his tattoos on his arm, it looked like a wolf. There were a few more other symbols and runes on his arms as well. I never knew he had so many tattoos, the only ones I know were the ones on his fingers. Then it hit me, there are many things that I don't know about Seth yet.

"You know, we didn't really get to know each other very well," I said and he looked at me. "I'll ask you a question and you can ask me one, but you have to answer them. How does that sound?"

"I don't think there's more to you that I need to know of," he smiled sadly. "But I have a feeling you're going to be the asking me more than you ought to. Well, ask away."

"Do you ever want to be king?"

He laughed and shook his head.

"I never wanted to be king, it had always been my sister who wanted me to be. She wanted me to take responsibilities, which she knew I would never pay attention to."

"Why not?"

He shrugged. "It's very stressful, to keep things under control, to make sure everyone's all right. I don't think I'm the responsible type of person. Had I to be crowned king, Kells will fall into plight."

I laughed at his statement. He smiled and sighed. I took a quick glance at Connie, she still didn't say anything. She was staring at the ground, like she was avoiding eye contact. It's only natural, I keep telling myself. It's only natural that she doesn't want to talk to me, nor look at me, since I've held back so many things from her.

Even the closest people to you will hide things from you. Things they are afraid to admit, afraid to cause anger, to cause disappointment.

Now that I think about these things, I can't help but question the Achilleas' trust towards me. Sapphire's and Saoirse's, even Seth's! Could they be hiding something from me? Something they don't want me to know? I looked at Seth closely, he keeps his head high, his smile never falters. As a prince who grew up in these walls, he must've learned his ways to get information from his uncles, his sisters, the councils. If only I could get him to tell me something.

"Are you hiding something from me?" I ask out of spite, causing him to flinch. Was it my tone? Or was it my choice of words that shows I don't really believe him.

"You truly don't trust me, do you?" He asks, a little disappointment in his tone.

"Hmm, let's see. You lied to me, betrayed me, sedated me and...I could keep going but it would take all day."

"But I'm telling the truth," his cheeks starts to turn pink. He raises his hand in surrender. "Why would I hide something from you now?"

"Why would you not?" I fired back. "How can I know that you're not lying?"