Execution [Book 2 of The English Lion]

XII. Antony

It's tea time on the 27th, and I have never seen my brother so tense... I don't think anyone in the family has seen him like that. Hugo, of course, was always there, alongside Douglas. I - on the other hand - had invited an old friend of mine, Max. Everyone would be talking in the room.

Everyone quietens down as Hugo and Alexander seem to be having a heated (yet quiet) argument in the corner of the room.

"Everything alright there, brother?" I asked. The two of them stopped and looked at me.

Alexander had a forced smile, which I can tell by the way.

"Yeah. It's just... a disagreement between old friends. Right?" He replied as he looked at Hugo.

"Oui. Everything's sorted now," Hugo replied after clearing his throat. Alexander clapped his shoulder before moving to occupy himself with scones.

Hugo just stayed there in the corner of the room, silently watching everyone as he sips his tea. Meanwhile, I'm not entirely sure what's going on but I do have a hunch. Once Alexander was finished, he turned me.

"Don't mind talking with you in private?" Alexander asked in a quiet voice.

"Yeah, sure," I replied, looking a bit confused as I set my cup of tea aside. Alexander looked at Elizabeth, and they somehow have a mental connection or something, because Elizabeth set down her cup as Alexander did with his. Elizabeth and I followed our brother outside into a quiet part of the hallway, out of earshot of everything.

"What's wrong?" I asked immediately the moment Alexander had turned his attention back to Elizabeth and me.

"Don't tell anyone what I'm going to tell you. Not even Papa. Swear on your life," Alexander stated in his most authoritative tone. Elizabeth and I glanced at one another then to Alexander.

"I swear," Both of us replied.

"Good," Alexander said, sighing as he looked relieved.

"I'm going to die. I don't know when, but it's soon. Hitler sees me and Regillus Eques as a threat. If I'm out of the way... It will neutralise the threat of both Regillus Eques and I. For the sake of Britain and her people, I must do my duty to protect her," Alexander continued, this time in a hushed tone.

"Woah woah woah. Hold on. You're implying that you know this all along for years now," I stated in a hushed tone. Elizabeth just stood there, frozen in worry and fear.

"Yes," Alexander admitted, "But... I have to confirm it with my sources."

"You mean Regillus Eques," I stated bluntly. Alexander nodded.

"So this is goodbye then, huh?" I continued, looking worried. Alexander looked at me, then to Elizabeth.

"I'm sorry if I couldn't tell you earlier. I fear the risk is too great to tell you earlier and it will put you in danger."

"I understand, Alexander," Elizabeth spoke up for the first time before hugging Alexander in a tight hug.

"I'll miss you, brother. I'll cherish all the memories of you. As well as reading every single book that you owned," Elizabeth continued.

"Of course, sister."

They both released the hug. We all silently agreed to not tell anyone as we head back to the living room. We acted normal for the rest of the day, even if you know that your brother is going to die. He's a marked man. There's nothing for me nor Elizabeth to do to save him from this.