Leilania held her hands to the cold cheeks his face for a moment before she straightened up, "Allow us to hide Lord Alexandru in the throne room before you bring her in," With that said, she walked with her newfound king to the throne room. She hid Alex behind the massive throne so he could hear the conversation. Alex followed her softly and once at the throne and main hall. Alex leaned at the back of the throne and sat on the floor as he listened. Once seated, Leilania waved for the guards to bring her in.
The gate opened and approached, was a woman. She had a look of shame and guilt as she walked to the edge of the extended carpet that met the start of the paired steps that had the throne directly ahead of it. She knelt as she spoke, "Please forgive my intrusion, my pr-.. my queen. I believe I have information involving the attempt on your life, as well as the origins of the arrow," Serenity remained silent, knowing her place, not daring to speak out of turn.
The queen sat tall, rubbing her brow in a grieving manner, "Of course, Miss Serenity… Please tell me what you know," Her eyes looked to her guards to hint at them to be on guard, just incase she tried anything.
"The truth is..." Serenity pondered, wondering if she was doing the right thing. The feelings she had kept inside, wanting to break free. A part of guilt and hate and shame and confusion and worry. Nothing was wanting to stay inside and it was visible on her face as she continued, "I was the one who had fired that arrow and it was to kill him, not you... He's a monster. An abomination that should have never had my families blood. A walking, lasting, parasite waiting to conquer all within it's waking path," while her words were staggeringly sharp, her tone and cadence was the opposite. A world of grief and shame. Like she was struggling to speak this way towards him. Alex listened from behind and remained quiet. He felt off hearing this.
Leilania stood up as the guards placed Serenity in shackles for her crimes, "I thank you for telling the truth… But your words. They sound unjust… Full of grief and shame… As if they are lies. That you do not feel this way about the late prince… Why are you masking your feelings?"
Alex remained silent. He was intrigued. He was relieved to know that he was not the only one who had spotted Serenity's suspicious tone.
Serenity stammered and scoffed, disingenuously, "I'm not masking anything. He's a rotten fantasy my sister had and was undeserving to have the Thelvon name!" Her tone had shifted. She seemed more violent and spiteful. Though the facade still remained.
Alex sighed as he stood up and unveiled himself to her, "Okay... Now. Surely, you do not mean that..." his eyes looked at her with sincerity and a glimmer of hope shined back to him before the facade came back.
Serenity stared at him disbelief and shock as she was convinced his life was taken. She stammered and muttered before she kept going, "Y-YOU! You're supposed to be dead! The arrow was meant for you! You endanger everyone in this kingdom! You are causing riots and violence in our land of peace!!"
Alex slowly walked to serenity until he had gotten face to face with her and spoke softly, "I don't want violence or war. I simply want justice.. Who killed my mother.. who tried to kill me.." Alex's face was inches from Serenity's as he spoke in hush growl, "Who. Are. You. Protecting?.." Alex started to bare his fangs out as his eyes glowed in rage.
Serenity looked horrified. A whimper left her lips as she glanced at the queen of her land, seeking sanctuary of any sort. Protection from the creature that was directly in front of her.
The queen had her arms crossed, stood behind Alex as the guards stayed at the ready, holding her in her shackles, "You will answer your King, Serenity. Who are you protecting. By the Tree Fathers will, you must answer!" Leilania walked up, stood beside her king and reached for his hand, subtly, to let him know she was beside him and he needed to quell his rage. He had to be diplomatic or he wasn't going to get an answer. At least That's how the Queen of this land saw the progression of this investigation.
Alex felt Leilania's touch. Her warmth swarmed his soul and he suddenly calmed down. Serenity yelled as she spoke, "I cant!! can't!! I CANT SAY! I swore through an Tree-Father vow! The vow was enchanted! I couldn't even if I wanted to!" she cried and begged as she fell on her knees. Her head lowered as she cried softly to herself.
After a few seconds of Alex and Leilania glancing at each other, unsure if this was still a facade, Serenity slowly risen her head to look at Alex once more. His look of sadness and uncertainty over her made her hitch and sniffle as she held in her sobbing as she spoke quietly, "y-you look... SO... much like her.. I want to help. I tried fixing this, by lying. Telling the queen I did it so they would remain safe. If you're still alive, then..." she went silent and was defeated. No matter what was done, she remained silent with her head hung low.
Alex stood straight and spoke softly, "Take her to a cell. She will be released after this investigation finds it's conclusion." her words made him shiver. It felt like she was genuine and truthful. It did not help him feel any better though. To know someone he had just met knows of his mother more than he does.
The guards nodded and escorted her away, "Yes, my king."
As the went out of earshot Leilania looked to Alex, her eyes soft with sorrow, "I'm sorry, my love. You may have to play dead a bit longer… We need more information and your still in danger… Unless," She pulled away and started pacing in thought. " I think the Thelvon family may be our best lead…"
Alex gave a nod as he then had his fingers interlock with hers. He spoke, "The only people she would protect, are members of her family. That look in her eye when she saw me. It felt like she knew of my existence for a very very long time. If that's the case, then..."
Leilania snapped her finger, "Someone in the family found out and were the one who killed her!"
Alex gave a nod and finished her trail, "And it's safe to assume, that same person tried for my life too," He sat back on the throne and huffed in frustration rubbing his head, "If we want to find out who, we need to enter the Thelvon home..."
She snapped, gaining a guards attention, "Fetch the Thelvon Family Tree, in the archives. We need to see who is still alive. We have a list of subjects we must investigate!"
"Yes, my Queen!" the guard shuffled off as she waved over a maid to bring the king a chalice of fresh deer blood in case he desired.
Alexandru wondered how many situations she had been in involving someone attempting to take her life before his arrival. She seemed to be a little overbearing whenever he was showed visible sadness or stress. It was sweet and endearing to see, but not much of a royal response. Very impulsive in Alex's perspective.