The Thorn in My Shed-Chapter 34: Sibling Brawl

The next day, Marix arrived at the palace with Lord Evans. His father, the King, sat there on his throne, sitting tall and regal. Arlon sat on a smaller throne next to him, his elbow resting on the armrest as he rubbed his brows.

Marix shoved Lord Evans in front of the King. He stumbled and fell on his hands and knees.

His body ached terribly from the long walk and without his cane to aid him. His hips screamed out in agony with each movement and the sharp pain in his lower spine had only intensified.

Not to mention how stiff he felt from his sleeping arrangements. The cold stone floor was so hard and difficult on his arthritis, he had felt the chill in his bones.

That combined with the fact that his cell had been lit all night contributed to the dark circles that had formed under his eyes.

His stomach growled loudly too. That had been another thing that kept him up: missing out on his precious dinner.

Dirt covered his clothes from what the horse and carriage had kicked up on the way over, and his fancy, not made for walking, shoes had suffered from holes in their soles.

This proud, powerful noble looked to be in shambles.

"Let’s cut to the chase, brother. Why have you called us here today?" Arlon questioned with a yawn he tried best to stifle.

"Yes, what is it that is so urgent?" The King followed up.

Marix walked with his hands behind his back and approached closer to his father and brother.

"Lord Evans has been caught violently torturing his daughter in a hidden dungeon underneath his estate. Physically and psychologically."

He continued to explain the entire ordeal even down to when he’d held Eilownia in his own dungeon and her responses to his interrogations.

"After rescuing Eilownia Evans from her father’s cruel grasp, I’ve discovered something outstanding. I am positive that Lord Evans is participating in illegal executions."

Arlon’s eyebrow twitched as he sat up straight, his eyes darted between Lord Evans and Marix.

"Oh? Illegal executions you say? That’s quite the accusation, brother."

The King kept his gaze on Lord Evans, "Proceed, General. What makes you so positive?"

Marix reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, brown leather pouch. He opened it up and poured its contents into his hand.

Out toppled a finger bone. He held it up for his father and Arlon to see.

"I discovered this bone inside his dungeon amongst discarded torture devices. Eilownia Evans is not missing any such bones, thus it’s reasonable to certainly say this bone came from someone else."

Arlon’s eyes widened as he stared at the bone.

"I had one of my men discreetly do some digging and they found out that quite a few servants have disappeared from the Evans household."

The King cleared his throat and sat back in his throne, "I see."

Lord Evans goes to speak but a wave of nausea from his empty stomach washed over him, causing him to let out a dry heave instead. He immediately shut his mouth and swallowed the feeling down as he clenched his jaw tight.

"Allow me to have my men do a more thorough investigation. This is excellent information for us to use against King Solus. Don’t you agree father?"

"Are you proposing blackmail?" Arlon questioned as a stern look came over his face.

"Blackmail? Is uncovering a crime and having the perpetrator face consequences deemed as blackmail these days? This is about morality. Even the citizens of Sola would rise against a King who supports someone participating in illegal executions."

The King nodded, "Yes, this is only right. The citizens should be warned. Especially when he hires them. I assume Lord Evans has had many new staff members over the years."

"I was there recently for their annual Spring Ball. There were quite a few new staff members, and when I arrived yesterday, I saw more new faces. I think it’s safe to say his turn over is quite high."

The King nodded again and rubbed his chin.

"I see. General, you’ve done a good job capturing this cruel man and discovering this injustice."

He then shot Marix a knowing look, "As a noble, Lord Evans should be upgraded to a finer jail cell," The king turned his gaze to Lord Evans and smiled, "and should be given a meal as well."

Lord Evans’ stomach growled loudly as if to say, ’Thank you!’

Marix, however, simply ignored the knowing look his father gave him and gave him an irritated half shrug.

"Well, hold on a moment." Arlon spoke up, holding his hand up to halt the conversation.

The King raised his eyebrow and turned his head to face him.

Marix simply ignored him and put the bone back into the pouch, cinching its tie shut.

"I have a different idea."

Marix stopped halfway to placing the pouch in his pocket before looking up at Arlon.

"Excuse me?"

Arlon rested his head against his knuckles, "As a show of good faith to the King, why don’t we propose his right-hand man be under house arrest instead?"

The King stroked his beard in consideration.

"Why allow him such mercy?" Marix questioned, his tone pointed.

"Certainly we will be in their better graces. Besides, there isn’t much we can do to threaten them with is there? Both Lord Evans and Miss Eilownia are under the protection and prosecution of Sola.

Marix stared at Arlon. His eyes twitched into a squint for just a moment as he shifted his gaze to Lord Evans out of the corner of his eye.

Wasn’t this case cut and dry?

"Am I not allowed a fair trial?! I demand the General be removed from his position! He clearly holds biases that he-!" Lord Evans stifled another gag.

"Lord Evans I completely understand your frustration. I hope you can understand my brother is just a very protective man. Please, allow me, as the crown prince, to address this issue properly."

Arlon gave him a wide smile before turning his head back to Marix who was shooting daggers at him with his gaze. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Brother, don’t tell me you believe someone who tortured their own flesh and blood should get off scot-free? You’re practically offering him a mere slap on the wrist."

Arlon laughed and shook his head.

"Brother, you misunderstand me! I would never support someone like that," he placed his hand on his chest in offense, "My main priority is this war and ensuring the safety of Viraaz!"

Marix crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows as he stared at Arlon expectantly.

"As do I."

"Brother, you wouldn’t want our country to face problems because we did not do our due diligence do you? I, for one, would be unable to sleep as the Crown Prince, knowing that I had made a hasty decision that led to dire consequences for our people. Would you?"

Marix went to speak, but he was interrupted by his father.

"One moment, both of you."

He held up his hand to signal for the royal guards, who trotted right on over, and then nodded towards Lord Evans before flicking his hand.

The guards nodded and grabbed Lord Evans, escorting him out of the room.

"Unhand me! I have a right to discuss with the King how da-!" His protests faded into the distance as they took him to the official Viraaz prison.

The King tutted and stared at the both of them with a look of shock.

"You two have displayed such inappropriate behavior! Getting into a siblings quarrel in front of a noble prisoner! What has gotten into you two? There is no need to have this discussion in front of him. Sola doesn’t need to know there is a divide within the royal family, much less with the General!"

Marix bowed to the King and Arlon stood up to join him.

"Yes father." They said in unison.

"Now, allow me a moment to think."

They both bowed again and repeated, "Yes father."

He rubbed his beard as he considered both of arguments and proposals they brought to the table and ran through every scenario he possibly could in his head.

After a few moments of weighing their options, he finally nodded.

"Alright, I’ve made my decision."

Both of them kept their attention on their father, each praying silently in their heads for their desired outcome.

"It would be in everyone’s best interest for Lord Evans and Miss Eilownia to be returned to Sola with a written report and the proposal of house arrest."

Marix’s eyes widened.

Arlon smiled, "Thank you father. I am sure this is the best possible decision that can be made given the circumstances."

"No." Marix protested.

"No?" The King stood up and stared down at him, "You dare to tell me no?"

Marix held his ground and stared his father right in the eyes, "That’s right. I will not subject her to more torture. Do you think Lord Evans will change his ways if we return them? She’ll be in more danger than she was before. I will accept full responsibility for her!"

The King sucked on his left cheek before nodded, "Alright. Accepted. Lord Evans will be returned on his own. We will tell them that Miss Eilownia is too weak to travel for the time being until we can figure out the next step."