Parting of the ways.
A/N: it's been ages since I've updated this story. Warning: this chapter will be emotional.
It was a normal day at the castle. Analise and I had ended the lesson in the garden and was now returning to the palace. I heard my name being called, a messenger was running towards me in his hand was a green sealed letter. The green seal meant a death. My breathing was shaky as I took the letter. Analise looked puzzled until her blue eyes caught the seal. She put her hand over her mouth and with the other placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. She whispered a gently "I'm so terribly sorry Julian…" The messenger wouldn't look me in the eye. Analise could see the pain written on my face and dismissed him. I couldn't bring myself to open the letter.
"Julian? Here let me open it for you. I won't look at it. You seem to be struggling," I handed it to her. Her gentle and soft hands slide under the flap and it popped open. Then she faced it to me with a small sad smile.
Dear Mr Julian Barley,
we regret to inform you that your brother-in-law Joshua Walsh has been killed in battle. His wife, your sister has been notified. He was killed after saving 105 of our soldiers from the enemies clutches. The enemy shot him down. All of the other soldiers made it out alive. They will always be in his debt. He was murdered on the 13th July.
The captain of the army RA239,
Alan Fisher.
"Julian? Julian? I'm so sorry…who…who was it." Analise asked coming in front of me. I hadn't noticed I was crying. "It was my brother in-law Josh. He's been dead for four months and they just telling me now."
"Oh, Julian Josh was a brave and kind man. I'll talk to father about the delay in you being told. I'm so sorry, Julian" her arms wrapped around my neck and she whispered sweet word of kindness into my ear.
A few weeks later I was called in to the throne room. I was scared but Analise had reassured me it was nothing I did. As I entered the throne room I could see King Nicholas sitting upon his throne. He wasn't his usually happy and easy going self. Instead he looked angry and annoyed.
"Julian, I think you know Captain John Fisher" the king smiled falsely. "But captain I want to know why this letter-" the letter, the same letter as the one I received. "Was delivered four months after the death of Joshua Anderson Walsh."
"I don't know your majesty maybe it was forgotten" the captain replied.
"Or…you didn't realise that Joshua were missing. You only realised when you needed him to train the newbies. You didn't even know that he died saving 100 lives. And you except Julian and his family to forgive you for this. Your first mistake was putting on actual death date on the letter, if you hadn't I don't believe Julian nor my daughter would have known."
"Your daughter? I don't think your daughter should be getting involved with personal matters" the captain moaned.
No-one had seen Analise come in but everyone turned in her direction from the sound of her voice.
"Really Captain, because when my best friend and my teacher have a problem I want to be there to comfort him, he never told not to get involved. I have his best interest at heart."
"I didn't mean anything by-it your highness. But your right your majesty, we did forget and we didn't know he went missing."
"Captain, I'm very disappointed in you. For your actions you will be demoted to first officer. Understood."
"Yes your majesty" and then the former captain walked out of the room, muttering to himself.
"Thank you King Nicholas, Princess Analise" I bowed.
"It was a pleasure helping a dear friend of my daughter's"
Six months later
"Analise Pi isn't something you eat… well not this kind. It's a mathematical calculation" I tried to reason.
"Julian, you such a bore, I know what pi is…pi is 3.14159265359"
"Your correct as always. I don't think you need tutoring, I think your father needed someone to control you. Look at you you're like a five year old on sugar." I tried to sound angry but I couldn't, her smile made me happy. It was a joy seeing her happy and free.
There was a knock at Analise's door, she went to open it.
"Your highness, this is for Mr barely makes sure he gets this."
"Of course thank you" she closed the door and hurried towards me. "This letter…its from your mother."
"I wasn't excepting any letter." I was confused I only saw her two weeks ago.
I opened the flap and a tear stained letter was inside. This is how it read:
28th December.
Julian this may be a bad time but…Flora. She's dead. As you knew Flora was pregnant with her first child she was so excited, she couldn't wait for josh to return home and see their beautiful child. But this is difficult to say. My heart is broken. Julian she died during child birth. No-one was with her act the time. The child, your niece is also died. She wasn't strong enough to survive. I know how much you loved flora. You were so close. The funeral will be on the 31st of December. At the local church she will be buried next to her husband.
I'll always be here for you,
Love your mother,
Helia
xoxoxoxoxox
"Julian its Flora isn't it. She's not well or…." She didn't go any further she already knew before she asked. "I'm always here for you if you want to talk. I want to help. Just let me know if I can" she left me alone to recollect my thoughts. Two family members in six months. Why was the world against me. What have I ever done to deserve losing two of my loved ones?
A few weeks later I was ready a science book when Analise ran in. she was breathing heavily and her eyes were full of tears. "Julian…its father he's become really ill. The doctors say he could die." Analise cried.
"What illness is it Analise" I quickly asked.
"Its…Its…the green plague. Its already killed some of the nobles and villagers."
"I'm so sorry Anne. We can only hope"
But with all the best efforts from the doctors, the king was growing weaker and a few days later he passed away. It was a sad and devastating day for the kingdom. No-one smiled for days. After her husband's death the queen hired a royal advisor, Preminger. At first sight neither me nor Analise trusted him. He was smiling and singing in the mournful days.
That evening Analise came to me in the library, she hadn't been the same girl she was when her father was alive.
"Julian do you ever feel guilty about Flora and Joshua?"
"I do Anne. I keep wondering if I was with Flora she may not have died."
"Before my father died, he told me not to cry, and live a happy long life. He told me to follow my dreams. And it may sound silly at my young age but he said when people tell you to marry someone you don't love fight back, and marry the one you love."
She wrapped her fragile arms around me and we stayed like this, in each other embrace, feeling the grief and sadness that we both endured. Our family's deaths brought us closer and made us understand each other more.
A/N: It made me cry writing this . Plz R&R.
