A/N at bottom
Chapter 25
1764 (Directly after last chapter)
"Arthur, where are you!?" Matthew was fuming. He ran throughout the house towards the kitchen, a bundle of letters in his arms. He walked in on Alfred eating dinner, Arthur looking at a newspaper. He wanted to scream, but he kept his emotions in check.
"Arthur, there you are."
"Hi Matthew," Arthur didn't look up from his paper.
"I have a quick question for you."
"Yes?"
"What," he dropped the letters on the kitchen table, "are these?"
Arthur's face turned pale.
"Alfred, Matthew and I need to have an important discussion. Would you mind having your dinner in the other room?"
"But I wanna hear the important discussion!"
"Alfred, go. Please."
Alfred took his plate and left the room, sulking. Arthur diverted his attention to Matthew.
"I can explain."
"How long? How long have you been doing this?"
"... I don't know what you want me to say."
"I haven't seen Francis or any of my friends in months. Those letters were the only things I had left and I can't fucking believe you could do this."
"Don't swear at me." Arthur regained his composure, quick. He wouldn't be talked down to by, what was in his eyes, a child.
Matthew flinched.
"Why? Why'd you do it? Can you tell me that?"
"Because, Matthew, how could you ever trust me if you still spoke to that... frog."
"Don't call him that. And how dare you speak of 'trust'? I can't believe I ever let myself trust you."
"What was I supposed to do, Matthew?"
"I don't know! I haven't caused any problems. You think I like living here? Away from everybody I care about? Then you turn around for no reason and do... this?"
"You're part of my empire now, and you have to face it. You live with my rules."
"I never should've believe you. You're a filthy liar. You lied to Antonio too! He even asked you what happened to the mail! Oh God, he probably think I hate them because they never receives any letters and they won't talk to me and-"
"Calm down."
"Don't tell me to calm down!"
"You need to get over it! They were childhood friends. Do you really think relationships like that last long?"
"They're my best friends! He's my brother!"
"Well, maybe he's not who he says he is."
"What do you mean? He loves me!"
"Just... there's things about him you don't know."
"Well, I don't care!"
"Besides, you haven't spoken to him in months and you seem to be managing yourself just fine. Maybe it's time to realize that you don't need him!"
"...Francis was right about you."
"See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I don't want him spreading lies about me to you!"
"Lies?"
"Yes, lies."
"Oh, so you didn't kill Joan of Arc?"
Too far.
"How dare you!"
We're those... tears in his eyes?
"Arthur, I-"
"Get out."
"But-"
"GET OUT! I don't care where you go, you can rot on the streets for all I care."
Arthur was visibly shaking, his hands gripping the table.
Matthew wanted to cry, but he couldn't, not after delivering such a low blow.
So he left, taking nothing with him. He passed Alfred on his way out.
"Mattie, where ya going?"
Mathew slammed the door behind him.
A/N
And that's the chapter! As always, criticisms are greatly appreciated! The next chapter goes up next Friday!
Also, I have another story if anyone is interested. It's basically about Canada, ghosts, and history. It's called:
The 5 Ghosts Canada Met Throughout His Life (And One Bonus)