"We have heard very little news Santana. News from the frontline is rare." Russell said calmly. "It's a two-week journey and taking the rest of the army down to the front lines is foolish and risky."
"So is leaving Charlie in that madman's clutches. What am I supposed to tell my daughter and future son about their father?" Santana demanded. Every day she was in this room, she may not understand the military like Charlie did, but at this point she needed something to keep her busy and if marching out to war to get her husband back, if only so she could murder him, was at least something to do.
"You tell them that your husband was a hero."
"I'm more inclined to call him an idiot, who never listened to my wise words," Santana retorted. She suddenly understood why Charlie had balked at the idea of having a son. None of her children would ever go to fight a senseless war if she had anything to say about it.
"Santana, we're due to hear something any day now. Rushing now would be foolish and more lives would be lost."
"He is a prince, he is a precious resource. Lives—" Santana choked on the words, Charlie's life was important but sending more men and women to die to retrieve him was asinine. She didn't want others to feel as she was feeling.
"Charlie is strong. I made him strong." Russell insists. "Now you must let the council convene so we can decide on the next."
"You've been discussing what to do next for the past fortnight. Your son—"
"I have faith in my son."
"You ridicule him every single moment you can, you compare him to Lucas—"
"Who is probably doing everything to get him back, Lucas loves his brother. I love both my son's but Charlie needs a larger push." Russell snapped at her, the ground rumbling under his feet.
There's a loud banging on the door, causing the two of them to turn to look at it. The entire palace had been on edge as of late. It was filled with a sombreness that even the children were picking up on. Perhaps that was the news. The doors swing open and a servant stumbles forward. "Your highness, we believe one of the princes has returned, a carriage being escorted by two top ranking officers."
Santana moved, "Which top ranking officers?"
"Michael—"
Santana moved, she would need to have them prepare her horse, and she'd race down the city to go and see him to make sure that he was alright, support him if he needed it. And then when she was sure he was fine she'd throttle him.
"Santana. They will be here soon, you must let him have some pride, bring your daughter, and be prepared to greet him," Russell said grabbing Santana's arm. He knew that look and he knew enough to give his son some space.
Santana tugged her arm from Russell's grasp. "I stabbed him. I think, he'll be thrilled to see me."
"He'll be even more excited to see his daughter as well," Russell said.
Santana swallowed, "Very well I will go find my daughter." She didn't want to admit that he was right. Charlie probably be different but seeing their daughter might get him to be calm.
~O~
"It'll be okay Santana, Charlie is remarkably resilient. You did stab him and he was fine," Brittany said placing a hand on Santana's shoulder.
"It was a little knife," Santana mutters under her breath. Everyone kept bringing that up like it meant something. She glances at Rachel who had just finally shown up, she'd been relaxed for the past two weeks, unburdened by the worry that she felt. He'd been captured, they might have tortured. She swallows and watches as Mike dismounts with ease, and Santana winces noticing that it's Splinter, and licks her lips. Charlie would never part with one of his breeds unless. "Is he okay?" She blurts out.
Mike blinked and looked at Santana, "Of course, Prince Charlie is fine. He only trusted me to escort Prince Lucas back home."
Santana's blinked, "Lucas—I thought Charlie got captured?"
"No. Lucas got caught off guard and he got knocked out didn't the runner tell you—" Mike stopped as Rachel dropped to her knees. "Oh—my apologies."
Russell's eyes widen, "Lucas? Is he—"
Santana stared at Mike, not paying attention as her daughter moved towards the horse. Mike did seem to notice and quickly scooped her up before she could bother Splinter, "Careful Princess Isabel, Splinter's been absolutely horrid the past few days." Mike said as he handed her back to Santana. "Charlie is fine, he's tired but he's been overly cautious. Though after Lucas was captured he's been on a warpath, we predict that the war will be over soon if it isn't already over."
Rachel's jaw dropped as she practically shoved Mike aside, as she made her way to the carriage. Judy beside her as they opened the carriage. Judy's shriek caused Santana to try and take a look for herself to see what Charlie could have been subjected too.
Lucas's blonde hair had been sheared, deep cuts were on the bald spots on his head. He didn't look broken but both his hands were heavily bandaged and his head had bandages on it as well. He looked weaker than he had ever before.
"Someone get the healers!" Judy shouted.
Almost immediately Santana clutches her daughter turning her so she wouldn't get upset, and immediately walks off, this was time for Rachel but she knew it just as easily could have been Charlie. She feels soft hands on her face after a moment and looks at Isabel.
"Mommy sad."
"No, mommy happy. Your daddy is safe," Santana said kissing Isabel's forehead. He was safe. He was going to come home and then she was going to kill him, but he was safe.
"Mommy sad," Isabel repeats her own lip twitching.
Santana smiled, "You're such a good girl, your daddy will be happy to see you." She says softly, kissing her once more. She turns to look at Russell as he storms by her.
"Gather my best, we ride out for Westerville tonight. The entire port will crumble. And I will pay ten thousand gold pieces to anyone who brings me Motta's head."
Santana narrowed her eyes slightly at his back, if this had been Charlie he wouldn't have marched out, no one had cared because they had all thought it was Charlie.
As if knowing what she was thinking, Russell stops and turns to her. "That is my son!"
"So is Charlie," Santana said calmly, rubbing Isabel's back. "And that could have easily have been him and I doubt very much your reaction would be the same. He disappoints you on purpose, he takes amusement in it. Because as much as you say you wish for him to be more like Lucas, he realized rather early on that he will never be, and just wants to live his life."
Russell opens his mouth to say something but he shakes his head and storms off.
Santana watches him go, before smiling at her daughter, "Let's go get some cake and I'll tell you a story."
