The Nightingale

Chapter 54: Resolutions 2

Autumn — x492 / November 1

The Triad was consolidated more than 20 years ago and it was due to the battle for Trinidad Island that this organization was formed; that was the main reason why the island went from being called the Island of Cherries to The Trinity Island.

Isshin only knew, at that time, that there were more hands involved in that place than was really said, and that one of the main members was the kingdom of Vayalat. The other two members remained a mystery, although it was rumored that the mercenaries hired by the kingdom of Cikram had changed bosses in the middle of the battle, and that Jetaiya had struck up a good relationship with Vayalat after that victory.

Anyone who had heard about the island and how King Yhwach had led one of the bloodiest battles of that war, and won, would want to join them or have good relations.

That was the original reason why Isshin approached Masaki.

She was one of the daughters of that king and she had what they called "the gift of war", although that was something that Isshin was not clear about. He had heard rumors of those gifts, but there was no one to confirm them.

When Vayalat was recovering from that battle, it was the first time Isshin saw Masaki.

It was not love at first sight and neither was captivated by the beauty of the other at that moment. Masaki had tried to kill him with a couple of arrows when he was spying on her while she trained with the archers, and she would have succeeded if Isshin hadn't begged for his life when she pinned him against a wall and he had an arrow stuck in his arm.

Isshin still had that scar. That was his personal war trophy.

Masaki was as young as he was, and just like him, she had been on the battlefield; Masaki was the one who led the archers who resisted on the island to prevent the reconquest by Cikram.

She also had war trophies marked on her skin.

It was Masaki who told Isshin about that siege while she was treating his injured arm from the arrow, but she did not say anything that would reveal the other parts of the Triad. Isshin did not insist on that either, but he returned to Vermist's palace many times to visit her, no longer as the boy who spied on her in the training grounds, but as a prince courting a princess.

Over time, word spread that the Triad had disbanded and Vayalat was left in control of the Island, but from one moment to the next, a new Triad was formed taking advantage of the fame of the moment. In this new Triad, Vayalat no longer had a share, or so it was said.

Every time the name of the Triad was heard, it was always synonymous with some war or battle, whether in the northern lands of the continent or in the southern lands. The Triad lent its services to those who hired it and always won; they were like mercenaries but with duly trained soldiers with fighting techniques proven by generations.

The fame of the Triad was duly deserved, but they were no more than simple mercenaries in the eyes of all.

Ichigo was the one who told Isshin that the Triad didn't disband when they said they did, and that they weren't just mercenaries; he was also the one who let Isshin know that Avanta's situation with respect to the Triad was really delicate. What the Kuchiki family did was put a target on the kingdom and let the king himself draw the bow and shoot.

Isshin could see in Kaien's eyes a simple question: what did Ichigo do for everything to turn out this way?

Ichigo was the one who was the calmest during the whole time that meeting lasted, it was natural that Kaien suspected him.

— There is an organization called "The Triad". — Isshin began and Kaien seemed to want to say something, but he stopped him. It was natural that Kaien did not expect that answer. — For a long time I made the mistake of thinking that they were just mercenaries, but that's not the case. The Triad is formed by the kingdoms of Vayalat, Jetaiya and some mercenaries called "The Company of Tirnoq". It is a military alliance.

The surprise in Kaien's eyes was immediate, and Isshin began to tell him about the Triad and the problem they would have if something they did was misunderstood.

— If we raise our hands against the princess of Jetaiya and against her son, if we offend them in any way, then Avanta will fall. — Isshin added. — The Triad prevents them from attacking each other. If Jetaiya attacks, our main ally is not going to move his hands, and we have the danger that the Mercenaries will also attack. The king of Vayalat could not only look away, but he could send an attack if Jetaiya asked him to.

— Vayalat is supposed to be our ally! — Kaien lost his manners as he understood the situation, but tried to regain his composure as soon as he realized his attitude.

Isshin had been through the same thing when Ichigo spoke to him, but Ichigo didn't even flinch at that outburst of anger, and Isshin knew at that moment that Ichigo's hands were in the Triad as well. Not everyone could spend a vacation with the mercenaries "learning" new things.

— We are on good terms, but don't forget that I chose you to be the king and not Ichigo. — Isshin explained.

Kaien was a better candidate for the crown, he knew the people and he knew the needs of the kingdom. Ichigo didn't, he was a weapon polished by a kingdom whose children were a weapon; and something in the back of his mind told Isshin that Kaien would be a much better king than Ichigo.

When Isshin visualized his heir, he could only see Kaien. Neither Ichigo nor his daughters were in that image, only Kaien.

— Well, I understand the situation of the princess, but what about Lord Kuchiki? He is a confessed traitor. — Kaien tried to stay calm. — His head would have to roll at dawn.

Isshin shared that idea, he really wanted to execute Lord Kuchiki, but it was something he couldn't do.

— Ichigo was willing to give up his "blood right" for that man's life. — That man's life is worthless, everything was really for the happiness of that man's daughter. — Isshin paused and looked at Kaien, who kept looking at him with astonishment and annoyance. — Ichigo doesn't want the throne, giving him what he asks of me is the least I can do if that ensures that he won't get in your way. Now go.

Kaien stood up a few moments later and bowed before leaving Isshin alone with his own thoughts.

Isshin recognized the pattern Ichigo was following because it was the same pattern he himself had followed with Kaien's mother. Isshin didn't remember much of those years, but his mother was the one who told him everything he had done for that woman. The only difference between what Isshin did and what Ichigo was doing right now was that Ichigo was married to the woman who was manipulating him.

Rukia was a danger to the kingdom, and that had become clear to him at that moment.

If Ichigo could give in and do what she wanted in those moments, Isshin couldn't imagine what would happen if she really had a motivation within the kingdom and wanted something beyond saving her father's life.

And to avoid any more such surprises, Isshin had made it clear to Ichigo that what he did would never work again. The rules were the rules, and if Ichigo broke them again, no matter who or how things went, he had to pay the consequences.

Autumn — x492 / November 9

The family of the queen's favorite were the last guests to leave the castle. With the exception of Jetaiya's guests who would not leave the castle until Hisana and her son were settled in the Kuchiki House, all the other guests had left days before.

Even her father had left the castle a couple of days after the resolution of "the Kuchiki case", as Councilman Ukitake had called it.

Senna's family had taken more liberties than the other guests by spending too much time inside the castle; however, what surprised Rukia was not the time they spent as guests, but the fact that the queen allowed it and even she was kind to Senna.

That seemed really surreal to Rukia; even the queen had mentioned once, in between talks with Senna's mother, that it would have been wonderful if Senna had gotten pregnant by the king. Rukia didn't understand the game of appearances the queen was playing, but the fact that the queen had explicitly asked her to be present all this time could only mean one thing: the queen was trying to teach her something.

So Rukia was attentive to everything that was happening around her, both the gestures and the words that the queen expressed, and the effect of these on other people. Everything the queen did, Rukia had to learn.

— May the Deities take care of you on the way. — Said the queen to Senna's family as a farewell that morning.

Nelliel also came out to say goodbye to Senna, the two had become "friends" in recent months, and it was to be assumed that she was also going to say goodbye. Rukia was silent, watching and learning from the queen, occasionally saying a few kind words to keep up appearances, but nothing relevant; her relationship with Senna was always hostile, and at the time her relationship with Nelliel was a mixture of indifference and politeness.

After Senna's family entered the carriages and they began to advance down the white path to the gates of the castle grounds, Nelliel apologized to the queen and returned inside the castle.

Rukia was standing next to the queen, she knew she couldn't move from there without the queen, and she just started staring at nothing.

— What did you learn these days while we were spending time with Senna's family? — The queen asked making Rukia snap out of her reverie.

— That no matter how unpleasant someone is to me or how serious the offense against me was, I must remain calm and show a calm and kind expression because I'm part of the royal family. — Rukia said almost automatically.

— No. — The queen's voice was calm and Rukia immediately turned to look at her; she was confused by that answer. — You must act as calm as possible so that no one suspects you when you take action against those who offend you. Senna and the king have offended me, but if I face Senna and the king, I would look bad as a queen and as a woman. The king has already made amends for his offense, and through the Shadow, Senna's future husband will be the new lord of Neikel before this month is over.

Rukia immediately understood what the queen meant, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She did not want to ask, nor did she want to say anything, and she only nodded to what the queen said as a sign that she had understood those words.

The queen was teaching her how to plan revenge.

Autumn — x492 / December 10

Dear Rukia...

It seems like a century has passed since we last saw each other and I have so many things to tell you that I don't know where to start. Perhaps it's best to start with what happened after Ulquiorra and I left Adelaar.

Ulquiorra was sad, he felt a bit bummed about everything that had happened, and a bit guilty about leaving Nelliel alone, but even he understood that beating the crown prince was not right. I just know that he was very lucky that they didn't kill him, because I don't know what would have become of me without him.

We traveled for two days, we were getting close to the northern border when some bandits attacked us. The soldiers that Prince Ichigo sent to serve as an escort and take care of us on the way were the ones who were in charge of getting rid of them; Ulquiorra didn't go out to fight, he was weak from the days of confinement and the wounds that still hadn't healed, so he stayed protecting me inside the carriage.

Prince Ichigo's soldiers recognized one of those men and told us that he was one of those closest to Prince Kaien. Ulquiorra wasn't surprised, but I was scared. If it wasn't for the prince's soldiers, I don't know what would have happened to us or what they would have done to Ulquiorra.

Thank Prince Ichigo for me, for not leaving us alone.

We changed from one carriage to another and the rest of the way went without a hitch. The trip was tiring, I didn't think it would last so many days, I even got sick on the way, so when we reached the city of Vermist, we got a room in an inn and rested for a couple of days.

Ulquiorra went to the palace to see Prince Ichigo's uncle and I stayed at the inn; I don't know what they talked about, but Ulquiorra said that he was going to join the army in the capital; he is a soldier, being in the army is the only thing he knows how to do.

We still had the money from the "sale" of the House of the Inamorata that Prince Ichigo gave us, so after a few days of rest, we started looking for a small house to live in. We got a small house on the outskirts of the city, it's not very big but it's fine to live in.

Ulquiorra is not happy, although he does not show it, I know he is not happy.

I always try to be optimistic, but seeing him like this fills my heart with sadness. I know what he thinks, he has told me many times, and sometimes I'm afraid to hear him say those horrible words and that my brother will appear at the door to return me to Eikaran.

I pray every day to the Deities so that it doesn't happen, and I try to make sure Ulquiorra doesn't regret anything; the future is uncertain but I'm with him, I know that we can move forward together although for now it is a bit difficult.

I sold some of my dresses, only kept a couple that bring back memories, and bought simpler clothes. I don't know how to cook, my food still burns or has too much salt, but Ulquiorra eats it and tells me that I'll do better next time. I think the hardest thing is getting used to doing things by myself and not relying on servants to do everything.

The neighbors are good people, a lady and her cat sometimes visit me while Ulquiorra is in the military service; she is very kind. She offered to teach me how to cook, so I hope to get better soon.

Life outside the castle and without luxuries is difficult, but I know that everything will get better.

I miss you and I miss the afternoons strolling or buying things in the tea shops. I hope to see you soon.

With love, Orhime.

P.S. Ulquiorra says that he misses Nelliel, but at the moment he doesn't want her to know where we are, or Kaien might try to kill him, again.

Autumn — x492 / December 12

The situation of the Kuchiki family and the way everything had been solved kept turning Kaien's mind; he knew he couldn't do anything but ignore the issue and carry on as if nothing had happened, but Byakuya Kuchiki's constant presence at Council meetings just kept him coming back to the same point over and over again.

Cutting off the heads was simply easier than sparing them, though lately the heads were slipping out of his hands and that frustrated him too much; everything was easier when he was the only prince in the castle.

A couple of knocks on the door of his small study made him stop thinking about all the issues that were on his mind; he hadn't been able to concentrate on anything, not even reading, since the book he had tried to read was lying on the floor without even being opened.

— Come in. — Kaien ordered, without much encouragement to move from that divan where he was lying.

The door opened and his father entered that small study at a slow pace. Kaien immediately recognized the expression on his father's face, and quickly stood up and bowed to the king.

— Your Majesty. — Kaien greeted in a serious and neutral tone.

The man in front of him was not his father, he was the king; and the king was angry.

The king took an old piece of paper out of his pants pocket and, without saying a single word, handed it over to Kaien.

Kaien looked at the paper in his hands and paid attention to the content; the moment he read what was written on the paper and recognized the handwriting there, his throat went dry and his eyes widened, unable to hide his surprise at the message. What was written on that paper was a dangerous accusation, and even so, that was not what was really worrying about that paper, but the fact that the seal of the king was engraved there

And clearly, that was Nelliel's handwriting.

Kaien didn't know how to feel about it, he knew that Nelliel was impulsive but he never imagined that she would come to something like what he had in his hands. Kaien didn't even know if they had executed the order on the paper or intercepted it, and he didn't know which was worse.

The king was still standing in front of him, keeping his expression serious due to the gravity of what he held in his hand. Doubts began to form in Kaien's mind but she didn't dare to ask anything; he feared exposing Nelliel in case the king still didn't know who was responsible for that execution order.

— Did you use the seal and write that order? — The king asked with total seriousness in his voice.

Kaien understood what he had in his hands, and he understood that the punishment for the person responsible was execution, both for trying to kill someone belonging to the royal family and for having stolen and used the king's seal to give truth to that order.

Kaien couldn't answer that question; he didn't know how to do it.

— Did you use the seal and write that order? — The king asked again when he noticed that Kaien didn't answer.

— No. I didn't. — Kaien answered, swallowing hard and praying that the king would not suspect Nelliel.

— All right. I believe you.

The king turned around and left the small study leaving Kaien with that paper in his hand.

Kaien wanted to run out of there, get to Nelliel's room and get the answers he needed, but it wasn't wise to do so when the king had just left the small study. He waited about an hour before leaving there, he walked in the calmest way possible and kept on his face that smile of tranquility that he always had; the paper the king had given him was in his trouser pocket and he made sure no servants followed him.

His mind was a jumble of ideas and questions, all focused on knowing how all this had happened and how he could help Nelliel. Finding someone to take the blame for Nelliel's actions would not be a problem, as long as the king did not suspect her.

Everything seemed calm when he entered the queen's area; Kaien thought for a moment that he would find guards posted on either side of Nelliel's door, but all was as quiet as ever.

Kaien knocked on Nelliel's bedroom door a couple of times, and Nelliel was the one who opened the door. She at first she looked confused but then she smiled seeing him there and stepped aside for him to enter the room.

— Nell, we need to talk. — Was the only thing Kaien said, when the door to Nelliel's room closed behind him. — Please tell me you didn't write this.

Kaien handed the paper with that execution order to Nelliel, and waited patiently for her to read it. Nelliel seemed calm, she even smiled when she read that paper and, after a few moments of silence that seemed eternal to Kaien, she tore it into four pieces and threw it in the trash.

— Nell… — Kaien called out to her cautiously, but Nelliel simply looked up and sat down in a chair.

The calm in that room was so heavy that it overwhelmed Kaien.

— You want me to say I didn't do it? — Nelliel asked calmly. — I didn't do it. No, you know what, yeah I did it. I entered the king's private office while everyone was asleep, slipped past the guards at shift change, and sealed the sheet. I wrote that order and got the archer.

— Why? — Kaien asked, realizing in that instant that he didn't really know Nelliel like he thought he did.

— Why? Because she and her family are plotting against you and the kingdom. We both knew that Rukia's family was planning something. You yourself realized that when you went to Maranni! It wouldn't be strange if Ichigo was aware of all this and tried to take advantage of that marriage. And don't you dare deny me that you've been thinking about that possibility in recent days!

Kaien couldn't believe what he was hearing, nor could he believe how calmly Nelliel was confessing what she did.

— Nell, you used the king's seal and gave an order passing it off as his! You overstepped the king's will! — Kaien walked over to Nelliel and took her by the shoulders. — Do you have any idea of the danger this puts us in? You are my wife, Nelliel, and everything you do is as if I did it. If the king finds out that it was you who did this, I don't know how I could save you.

— But the king is not going to find out. — Nelliel put her hands on top of Kaien's hands. — There's no way they're going to find out it was me unless I make a straight confession, and that's not going to happen.

— Nell. — Kaien felt Nelliel's hands and he closed his eyes. — Is there anything else you haven't told me that I should know? — Nelliel shook her head slowly. — Very well! I'll find a way to fix this, just don't be reckless.

Nelliel nodded at Kaien's words, and released his hands allowing him to move away from her. Kaien looked at Nelliel for a second before heading to the door. He had no idea what to do at the time, he just knew that he had to find someone to blame for the mistake Nelliel had made.

Kaien left the room still deep in his own thoughts, not realizing that someone was standing by Nelliel's door until that someone spoke.

— Will you find a way to fix, what?

The king's voice gave him goosebumps in a second, and against all his will, Kaien turned on his heel to see his father, who had his arms crossed and a truly angry expression.

— Kaien! — Ichigo's scream took him by surprise, as well as the blow he received squarely in the face moments later.

—

— There is a certain limit of things I can tolerate. — Isshin spoke, looking at his two sons who were sitting across from him in the queen's private office. Both Ichigo and Kaien had their mouths stained with dried blood. — And this is certainly something I do not intend to tolerate. You two will lead the kingdom to its destruction, if you don't end up killing each other first.

— I'm sorry, Your Majesty. — Ichigo apologized.

— I'm sorry, Your Majesty. — Kaien apologized, too.

— An apology won't fix the mess you two made in your mother's bedroom hallway. — The king pointed at both of them. — You two look like a couple of little kids. How dare you two get into a fight in the middle of the hall!

Neither Ichigo nor Kaien dared to answer; the king was sure that if they spoke it would be only to fight again, so Isshin was grateful that his children still had enough respect for him, or fear, to keep quiet when he scolded them.

That wasn't the way Isshin had imagined he would solve the problem Nelliel was obviously in, nor was it the way Isshin intended to talk about it with Ichigo. That Ichigo listened to Nelliel's confession about that attack against Rukia, was something that Isshin couldn't avoid; Ichigo was there by chance and he also heard what was said inside that room.

— I want to end all these problems that you two have brought me with your choice of wife. — Ichigo looked up and opened his mouth with the intention of saying something, but a single look from the king was enough for Ichigo to fall silent. — Rukia and her family almost destroyed the kingdom, and I spared Rukia's father's life just because you asked me to. A confessed traitor, just for you. — The king spoke looking at Ichigo. — So you know how this is going to end. Now, you two get out of my sight that if I continue to see you both at this moment, I will remove all titles from both of you and name the twins as my heirs.

Both Kaien and Ichigo got up from their seats and went to the exit of that office. The queen had been standing there, silently, listening to the king's scolding to his children, and Kaien and Ichigo bowed to her before leaving.

Autumn — x492 / December 13

Nelliel, after Kaien and Ichigo's fight in the hallway, couldn't leave her room anymore. The queen had given the order to lock her up, and only her maid could enter to deliver her meals. She knew that by that time, all the inhabitants of the castle would know that the princes had a fight in the queen's area the day before; Nelliel just hoped they didn't find out the reason for that fight.

She had enough of her own problems without having to deal with people's criticism.

Nelliel spent the whole morning thinking about what could happen to her, although Ichigo would most likely ask for her head to roll at dawn.

Moments after lunchtime, the doors to her room opened, and her maid entered slowly. The girl bowed to Nelliel and asked her to follow her into the queen's private office. Nelliel knew it was time to face her fate, so she simply nodded and followed the maiden to the queen's private office.

The queen was sitting behind her desk when Nelliel entered. The maid left them alone, and Nelliel bowed to the queen, who rose from her seat and walked slowly toward her. Queen Masaki didn't speak, but it wasn't necessary, the moment she was in front of Nelliel, the queen raised her hand and slapped Nelliel in the face.

Nelliel tilted her head from the blow and brought one of her hands to her bruised cheek, trying to ease the pain of the queen's blow. Nelliel didn't complain, just clenched her teeth and closed her eyes, resisting the queen's punishment.

— You're a fool! — The queen yelled, and slapped Nelliel on the other cheek. — All your life I instructed you to understand how the castle worked; I instructed you to know how to think astutely and not make these kinds of mistakes, but above all, I instructed you to understand your position and the rules of power within this castle. Did you think that just by being married to the crown prince you would have more power than me or the king? You punished one of my ladies out of jealousy and tried to kill a princess overriding the king's will.

— Your Majesty…

— Shut up! I don't want to listen to you!

Nelliel looked down at the queen's cry, she had never seen her so angry in her life. Even when Nelliel had informed the queen of her engagement to Kaien, the queen hadn't been as angry as she was right now.

— The simple fact of stealing the seal of the king is enough to execute you, not counting the assassination attempt you provoked towards a member of the family to which you belong.

— But Your Majesty…

— Shut up, I said! — The queen moved away from Nelliel, who had the courage to look up and see with her own eyes the look of fury on the queen's face. — I told you that when this was known, I was not going to intercede for you and that you would receive the punishment you deserve.

The queen paused and walked over to her desk to take a piece of paper in her hands. Nelliel knew immediately that this was her sentence for her crime, and for a moment she felt like covering her ears so as not to hear what the queen would have to say.

Nelliel didn't want to hear her own death sentence.

— From today you will no longer live in the Adelaar castle, you will move to the Palace of the Sun and you will be in the service of the Queen Mother as a lady-in-waiting. — The queen spoke, dictating the sentence that the king had imposed.

Nelliel felt her legs shake as she realized she was being exiled from the castle.

— You will no longer have any duties or obligations to the kingdom, and you will not be able to return to Castle Adelaar unless invited. Furthermore, your marriage to Prince Kaien has been annulled under the king's order and you will have no relationship with the royal family. In the event that you are pregnant, your children will not inherit the kingdom; they will be treated as the illegitimate children of the crown prince.

Nelliel couldn't believe what the queen was telling her, her legs couldn't resist her weight anymore and she fell to the ground, resting her hands on the floor. They had saved her life but they had taken away the one thing she wanted most, which was to be with Kaien. Without being able to control it, she felt how tears began to trickle down her cheeks and how a scream formed inside her throat struggling to get out.

— You will leave in the afternoon for the Palace of the Sun, your things are being collected and you will only take what is entirely yours. The jewels that have been a gift from Prince Kaien you can keep, but those that belong to the royal house will stay here. — The queen explained, without a bit of mercy. — You could have done great things within this castle, Nelliel, but you made one mistake and that is all it takes to end hopes and dreams.

Winter — x492 / December 29

My dear Orihime...

It made me so happy to have read your letter and to know that you two made it safely to Vermist. I miss you and I also feel like it's been years since we last saw each other. I also have many things to tell you, so I will start from the beginning.

The soldiers that Ichigo sent with you, upon arrival informed him of everything that had happened on the trip; Ichigo wasn't sure if Kaien would try to attack Ulquiorra or not on the journey, but the road is always dangerous and he wasn't going to leave them alone. I'm glad to know that they were there to protect you both.

I always ask in my prayers that the Deities fill you and Ulquiorra with blessings. You know that if you need something, you just have to ask me and without hesitation I will give it to you. You're my only friend, you're my best friend, and I don't intend to leave you alone after everything you did for me.

I know that everything will turn out well in the new life you are starting, you deserve a calm and happy life.

Everything here has been chaos since the day you left. I don't want to go into details in case the letter doesn't reach you, but my brother became the new Peace Councilor. Now he lives here with his wife and my father returned to Maranni.

The next thing I'm going to tell you is something you need to know, just like Ulquiorra. It may not be pretty, but it's the truth.

While Ichigo and I were on our honeymoon, there was an attack that put our lives in danger. Someone used the king's seal to pass off a bogus execution order as real. The sent archer belonged to the archers of the castle, so the king started an investigation. The only suspect was Kaien, however he was not responsible, but Nelliel.

There are details that I can't reveal to you here, I feel like I've already written a lot, but in the end Nelliel was exiled from the castle and taken to the Palace of the Sun to serve the queen mother. All her titles were withdrawn from her and her marriage was annulled; she is now just the queen mother's lady-in-waiting.

At the moment she is incommunicado, but Ulquiorra can send her letters if he wishes.

I have left out many things that I would love to tell you, I will tell you when we meet.

I hope your health improves soon, my dear Orihime.

I miss you.

Rukia.

Hello everyone! thank you all for reading this story and thanks also to everyone who comments on the chapters.

Special regards to: Nikkiebelles, diah77 and jobananasan

The next chapter will be on Saturday.