Disclaimers: I do not own anything out of Resident Evil. All of the contents belongs to Capcom.

Chapter XIV: Verdict

'Too much that made me learn how stupid this whole system is. How stupid myself was. How stupid for being a Prince at the first place. How stupid if I am to take over my dad's place as King if he die.' - Jake Wesker

Raccoonia Castle

"No, I disagree with this petition, your Majesty."

Days later after the Graham incident, Albert Wesker once again held another urgent meeting for his officials regarding one matter that he thought that would benefits the palace and the whole kingdom. Once again, Jake Wesker avoided the 'boring to hell' conference.

The meeting between the King of Raccoonia with his Senators and Generals was a heated one; but not between the fourteen people, including the King gathering there.

It was between only two man.

Albert Wesker and Chris Redfield.

"If that's the case then, I will have to disagree with you, General. Think about the benefits of this refinement, Redifield. Economically and politically, this petition is beneficial on both." Albert retorted, one of his hand had balled into a tight fist to vent his silently brewing anger to the offensive General. He will never hear a 'No' for an answer and that was exactly what Chris was telling him right now.

They just never see things eye to eye.

The argument was further heated when Chris debated the King's statement, "Surely, the Palace will gain economical advantage but what of the people inflicted there? It will only make the poor poorer." Chris grip's to his Samurai Edge tighten, "For decades the kingdom had not provide anything for them and now we demanded payment, what will they think? Please reconsider for issuing taxing among the rural, your Majesty!"

"Mmm." Albert growled.

Piers was giving Chris a secret thumb up and the Senators whispered their agreement among one another. At the moment, it seemed like Chris was a clear victor in the argument until Albert laughed.

"What will they think, you ask? Well, in my opinion, they will be grateful to us because they can finally be a part of Raccoonia!" His voice echoed across the huge hall and the Senators stopped their consents, "Rural or not, they are here in the land of Raccoonia, which makes them all Raccoonian. And it's only fair they contribute something to their country just like our citizens do, aren't they?"

The whispers began again and this time, Chris turned paler because now they were standing on the King's side, instead of their people.

Those greedy bastards.

"Your Majesty," one of the elderly Senator braced forward, standing only beside the debating General, "we Senators have all agree to the petition."

Chris Redfield could have sworn to tear them apart if he was not a General.

Another sadistic laugh from the King.

"Then it's settled then. Men, issue my verdict: From today onward, tributes will be collected from the rural too."

While the rest bowed to their King, Chris stood there begrudgingly and cursed himself.

'In the end, I failed to defend my people.'

Words spread quicker than fire but when it comes to the castle, it was even quicker.

The maids, the soldiers, the knights, anyone with a family outside the walls were now terribly worried. Poverty was already an issue there in small villages with minimal income - and now the King had demanded payment from them, it's like adding insult to injury.

Morale was quickly dropping for the lower class of the society, but not for the wealthy.

They saw it as an advantage, because the new verdict did not affect them but it made them richer in the process.

Rear Castle, Morning

One week had passed since the verdict.

One week since Jake secretly trying to learn about Sherry's past but to no avail, his only lead was lost after his encounter with Claire.

And for seven days that the already homeless orphaned Sherry had to worry.

But not about the Prince trying to dig her secret since she knew nothing of his devious intention. She was worried about the verdict.

"...is that 'princess' stupid, Super— Did you hear what I said?"

She snapped out of her daydream just in time when she was met with Jake's steely sapphire eyes. The Prince had bend his body a little forward so that he was on eye level with hers. One brow of his was arched and the other was not.

Sherry flustered, but the second time for the day, she was caught by the prince for daydreaming.

She brushed her hair nervously, "Oh... uh... yes, I think." if she recall, it was something about lady Ashley Graham that had arrived from tall Oaks. She had been a nuisance to Jake lately, Ashley always find opportunity to talk to Jake but was always turned down.

Jake was unconvinced by her hesitant answer. He stopped his movements and crossed his arms, "You seems to be so off lately, anything troubling you?"

"N-No, it's nothing." Her giggles wasn't adding the confidence in her answer.

Lucky her, before Jake was able to question her further, his name was echoed from a distance that made Jake face-palmed himself.

Ashley Graham.

"Priiince!" She yodeled from the stairs like they were best friends already.

Sherry smiled inwardly when she heard a soft mumble of "Shit." from the rebellious Prince. Ashley practically jogged down the stairs with her stewardess Emily.

Emily was the first to greet the Prince, then it's Sherry's turn, "Good morning, lady Graham."

"Good morning, Sherry! And good morning, your Highness!" She laughed and gave Jake a small wave.

Maybe she had passed her initial awkwardness living in the castle, now Ashley was very energetic. And annoying too, just like Jake always said. Perhaps there was too little things to do in a castle for a 'princess' (as Jake had delicately dubbed her as), Ashley never stopped looking out for Jake and sometimes, Sherry. Sherry remembered well the awkwardness the time Ashley first talked to her when she was running an errand for the Prince. And the conversation was very simple; Ashley asked, Sherry answered; the topic would be: Jake Muller Wesker 101.

Jake tucked his hands onto his waist, "'Sup?"

"Oh nothing, I was just looking for you. We never get the chance to talk a lot, your Highness?" She purred, to Sherry's mild amusement.

There was a time when Piers complained to Sherry during Jake's sword training, the way Ashley acted sometimes made him want to gag especially when she made those pampered face. "God, you should have known how I wanted to throw up on her." And Jake, who had never once on Piers' terms had to agree with him that time.

The rascal Prince crossed his arms, "Sure, spill it." He kept his stoic face on all the time.

"But I prefer if we bring this somewhere more... private." Ashley made that side way puppy look that perhaps only to her, she thought it as cute.

'Here she goes again.'

Jake and Sherry gave each other the 'eye' andthe Prince graciously nodded, "Sure. We were about to go for my training, how about you join us along?"

Ashley blinked. From the look on her face, she wasn't entirely happy about the plan about going to a sword training. The idea of two blades clashed together in a horrible friction wasn't exactly her cup of tea.

"Um." She croaked, "No truant?"

"Nope. Daddy's order." Jake smirked.

With an embarrassed 'Oh', Ashley smiled and excused herself.

Sherry smiled impressively to Jake once the Lady was gone, "There's no training for today, is it not?"

"No. But it's time to see mom for today. And I don't think bringing princess along would be a great idea."

"Sure," She nodded, "Lady Graham should not know about the Queen."

But Jake snickered when spun to his back and began walking to that direction. His breath hitched when he tried to elaborate his point, "Not that case, Supergirl. If we bring that princess along-"

He burst out laughing.

"Mom would probably be bored to dead."

Queen's chamber, Afternoon

Jill opened the curtains to let some more light into the dim chamber. Another candle was lighted at the candelabrum attached to the wall to provide more lighting to the room - the weather was bad lately and the sun refuse to shine on autumn like these.

Gabrielle swallowed the rest of her medicine before passing it back to Jill who took the glass and rinse it in a basin. then she gazed out at the window and was not too happy about the forecast weather, she loved the sun.

"It looks like there will be another rain soon."

Jake arrived later to Gabrielle's chamber with Sherry and they were not surprised to see the Queen on her bed again; George and Rebecca recommend that the Queen to have more rest.

Everything was fine, just like usual, Jake would entertain his mother with some small talk about her health.

Until Gabrielle suddenly brought up a sensitive topic that made the two stewardess noticed how Jake had changed his volume to a higher one, latched with more and more resentment as the particular topic went on. It wasn't very long until Jake scowled and rose from her bedside abruptly and stomped for the door.

Of course, Sherry followed after him. But before she slid her body out, she gave Jill a meaningful look and the latter nodded. It was her way of telling Jill, 'I will handle the prince, you take care of the Queen.'

She trailed after Jake for a good distance until they had reached somewhere by the lake. He stopped there, his scowl was still intact when he took a deep breath by the crystal clear lake. "Dammit." He uttered soon, "I told her I don't care shit about politics."

The stewardess had quite a clear picture of what the prince was angry about, but it's only right to ask him anyway, "Is something matter, your Highness?"

Jake shrugged carelessly, "Mom asked me about my... opinion to Dad's new verdict." He huffed, "He wants me to judge whether it was right or wrong. Man, as if I am going to be King. To hell with the idea."

At most of the times, she would be rather confused by Jake's perception of being a King. Surely there were thousands out there who dreamed to be a king someday, although the chances were so slim that it will remain a dream. But Jake was different, he despised the idea.

Not only being a king.

Jake hated everything associated to the organization of a Kingdom, the King, the knight, everything.

"Your Highness," She challenged her own curiosity, "do you really hate the idea of being a leader of this country?"

The Prince said nothing but to throw glares at her question.

Finally, he shook his head, "Seriously, this piece of land doesn't need a ruler. People could fend for themselves on their own." He scoffed, "It's something I learnt from experience. And... I just hate politic." The left hand of his rubbed his trademark scar out of nowhere.

Sherry turned speechless by his apparent answer.

"I am worried."

She blurted out suddenly. Making the anger in Jake dissipated as he looked at her tentatively. Her lids hung low and she released a sigh, "I might not have anything left at my home now, but for these past months after I had left my home village, I am always worried about them. About my friends there, my neighbor, uncle Burton..." She averted her gaze to the lake, "Now that the King had issued a rural tribute, my trouble just escalated."

Jake's eyes never left hers when they met with each other.

"Prince, have you ever seen whatever that is outside these castle walls?" She asked.

That question made Jake tore their eye contact away as he turned to the lake, he touched his scar again, "I did." he spoke softly, "Too much that made me learn how stupid this whole system is. How stupid myself was. How stupid for being a Prince at the first place. How stupid if I am to take over my dad's place as King if he die." Jake said out bluntly.

He never mince words, "This country is better off without politics."

"Then you are wrong."

His eyes reconnect with hers but now with a sharp glare.

But Sherry was oddly calm and collected, "Whatever you had seen had certainly gave you the wrong impression of how important this whole kingdom system is. How important it is for Raccoonia to have leader. Their King."

Angrily he spat, "Then why are you worried that my father made that verdict if you said that the bullshit kingdom is important? Shit, for a moment you were worried about your home, then you were backing my father up in the next second—"

She said nothing, but her expression was still firm and unbroken. However, Jake stopped whatever he wanted t say when he saw the slight shimmering on around her blue orbs.

Jake only panted after he had yelled onto her face. They were now only inches away from each other.

"What I worried about is different." She finally admitted, "I am not worried about if this country have a King. I am worried about if this country have a good King."

He meant to ask more from her, but Sherry had already picked up her feet and swivel herself away from Jake so that her back was facing her. She did it to hide her tears away from him.

"I wish... I wish you could understand- the reality behind these walls. I wanted to show you what was behind these walls. About what I really meant. How I grew up— But I guess, it's impossible."

The last few word suddenly struck Jake, 'How you grew up? Does this include your past?'

For a while, there was only deafening silence, and only Sherry's muted sobs could be heard.

Out of sheer impulse, Jake finally extended his hand to Sherry's forearm. He gave it a gentle tug, beckoned her to look at him. She barely struggled, but she did showed a little resistance from his unworded request. It was until Jake put a little force to it - just a little - then Sherry finally complied.

"Who said it is impossible?" He whispered with a hint of anger, which made her eyes widen.

"Pack your things now, tonight, we will sneak out. And you will to explain everything to me."

"Maybe by this, I can learn something about you, Sherry."

Jake's bedchamber, Night

Sherry was clutching onto her little knapsack nervously when she got into Jake's room in men's clothing.

The Prince was serious when he said that they will be leaving the castle for tonight - he had everything packed out for himself before she did that evening; hell, he had even got changed into some older garment for the occasion. She thought the Prince was just trying to comfort her earlier on. When Jake saw Sherry donned as a man - which was not much because she was still showing a lot of femininity through the curve on her chest and her slender legs - he could only smirk with a small comment, "Looks good."

"I-I uh— your Highness—" She blabbered, peering onto her own men's clothing while Jake was looking out from the window to scout if his escape route was clear from guards, "I don't think this is a good idea. To leave the castle just like—"

"Hey, you suggested it." He pulled the curtains close and went for his own knapsack one last time, "Besides, it was you who was so eager to show me what it's like outside."

'Oh god, this is getting out of hand.' Sherry regretted that she said things impulsively again. And of all people, to the Prince. She should have known by now how unpredictable Jake Wesker was. She should have know that he was just as impulsive as she was. Now, she felt like they will be going on to an espionage mission. One if they get caught, she will have a hell to pay. After all, she was sneaking out with the Prince of Raccoonia.

Sherry swallowed the lump on her throat, "But, your Highness, if we get caught—"

"Relax, it's just for this midnight, we'll be back before tomorrow morning." Jake smirked, he returned to the window for a final confirmation, "Nobody will know if we ever went out at all."

Nothing will change his mind anyway.

She submitted at long last, grabbing her knapsack with her and got to the window where Jake was scouting out, "So, how are we going to get out?"

"You see that tower over there?" He pointed and Sherry followed his finger, "There's actually a large crack at the wall for a while now, I've seen it lots of times already."

The stewardess was skeptical, not exactly the best escape route but hey, if the Prince suggested it, it might work.

All said and done, Jake blew the last candle of his room and when they were surrounded by the darkness, Jake led Sherry to the door.

Her hand instinctively groping for the door knob but another hand grabbed hers and tore it away from the metal, none other than Jake. Even in complete darkness, she could still tell that Jake was staring intently at her.

"You are to tell me everything on your mind once we are out. Got that?" He was half-growling to her.

Since nodding was meaningless in pitch black, Sherry was forced to choke out her answer, "Yes."

"Good."

A.N: Next chapter should be fun to write. :) Yup, they will be having a midnight adventure together outside the castle! IF, they didn't get caught before that. XD And poor Ashley.

Trust me in this, after the next chapter, we will be going onto a more darker side of the fic. Where there will be more questions to come, and of course, more answers.

AND, one character will be making an appearance very soon. (I know you were thinking about Barry Burton because Sherry mentioned him. No, guess another.)

RFF!