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

Chapter XXIV: Spare No Mercy

'Of course I knew her. Her name is Annette Birkin. The wife of my former best friend. The wife of whom I killed.' - Albert Wesker

Kennedy's Residence, Midnight

Hey, cute guy,

I assume that you have met with that big General before reading this, I'm bad when it comes to remembering names - is it Redfield? He seems to be an important person, so it's right for you to see him for this particular matter.

How's Albert's letter to Simmons struck you? Weird, huh? Point proven, the fact is. Ever wondered why His Majesty was so munificent to Simmons that he presented Tall Oaks the first day that he ascended as the King of Raccoonia? Everyone know how careful the King was to his every plan, but why give such an important landscape to a man like Simmons?

And ever wondered why the King paid no mind to Simmons' death, even he was named the highest man in the King's honor?

As I said, I was there when Simmons die that night, I was the one who killed him, and true he died by my poison, but the poison was invented on behalf of King Albert Wesker.

Albert was the one who wanted the death of Derek Simmons.

And I... happened to came across a few things that I thought interesting - before I burn the whole thing down of course. The other gift I sent you was only a small part of it, there is a bigger surprise after all. The evidence that Albert asked Simmons to rid of, was actually the body of two men.

One was his very own half-brother, and the other one was his best friend.

For time being, that will be all I will tell you.

See you tonight, cute guy. The same place I saw you last night.

Hour two after midnight.

Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield awaited patiently inside Leon's room as they stared out the window - wide-open - inviting an uninvited visitor. Earlier on the same day, Leon had insisted that Claire will be staying over in the Palce for the night as he and his brother had futile matter to be discuss with in his residence. Claire made no protest, not when Chris himself affirmed that he will be meeting his brother-in-law that night.

Tonight, they will be apprehending Ada Wong for questioning, and for the murder of Derek Simmons.

"Do you think that Ada Wong was telling the truth?"

The theory suggested by Kennedy went unanswered by the Grand General. To say that he believe Ada was a lie, she had not done a thing to gain anyone's trust. And she had just confessed murdering a nobility of the highest ranking, easily as a breath of air.

But the inferences that she suggested was far too... real. To even provide with a letter from twenty years ago, Ada could most likely be telling the truth.

"Hello, gentlemen."

They jolted to a stand when a sultry voice whist out the window. Ada Wong - dressed in crimson red - seated herself on the window pane the same manner she did last night , a sexy smile on her face, absolutely calm. How did she do that without attracting their attention? She was not disturbed when the two men draw their weapons from their sheathes, she was expecting them to be.

In his instant reflex, Chris charged to the woman in an attempt to subdue her.

But only a flick of her wrist and the burly man fell to his knees.

"Chris?!" Leon's intentions died to assist his brother-in-law. Chris was clutching onto the side of his neck and his face contorted of what of pain was. Damn, he couldn't feel his body anymore! If Leon wasn't holding onto him, his body would already hit the cold hard floor. For a split second, he feared that Ada had poisoned him.

"Do not worry, cute guy. It was only tranquilizer I gave him. The numb he fell will be gone in the next hour." She hopped off the pane and hovered towards the same chair she seated last night, "All I want was a little... business chat. Not a bloodshed, mind you, General Redfield."

Reluctantly, Leon placed Chris's demobilized body down the bed, the back on the headboard so that he could sit up. While Leon himself took a seat across Ada.

"I suppose the two of you had analysed the gift I sent you. Quite a surprise, wasn't it?" Her giggles shot shivers to their spines.

"Cut to the chase, Wong." Chris said flatly, "Tell us what you want."

She nodded once, wholeheartedly agree with Redfield's proposition. No point wasting anyone's time, she thought, not when Chris's numbing effect will be gone soon.

"Why, of course, Sir General. So, now I have more to tell you about." So, she began, "I assume that you have heard about the time when the previous King, Oswell Spencer elected his next successor?"

They confirmed her.

"There were three candidates, Sir William Birkin, Lord Alex Wesker... and of course, Albert Wesker. History recorded as the current King was elected by default when William and Alex went missing only three days before the death of King Spencer. Indeed, when the history recorded that the two went missing: the actual truth was that Albert murdered them."

"You do not have the proof, Wong." Chris interrupted impatiently, "How do we know if you are only making this whole things up to clear yourself?"

Ada shook her head impassively, clearly unaffected by Chris' threats when she asked himself to slow down.

"I don't need to clear my name. It was long dirtied than you'd imagine. Simmons' wasn't my first target after all. All I wanted to say is that all the evidence lies in the King's private little tower, it's only up to you to believe me or not."

The King's tower? Of course they knew of which. It was the one that no one had ever entered other than the King himself, not even Jake nor Gabrielle had ever set foot into it. Rumors that anyone that had stepped in there, only to have their bodies dumped from the small windows. Albert had his very own trusted men to guard the tower that anyone trespassing will be killed on sight. And the Generals were too loyal to dare to dig the King's privacy.

"That's not all." She suddenly spoke, bringing the two men into attention.

"The matter was not done even after the King had ascended the throne. Albert had still some loose knots left to tie, Simmons... and Birkin. Annette Birkin, William's wife—" Leon and Chris gave each other an eye, "—Sir Birkin was far more intelligent than he looked. He had discovered Albert's plan before the assassins reached him, so he had sent Annette away beforehand... And here's the best part,"

Their heart stopped.

"Annette Birkin was pregnant with Birkin's child by the time of her escape, which Albert was oblivious about. And she gave birth to a healthy baby girl in a village of Arklay mountains. Only twenty years later... Albert finally discovered Annette's hiding place and the same assassins were sent. But the child survived."

"Sir Birkin's daughter?" Leon gaped.

Chuckling softly out of amusement, Ada finally took the cue as her time to leave and made her way back to where she had entered, "Cute guy, do you remember a woman; running in the rain in the darkest night and claimed that she had lost her family on the same night? Does this ring a bell?"

It was as if he was struck by thunder that Leon's eye enlarged like a saucer.

"Sherry is Sir Birkin's daughter?!"

And she smiled.

"I suggest you pay a visit to the King's secret little tower. Now would be the best time... because it is very unguarded tonight."

As if on cue, Chris fell out from the bed. His whole body tingled with sensation and he started to feel his whole body again. His previously numb limbs finally returning back to his control. Ada gave Leon another smile, she had already expecting that the tranquilizer's effect would fade by now. She remained unmoved even when Chris had already coming back to his feet, knowing that his intention had now diverted not to herself but to another woman.

Sherry Birkin.

Redfield was reluctant to believe what Wong had said, to be truth, but her inferences was too real to not to true.

He didn't draw his Samurai Edge to her throat, but instead he approached the woman with a question of his own, "How did you know that the tower was unguarded?"

"Simple. Because I was there before I came here."

Leon was flabbergasted, "Then why wouldn't you have secured anything from there?"

Ada gave a soft laugh, "There's always something that it's better if you see for yourself. Trust me, it's an eye opener for you about the King."

By the time, Leon turned to look at Chris, he had gone from the door. The younger General sighed, no doubt that his brother in law had already making his way to the designated area.

Chris Redfield. Impulsive.

"You leaving too, handsome? I think I might stay here a little longer... It's chilly outside. Oh, is the kitchen downstairs? I might make myself some coffee..."

Leon smirked but he didn't comment anything on it, he made his hasty leave too to catch up with Chris.

As long as Claire didn't know, it should be okay for letting Ada had her coffee.

King's study, Morning

"Excella..."

The stewardess beside him bowed, readily accepting whatever order her King gave her. The King's expression was unusually solemn this morning, he was out his bed before the day even brighten and he was already in his study by the time the chamberlain brought him his breakfast. The coffee left to cool off in the morning wind and the toast went untouched by the man.

"I want you to bring me Sherry here. Now."

She gave him a quizzical look, "Was it of the Prince, your Majesty?"

"It is of something with much more importance." He growled at the woman, "And bring her to me alone. Without the Prince. At all cost."

The sultry stewardess dare not to question her master no more as she left the study without another word. Albert perked his ears, listening carefully that the footsteps grew fainter and fainter out the door. He glared darkly at the door, in just a few more minutes will be the moment of truth, and he was well-prepared for that.

When the hall was coast clear, Wesker stood from his desk.

"Hunk, Vector."

Two flashes of black swished behind the King out of nowhere and they instantly went to their knees before the King. They keep their head ducked underneath their cloaked bodies.

"It seemed that the two of you had... mistook the fact that Annette was alone."

"My apologies, my lord..." The first one spoke, the bass voice etched with resentment, "We didn't know that Birkin had a kin left behind."

"It was just like that day... when William had overlooked my plan beforehand and sent his wife away before the two of you reached him." Albert commented monotonously, "Now, it was Annette who had her daughter sent away before the two of you reach her. Talking about fate."

Raccoonia Castle, Morning

He shivered slightly under cold, wintry wind. It was the first morning of winter and Jake watched as the falling snow blanketed the ground. His boots were thick against the thin layer of smooth snow. The lake no longer illuminate its usual sparks when the sun shone upon it, now a sheen of light refracted on the fine layer of ice on the top of the lake.

He was alone.

Men and women chattered away as they noticed how Jake sat by the partially solidified water alone. His expression was calm and untroubled, in which everyone had the courage to greet him a good morning although none received a reply from the Prince. They care less, knowing that the Prince never replied anyone unless it was of utmost importance.

Far across the distance, Jake noticed the sound of heavy boots squishing into the snow closing in onto him. He didn't bother to look at first, figuring that it will be the Chris and Piers pair to ask him for some sword training. But when his name was called twice, then he forced himself to look. Two men were striding along the snowy blanket in long, hurried steps.

General Chris Redfield and General Leon Scott Kennedy.

"Prince! Sir!"

Truthfully, Jake was quite surprised to see both Generals came up to him at once. He figured that it might be something regarding to the recent death of General Krauser.

But the first question asked wasn't what he had in mind.

"Where's Sherry?" Being the one to reach Jake first, Leon asked breathlessly.

The Prince shrugged dismissively, "Dunno. That bitch Excella brought her away this morning and I dunno where they went. Suppose it was something about their maid stuff."

"Shit." Leon whispered violently. Knowing that Excella was Albert's lappie, she could be bringing Sherry to a death trap.

Could Albert had already figured out Sherry's real identity?

"How long has it been since she was away from you?" Chris asked, with Jake replied that it had already been an hour or so. Jake's stomach was churning when he saw that both men were whispering to each other nervously. Since when did they paid attention to a girl like Sherry?

"The King might have gotten her! We need to intercept them—"

"Hold your horses! What the hell are you guys talking about?!" Jake interrupted, "What about dad? What's wrong with Sherry?"

They eyed at the oblivious Prince with regretful eyes. Knowing that they will be running out of time soon enough. Turning to their heels, the two men head off to where they expect the King would be. They were now racing against time, knowing that Sherry had long left to the King, time wouldn't elapse for them anymore.

Obviously, Jake chased after their trail. His frustration growing with each step that Leon and Chris refused to tell him what was going on. He was getting sick on the stomach already, anything involving Sherry now matters much to him and these two men are not telling him anything yet.

"Jake," Chris said his name, and he will never do that unless he was being uptight serious, "your father wants Sherry's life. We need to get to her before he do anything."

"What?!" He could not believe what he had just heard, "Was is about me and her? I knew he was disapproving of us but—"

"That was only one matter. But the King wanted Sherry's death for another reason."

He stopped asking questions then.

All Jake wanted to do know was to see Sherry's safety above all else. Whatever reason his father had didn't matter.

King's Study, Morning (An hour ago)

"I see that you are with my son."

It wasn't a statement, but a question. She had expected that the day would come when the King himself would question directly, without the presence or aide of Jake, of course. The King's wasn't sitting in on his desk unlike usual, he decided to face the woman by the face and both his arms were tucked behind his hips. Excella was standing by the desk as she kept her head down, clearly entertained by the drama that will soon ensue.

Timidly, she nodded. Sherry did not have the courage to say anything to the King. Albert's expression was empty, not even a bit of emotions that she had hoped that she could see in him.

Afterwards, Albert said nothing further but approached her with collected steps.

"...I am not saying that I completely reject the idea of you being a... 'woman' to my son, but there is something that I needed confirmation before... I approve of you to be his—" He considered, "Concubine."

Sherry gulped, she had early prediction that she can never be Jake's consort but a mistress? That she hadn't seen it coming. It would be easier if the King would outright rejected her.

Hearing no reply from the young stewardess, Albert proceeded to her carefully, "Did you happen to gift my son a golden necklace? With a red serpent encrusted on the pendant?"

"Uh..." Her breath hitched, the ambiance of this outrageously spacious hall was suffocating with the King being so close, "Yes, sir."

"Hmm... Where did it originated? And do you know anything about the serpent?"

She was being so utterly confused by the questions. The King paid special attention more to her mother's keepsake than her actual relationship with the Prince, even a slight glance over to Excella proved that the woman was equally perplexed by the interrogation. But the look in Albert's eyes proved that he was looking for a query in her.

Her blue robs avoided the King's instantly, "...It was... my mother's. She said that the serpent was supposed to be my family emblem."

The cloud of neutrality disappeared in Albert's eyes, only to be replaced by clarity.

He smirked deviously.

"Did your mother happened to be Annette?"

Sherry's eyes snapped wide, her body jolted straight, "Your Majesty knew my mother, sir?"

Now, he walked a few steps away from her. The eerie part was his dark laughter, as if he had just discovered something that he had long been looking for.

Even Excella eyed at the King curiously at his sudden change of behavior.

"Of course I knew her. Her name is Annette Birkin. The wife of my former best friend. The wife of whom I killed."

'The King knew my father?' She stared at him open-mouthed, out of shock and disbelief.

"Hunk."

Out of nowhere, Sherry felt a powerful grasp of her neck and another hand covered her mouth, muting her instantly. Her struggles were in vain when her assailant was not even budging! The grasp on her neck was so firm that Sherry fear her neck could snap any time soon. 'Why did the King do this to me? What did he mean he killed my father?!'

"Your Majesty, what is—" Excella stopped mid-sentence. Not when she felt a sharp pain over on her lower spine, not when there was a blade protuding out from where her belly was, covered in her own blood.

Albert nodded expectantly, giving merit to the man behind Excella, "Excellent work, Vector."

"Y-Your Majesty...?" She choked when the blade was forcefully dragged out from its wounds, rendering her completely helpless as she fell to the ground pooling in her own blood, "But I was supposed to be your...?"

The King gave her a last mockery smile, "You never were the future Queen for me... Gabrielle was the only one."

Sherry watched in awe as the assassin step away from the now lifeless body of Excella, the King had just murdered his own stewardess!

Will she be next?

"Look at him, little Sherry..." Albert patted Vector by the back, urging her to look at the man. The mask... where had she seen it before? "Does he look like anyone to you?"

Then, Albert waved his fingers to Hunk and the man released his grasp immediately. The first thing Sherry did was to catch her breaths, and the next thing was her shins were kicked until she was on her knees, she tilted her head up again to see the face of her assailants.

Another mask.

The night when she was hiding in the closet flashed.

"You...!" Sherry exclaimed. She swore her eyeball would fall out soon.

"That's right, these were the men that killed your mother. And your father, on my behalf, poor Sherry."

Her courage exploded in her chest, those were the ones that stabbed her beloved mother to death, and it was worse knowing that it was the King of Raccoonia who did that, "You killed my parents!" She yelled at Albert, tears swelling in her eyes. Immediately, Hunk slapped on Sherry's cheek harshly to silence her. Now she fell to the ground, but she kept her grudging glare steady at Albert. The welt left behind on her cheek sting, but it was nothing compared to her hatred to the murderers.

"Those eyes. Those were just the same eyes that William gave me before Hunk ended him. You truly are your father's daughter..." The comment went sour in Albert's tongue when he recalled the moment his former best friend accused him of being a traitor to the kingdom.

"Why did you—?"

"Blame the previous King for that." He replied simply, "Your father was simply caught in that. He wouldn't have to die if King Spencer would have to be so pretentious of me."

'What is he saying?'

"Hunk. Give her the 'thing'."

Now she was afraid, her flames of fury had gone when Hunk approached her with a suspicious bottle of amber liquid.

He caught Sherry by the chin, lifting it so that her throat was vertical against the bottle.

And she was forced to swallow the whole thing down her throat. It was not thick, but she deliberately gagged to remove an amount of it, with was proven useless when Hunk now grabbed her by her neck. The liquid burned as it slid down her esophagus and to her systems.

When it was done, Hunk removed his hand away from Sherry and she writhes helplessly on the ground as she suffered a burning sensation on her stomach. The pain was so acute that she let out a breathless scream on the cold floor. Then she stilled, very stilled.

But she knew she was still alive.

She panted when the pain dissipated from her but she felt her energy was sapped away from her body every second.

"The killing effect was not immediate, sir. But the poison was lethal to infiltrate her systems, she will die when the time elapse enough."

"Very well, Vector."

She heard nothing more but thuds of boots and her eyes were half lidded, she saw that Albert was returning to his desk and seat upon it.

"Hunk, imprison the girl until her demise comes. Vector, dispose Excella for me, mind you."

Sherry felt more movements then, like she was suspended on her waist. She was positive that she was tossed onto somebody's shoulder and were carried away.

Her lids dropped completely, with a name burned in his tongue.

"Jake..."

Raccoonia Castle, Present Time

"Twenty years ago, when King Oswell C. Spencer realized that he was too old to withheld the kingdom on his own, he knew that he will have to choose a successor soon. Having no children of his own, the King had to choose between the three of his most trusted subordinates: William Birkin, Alex Wesker, and Albert Wesker."

"Who is Alex Wesker?"

Jake asked for clarifications of the person with the same surname as he is. It was at one point when they were heading off to where the King was that Chris decided that he will explain on the way.

Chris paused for a moment, "Your uncle... Alex Wesker was your father's half brother. Like your father, he was once a general too."

"The kingdom was in turmoil at that period... the knights were divided into three factions to support each candidates respectively. It was not about a popularity contest anymore since they had equal supporters, it was left for the King to make the final decision. And that was when your father... made his biggest mistake—"

"What mistake?"

Chris pursed his lips at the question, but the young Prince had to know what his father had done sooner or later. Now was better than ever, "To make sure he had no competitors, he assassinated both his best friend and his brother. For the sake that he will become Spencer's next successor. That was also the reason why Albert Wesker benefited the House of Simmons, because Simmons was the one helped Albert to dispose of their bodies."

The Prince nearly stumbled across, disbelief flooding his vein when he suddenly learn how his father won his throne by... fraud. "That's bullshit, Redfield. Why would my father do that? You don't have a fucking evidence."

"We had all the evidence we need. It all lies on that tower that your father was so secretive about, Leon and I infiltrated it last night and we had all we need to pinpoint your father."

"Your father had learnt that King Spencer had his decision... but not himself." Chris' eyes glanced over his shoulder to see Jake's. "He chose William Birkin as the next King of Raccoonia. And that was the ultimate reason why Albert Wesker wanted to capture Sherry."

It was difficult for Jake to learn that the throne that his father was sitting now was not rightfully his, but was this William Birkin guy.

But Sherry?

"What did Sherry have to do with all of this?" Jake growled.

The two generals' steps stop.

"We had all discovered this only recently: Sherry's real name is Sherry Birkin. She is Sir William Birkin's daughter. In other words, if the Birkin's bloodline were to ascend the throne rightfully per King's Spencer's verdict, Sherry would be the real Queen of Raccoonia by default."

There was a strong pressure in Jake's chest as soon as he learnt the truth. He was not the real Prince, but it was Sherry's right all along. To think that it was him who robbed her of her status and to reduce her as lowly as a servant in her Palace. It was his fault that she had to endure so many hardship since the first day she was born into this world, when she would have a life as good as he was; Sherry had to starve, had to suffer in her now, he wanted to think nothing of this.

All he wanted now was to see her safe. To see her safe in his arms.

He had sworn in front of Annette's grave in Arklay that he will take care of Sherry.

He had sworn to Gabrielle too that he will make Sherry as happy as she would be.

Jake Wesker was ready to confront anyone at all who put her life in danger. Even his 'fake King' father.

A.N: *GASP* Oh, no... what did Albert had done to Sherry? O_O

Next chapter will be the final chapter and then we'll have an epilogue to resolute all... I'll be posting the two final chapters at once so be sure to read chapter 25 before the epilogue. Whew, never thought that I have come this far for this medieval project (at first, I though it could only last 15 chapters!) :D

RFF! :)