Author's Note: Thank you Aliciathewolf45, Guest, and MissMJS for your reviews on my last chapter. It still is sad has this story hasn't seemed to catch many people's attention, especially after I constantly got private messages begging to know when there would be a sequel. :( Hm, oh well. I still plan to finish the story whether or not anyone is reading it.

Anyway, onto the chapter!

•~•

After denying Finitevus' request, Shadow returned to his chambers but was stunned to find both Sonic and Nicole waiting for him inside. "What's going on in here?" he asked shutting his bedroom door closed behind him.

"I was looking for you everywhere," Sonic replied walking apologetically towards him. "Nicole showed up at the castle and wanted to speak to you again about your unresolved session."

Nicole stood from the sofa by the coffee table. "Yes, your majesty. I'm sorry I showed up out of the blue, but I really want to finish our session."

Shadow stared at her for a moment, conflicted with her visit. He had wanted nothing to do with the psychic after his last eerie encounter with her, but now with his father's spirit seemingly returning, it was probably the best time to sit down with her again. "Session accepted." He looked to Sonic. "Sonic, will you please leave us and remain mum on this matter?"

Sonic nodded. "Of course. Is there anything else you need?"

"Please keep Amy preoccupied. I don't want her aware of this event," he noted.

Sonic made his way towards his bedroom door. "I'll keep her at bay." With that, he opened the door and left, but accidently left his bedroom door a crack.

Nicole smiled towards Shadow. "I didn't know if I'd ever get to speak with you again, your highness, but I think it's best if we try to finish this session and get some answers."

He made his way over to the couch where she stood. "I suppose you're right. I'm sorry I left so abruptly, I was scared of what I had heard."

"I understand, possession can be quite terrifying for some, but it's the best way to communicate to the dead by using my body as a vessel." She sat back down, and Shadow sat down across from her. "Will you be alright this time?"

He swallowed the lump in his throat. He was still terrified of what he'd find out. "Yes."

Nicole closed her eyes and concentrated on the energy around her. Shadow watched her until she leaned back, opened her eyes, and stared at him. At that moment, Shadow could sense a difference about her. Nicole leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees. "Hello, son," she started under Phillip's possession.

He knew immediately it was his father. "Why have you come back to haunt me?" Shadow questioned.

Nicole smirked. "I pieced it together, Shadow, and now I know. That's why I left you that bit of the lance wedged from my eye."

Shadow seemed frightened by the mention. His father's spirit had somehow figured everything out. "Why can't you just find peace, father?"

Nicole stood from her seat, moving around the couch to stand behind it. She tucked her arms behind her back. "There's no peace for me, at least, not while my killer walks free."

"If you're here to lay blame, then at least be honest and shoulder your own. You murdered girls that had the misfortune of sleeping with you," he pointed. "You slaughtered hundreds, heroes of Mobius for your own amusement! You were mad and lusted for power. And most of all, you lusted for my wife," he spat accusingly.

Nicole crossed her arms over her chest, and put her head back, looking down upon him, dignified. "You justify your sin but you won't admit it."

Shadow rose from his seat, getting up in Nicole's face. "You couldn't have Mobius and Mercia and you couldn't have Amy until I was gone. Admit it!" he barked. "Admit you wanted me dead," he said pointing towards his own chest.

Nicole scoffed and walked past him, amused by his anger. "Is that why you did it? Is that why you killed me?"

"Yes!" he shouted. "It nearly destroyed me to kill my own father but you left me no choice," Nicole smirked, pleased with his disclosure.

"I think I've heard enough," with that Phillip left Nicole's body and allowed her body to faint to the floor. Shadow quickly dropped down to his knees to help her, until another voice caught his attention.

"…What an interesting revelation," a voice said from the door. Feeling his heart sink, Shadow looked over his shoulder only to see Lord Finitevus standing in his doorway having heard the entire confession.

•~•

Back in his bedroom, Shadow dismissed Nicole's services once she had woken to speak with Finitevus. The ebony monarch stood before the sitting echidna to set out some guidelines after hearing his confession. "You will not repeat anything you heard today. Understand?" Shadow spoke sternly.

Finitevus crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. "Why would I when I can just easily get you do my bidding," he bargained.

Shadow scowled at his threat. It was clear that Finitevus was going to use this information to blackmail him. "How dare you…"

Finitevus chuckled. "You know, your majesty. It was only an accident today that I happened to walk in just in the moment you confessed to murdering your father, but I've already had my suspicions. So don't feel too bad."

Shadow looked surprised by the mention. What had led him to suspect him of doing such a thing in the first place? Shadow had done his best to cover his tracks. "Why did you suspect me?" he questioned.

"I distinctly remembering hearing a rumor about a coup happening briefly before your father's death. The generals that would help take down your father were killed before it could happen, preventing any action to take place," he began. "When your father was killed in a freak accident during that jousting tournament, it all seemed too coincidental if you ask me." Shadow began to sweat. If Finitevus was able to piece this together so easily, had anyone else? "Your father and I were very good friends, as you may know, and I began to interview some of the people attending the event that day. Many commented on the odd behavior and method that Lord Montgomery used when battling your father."

He couldn't let him see him sweat under accusation. Instead, Shadow refrained from showing too much emotion. "You have no physical evidence that I committed this act," he countered.

Finitevus stroked his chin. "Perhaps, but I do have Lord Montgomery hidden away somewhere to help me accuse you of your father's death," he admitted.

Shadow's eyes widened. "What?"

He smiled wickedly. "That's right. Lord Montgomery informed me that the last person he remembers talking to before the joust was you," he pointed. "He said you came in to wish him luck on his next ride but before he could leave the tent he blacked out. It all makes perfect sense when you think about it," he sneered.

Shadow looked to the floor in defeat. He had figured it out and there was no point in trying to deny all the evidence presented. He sighed. "What do you want?"

"Whatever I please."

This was bad. The choices were unlimited. Finitevus had complete control over Shadow with this secret and could do horrible acts with him. Shadow felt his fists clench. "I won't do this," he growled.

Finitevus stood proudly. "You will unless you want to lose your crown and your queen," he threatened.

Shadow stared at him with scrutiny. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You don't seriously believe that once the Freedom Council discovers that you murdered your own father, that they'll believe Amy was not aware of your evil doings. She will fall with you," he pointed.

He was right and the thought of Amy being taken down was enough to get him on board. She already had a huge target on her back for most of her life and didn't need another one. "Leave her out of this," he snapped.

"I do believe I've discovered your weakness," he smirked wickedly. "All you have to do is follow as I command and your secret will remain safe," he explained. "Understand?"

He closed his eyes, feeling helpless. "…Yes."

•~•

After his conversation with Finitevus, Shadow and Amy walked towards his study. Shadow had updated Amy on his standing with their decision on the branded victims and she was not happy. Unfortunately, Shadow had refrained from telling Amy that Finitevus was blackmailing him in order to get him to do as he pleased. He had come to the decision to keep her in the dark with that, in order to protect her whether or not it was the right option.

"This isn't right. It's only going to cause anarchy," Amy reasoned.

Shadow walked over to his desk with Amy tagging behind him. "Amy, I've made my decision. A law will be put into place in a matter of days."

"Your decision?" she repeated, astounded by his wording. "I thought we were to rule together? At your coronation, you said we'd rule as a partnership…"

"Amy…" he groaned. "I can't always be your husband first. Sometimes I have to be king."

Amy took a step back, suddenly not recognizing her own husband standing before her. She stared at him in shock. "Shadow, this isn't like you… Tell me what's going on, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he lied.

"Don't lie to me. Something is troubling you, I've caught you seeing things that weren't there." Shadow froze in place before looking at her. "What are you seeing that's bothering you?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about," he prevaricated.

"Yes you do!" she said stomping her foot in frustration.

"No, I really don't, now if you excuse me," he said trying to divert the conversation. Amy watched as he sped around her and out the door. She ran to try to keep up with him, but he was too fast.

"Shadow!" she called.

•~•

In one of the corridors, Rouge was busy talking to one of the suitable noblemen in the castle. The nobleman was a young and handsome brown fruit bat from one of the northern regions of Mobius. He laughed at one of Rouge's witty remarks before settling into an attractive smile. The two had really hit it off and were heavily flirting with one another. "You should come sailing with me one day. The water is absolutely breathtaking at this time. Perhaps we'll even catch glimpse of some dolphins," he theorized.

She beamed by his offer. "That sounds absolutely lovely!" Rouge exclaimed while discreetly trying to take a look at his wrist for the birthmark. For the past two days, she had been desperately searching for the lover with the triangle birthmark but had yet to find him.

"Yes, I-"

"—Lady Rouge!" another male voice called. The two turned only to spot Lord Finitevus approach them. "Lord Hugh is it?" the echidna asked shaking his hand.

"Oh, that's correct," Hugh smiled shaking his hand back.

"How have you enjoyed talking to my fiancé? Has she fascinated you?" Rouge gave an incredulous look towards him. Why on earth was he lying about their relationship status?

"…Your fiancé?" he repeated, uncomfortably embarrassed by his mistake. For the past ten minutes, he had been flirting with her and even had gestured to courting her.

Rouge narrowed her eyes at Finitevus. "What he means is-"

"—Is that making a mistake is an easy feat and easily forgiven," Finitevus interrupted. "Isn't that right, darling?"

Lord Hugh bowed his head. "My mistake. I, um, just remembered I have an important errand to attend to. Have a lovely evening," he finished before departing.

Rouge watched the fruit bat hurry off before she turned to Finitevus, irked by his charade. "What was up with those theatrics back there? You deliberately drove him away," she grumbled.

"He's not good enough for you," he answered bluntly.

"And you think you are?" she asked, amused by his boldness.

"I know I am," he smiled confidently showing his toothy grin.

Rouge placed a hand on her cocked hip. "Amy told me you're not a very nice person."

"What is deemed as nice anyway?" he scoffed flicking his wrist. "I say you put aside the rumors you've heard and instead get to know me."

She huffed, looking away. "Regrettably, I must decline."

He tsked her. "Well, it's always an open invitation in case you change your mind," he said as he backed up. He waved politely towards her. "Goodbye, Lady Rouge." Just as he waved, Rouge noticed something on his wrist peaking from underneath his sleeve; it was a triangle shaped birthmark!

•~•

In their chambers, Amy and Shadow prepared for bed, but while the two got undressed, tension filled the room. Shadow sat at his desk, staring at the splinter from the lance in his drawer. It continued to haunt him among other things. Amy spotted him staring longingly into the drawer and approached him meekly from behind. "Shadow?"

He quickly pushed the drawer shut, hiding its contents. "Yes?" he asked turning to look over his shoulder.

She clasped her hands together. "I love you and I need you to know that."

"I do," he replied simply.

She fiddled with her hands nervously. "I want to support you as your wife and as your queen, but I can't understand why you would let those victims be killed for holding onto their beliefs."

He looked away. "This is a much larger issue…"

"I understand we have to bow to Mobian nobles that pretend to bow to us, but our nation will fall if we make decisions like this. Those people don't deserve to die because they were marked."

He stood, growing anxious and frustrated. "I can't talk about this anymore," he said walking towards the burning fireplace.

She watched him as he stood in front of it, keeping his back towards her. "Why not?"

His eyes focused on the dancing flames. "The decision has been made, it's done!"

Amy was starting to become vexed. Why was Shadow suddenly so short with her again? "Why can't we discuss this? We use to be able to," she argued, voice rising. "What has changed?"

He finally turned to face her once again. His expression was hardened as he stared back at her. "I made the decision as king, why can't you understand that?"

She took offense from the anger held in his voice. He was acting so different, and she had to know why. After a year of being married to him, she had never seen this side come out until now. "This is something different. I've noticed you've grown distant for a while now, you've acted as if you're haunted by something…"

Shadow averted his glance from her own, hiding any chance of revealed clues due to his features. "You have no idea what you're talking about," he mumbled.

"No, I do. When you returned to the castle after the plague, I took notice of your strange behavior, but I didn't question it at first because I had hoped you'd come to me once you felt comfortable. But you never did! Then you started to act normal again once I was pregnant and I thought your problem had gone away."

He groaned in annoyance, trying to hush her mind from solving his secret. "I need peace and quiet," he spoke walking away from the fireplace.

Her eyes followed his retreating figure further into the room. "You need to trust me; to share things with me," she begged sincerely.

He stopped near their bed, only growing more aggravated by the second. He wanted to tell her everything, but he knew if he did, it would only endanger her life. In his mind, the less she knew, the better. "Not everything can be solved by talking," he countered exasperated. "There are things we cannot change, things you cannot fix! And there are things I don't tell you, to protect you…"

She had grown tired of their back and forth conversation. "Protect. Me. From. What?" she shouted.

He shook his head, feeling already horrible enough for frustrating her. "I have already said too much."

"No, you have said far too little!"

"Amy…"

She began to pace back and forth, determined to discover what their problem was. "Something I can't fix, something you can't change," she spoke suddenly putting the pieces together. She slowed down her pace, coming to a sudden halt as it all came together. Her ears lowered sadly. "The baby I lost… you don't think I can do it? Do you worry that I can't bear your child?" she asked almost too afraid to hear his answer.

Shadow stared long and hard towards her. That wasn't the case, but if he could make her believe it was, maybe she would stop investigating the situation. He grew a feigned angered look, to help her believe his false statement. "Yes. I worry because as a king and as a male I want heirs. Is that what you want to hear? Does it bring us closer to know that your failure has disappointed me beyond words?" His words stung, causing her to slink down onto a seat. He saw how upset she was and his heart ached, but this was for her own good. He continued to uphold his frustrated stance. "Are we done?"

Her eyes flew to the floor sadly, unable to look at him. "You told me you hadn't lost hope?"

He turned away from her, incapable of looking at her crushed demeanor any longer. "I lied." Suddenly, he heard her start to sniff and cry. His heart broke for her. He turned around, softened by her tears and started to feel regret. "Amy, I…I shouldn't have said that."

"No." She stood, wiping her teary eyes. "I asked for the truth and you definitely gave it to me. I should have known better." He watched as she gracefully left the room, despite being distraught by his words. Shadow's ears fell. He couldn't believe his reign had come to this.

•~•

AN: Remember to leave a review! I really appreciate it. :)