Chapter 445: Rumours in the East

"It makes no sense," Bardas said with an annoyed tone, throwing the letter in his hand across the table. Ever since his defection, he had been put in charge of helping undermine the Severians under the watchful eye of Horace. He had quickly learnt that Julius had discovered where he was hiding, but his connection within Severia ran deep. Although not many liked him, others happily helped him, especially the Western Lords who had lived under Magnus.

"What?" Horace coldly asked, looking up from his own document with a list of names. Grabbing his chin, Bardas threw it over towards Horace.

"I have no clue what my brother plans on doing. He is mobilising, but it’s not a big enough one for an invasion." He stared at the paper in silence for a few minutes, his lips curling wider and wider as time passed. When the reason came to mind, he looked at Horace with an enlightened look, "A smoke screen."

Jumping up from his desk, he ran over to Horace’s and looked at the list of names he had. All of them were nobles under Severia, one of the documents Bardas had managed to take with him. Whilst he provided the list to Alfred and ordered many of them to be executed, they had decided to keep a few alive to feed their enemy bad information. "We need to watch these men." Bardas paused for a second, "Are the Church’s clergy still allowed to enter the Empire freely?"

"They can enter but are heavily watched when they do." Horace frowned and stared at the names. He could see Bardas’ questioning gaze from the corner of his eye and sighed. "Killing them will be worse than letting them live. At least we know they are traitors."

"I never suggested anything like that." Bardas took a deep breath, "You mentioned Lisaponic mission. Whilst it will draw Julius’ attention, it’s not enough. He needs a reason why marching through the Livonik territories is a terrible choice." Bardas stared, "You forget, the best weapon my brother has is cavalry. Horses don’t do well with water, and they will be able to afford a drawn-out conflict."

"Why do you say this?" Horace sharply asked. Bardas thinly smiled and walked back to his seat, collapsing in it.

"It’s rumours, but Julius is planning on marrying an Ammerian Princess." With a bitter chuckle, he shook his head, "He really is copying His Majesty. First, making himself Blessed and then trying to marry a Khorish Princess."

Horace stood up and slammed his hand into the table, in a rare display of anger, "You only tell me this now."

"It’s a rumour, one I only recently learnt. I have a source in Duke Elias’s territory who provides me with information. Apparently, numerous envoys have gone back and forth between the two Empires." Bardas scoffed when Horace refused to sit down, "It’s a ploy like us with the Lisaponics. Constance would never allow him to marry a heathen, but to prepare for war with us, they have to put on a show to secure their east."

"It’s worse if he marries the Princess." Horace finally sat down and stared at the paper before him, "Can your information be trusted?"

"No. It’s always a guess if what I got is the truth." Horace groaned and got out of his chair. Grabbing his coat, he swiftly left the room, heading for the Palace.

-------------------

The palace was calm as Alfred sat with Isra, reading a document whilst leaning against her, her hand running through his silky hair. "I don’t like him being near Edward." Although she tried to talk with a soft tone, Alfre heard the deep hatred Isra had for Balder.

"What will you have me do, Isra? I cannot remove either of them from the academy without a valid reason. You know this. Think about what our enemies would say."

"I know this. But who cares? Edward is getting better; he has a friend, he talks more, and he seems to have forgotten those terrible days. Balder can ruin all of this." Isra’s jaw clenched, "Is what the world thinks more important than his health?"

"Of course not. But I can only protect him when I show he isn’t my weakness. The second I show any favouritism to a single child, they will strike at that. Edward is safe for now, because people believe I treat him like the other children. That I am as impartial to his worries as I am to the twins."

"But he’s not!" Isra snapped and moved away, "Our boy was stripped from us and stuffed in a dark hole for however long. They will always target him; he is your heir, and we have so many enemies, Alfred." Isra clenched her fist, biting her lip. "And he can’t defend himself at all. He can’t run away if in danger. All he can do is helplessly watch. In the same way, he can only watch as Balder torments him day after day."

"I have punished Balder already, Isra." Alfred’s voice was deep as he stared into Isra’s eyes. "What do you want me to do. Keep Edward locked away like a gem, only allowing people to see him but never interact with him. Or would you have me take Balder away and make him spiteful? Make him think that Edward was the reason he was taken from all his friends and locked up in his home."

"I don’t know." Isra collapses into his hands, "I don’t know Alfred. All I know is my son is not safe with that thing near him."

Alfred put the paper down and slumped forward, his eyes frosty, "We can’t always protect him, Isra. Every issue we solve for him means another chance he couldn’t grow himself. I can do damage control, but he must fight his own battles. If he is ever to take my place, he has to be independent, not a weak-willed man who expects everything to fall into his lap."

"Thats...that’s not fair on him. He is already at a disadvantage."

"So what. Should I coddle him from the horrors of his life? He knows how you look and treat him. You love him more than anyone in this world, but he needs to know you don’t treat him like a glass that could shatter at any moment." Alfred sighed and fell into his hands. His foot bounced, thinking of his son, "I just want him to grow up like a normal boy. And although it’s tough, children will always find someone to pick on."

"You think I don’t want that?" Isra muttered, "Edward is a normal boy. But every day he will be put into his chair, and every day that will be a reminder that he can’t live without it."

"He’s more than the chair."

"Of course he is. He is smart, sweet, beautiful." Isra’s voice warmed as she described her son, "But they don’t let him know that. They see the chair first." Alfred peeked through his fingers to look at Isra.

"You were the one who proposed he hide behind he chair. To appear weak to the world. When he’s older, they will always underestimate him. Wasn’t this your plan?"

"I messed up." Isra stood up and screamed, "I messed up. Is this what you want me to say?" Alfred quickly stood up and grabbed Isra, bringing her into a deep embrace. Stroking the back of her hair, he shook his head.

"You weren’t wrong for weaponising it, Isra. However, it will never work as long as you treat him that way. He needs to know he’s more than his chair. He needs to know it doesn’t define him. Others can see and treat him like he’s weak, but we mustn’t. As much as it hurts, we have to let him endure the world, so he realises where his strength lies. Balder is the first obstacle. If he can’t overcome his brother’s bullying, then the crown will be too much for him."

Alfred heard Isra grind her teeth, her hands clutching his shirt, "I tried to tell myself this already. I can’t do it. I can’t see him suffer and not act. It’s too hard. He’s so small. I don’t want him to suffer."

The front of Alfred’s shirt went damp as Isra tried to choke back the tears she had suppressed for a long time. Alfred gently rubbed her head, ignoring the loud thudding of someone knocking on the door.

"You have to, Isra. Do you think I enjoy seeing him in pain? I hate it, but I know that he hates it more when looked at with pity." Grabbing the back of her head, Alfred took a deep breath, "He wants to be treated like other children. As his parents, we have to treat him like that. At some point, our good intentions will do more harm than good."

Isra loosened her hold on Alfred’s clothes and looked up at him. "I don’t know if I can do it. I don’t know." Alfred leaned down and gave a soft but quick kiss on her lips.

"For his sake, you have to try." Kissing her forehead, he smiled, "Don’t worry. Despite what I’ve said, I’m still his father. If Balder or anyone else dares test my patience, I won’t stay still." Breaking away from the hug, Alfred walked over to the door and opened it. His gentle gaze hardened seeing Horace outside. "Not here." Horace bowed and followed Alfred down the Palace halls.