The Decoder - Chapter 31

Avery

“Your brother believes you’re dead.”

During the carriage ride back to the Militia at the early hours of morning before dawn, Avery mulled over Mr. Roan’s words when he had interrogated him at their base in Yvyle Forest. That explained why his brother never searched for him all these years when he was left at the gate to die. He gritted his teeth and wanted to pound on something, smash something. However, he knew he very well couldn’t because Ira was asleep next to him in the carriage, unaware of his inner turmoil.

Mr. Roan had relayed his story of being in the dungeon for eleven years before luck decided to be on his side. He had no idea what had transpired after His Majesty, Lord Sykes’s death. It was impressive, seeing how Noel had failed to remember their father’s righthand-man’s presence at the dungeon. Avery marveled at the thought, how heartless his brother could be? Or was he even aware?

“So, did my brother recognise you when you return to Hathage?” Avery had asked.

“I did not return to the palace nor did I return to Hathage. It has been eleven years. I rather stay in the shadows than putting myself in the spotlight.”

“So, how did you survive?”

“I met a woman named Sera LeMay at town and she recognised me instantly.”

“Sera LeMay? What is your relationship with her?” Avery asked with caution, his voice neutral. This was indeed interesting information. And the fact that Mr. Roan had been roaming about in Rayard until now without getting caught, intrigued him. The security of Rayard must be strengthened.

“She was a young kitchen maid of the palace. Whenever I went down to the kitchens for a snack, she will be there to accompany me. I taught her many topics from geography to history.”

The shock on Avery’s face must have been evident as Mr. Roan frowned at him, “do you happen to know her?”

“No, I don’t. I’m just surprised that you have taught a maid.” Avery lied. How did a maid turn into a spy?

“Didn’t she try to rescue you from the dungeon?” Avery continued in a bored tone.

“Like I said, no one knows of my presence in the dungeon except for the guards there. They said they received orders from High Commander Ekker that I’m a traitor to the royal family, when it’s not true at all.” Mr. Roan scrunched his face in anger.

“The High Commander seems to be coming into play very often. So, everyone believes that I was the murderer as my brother had claimed?” Avery said in a menacing tone.

“Are you?” Mr. Roan dared himself to ask. He held Avery’s gaze; his brow furrowed.

“Why would I murder my own father when there’s no cause for it.” Though Avery was saddened by his father’s death, but he wasn’t overtly emotional over his death. Truth was, he did not have much emotional attachment with his father as Lord Sykes had favoured his brother over him. Avery was more or less forced to the backstage. The desire to find the murderer was not as strong as his vengeance for Noel. Now that Mr. Roan had brought up the High Commander Ekker’s name, he couldn’t help suspecting the murderer might be the High Commander.

He thought about the High Commander’s interest on the coded message and Sir Alcoft’s journal. Perhaps the proof was mentioned in the coded message or Sir Alcoft’s journal. If the High Commander is indeed the murderer, that means…

“So, you’re saying if there’s a cause, you would kill your own father?”

“You’re rather bold, you know.” Avery glared at him, his eyes narrowing to slits.

Mr. Roan remained silent, his deep-set eyes searching his.

“Regardless, I did not kill father. I’m in the same boat as you. I was accused by my very own brother.” Avery had no idea why he was sharing this with Mr. Roan, the man who had served his father even before Avery was born. Perhaps, his instincts told him he could be trusted.

When they had arrived at the Militia and he alighted from his carriage with Ira, Avery hadn’t expected to see Edith so soon. Their eyes had met for a brief moment and the first thing that caught his eyes was the bandage plastered to her right cheek. What on earth has happened?

Then, she had turned away abruptly. She hurried towards the Entertainment Building and he could tell from her body gestures, she wasn’t happy. And, he knew why immediately when Ira spoke to him, informing him that she would like to retire to her room to rest. It must have pained her to watch him being intimate around Ira, but they were already clear with each other’s feelings though discussion on whether the wedding should go on was never brought up. The High Commander would not be happy to hear of this.

Ira left him at the driveway when Lucien came bounding towards him from the direction of the Entertainment Building.

“How was the trip?”

“Uneventful for the most part.” Avery said dryly.

“For the most part? What happen to the other part?” Lucien quirked an eyebrow.

“I met Mr. Roan.”

“Mr. Roan? The man you asked me to rescue back then?”

“Yes.” Avery had not release Mr. Roan and had instructed the soldiers stationed at Yvyle Forest to keep watch on him. He had no intention of releasing Mr. Roan, at least not now. Though Mr. Roan’s words could be trusted, Avery preferred to take precautions. A friend could turn an enemy in an instant.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be provided for, here at the base.” Avery had told him before leaving.

Lucien regarded him for a moment, as if waiting for more information, but Avery was bone-weary, and he wanted to rest before attending Caden’s birthday party tonight. Yes, he remembered because he looked forward to the party because he missed socialising and the party provided him an opportunity to be with Edith.

“Do you know what happened to Edith? Her cheek…”

“Ah, so you’ve seen her.”

Yes, only for a very brief moment, but Avery found it pointless to mention that. He would question Teo later for the full details.

“She claimed that she knocked herself against the bedpost three nights ago. She mentioned that the bruise was dreadful so, she covered it with a bandage.” Lucien explained.

“I see…” For some unknown reason, Avery had a feeling that it was a cover story more than anything. He definitely needed to speak with Teo soon.

“She probably misses you so much that she woke up disoriented and knocked herself against the bedpost.” Lucien teased and smirked.

“I think that’s highly unlikely the case.” Avery returned. He couldn’t picture Edith being clumsy and he wondered if she did indeed miss him. Though he itched to go after her, he refrained from doing so, best to give her some space for the time being. After all, he will have all of her to himself tonight.

She probably misses you so much. That thought stuck with him for the rest of the day as he got about to bathing and changing from his dusty-traveled clothes to an attire suited for a party. He picked out his best lawn shirt and a maroon double-breasted waistcoat. He wore his best black breeches and tied an elaborate cravat with a diamond brooch to secure it. He completed the ensemble with an elegant black coat which he only wore to social events.

Teo was already waiting for him at his office, pacing in front of the oak door. He reported the entire incident that led to Edith’s new injury to Avery and he slammed his fist on the table. He scrubbed a hand down his face and exhaled a deep sigh. Sera was relentless in her pursuit. Avery couldn’t fathom her objective besides their relationship as childhood friends. Edith did not share anything more related to Sera to him either, as if she did not wish for him to poke his nose in their dilemma.

And there was the matter of her father’s coded message and retrieving her father’s personal journal.

Avery groaned inwardly and settled further into his plush chair.

“Why did you let that woman escape?” Avery asked.

“I…” Teo was looking down at the rug beneath his booted feet.

“Why?” Avery repeated. This was unlike Teo to make a mistake in his assignment.

“Miss Edith had requested to let Miss Sera go.”

“And you listened to Edith? This is very unlike you, Teo. You only took orders from your commander.” Avery lifted his eyebrows, both puzzled and astonished at Teo’s unexpected behaviour.

“I…I apologise for my mistake.”

Avery could see he was making Teo uncomfortable. He was not in the mood for it and he only wanted a peace of mind after all that happened.

“Enough, you’re excused. Thank you for the report.” Avery said and steepled his fingers as he pondered what Edith had done to excite that behaviour from Teo. After a moment, he decided to let it go.

That night, the party was in full-swing and the ballroom was filled with soldiers and several nurses in their fineries, whom Caden was friendly with. Though it was crowded, but it wasn’t to the point of suffocation. The entire ballroom was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers adorning every corner of the room, chandeliers were lit, and the curtains drawn. One side of the long table was filled with assortment of confectionary and biscuits while the other was filled with main courses, from roasted chicken, to baked potatoes to an assortment of pies, all of them mouth-watering. The three-tier elaborately decorated birthday cake was placed on a round table at the front of the stage. Earlier, the soldiers and nurses had crowded around and sang a birthday song. Caden had cut the cake and toasted, “may we be blessed with the prosperity of the coming year!” The crowd had cheered and toasted with joy and excitement.

Avery spotted Edith standing next to Merille, who was standing not too far from Caden during the cake-cutting ceremony and toast. Edith was the very picture of elegance in her shimmering amber-gold floral flare gown with a lace-overlay at the skirts. The gown fitted her snugly at the waist and the sleeves were that of bell sleeves that begin just below her shoulders, the hem of the skirt touched the floor. Her dark brown hair was artfully styled into a waterfall braid with the navy-blue satin ribbon interwoven in between. She was breathtakingly beautiful tonight, and he hated it when several men eyed her with interest.

After the cake-cutting ceremony, he’d tried to reach her side but was often held back when a soldier or two stopped to converse with him, making small talks. He wasn’t in the mood for small talks, but he couldn’t very well just brush them aside. It would be impolite of him to do so and the soldiers certainly did not deserve that treatment.

When he finally caught sight of her at the confectionary table with Merille and Caden beside her this time, he made his way to her direction, determined to reach her side. It had been two weeks, and he needed to speak with her, be next to her, to hold her.

“Edie.” He said when he reached her side and all three pair of eyes turned to him, but he only had eyes for Edith. He stifled a surprise at the sight of Edith’s complexion up close. There were dark circles under her eyes and the whites of her eyes were slightly red. Has she not been sleeping properly?

“We will leave the both of you.” Merille said, excitement laced her tone. She placed her hand on Caden’s arm and walked away, leaving Avery alone with Edith.

“Avery, how are you…?” Edith asked, not quite looking at him in the eyes.

“Come with me.” Avery took her arm and led her to the entrance of the ballroom, out into the wide hallway and ascended the stairs to the first floor of the building. Without slowing his strides, he walked down the hallway and entered an empty music room. He started for the couch near the pianoforte and before Edith could say a word, he whirled around and kissed her on the lips with such ferocity and intensity that it almost frightened him. His insistent mouth was parting her lips and she allowed entry, devouring her and tasting every part of her. He heard her moaned softly and her body slumped slightly against his while he held her steadily with his strong arms. How he’d missed holding her in his arms, feeling her warmth as it enveloped him. He was thankful that it had only been two weeks. He couldn’t imagine being apart from Edith for a month or anymore than that.

When he finally pulled away for air, he rested his forehead on hers, their breaths intermingling. It was difficult to discern Edith’s expression in the darkness and the only source of light was from the half moon, its light illuminating through the floor-length windows, its curtains drawn.

“I missed you, Edie.” Avery murmured.

“I missed you, too.” Edith said in a soft voice. He could see that her face was flushed. He pulled back slightly and gently placed his hand on the bandage on her left cheek. He felt a surge of anger at just the sight of it.

“How did this happen?”

“I’m sure you have heard the story from Teo.” She chuckled softly.

“Indeed. He reported the entire story to me. I’m sorry, Edie, for not being there to protect you.”

“It’s not your fault. I’m well and standing before you here in the music room.” She gave him a warm smile. Ah, how he missed that smile of hers, a smile that lights the darkness at every corner.

He lowered his mouth to hers again and lifted her into his arms before lowering himself onto the couch with Edith on his lap, bringing her face to the same eye level as his. He slung one arm around her shoulders and the other hand gently clasped her bandaged hand.

“How was your assignment?” Edith asked.

“Uneventful, especially when you’re not there by my side.” Avery smiled. He contemplated telling her about Mr. Roan, but thought the better of it. She would most likely demand for his release, knowing her reaction after the episode with the Hathagian refugees.

Edith smiled at him and lifted his hand to place a gentle kiss on his knuckles.

“Have you been sleeping well?” Avery asked as his gaze drifted to the dark circles underneath her eyes.

“I have been staying up late.”

“Why?”

“To decipher my father’s message.”

“But why does it require you to stay up late?”

“Because I need to decode the message as soon as possible.”

“It has something to do with Sera, isn’t it?” Avery’s jaw clenched. That drew Edith’s tired eyes to his. She was silent as she stared at him, her eyes surveying him. Please, don’t let that trust gap widened between us.

“Edie, please tell me the truth. What does Sera want with you on that night?” Avery asked gently.

“She wanted to know the contents of my father’s message.” Edith said quietly, her gaze lowered to their entwined hands.

“Why?” This was not going to be good, but Avery needed to know.

“She mentioned that there could be proof that could jeopardise High Commander Ekker’s position. She does not wish for a war to start and she will protect Hathage and her king no matter what it takes. I do not wish for both kingdoms to declare war either.” Edith tightened her grip on his hand and bit her lower lip. Avery was speechless by her words. They are conspiring to stop the High Commander, so that a war wouldn’t break out?

If he was truthful with himself, he did not wish for a war to start either. He knew how devastating it could be from the years the High Commander had sent him on assignments related to the destruction and conquering of small villages south of Rayard. Guilt gnawed his insides and he often prayed that he would be rid of such assignments in the future. Not to mention, his growing suspicions on the High Commander was not helping either. He did not have a soft spot for the High Commander. If anything, he wasn’t comfortable with the High Commander. He was equally curious to know what sins the High Commander had committed for he himself wanted to know the contents of the message. Sera definitely knew something.

“Avery?” Edith looked at him, concern marred her tired features.

“How is the progress of deciphering the message coming along?” Avery asked, trying to avert the conversation.

“I’ve only decoded the first two sentences, which doesn’t say much.”

“I see.” Avery couldn’t help feeling guilty that he needed to reveal the contents of the message to the High Commander, as it was his assignment. The guilt was growing larger each time he thought about the assignment. How would Edith react if she were to find out? He couldn’t bear to find out.

“You look as if you have a lot running in your mind now.” Edith said.

“I’m just thinking about you.” Avery forced a smile and kissed her. His lips moving from hers to her cheek, to her eyes and finally to her forehead.

“I love you, Edie.” Avery murmured and pulled her close to his chest, his arms wrapping around her shoulders possessively.

“I love you, too.” Edith said with affection and Avery felt warmth seeping into his heart, a warmth that he wished he could bask in it forever.

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