Chapter Eighteen- That of Poison and Roses

This.

This.

This.

It explains so much, this letter, and yet it leaves so much more unanswered. What history was left so hidden? Who tainted this history? Who was my father worried about finding his searches? 

Casimir stands just behind me, peering carefully over my shoulder.

"See? I told you that you'd find something."

I turn around to face him, acutely aware of how close we are. Our faces almost touch as he leans down to grab the letter from the tabletop, reading it aloud. He seems to be waiting for me to ask the millions of questions we're both thinking.

"I guess this means we both need to brush up on our history," I say instead, trying to find the simplest next step.

"No," Casimir says, taking both of my hands in his to give me the letter, "We need to brush up on each other's history."

"Right," I pull my hands back, taking the letter, "Of course."

"Aily," he looks into my eyes, "How were you told the great war started?"

I decide to tell him the story that every citizen of Briarwood knows by heart. "Your king, Theseus Aldridge, kidnapped our queen, Halia Thorne, during the Day of Dusk celebration in Briarwood, all those years ago. He took her back to Eldoria, where he raped her and killed her. Then, Theseus led the attack on Briarwood to try and cover it all up. Eventually, however, Halia's husband, Lewis, figured it out. He spread the story far and wide to keep his wife's legacy alive."

I've only known Casimir Aldridge for three days, and yet the level of shock etched into his features astounds me. 

"That's... that's what they tell you?" He asks, and I nod. "Alright, so," he takes a deep breath before launching into his version of the story. "I learned that during the Day of Dusk celebration, Halia snuck over the border with the Eldorian Royals. She said she needed to get away from Thorne Palace, that shady things were going down there, or something. Theseus agreed to take her in, to give her a home at Aldridge Palace. But late one night, after Theseus had fallen asleep, Halia tried to slit his throat. Feeling the blade against his neck, he awoke, and the guards took Halia away. The next morning, they found that Halia had killed herself in the dungeon. A few days later, Lewis Thorne attacked Eldoria, likely worried that Halia had told Theseus about these "shady things," or just concerned for his wife."

I look up at Casimir, and I can tell he's thinking the same thing I am. 

This. This is what my father meant when he said that our past is not what it seems. 

So how did the lands come to believe such different things?

And more importantly, who wouldn't want this getting out?

"I think a serious history lesson is in order, Thorne," Casimir says, "For the both of us."

"Agreed," I nod, even though agreeing with Casimir Aldridge is anything but ideal. 

"Palace library?" He suggests.

As desperate as I am for answers, I don't know if I'll be able to handle any more revelations tonight. I need to talk to my mother, and honestly, I need to reset everything I've ever known.

And maybe, just maybe, I'm a bit scared.

If all my life has been a lie, maybe I'd prefer to keep believing it. If believing a lie has kept me safe all this time, then ignorance really is bliss.

After all, it was the truth that killed my father.

So I turn down Casimir's offer. I'd prefer to live amongst the lies, if only for one more night.