Heart of Darkness

Angelica watched Lord Rayven through the window of her carriage. He rode his horse beside them and even though the sun was still up, she felt safer with him by their side. How ironic considering that he was the man people thought was the killer and the man close to the one her father thought was the killer. It was very confusing and Angelica didn't know who was real and who was hiding behind a mask.

"How was your training?" she asked her brother.

"Lord Rayven let me watch, mostly. He wanted me to observe how others fought before I could try."

"How did you get the wound?"

"A boy hit me with his wooden sword. It's nothing serious. I missed blocking his attack."

Today, she was surprised to hear that her brother wanted power to protect her. She didn't want to be a burden to him. She was supposed to protect him.

"It was your first time. I am sure you will get better," she encouraged him. "Just be careful."

She worried that Lord Rayven would be too hard on him. "Was he kind to you?" she asked, unable to contain her curiosity. She wondered how he treated people. Was he softer to those close to him, if he had any?

Her brother's eyes darted as if not knowing what to say. "He treated me like everyone else. Is that kind?" He was genuinely curious.

Angelica shrugged. "I don't know. It depends on how he treats others."

"He is serious all the time and he has many dislikes."

That did not surprise Angelica. He seemed to hate everything and everyone.

"What does he dislike?"

"He said he disliked lazy and weak people. He hates when we talk, or walk, or… sit and he doesn't tolerate being late. Whispers and chuckles annoy him. He also dislikes mumbling. He wants us to speak in a loud and clear voice."

That was a lot of dislikes, Angelica thought.

"That must be tough," she said.

Her brother shrugged. "I expected that."

When they arrived home, Angelica thanked Lord Rayven.

Staring down at her from where he sat on his black horse, he looked even more frightening. His black eyes caught her attention and she remembered her father's words.

He had seen black eyes, and they seemed hollow; he had said. Just like Lord Rayven's. His eyes seemed dead when he wasn't angry. Either there was anger or just emptiness. Could he be…

No, he couldn't. He had taken her home that night and it had been his chance to kill her if he wanted to.

"Are you really not interested in finding the killer? You are Lord of the manor and having a killer roaming free in your town doesn't look good, My Lord."

"It makes me look weak and less responsible." He said what she truly wanted to say.

Angelica just stared at him, refusing to back down, even if her words might have offended him.

He narrowed his eyes. "What people think of me is the last thing I care about."

From the way he let his hair cover the scarred side of his face told her he cared about what people thought of him.

"And you don't care about the young women dying?"

"No, I don't." He said without hesitance.

"My sister could die. She could be the next one." William told him.

Lord Rayven turned his gaze to her brother and just stared at him coldly, saying nothing.

"I don't want to lose her." Her brother said at last.

Angelica put her arm around his shoulders.

"We don't always get what we want," Lord Rayven said before turning his horse and riding away.

"He doesn't care," Angelica told her brother so that he wouldn't get his hopes up.

William kept watching him until he disappeared into the horizon. Angelica couldn't tell if the look on his face was one of sadness or disappointment.

When they went into their home, the first thing Angelica did was to look for her father. She had to make sense of what he said last night and make sure he caused no trouble, but her father had already left when she arrived.

"Thomas, where is father?" She asked their butler.

"He said he left for duties and wouldn't be back for a few days."

A few days?! That didn't sound good.

"Did he tell you where he went?"

Thomas shook his head. "No. He told me to tell you to not look for him."

Angelica's heart dropped to her stomach. What was she supposed to do now? Where did her father go and what was he planning to do?

Oh Lord. They were doomed. She didn't even know where to look for him. She shouldn't have left home without talking to him.

What if he succeeded in killing the King? She didn't like that idea either and she couldn't even warn him.

"Is everything alright?" Thomas asked, noticing the panic on her face.

"Thomas, I need you to find my father, no matter what. I think he might be in trouble."

Thomas frowned. "What kind of trouble, my lady?"

"I am not sure. Please, just try to find him."

He nodded. "Don't worry my Lady. I will try my best to find him."

"Thank you," she breathed.

That night Angelica went to bed terrified. She couldn't sleep because of the pain in her stomach. Their world could turn upside down anytime. All because of her father.

"You are scaring me," her brother spoke from under the blankets.

"Why?"

"Because you are so scared. I can feel it. Is it father?" He asked.

Angelica thought of whether to protect him from the truth, but then decided that telling the truth might be better. They both needed to be prepared for what could happen in the next few days.

"Father thinks the King might be the killer," she began.

"He is not," her brother said.

Angelica sighed. "You might be right, but father seems convinced, and I am worried he is doing something foolish."

"Foolishness can get you killed." Her brother said simply.

Her brother didn't seem bothered by their father's actions. Maybe he didn't understand what could happen.

"Someone's foolishness can also get others killed." She said.

He frowned. "You should tell the King."

Angelica shook her head violently. Her brother still didn't seem to understand.

"Father is responsible for his own actions. According to the law, no man is punished for another man's crimes." William explained.

"People don't care about the laws, William. And… don't you care about father? Do you want him killed?"

"I don't want him killed. But if he doesn't care about us, why should we care? He is putting us in danger. We should protect ourselves. I don't want you to die for his mistakes."

Angelica's heart became heavy. She was mostly sad for her brother. All she had ever wanted was for him to at least have one good parent and she had tried to bring them close, but to no avail. All her efforts were wasted. Her father would never change.