Helga as she looked at them blinked in shock before relaxing knowing that Anberine cared about them, no matter who they were related to.
"I can't ask what Merlia's nor Mordred for anything they are not ready for S-Sire" Anberine said while looking down for a bit before giving Skye a stern look.
"Sorry" she added in a firm tone that left him almost shaking.
"We need answers! If Merlin can somehow help us uncover what Father's hiding-"
"And then what?!" Anberine snapped shocking him into silence.
His lips parted and froze from how she spoke- stern and unbending, as if nothing he could say could sway her.
In truth it scared him, had left an unsettled fear that slipped into his bones.
How did she do that?
Leave him feeling vulnerable and ashamed for being weak, showing signs is bad enough but it was out there for people to see.
How mortifying.
It was understandable she would be dare he admit it- be protective of her friends.
Not that he had many to have access to.
But didn't she understand there were bigger things at stake?
"Say Merlia and Mordred can help. We open that can of worms but then what happens? In the end we're opening old wounds, I want to believe in Merlin I do because there's no way Merlia and Mordred are evil. They are smart and kind but we have nothing to go on" Anberine stressed as she ignored the looks of her friends and stared Skye down as he stood up and took a few steps until they were face to face.
"I never pegged you as the cowardly type" Skye hissed causing some to bristle in anger, Anberine's eyes twitched in fury as she pushed the feelings down.
"That's not going to work on me so enough" Anberine warned coldly as she continued to stare him down, hearing this Skye scoffed as he folded his arms.
"We are all in danger, not just the Dark Realm and you would rather turn your back on it? Even after what I did to you, you still helped me and now-"
"I'm beginning to regret it" Anberine snapped causing him to narrow his eyes hatefully, feeling the blow to the words hit his face even though she did not hit him nor use her magic.
"You call me selfish and cowardly but you're the biggest hypocrite besides your father. Why don't you go the restricted section if you're so desperate?"
"Because I cannot and you know it!" Skye yelled as he stomped a foot closer towards her, almost scoffing as she doesn't move and inch.
As he looked at her eyes he soon noticed they were swirling in red to his confusion.
"Enough!" Mordred barked as he pushed them apart as the pair were now too close for the other's comfort, close enough to take in the scent of the other.
Skye eyed Mordred coldly before seeing Merlia being comforted by a worried Morgana from the corner of his eye.
"So that's it? We find a lead and this 'mission' is over?" Skye asked dryly.
"(Oi oi! Enough! Can't you see that they're already upset as it is?)" the voice snapped at Skye who almost rounded at the voice.
'Which is why I'm trying to get us to find what is truly going on. If we can find a link between the missing people and what my father is up to, then we can save everyone' Skye stressed to the voice.
"(But did it occur to you that the past is already traumatising as it is for them? What we know is more or less different to what they know. Who are we to judge when you're scared of your father enough to sneak about?)" The voice replied tersely to Skye's annoyance.
'I'm fed up with being scared and acting out. I want father off the throne!' Skye froze as he thought those words.
A feeling that resembled someone touching his shoulders left him shivering almost as he swallowed thickly.
"(Is that what you truly want?)" The voice asked gravely almost sounding as if they were scolding him.
"(To destroy your only parent for revenge? Would that truly make you happy?)" Skye looked away to the left as shame filled his eyes.
"It's not that simple" Marcus replied bluntly before feeling Merlia's eyes bore onto him, turning to look at the distressed teen he watched her sigh heavily.
Her mind felt as if it were torn between helping and hiding from whatever shame Merlin left behind.
She had to know but she was… scared, scared of what she would find.
But what choice did she have?
If this could provide answers good or bad then it was better than leaving the question of 'what if'
Plus… what would dare she question it- her ancestor do in her shoes?
"I'll come" Merlia said in a defeated tone that made Mordred's eyes widen in horror.
"No Merlia you don't-" Merlia lifted her fingers up daintily causing her blue sleeves to cover half cover her fingers.
Her green eyes nearly covered by her bluish-green hair as she looked down weakly.
"It's all right, I understand why he's acting like this Mordred" Merlia said now moving her head up so she was able to stare at her brother softly.
"If we can provide some help then it's better than hiding and burying our heads in the sand" Skye as he heard this felt acid go down his throat as he swallowed.
"M-" Merlia shook her head softly causing her tresses to brush against her shoulder from side to side, this gesture left Skye more bitter and guilty for acting out.
He truly was an idiot for not thinking things through.
"It's all right" Merlia said while smiling wanly at the prince before looking at Anberine's worried expression. "Shall we get started?"
"(Hope it was worth it)" The voice muttered in Skye's now conflicted mind.
'I hope so as well' if anything just this left Skye feeling as if he was more worse than his father for attacking them where it hurt.