Chapter 26: Chapter 26

“You can’t kill the stone by gazing at it. “

Oliver turned, although he’d recognized the voice and her steps even before seeing her. Della sat down next to him.

“I could try. “

“Is the master all right?” she said serious.

He was just about to say “Yes, “ or something that was supposed to be said in that moment, but he just admitted.

“I really don’t know. “

Della put her hands in her lap and said “ I think he doesn’t either. “

Oliver laughed “It seems he does, it’s just bad for him. “

“No, I don’t mean that. “

“Then what?”

She looked ahead.

They were sitting at the small lake of the manor. The one in which Callum had been swimming and Oliver had jumped after him without even thinking.

He had started coming here in the past few days when he wanted to just stay away from everything and everyone.

And that meant almost every second minute. He was sitting directly on the grass, not caring if it was wet, or if the ground had started getting cold.

Oliver was going to tell Della she shouldn’t follo his example and sit down like that either, that her dress would get stained, but he just couldn’t bring himself to discuss any trivial matters like the weather or propriety.

“He just…even the Lady noticed it.” She continued, “ She always says she’s worried about him when I tend to her. But he doesn’t let her do anything. Or tell her anything for that matter.“

“He doesn’t let anyone. “

She turned and said quietly “But I think he does. He’s just doesn’t want to admit it. “

Oliver looked back at her, not daring to tell her that the one who wasn’t daring do anything was most likely him and not Callum.

****

"These people think they can do whatever they want. I will not allow this as long as I'm alive."

Tennyson told the man standing next to him and lit his cigar. He offered one to his new secretary, but the man politely refused.

Callum assessed the young man- he was almost his age and obviously out of place. Inexperienced.

'How convenient, " Callum thought and his eyes traveled the room. Most of his father's ministers had gathered here tonight, as they had the tradition of doing so every Thursday evening.

As a minister, his father was a member of numerous clubs. And while Callum avoided attending their gatherings at all cost, he couldn't help coming to Pall Mall tonight.

Everything smelled of leather and expensive cigars.

The Boodle's was one of the oldest clubs in London, and even though it wasn't politically bound to any party, the majority of members- if not all- were notoriously supporters of conservatives and aligned with their ideas.

"Next thing they'll want is for women to talk about politics." he heard Tennyson saying, "Some of them already think they can hunt, or join clubs, imagine that."

Callum clenched his jaw and took another long swallow from his brandy.

Liam was talking to the minister of justice, nodding to whatever the blasted old man was saying.

Despite the composed frame his brother always somehow managed to maintain, he was as upset as he was himself. It was just that Liam was always better at keeping himself away from revealing how he felt in reality and cared for his surroundings.

Unlike Callum.

He took the crystal decanter from the table.

"I didn't congratulate you, but you seemed to be extremely occupied" His raised voice traveled across the room while he was pouring himself a drink. "Father. "

Tennyson looked away from his secretary and only spared his son a brief glance before resuming his conversation with the other man.

"Should I speak louder, or you're deaf to even my words. You are obviously indifferent to people who're of the same mind as you. "

"Uhh.." The secretary fidgeted and Tennyson turned fully to Callum, pinning him with his dark blue eyes.

"I don't consider tonight an evening for celebrations, Callum. "

"But aren't you happy you killed an innocent man. "

"I beg your pardon? "

His father asked gravely.

"I asked" Callum tried to sit straighter "if you're happy you hung the man. "

Silence fell heavy, the fire cracking in the fireplace the only thing breaking it. Liam quickly moved towards Callum "I think we could discuss it another time."

"No, no Liam. Why not now?"

"Callum, let's leave it for now, shall we?"

"No, let him speak his mind." The minister of justice said, " What would the young gentleman want to know?"

He readjusted his position. The cut had closed, but he was still trying not to do anything to help it open again.

"The man you killed today was convicted of treason and murder. Did you have any evidence he did any of it?"

"We didn't need evidence, he'd been to prison before."

"And served his sentence. Since when is my father's government, the one he's so proud of, killing people based on assumptions?"

Tennyson moved forward "We had what we needed to. Besides what would people think if we'd just let him go?"

Callum sat up straight in his armchair, despite the now piercing pain and said.

"Is it really so difficult for you to admit you perhaps made a mistake?"

"We did not make a mistake, Callum." The minister said.

"You did and you know it. And that will have consequences. "

"Was that a threat?" Tennyson said.

Callum snorted.

"I'm not threatening you. But you can't remove everyone who disagrees with you."

The minister moved closer to Callum and sat opposite him.

"We don't remove people, Callum- he was a criminal and he got what he deserved. "

'No, you now give people a reason to openly go against you. "

The man looked at him sympathetically and lowered his voice "I've known you since you were a child, Callum. "

Callum glanced back at Liam who was frowning, but still kept to himself.

"last time I spoke to you everything was so different, " the minister continued.

"And when was the last time you took a walk among people. On the streets?"

The man shaking his head "when did you become so bile towards your father? Towards everything this family has given you?"

"I'm bile?" He turned to Tennyson "Did you even know his name?"

"That doesn't matter. And I know you're angry for some reason and upset with the fact a criminal was punished, but there's nothing much I can tell you."

"I am only asking if you knew even his name?"

"You can't get distressed over every man who dies. People die every day."

"But not when it was so openly unfair and serving a purpose. Your purpose. "

Callum knew he was letting anger take over and what he hated most about it was he was starting to feel powerless.

He glanced at Liam who was watching him quiet.

"Aren't you really going to say anything, Liam?"

"Callum, let's go for some air, perhaps?"

"Air? Jesus Christ, stop trying to please everyone."

"I just think..."

"You're always thinking and look where that gets us!"

"Callum," Liam opened his mouth to say something, but Tennyson interrupted

"Liam, I think your brother is unwell, please escort him out. "

"I'm perfectly fine."

"You are drunk."

"Stop telling me I'm drunk when I say what I think! "

He almost shouted.

His father took a breath and continued "even though you're among friends.... "

"Friends? Hah, " Callum left his glass on the table and got up. "I'm so happy to be always surrounded by people wishing me well."

"You can't always run away, Callum." Tennyson said "If you start something, you need to see it through the end. I guess it’s a lesson I’ve failed to teach you. Yet, you wanted to talk, so talk."

"Forget it. " He headed for the door and paused "I'd better leave. Or do you prefer getting rid of me the way you do with everyone?

Liam placed his hand on Callum's shoulder, but he pushed it away.

"No, Liam. You can stay where you belong. I'll see myself out, thank you. "

He slammed the door behind him and swore to never be back there.