7 An Assassin in the palace

Agatha, Freshland, Springhill, Lunarwell. These are the four kingdoms Daminas discovered had spies in Autumnshell only Springhill had an alliance with Authumshell and since their investigation of the inner palace haven't amount to something Daminas had to broaden his search. Since the King's condition wasn't life threatening, what was their purpose. Was the purpose to wage war but there was no report of an attack at the borders.

He heard the bell tolling and he almost fell out of his chair, he quickly grabbed the table to steady himself as his heart raced so fast like it was ready to burst out of his chest.

Kale bursted into his office, the door shook from its hinges. "There is an Assassin in the palace." He reported trying to control his breathing.

"What!" Daminas rushed out, he only left for a minute and this happened. "His Majesty... his Majesty....." He was unable to form words as he almost stumbled on his steps as his mind went blank.

"He as woken up." Kale told him.

Daminas eyes widen as he dashed down the corridor almost running, he got to the King's quarters to see the paramedics lifting some guards on the stretcher, they were the King's guards. A guard openned the door for them.

"Are they dead?" He didn't stop to confirm as he went straight to the chamber.

"Just unconscious."

"Your Majesty!!!" Damina yelled as soon as he got to the room's entrance.

"Can... you... stop yelling." Xanxier weakly said, his voice was hoarse but still audible, his back was facing them as he tried to tie his veil at the back of his head. Daminas almost flew to his side and he quickly tied it for him before helping Xanxier to lie properly on his back.

"Are you feeling okay your Majesty, do you have back pain?" Daminas turned to Kale. "Quickly call the royal physician"

Kale bowed and left.

Xanxier head was vibrating as it seems like Daminas spoke straight into his inner ears.

"I don't want.... to hear a word from.... you.. or...." The bell tolling brought a massive headache to him. His throat was very dry and he feels pain on his lower back.

Damina thought he was in trouble as he quickly fell on his knees to kowtow. "I failed your Majesty your humble servant deserves death." He cried out his eyes beseeching.

If Xanxier wasn't weak he would have thrown Daminas out, he could still recall all what Daminas said when he was unconsious. How Daminas told him to wake up and how he confessed that he sees Xanxier like his son.

As long as Xanxier could remember Daminas never married nor had any children. He knew it was better to let the physician check him then he would send them all out.

Xanxier did not even try to look at him as the irritation he felt in his heart increased. "I.... told you... times without number.. for you to stop all these..... formalities and acting like... that." He said slowly trying to produce saliva in his mouth. "Now stand up!" He commanded as his mouth went completely dry.

Daminas stood up slowly. "It is your humble servant's fault..."

"Shut up Daminas and tell them to stop tolling the bell." Xanxier could feel his head vibrated as the bell tolled again, he felt like he was being hit with a hammer on the head.

"Your Majesty..."

"Why are you shedding a tear?" Xanxier asked softly. He would love it if it was all quiet but seeing Daminas in that state he had to ask, even when his father died Daminas didn't shed a tear or was Daminas getting old and more emotional.

Daminas wiped his cheeks with the tip of his fingers only to see the moisture on his fingers, he didn't even realised he was crying. "You have been asleep for three days." He said as heavy regret settled in his heart, he would love nothing more than for Xanxier to scold him at least it would make his heart better.

Xanxier face pulled on a scowl, no wonder he feels pain on his back and weak he could barely lift a finger, he knew he was unconsious but he thought it was only for a day. When Kale rushed in as soon as he woke up he was lucky to have tilted his head to the side to avoid Kale seeing his face as he said he was okay before Kale drew closer to inspect.

Xanxier couldn't believe he missed three whole days. "What happened?" His head was still banging but he wanted to know.

"The last meal you ate was poisoned." Daminas fell on his knees. "Please your Majesty let me kneel and repent for this great mistake I made."

"At least tell them to stop tolling the bell then..you can even prostrate all you like."

"I will tell them to stop tolling the bell." Daminas wanted to mutter an apology but he doesn't want Xanxier to yell at him. He knows that due to Xanxier's nature he was already annoyed of being asleep for so long and unable to know the recent report on Autumnshell.

"It is I Kale." Kale announced. "I escorted the royal physician safely." Kale walked in along with Bezel.

Bezel bowed before moving to the bedside table.

"Tell them to stop tolling the bell, it is making his Majesty feels discomfort." Daminas instructed Kale as Bezel glanced at him still in his kneeling position.

Kale nodded before rushing out as Bezel placed his box on the table and opened it bringing out his spectacle.

"I am glad to see his Majesty awake." He opened Xanxier's eyelids and nodded. he checked his pulse and his tongue. "It seems someone with a greater medical knowledge attended to you."

Daminas gasped knowing what that means. "I was late... " he muttered and lower his head feeling a deep regret bubbling in his heart.

"Your condition is better your Majesty here." he gave him a potion to drink. "Your stomach isn't settled this will make it so you can eat very well later on and it will reduce your headache, I will bring some potions to help you regain your strenght and a pill to help with your pains, apart from all I said how do you feel your Majesty?"

"Dizzy." Xanxier told him. "Daminas tell them to stop tollling the bell!" Daminas jumped up wondering what was taking Kale so long to halt the bell like Xanxier's wish came true the bell stopped.

Bezel removed his spectacle. "I advice a warm bath to aid the potion work before you start eating and after this potion you have to drink alot of water" He stood up and packed before stepping to the side and bowed. "Your Majesty." He walked out.

"I will bring water." Daminas said.

Xanxier watched him leave, he only told him to stop the bell since Daminas wanted to kneel.

He came back with a cup of water and helped Xanxier to a sitting position. Xanxier collected it and Daminas lowered his head.

Xanxier knew he was trying not to look at him, he drank all the water and opened the bottle lid containing the potion and empty the content. "Hummm." It was bitter. "What happened now?"

Daminas fell on his kneels "An assassin infiltrated the palace and we..."

"Daminas!" Xanxier shot him a dirty look before lying on his back.

"Your Majesty.." He bowed still feeling extremely guilty.

"I was asleep for three days and yet you are making me say so much." Xanxier complained as he narrowed his eyes dangerously at him. Daminas should feel lucky to be the King's guide if not he would not hesitate to throw him in the dungeon for a month to learn his lesson.

"I dare not, I apologize your Majesty." Daminas kowtow.

Xanxier was annoyed he was feeling so weak "Do you wish to annoy me?"

"No your Majesty." He said too quickly and raised his head.

Xanxier closed his eyes trying to calm down before he throws him out.

"Your Majesty, I'm so glad you are awake. If what the physician said is true it seems they risk their life to save you."

Xanxier decided to ignore him, if he wants to kneel so be it. He stares at the ceiling to avoid looking at Daminas that doesn't want to stand to his feet anytime soon.

"No it is an Assassin.." Xanxier closed his eyes. "She had plenty of time to kill me."

"She?" Daminas sounded confused.

"It was a female voice i heard before I woke up." Xanxier explained his throat feeling better.

"What did she say?"

"That my reign has to end and she removed my veil." Xanxier knew he owed Daminas an explanation if not Daminas would not leave.

Daminas gasped. "The Heaven are not asleep, but your Majesty why was she with the antidote?"

"I don't know." Xanxier admitted. "Daminas if you continue like some old gossiper and kneel when I tell you to stand up I will have to open your position soon." He made a fake threat still staring at the ceiling.

"My apologies, I will go and prepare your meal personally and send a servant to prepare your bath." He stood up and bowed, he took a glance at Xanxier to see he doesn't look so pale.

Noting their discussions which he would write down the key points to further his investigation. No one will harm Xanxier again under his watch.