Poisoning

The last day the Valian embassy would stay in his kingdom. Fraser woke up, feeling fresh. The dark cloud that hung on his face a day ago vanished replaced by a shiny appearance. His red eyes glowed as if stars were embedded there. He smiled faintly as he walked to his workplace. As he got inside, his maid greeted him. Fraser nodded, sat behind his desk and started working. 

Moments later, Trent got in. "Your Majesty, the letter was sent to the frontline camps. The knights are preparing for the invasion of the Hydra kingdom—"

A loud sound echoed in the room interrupting Trent's words. With no other thought on who was the reason, Fraser frowned. He shifted his gaze to the maid who squatted, grabbing the cleaning brush. This wasn't the first time she crushed something. Such a reckless maid!

"I – I apologize," she stuttered. 

Fraser shook his head and turned to look at his chamberlain who was lost in thought. He tapped his desk, catching Trent's attention.

"The knight's departure is supposed to be in a week. Your majesty will not go to the battlefield…"

"What do you think?" Fraser said. Trent sighed causing him to smile. "Did that man send his positive reply?" he asked.

"Yes. We need King Kalian's approval and the contract's terms will be set," he answered.

As the farewell feast approached, time seemed to pass quickly for Fraser. The Valian Kingdom's embassy had been staying in his palace for an extended period, and he had to endure their presence. Once the feast was over, he planned to instruct his servant to thoroughly clean the palace and rid it of any dirt or grime.

Wearing his regal clothes, he went to gather with the five men besides his court men. The meal went smoothly and silently. Fraser with his plastered face stared at the men. 

The advisor stood up. "Thanks for the warm welcome. We are ready for our departure. I will send the feelings of this wonderful experience to King Kalian, hoping to lead our kingdom's connection to another level—"

As the advisor was in the middle of his cheesiness, Duke Eferhon who was standing beside him collapsed. His whole body convulsed, startling the envoy who rushed to him.  The duke's envoy stood in vigilance as they stared at them.

Fraser felt his heart tighten as he wondered what was happening. He saw his maid walking towards the duke and quickly stopped her with a hand gesture, then called for Lucas. He noticed a hint of fear in her eyes, possibly due to concern for the man who had fallen. 

"Call a physician," he ordered. Lucas, who seemed paler, nodded and rushed out. 

"There is no need," the advisor's loud voice echoed, silencing the whole hall. "from a while ago we were talking about the king's generosity. We don't need the king's offer for a physician as we brought one with us. We will take our departure as the plan. The king will decide everything from now on. Expect nothing helpful."

"How dare you talk with the king like that?" Marquis Veron shouted. "You, a mere advisor, talked to the king when you were in our kingdom with no consideration for your position or the place you stood over."

"I of my high respect for the king am not the one who lay on the floor hanging between life and death," one of the Valian embassy men said.

"Let the duke be treated. Here is the physician. Our kingdom will investigate the matter thoroughly," Count Davis said, trying to calm the tense situation.

The advisor stepped out and let the physician check the duke. Fraser stood waiting for the old man to finish. His heart swelled with anxiety. The surrounding air changed. The coldness emitted from him increased. The situation was more than to get. They dare to touch something under his nose.

The traitor!

His eyes chased over a trembling figure in the corner. For the first time, doubt engulfed him about the suspect. And anger rose inside that she lied to him saying she didn't know the duke. Her shaking posture described everything. She wanted to go to him a while ago. If he didn't prevent her, the hall would turn into chaos.

"The duke was poisoned. Fortunately, the poison isn't deadly," the physician said, getting up. "I gave him the antidote. He will get better after a few days of rest," he added, wiping his hands.

"Take him to the treatment centre," he ordered. 

Two knights carried the duke and took him away. The men went one after another. 

"Don't worry. Things will be better," Duke Bloomberg said, patting his shoulder and also taking his leave. 

Fraser stood for a long time at the same position watching the empty hall. He felt a crisis was coming for sure. His intuition told him that.

"Your Majesty," his maid's voice snapped him out of his thought. 

"Yes," he responded. His voice never sounded so weak.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"No. I am not." 

Fraser turned to leave. His eyes darted around the palace as if engraving every corner in his head. He went to the room that brought him peace and calmness. He stood in front of his brother's portrait. 

'Everything is going to be ruined.' He leaned on his brother's frame. 'I don't know what I am going to do. If you were here instead of me, how are you going to solve this mess?'

Kalian would never let this pass easily. Maybe another war would start soon. No wonder, his cousin reported to him that the Valian kingdom was arranging her army. 

Did they plan for this before coming here? It is good that the sweet and sickening compliments were lies. 

Fraser signed and distanced himself from the portrayal. Knowing this would make no difference. If King Kalian would not send them a declaration of war, he would not have approved their trading contract. 

In both cases, they would be in deep trouble.