Chapter 33 - 12th Peonies (1)

"How is she?"

The Royal Physician lowered his head and quickly averted his gaze from scrutinising her expression onto the marbled floor that showed his own reflection. He could clearly see sweats dribbling down his forehead and his trembling body.

Feeling light headed from the amount of pressure her gaze had given him, he took a deep breath to calm his own heart, taking a whiff of chamomile scent drifting over from the cup of tea the Queen currently placed atop her table. He scrunched down lower in a kneeling position.

"Weak. Before she was already in a weaker state, however the injuries she received had worsened her current health, it already caused mild fever. If she couldn't recover within three days, I believe it will be hard for her to wake up," the man had stated. His hand reaching out a small kerchief out of his chest pocket and wiping away his forehead, for fear of tarnishing the Queen's polished floor.

Asla fidgeted on her chair, eyes widened in excitement as a smile slowly formed on her face, "death?" she couldn't hide joy from leaking out of her mouth as her eyes lit up in expectation.

The man shakes his head, "it is possible for her to fall in a slumber state if she can't recover within three days time. Despite her weak body, after consuming a great variety of herbs for the past five years, her condition could be regarded as going for better. I believe she is still strong enough to stay in an unconscious state for five years. However, if she doesn't continue consuming the herbs, I don't think she can stay alive by the end of next year."

Looking disappointed by his answer, the Queen slumped back on her chair.

"What is the king doing?"

"Besides overseeing important meetings inside the Hall, he spends the rest of his time by the Royal Consort's side."

"She is already at death's door and he is still staying by her side," her eyes filled with disbelief as anger slowly surges through her body. It had long washed away any jealousy it once filled with. Now it had been consumed with hatred and murderous intent.

Asla throws a bag before the man, the gold bar inside slides out of the leather bag, creating a clear resounding sound and echoing through the corner of the room, the man stared in astonishment before raising his head in disbelief. Eyes gleaming reflected from the sparkle of the gold, slowly filling it with greed.

"Take that. You know what to do. I want her corpse to be buried before her child returns."

Smiling up at her, he nodded his head vigorously, "Yes, Your Majesty."

• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •

Artha finds her action peculiar in a sense he never encounters anyone or creature who took a great resemblance to a ball like her, bouncing out of control from one corner to another. Although Artha had made sure to clasp her hand tightly within his hold, somehow her spirit and energy managed to slip out from within his fingers, while still flashing him a wide contagious smile. There were times he was infected by that smile and curled up his lips in an amused and indulging manner.

"Haven't I warned you?"

His step falters, his obsidian orbs flickering between this one particular colour into his original mauve one, while memories of this morning emerge into his head. His conversation with his uncle, Kyzen Qye.

"You are aware of her kind and you still want to go?"

"Isn't this what you want?"

Artha retorted, bringing up their last conversation about meeting new people and creating new relationships outside of his current circle.

Isn't that what Artha is doing right now?

"Someone that I know, but she is…"

Before Kyzen could finish his words, Artha had raised his gaze and found his eyes, staring with an ominous threat drawn on his face.

"I know her."

Kyzen laughs at Artha, his eyes filled with ridicule and scorn. 

"What? A runaway?" Kyzen raised his head with a sneer on his face, further taunting Artha, "Criminal? Possibly a traitor?"

Kyzen wasn't aware that his statement had managed to poke at a fragile sand castle of reasons Artha had created while staying by the girl's side. He had neglected and ignored numerous alarming questions he should demand an answer out of her. He had tolerated and dismissed any possibilities of her existence inside Qye could end up or cause threat for the Royal Family.

And that fragile castle had crumbled down all at once with such a conclusive statement Kyzen had voiced out.

"She is not!"

Artha averted his gaze, he didn't want to face his uncle with murderous intent lacing through his orbs, "Qye values lives."

"And Suttern upholds trust," Kyzen retorted, his face looking troubled as he continued, "Ezana couldn't see her face, there's something wrong with her scent and spirits were repelled from seeing her because there's a layer of protection around her!"

"She's a witch," Artha managed to utter from his clenched jaw.

Kyzen clenched his hand into fist out of frustration, "Precisely, she is a witch. A strong reason to have you thoroughly consider your decision, weighing common sense and conducting your action wisely. Should I enunciate it properly that you should leave that girl?"

Artha close his eyes in an attempt to calm his breath, before he voiced out his last defend, "She is not from Fussyorl."

"That makes it worse, there must be a reason why a witch left Fussyorl behind, they literally lived off from their ancestor. The only reason why they leave must be because they are abandoned or chased away, a heavy crime caused that. And you as the Crown Prince of Suttern should be aware of that."

"She is different." Artha could feel his own voice quieted down and the tightened of his chest caused him great discomfort.

"Different can either be bad or good. I don't want you to take a big risk just to form a short encounter with a witch. As the one responsible for you while your mother is deep in sleep, I suggest you leave her," Kyzen let out an exhausted sigh, eyes scrutinising his nephew for another second.

Kyzen approached Artha, staying within arm's length, eyes turning cold and whispered out, "or does it take a life for you to take this seriously?"

"She wouldn't. I trust my wolf and you should stop from ordering me around."

"Is that an order I heard?"