The walk through the Palace Halls with Regal was an uncomfortable one. Maybe because of her unusual appearance. She couldn't blame them as she wasn't human either and the snake coiled around her neck added to the stares she got from onlookers- she could hear their thoughts from the looks they gave her.
They passed halls with high ceilings and large paintings hand on its walls.The interior had a gothic theme and she liked it nonetheless.After ascending a spiral staircase they came to an isolated hall.It had a dark feeling to it and was devoid of any welcome.
Two guard were positioned at the entrance of a chamber which he assumed to be The Prince's chamber.When they saw them approach they exchanged looks."She's with me."Regal said to them. They made way for her when Faust hissed aggressively at them."Hush hush my boy."She muttered patting its head.
Two pairs of eyes fell on her immediately she stepped into the room.The inside of the room was simple. It had a four post bed and larvishly decorated interior.A large window faced the bed with its curtains drawn allowing for light to enter the room. "She's here."Regal said and pushed her forward gently. Giselda and garnet stared at her silently before realisation dawned on Garnet.
"I know you.Youre the female herbalist."He pointed out.Regal rose a brow at her nd so did Giselda."I have a prince to save right?"She walking to his bed and placed her pouch on the bed- Faust slithered of to the bed."Who are you?"Giselda asked .
"I'm not inclined to answer you, no?"Hyacinth said lowly then spend her pouch for equipments.She removed acupuncture pins and a small mortar with its grinder."Do you know who I am ? I'm the Crown Princess."Giselda pointed out making Hyacinth pause. "I'm sorry but your name does not ring a bell so I don't know you."Hyacinth answered peeling the duvet off Cassien's body. Giselda jumped back in disgust.
His torso looked worser than before.Hyacinth rose a brow at his state- this was her great grandmother's work at hand. There was no doubt about. Staring at Faust she spoke softly."I need your help with this again Faust."
The creature nodded in understanding and shifted into a black weasel with white spots on its back. She held a bunch of herbs in her hand. Faust snatched the bundle of herbs and placed them in the mortar.Faust busied himself by grinding the herbs into powder.
Hyacinth added rosemary oil the the powdered mixture and allowed Faust to mix the paste until it was smooth."Does anyone have a dagger here?"She asked Garnet and Regal.They exchanged looks before Regal handed her one reluctantly.
Hyacinth slit her wrist and allowed her blood drip into the mixture.The looks of horror from her audience made her chuckle."I'm fine."She said purposely glancing at Regal.Her eyes stared at the now blue paste on the small bowl.
Hyacinth now placed the acupuncture pins into the bowl and one by one she pricked Cassien's pressure points with the pins.She smeared the rest on his chest .It was a slow process watching the mixture seep into his skin.Suddenly his body jerked violently then it changed into intermittent convulsions.Garnet and Regal had to hold him down to prevent him from falling off the bed.
A black smelly sticky out oozed from Cassien's skin and a few splattered on Giselda. It ws like watching a soap opera, she screamed her lungs out in horror while flinging the substance from her skin but it only stuck to her skin the more.
"Shut up Princess you're being a distraction."Hyacinth said in annoyance staring at the winch from the corner of her eye with a chilling glare.Giselda's lips were sealed shut -Regal and Garnet could only watch her struggle to speak.
"Leave him."Hyacinth ordered waving them."I understand he wears an amulet but its destroyed."She said turning to Garnet."Yes and we don't know what caused it to break."Garnet said handing her the bottle."Are you sure this is supposed to protect His Grace."She stared at it strangely.
"It has a strange composition, I can't tell but it's evil."She added shaking the bottle."How do you know?"Garnet querried eyeing her suspiciously. He had his suspicions the moment she walked in- he knew she wasn't any average herbalist.
"That doesn't concern you Sir Garnet."Regal shot back defensively."Regal.."She warned.They had stifling groans -Cassien was turning normal.
The bump in his chest had gone down and his colour began to turn normal."I can tell by looking at it."She said crashing the bottle.The contents ignited in her palm suddenly."I have something to replace with this useless crap."She said rummaging her pouch.She found the dreamcatcher that she had purchased days ago.
Hyacinth broke it off and reshaped it into a pentagon with a tiny star in the middle which was a little taxing.She placed a drop of her blood on it and watched it change colour -a red cloud engulfed it. Beryl was right , it was really a genuine product.She chuckled internally remembering her skeptism about purchasing it.
She attached a string to it and fastened it around his neck to the amazement of her audience."I guess my work here is done. He should be up very soon."She smiled packing her stuff.Faust settled on her shoulder with a leaf on its mouth. It seemed that was its only place of comfort.
"What about her."Garnet pointed to an angry looking Giselda.Hyacinth stared at her strangely.Crown princess, she mused.There was something off about her but she couldn't place her finger on it."Sorry Crown princess!Forgive my impudence."Hyacinth smiled clapping her hand.
"She's a witch can't you see.Get rid of her!"Giselda yelled pointing an accusing finger at her.Faust bared its fangs at Gisela making the princess jump back in fright.Hyacinth patted its head and then stared at Giselda with a nonchalant look.
"Do I really look like one?" She asked her audience."What about you Crown princess do I look like one now?"Hyacinth said then steeped closer.
"I'd appreciate it if you keep your tap shut about today and what you're about to see or else I'll let you experience hell in Avalon."Hyacinth whispered and grinned. Giselda shook in horror at the image she saw.
"When the prince awakens, tell him not to exhaust himself and for the payment ask Regal he knows how to reach me."She said seeing herself out and Regal followed suit.
"Are you okay my princess?" Garnet tapped Giselda but she only screamed in horror."She's evil.....Didn't you see that creature behind her.It was like I was facing death himself.."She began shivering in fear and ran out with her palms clasped on her mouth with two maids hot on tail.
Garnet sighed deeply then stared at Cassien."You can wake up now Your Grace."Garnet said walking to his side.Cassien sat up and relaxed on the bed rest- he looked pale with fatigue."Where's she?"He asked Garnet."Your Grace it's best you relax from now."Garnet replied.
"Where's she? I won't repeat myself."Cassien glared at him."Your Grace she left with Regal."He answered reluctantly and gave him way to pass. It was funny seeing Cassien struggle and knowing him he'd refuse help."Get my mount ready.I have to see her personally."Cassien said shrugging a new set of clothes on .He stared at the amulet around his neck. It was different from the one he wore before."Useless crap."He muttered with a smile. She was right the one before was a useless pice of crap.
**
"You did well Hyacinth."Regal said watching her pace to and fro-she made shuffling sounds with her feet. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Have you improved upon your magic control?"She asked."Yes Merlin did teach me 'a lot'"He said shivering at the torture he had to go through in getting. his core remodelled to Merlin's satisfaction.
"I see."She mumbled then stared at him. "That princess seemed very odd.I don't know if I'm jumping to conclusions again."She added."What did you do to her? She looked horrified."Garnet asked remembering Gisela's expression."It's best you don't know."She said waving her hands in the air.
"Don't give me hat look because I'm not showing you anything."She rolled her eyes at him.The hissing of Faust caught her attention."Who's there?"Regal bellowed walking in the direction of Faust's gaze. Cassien stepped out with his hands raised in surrender."May I have a word with you?"Cassien asked staring at Hyacinth purposely.
"I thought I told your guard to let you rest."She said with raised brows."As you can see I'm fine now."Cassien replied moving closer to her but Regal stepped in front of her protectively. Cassien rose a brow at his action.Not only was he stubborn but also full of himself-she sighed."Regal leave us."She placed a hand on his shoulder.He gave her an uncomfortable look but she smiled softly.
She watched him walk away then her gaze fell on the silent Prince who watched her with an unreadable expression."Say what you have to say and leave."She said."Who are you?You're not a herbalist are you?"He asked her.She shook her head in disbelief."You came all the way from the Palace to interrogate me.I have a feeling that it isn't the reason you came Your Grace."She looked up to him.
A small frown graced his features."You still haven't answered my question.Who are you? You are a witch aren't you?"Cassien asked drawing his sword.Hyacinth looked unbothered by his action and shrugged."How discourteous of you to raise your sword at a lady no less your benefactor, this is the second time isn't it."She paused and stared at the sharp object with distaste.
"Put that thing away I have a phobia for sharp objects." She grinned then flicked her hand. The sword flew from his hand into the bark of the tree behind him- he stared at her in shock. "To answer your question, I'm a female herbalist. I helped you in your predicament. It's best we leave it at that." She said.
"I just wanted an honest answer." shook his head. She stared at him intently before speaking. "Until you have earned my trust then I'll tell you who I am."
"I see. As my thanks for helping me you can feel free to visit the Palace and you can also use the labs."He walked over to his sword and gave it a pull."Your Grace there something off about Giselda be careful of her."Hyacinth advised."I know that already."He paused ."You haven't told me your name."
"I'm Hyacinth Your Grace."She smiled."Alright then Hyacinth I'll be expecting you in the Palace."He said and left her.
Her second encounter with him had her nervous.She could have killed him but she couldn't bring herself to do that.It was ironic how she despised him but had empathy for him at the same time.Human emotions were taking over her. Perhaps spending time with humans had soften her. She shook her head.
Ofcourse she could see the distrust in those orbs of his.She had gotten good at reading human but there was something about his expression that she couldn't read. Human labs, she mused.What could a witch like her be doing with them.
Sneaking into the magic tower seemed like a great idea but she would need to earn his trust to venture there."What should I do Faust?"She muttered to the creature.It only hissed in reply."I guess I'll have to figure that on my own huh?"She smiled staring at the orange sky.