The poisoned teacup

As dawn broke, the palace began to stir, but Arissa remained in a deep slumber, oblivious to the world outside. The sun streamed through her window, casting a golden hue across the room, illuminating the untouched teacup still sitting on her vanity. Outside, birds chirped, heralding the new day, but inside, a sense of foreboding began to fill the air.

A group of maids entered her chamber, their chatter filling the room with warmth as they prepared to wake the princess. One of the maids gently tapped Arissa's shoulder, but there was no response. Concern grew as they called her name, their voices growing louder, laced with panic. "Princess? Arissa!"

When their attempts yielded nothing, four of them rushed outside the room, urgency propelling them forward. They alerted the palace that the princess wouldn't wake up. The news reached King Isaac, who immediately became deeply involved in the matter, his heart racing with fear.

"Call the physician!" he commanded, his voice echoing through the halls. "Now!"

Within moments, the palace was abuzz with concern. Physicians from across the kingdom arrived, each one assessing the situation with a furrowed brow. The atmosphere was thick with anxiety, whispers circulating about the implications of a poisoned princess.

As they struggled to understand what had happened, King Isaac's patience wore thin. "The girl is going to die! Goddammit! If one of you doesn't cure her this instant, I will cut off your damn heads! I have no time to waste!" His voice was filled with a raw intensity that resonated through the chamber, making the physicians shift uncomfortably.

Just then, a young medic stepped forward, a determined glint in his eye. "I'll cure her, Your Majesty," he said, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.

"Are you sure? That is a promise that can determine your fate, young sir," one of the king's advisors cautioned, skepticism evident in his tone.

"Let him," King Isaac said sternly. "Go ahead."

"As you please, Your Majesty," the young boy replied, stepping towards the bed where Arissa lay, pale and still.

He placed one hand gently on her forehead and the other over her limp fingers. Drawing on his spirit powers, he focused intently, channeling his mana into her. It took immense energy, and the process felt like an eternity as the poison coursed through her body. Slowly, her blue lips began to regain a hint of color, her heartbeat steadied, and the tension in the room seemed to shift.

Arissa's eyelids fluttered, her eyes moving erratically beneath the surface. Finally, they began to open, revealing a glassy gaze that settled on her father. King Isaac lowered himself beside her, his heart aching with a mix of relief and fear.

The palace was a cacophony of worried whispers and hushed speculation as everyone awaited her recovery. One by one, the physicians stepped outside, leaving space for Arissa to breathe.

Elisabeth entered quietly, her heart sinking at the sight of Arissa's frail figure. She approached her, tucking the covers tighter around her. Dipping a cloth in cool water, she placed it gently on Arissa's forehead to combat the fever. Tears welled in her eyes as she held the princess's hand, desperate for her to wake up.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Arissa managed to croak, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm alright, but you…" Elisabeth's voice trembled, her eyes puffy from worry. "Are you?"

"Not really," Arissa replied with a weak smile, attempting to lighten the mood despite her discomfort.

Elisabeth's expression shifted, and she tried to stifle a sob, grateful that Arissa was still with them. "Wait," Arissa said suddenly, her voice firm despite the pain. "Don't touch that teacup. It was the last thing I drank—a maid named Lilac…"

"Okay, Arissa," Elisabeth replied, using formal words that echoed the love of a mother.

Carefully, Elisabeth took the teacup and wrapped it in cloth, ensuring no residue touched her skin. "I'll alert the guards to find Lilac and have this cup tested," she promised, her heart heavy with dread.

(Nighttime)

Later that night, Arissa woke up feeling disoriented. She had to use the bathroom. As she stepped outside her room, she was startled to find Karson leaning against the wall, his expression shifting from worry to relief upon seeing her.

"How long have you been here?" Arissa asked, her voice still weak.

"I've been waiting by your door for a week. I'm so glad you're finally awake," he said, a smile breaking through the tension.

Feeling an overwhelming surge of gratitude and affection, she walked towards him, arms outstretched. He enveloped her in a warm embrace, but as they hugged, a sudden cough seized her. Arissa coughed violently, a wet rasp escaping her lips.

Karson pulled back, alarm etched on his face. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

But as Arissa coughed again, blood began to trickle down her chin, staining her dress. Panic surged through her as darkness crept into her vision.

"Arissa!" Karson shouted, his voice breaking. He dropped to his knees, desperately calling for help, his heart racing with fear.

The palace erupted into chaos as the commotion echoed through the halls. The king stormed in, his eyes wide with dread. "Why is she getting worse?! What's going on?!" he yelled, his voice carrying an authority that demanded answers.

The young physician, pale and shaken, stood frozen for a moment before speaking. "We can help Arissa recover quickly, but I need a spell book and some crystal salt," he said, urgency coloring his words.

"And Your Majesty! Stop yelling! You're only making it worse!" he added, the gravity of the situation making the words bold.

The room fell silent, everyone taken aback by the young man's audacity.

"Lucky you're daughter lived! She should have been dead the moment she drank that poison! It was designed to kill someone in an instant…"

The gravity of those words hung heavy in the air. Arissa had nearly died. The kingdom was not only mourning the loss of their princess but now facing an insidious threat within their own walls. Who had dared to poison the future queen?

As the gravity of the situation settled, the weight of their reality crashed down on them. They were not just battling for Arissa's life; they were standing at the precipice of a darker conspiracy.