A Poisonous Bargain

The throne room was bathed in the cold, dim light of early morning as I strode across its marble floors, my steps echoing in the vast space. The royal palace was quiet at this hour, the guards stationed at the entrance offering me curt nods as I approached. They knew better than to question my presence here—especially after everything that had transpired since Alistair's fall.

But today was different. Today, I had come not to negotiated or plan in secret, but to demand answers. The growing threat of **Reinhardt** had become more than an irritation. He was gaining momentum, gathering information that could expose too many of my plans. If I didn't act soon, he would become a far more dangerous obstacle.

Two figures awaited me at the far end of the room: **Princess Selene** and her younger sister, **Princess Adriana**. Both had been thrust into precarious positions after Alistair's death, and I had no doubt that the pressure weighed heavily on them.

Selene, the elder, had always been more poised, her face a perfect mask of royal duty and control. Adriana, however, was more impulsive, her youthful energy often getting the better of her. Both had connections to Reinhardt—and both had roles to play in the outcome of this encounter.

As I approached, Selene's eyes met mine, a flicker of cold calculation behind them. Adriana stood slightly behind her sister, her expression tense and uncertain. I didn't waste time on pleasantries.

"Reinhardt is becoming a problem," I said, my voice steady but with an edge that I knew would command attention. "I'm sure you've noticed his recent… actions."

Selene raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smile. "He's loyal to Alistair's memory, Cedric. You can hardly blame him for that."

I allowed a thin smile to touch my own lips. "Loyalty is one thing, but Reinhardt is dangerously close to uncovering truths that would be better left hidden. His knowledge of recent events, particularly concerning Seraphina and Evelyn, has grown… inconvenient."

Adriana's eyes widened slightly at the mention of **Seraphina**, but she remained silent, her gaze darting between Selene and me. The younger princess wasn't as skilled at masking her emotions as her sister.

"Reinhardt is a man of principles," Selene said calmly, crossing her arms. "He won't let go of his vendetta easily. Especially not after what happened to Alistair."

Her words carried a thinly veiled threat, but I wasn't here to be intimidated. If anything, her reluctance to confront Reinhardt head-on played into my hands. I needed her doubt, her uncertainty—and I would exploit it.

"Which is why yoi need to deal with him before he becomes more of a threat," I said, stepping closer, my voice dropping to a low whisper meant only for their ears. "We both know it's you who kidnapped Evelyn as your sister assited you, yet you framed and brother your brother for it."

"Are you threthening me?"

"I don't have patience to threaten my enemies. I am telling you everyone would think you did it acquire the crown onec Reinhardt discovers the truth and expose your lies with it. and that Reinhardt is losing his grip. His obsession with avenging Alistair has clouded his judgment, and it's only a matter of time before he makes a fatal mistake."

Adriana's brow furrowed as she glanced at her sister, clearly uneasy with the direction of the conversation. "You want us to help you… eliminate him?" she asked, her voice hesitant but curious.

I met her gaze steadily. "No. I want to help you ensure that Reinhardt no longer has the power to stand in your way. Whether that means eliminating him or breaking his influence… is up to you."

Selene's smile faded slightly, her eyes narrowing. "And what exactly do you propose?"

Now, it was time to show them the cards I held—and to make it clear that an alliance with me was their best option.

"I've already taken measures to ensure Reinhardt is surrounded by my men who doesn't listen to him but my money. He's basically isolated.," I said smoothly. "His forces are dwindling, and he's growing desperate. But he still has allies—people who would stand by him if they believed he was fighting for the right cause. The money won't solve that."

Selene's gaze hardened, but I could see the flicker of doubt beneath her composed exterior. She knew Reinhardt's cause was a lost one, but pride and loyalty were keeping her from admitting it openly.

"We can end this conflict without resorting to bloodshed," I continued. "But that will require you both to make a choice. Side with me, and we can control the outcome. Let Reinhardt continue his crusade, and he'll drag us all into a conflict none of us can afford."

Adriana shifted uncomfortably, clearly torn. Selene, however, remained silent, her sharp mind calculating the risks. She knew I wasn't offering this alliance out of charity, but because it served my interests as much as theirs.

Finally, she spoke. "And if we were to agree to this… alliance, what assurances do we have that you won't turn on us the moment Reinhardt is out of the way?"

I smiled, knowing she would ask that. "Because Reinhardt is not the only obstacle in this game, and I can't win it all on my own. I need strong players to ensure my plans come to fruition. Once he's dealt with, we'll all benefit from a united front. Your brother's death has left a power vacuum—one that you can fill, together."

Adriana's eyes widened at my words, but Selene remained focused, her expression unreadable. She knew I was right. Reinhardt's growing instability was a liability they couldn't afford, and an alliance with me would give them the strength to maintain their positions in the court.

After a long, tense silence, Selene finally nodded, her decision made.

"Very well, Cedric," she said, her voice firm. "We'll join you in dealing with Reinhardt. But make no mistake—if you betray us, you'll find that we are far less forgiving than our brother."

I inclined my head, satisfied with the outcome. "He didn't get chance to forgive me but I wouldn't expect anything less, Your Highness."

With that, the alliance was sealed. Reinhardt had no idea that the very people he trusted most were now poised to bring about his downfall. And with the princesses on my side, the final pieces of my plan were falling into place. As I had to acquire one Little but important piece in my pocket.

The dimly lit alleyways of the city coiled around me as I made my way through the narrow streets. My destination was one of the least respectable corners of the capital, where secrets could be bought for a price and whispers held the power to destroy lives. The door I approached was weathered, barely hanging on its hinges, but the mark carved into its wood—a serpent curled around a vial—was unmistakable. **Matilda's shop.**

I knocked twice, then once more, in quick succession. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing the shadowy figure of Matilda, the dealer I'd come to trust for the darkest of my needs. She was a woman with sharp, knowing eyes and a smile that always seemed to hint at her knowing more than she let on.

"Ah, Lord Cedric," she said, stepping aside to let me in. "It's been a while. What dark deed brings you here tonight?"

I moved past her, entering the cramped, cluttered room. Shelves lined the walls, each filled with small vials, jars of powders, and bundles of dried herbs—each a deadly tool in the right hands. The air was thick with the scent of decay and something metallic.

"I need something subtle," I said, my voice low. "Something that will take down a strong pain, but leave no trace of foul play."

Matilda's grin widened as she gestured for me to sit at the small wooden table in the center of the room. She moved toward one of her shelves, her fingers gliding over the vials with the practiced ease of someone who had dealt death a thousand times.

"And who is this unfortunate soul?" she asked, pulling a small, silver bottle from the shelf. "Reinhardt, I presume?"

I raised an eyebrow at her, but wasn't surprised. Matilda had her ways of knowing things. "Yes. I need his pain gone forever, but quietly."

She placed the silver vial in front of me, her eyes gleaming. "This is 'Lethal Serpent's Whisper.' A single drop can stop the heart within days. It mimics a natural illness—something no healer would question. By the time anyone suspects foul play, your problem will be long gone."

I picked up the vial, inspecting it under the faint glow of the candles. This was exactly what I needed. Reinhardt was becoming too much of a threat, and his unwavering loyalty to Alistair's memory made him dangerous. If I didn't act soon, he would unravel everything I had worked for.

As I reached into my coat for payment, a soft knock came at the door.

Matilda's face darkened, and she moved quickly to open it, muttering a curse under her breath. She returned a moment later, her expression more serious than before. "You've got a letter. From someone who's… not a friend."

"All I got are no friends."

"Yes, but this one is clearly not."

I took the letter from her outstretched hand, my eyes narrowing as I noticed the seal—a simple one, but the contents were what truly mattered. I broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.

**"Cedric,**

**I have your fiancée. Bring me my sister unharmed, and I'll return Seraphina to you. If you fail to comply, or attempt anything foolish, I'll make sure she pays for your betrayal.**

**You have until midnight.**

**Reinhardt."**

A surge of cold fury shot through me as I read the letter. He had **Seraphina**. Reinhardt had somehow managed to kidnap her—perhaps the one person who could match me in cunning and ruthlessness—and now he was trying to trade her for his sister, **Sofia**.

The letter was dripping with his rage, his desperation. Sofia had gone missing recently, this wasn't even in the original narrative but I hadn't been involved—yet Reinhardt believed it was me. He was blaming me, probably due to his mounting paranoia after Alistair's death. Now he was trying to force my hand, thinking that I'd crumble under the pressure of Seraphina's captivity.

He didn't know me at all.

I stood from the table, my mind already racing through possibilities. "Matilda, I'll take this," I said, pocketing the poison. "But I have another task for you."

Her eyes gleamed with interest. "And what might that be?"

"Find out where Seraphina is being kept. I'll need that information soon."

Matilda nodded, already pulling out her various tools for gathering information. "Consider it done."

I left the shop, my mind swirling with thoughts of how to handle the situation. Reinhardt had made a grave mistake by kidnapping Seraphina. He had pushed me into a corner, but he had also given me an opportunity—a way to not only eliminate him but to crush the last remnants of Alistair's influence entirely.

As I made my way back to my quarters, I could feel the pieces falling into place. Reinhardt wanted to trade Seraphina for his sister, but I had no intention of giving him what he wanted. No, this game would end on my terms. All I needed now was the right leverage—and perhaps a well-timed dose of poison. Something was not right, this timing and this letter it's very precise.

The night was growing darker, and so too was the path ahead of me. But in the shadows, I thrived.