A Costly Betrayal

The halls of the palace were as lively as ever, the sound of duties and laughter bustling through the corridors. The day seemed ordinary, but beneath the surface, something dangerous was about to happen. 

Francesca sat in her chamber, a cold smirk on her lips as she eyed the nervous woman standing before her. She was the palace most trusted kitchen staff, who has been appointed specially to cater to Theodore's meals and drinks. The woman's hands trembled, but Francesca's sharp gaze pinned her in place.

"You know what needs to be done," Francesca said smoothly, tapping her fingers against the armrest of her chair. "It's simple. Just a few drops in the boy's apple juice. No scent, no taste. It will look like an unfortunate reaction, nothing more."

The maid swallowed hard. "Your Highness… if we're caught….? 

"You won't be." Francesca's voice turned steely. "Unless you're foolish enough to get caught."

The woman hesitated, but the heavy stacked mint Francesca pushed across the table was enough to quiet her conscience. With a deep breath, she bowed. "I will take care of it, Your Highness."

Francesca leaned back with satisfaction. Soon, the boy would be gone, and so would Elena's influence over Maxwell. She was too desperate to think it through. All she wanted was for Elena and her son to disappear forever. 

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the palace dining hall as Theodore's midday refreshments were prepared. A silver tray was set with fruits, a plate of freshly baked pastries, and a crystal glass of fresh apple juice. The young prince's favorite.

The kitchen staff moved with precision, but one woman stood apart, her movements slightly tense. The maid, Francesca's accomplice, reached into her apron pocket, fingers closing around the small vial of poison.

Glancing around, she unscrewed the top and carefully poured it over the juice. One drop. Two. Three. But just as she was diluting the drink, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"What are you doing?"

The woman flinched, nearly knocking over the glass.

A palace guard stood at the entrance, his sharp eyes narrowing as he stepped forward. "Hand over that bottle."

The maid's face drained of color. "I…It's nothing. 

"Now," the guard ordered.

Realizing there was no escape, she dropped the bottle and fell to her knees. "Please! I was only following orders!"

The kitchen froze in stunned silence. The guard wasted no time. "Who ordered you?"

Tears spilled down the woman's cheeks as she trembled before him. But when he pulled his sword halfway from its sheath, a deadly promise in his eyes, her fear broke through her loyalty.

"The Queen!" she blurted out. "Queen Francesca ordered me to do it!"

Upon hearing this, the guard dragged her through the kitchen floor, accompanied by other guards and staffs 

Minutes later, the doors to the grand hall burst open.

Francesca was standing near the window when the heavy footsteps of guards filled the room. She turned, her expression composed, until she saw Maxwell's face.

His rage was ice cold, lethal in its restraint. Elena stood beside him, her arms wrapped protectively around Theodore, who had been rushed to safety before the tainted juice reached him.

The accused maid was thrown to the floor. "Tell them," the guard barked.

The woman sobbed. "I did it under Queen Francesca's orders! She gave me the poison. She paid me to do it!"

Silence fell like a blade.

Francesca straightened, refusing to show fear. "This is absurd," she scoffed. "Why would I…."

"Enough." Maxwell commanded. 

Francesca's breath hitched at the way he looked at her, not with anger alone, but with disgust.

Elena's eyes burned with fury. "You tried to murder my son."

"He was never meant to be his heir," Francesca snapped before she could stop herself.

The words sealed her fate.

Maxwell stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "You are a disgrace. A traitor to this kingdom."

"You will be stripped of your title," he cut in, his tone void of emotion. "And you will leave this palace immediately. Count yourself lucky I do not want to have you locked up for the sake of time past. 

Her stomach dropped. "No. You wouldn't dare."

"Get this woman out of my presence." He commanded. "Make sure she and all her belongings are gone before nightfall."

His cold dismissal shattered her. The guards grabbed her arms, and this time, she didn't fight.

As she was dragged away, she turned one last time to Maxwell, to Elena, to Theodore. The boy who had ruined everything.

"This isn't over," she hissed.

And the maid was dragged along with her.