CARL'S POV
"My king, it's lady Gwen," Jerald answered, and I looked at him in disbelief.
"What did you say?" I asked, to be sure I wasn't hearing things.
Jerald sighed. "Your Majesty, you might find it hard to believe. But the person behind queen Zara's poisoning is Lady Gwen," he muttered.
I was gobsmacked. No, I didn't even want to believe it. There's no way Gwen would do such a thing.
Seeing my doubtful expression, Jerald said, "Your majesty, I investigated this matter thoroughly, because even I didn't believe. The first time when we interrogated Lilith, I suspected that she was hiding something, so I interrogated her again. At first, she was reluctant to tell me because she was scared. but after much persuasion and assurance that I'd protect her, she opened up. She told me that the voice of the person who gave the servant girl the concoction sounded like Gwen. She also said, the lady(Gwen) gave the servant strict instructions not to tell Zara it was from her, knowing that Zara would accept it. After interrogating Lilith, I went to Lady Gwen's room to search for clues, and I found this... The purple vine poison, which was used in poisoning Zara. Although it took a long time to find it because it was well hidden but I found it behind a portrait hanging on the wall," Jerald explained.
Looking at the bottle of poison in Jerald's hand, I didn't know what to do or say. 'Gwen was the one who poisoned Zara.' How could she? I trusted her... For God's sake she is my best friend, how could she betray me? I was hurt and heartbroken. If my best friend could betray me, it means I can't trust anyone. I mean if you have such a friend, you don't need enemies.
With a heavy heart and sad expression, I left the office, going in search of Zara. I think it's best to tell her before she finds out on her own.
"Your majesty, are you alright?" Jerald yelled after me, and I ignored him. How can I be alright when I just found out, that my best friend, someone I loved and cared for betrayed me. She killed my baby and almost killed my wife. No! I can never forgive her. I wish she didn't die, so I could punish her in my own way.
Walking into the chamber, I couldn't find Zara there and I wondered where she could be. Although I didn't know how I was going to face her. How do I tell her that my close friend killed our baby?... the worst part, is I couldn't give her or our baby Justice.
I was about to leave the chamber when I bumped into Zara. I could feel my heart beating hard and fast against my chest, and I was scared she could hear it. I was filled with guilt. Although I didn't poison her, I felt like I did. Like it was all my fault.
"Carl, Carl" Zara called, snapping me out of my thoughts. I tilt my gaze to hers, but took away immediately, looking elsewhere.
"Are you alright Carl?" She asked with a voice, filled with concern, and that only made me feel worse.
"I'm fine," I lied... Now that she was standing in front of me, I couldn't bring myself to tell her. I couldn't tell her that Gwen was responsible for the loss of our baby. Although sooner or later, I would have to tell her... It has to be later.
Zara closed the gap between us, engulfing me in a hug. "If something is bothering you, you can tell me?" she whispered, but I could still hear her.
I sighed. "Zara, I'm worried because soon, there would be a war. And right now, we need to be prepared in every way possible. We can't have the enemy take us by surprise," I told her instead.
Zara pulled away from me. "What do you mean by a war?" She asked, and I could hear the panic in her voice.
"Zara! Neptune and Crystal-Ville are readying their troops. And soon, they will start to match toward Everton."
Zara sighed. "I already have something else to worry about, and now I have to worry about a war too," she murmured, with a sad expression.
I don't know why but for some reason, I felt like there was something she was not telling me. Like she was also keeping something from me like I was doing.
"Zara, are you alright? Is there something you want to tell me?"
Zara sighed, and I saw something akin to guilt and hurt flash across her features. Something is definitely wrong. And it seems like she was not ready to tell me.
That makes the two of us. Although I was curious to know what was in her mind, I didn't want to pressure her, because I was also keeping something from her.
"Zara, you don't have to tell me now, you can take your time. Tell me when you're ready."
She nodded and gave me a light smile, which I returned.
"Come, Carl, we have a war to prepare for," she said, pulling me along.
IN NEPTUNE
King Arthur and his father king Luther discussed the war strategy amongst themselves. That is their army generals and king Darian of Crystal-Ville.
King Luther_ "We'll attack both Azrael and Everton. But we have to first attack Azrael, that way, Carl's attention will be divided. He'll be torn between going to Azrael, or staying in Everton."
Arthur_ "Father, that's a great plan, but Carl is no fool, he would know we're trying to divert his attention."
"Yes father, I agree with Arthur on this one. I've been with King Carl long enough to know he's smart. I'm sure by now he even knows that we're planning an attack, so I suggest that when king Darian attacks Azrael, Arthur should also attack Everton," Myla suggested, and everyone agreed with her.
"King Darian, you'll march with your soldier secretly and give Azrael a surprise attack. You'll attack them at dusk. While Arthur will attack Carl," king Luther said.
"Father! I'll go back to Everton since no one knows, I'm a spy and the princess of Neptune. I would look for the secret passage and let our men into the palace," Myla chipped in, an evil smile playing at the corner of her lips. 'Everton won't know what hit them.'
King Luther smiled, giving his daughter a look of admiration. 'I taught her well,' he mulled, nodding his head in satisfaction.
Arthur could see the look of admiration and pride for Myla in his father's eyes. He knew that if his father were to choose between the two of them, he would choose Myla instead. After all, she was the one who grew up with him and obeyed his every command.
Arthur sneered inwardly, seeing the two act like they were the wisest in the room then, he said, "While Darian and I are busy fighting the war, what will you and your troops do, Father?"
King Luther turn to Arthur and said, "Carl doesn't know, that I'm alive. So he wouldn't expect me. So when Myla goes back to Everton, she will open the secret passage for my men and I to take over the palace, and once Carl sees that he would surrender..."
THE NEXT DAY
EVERTON
Carl, Zara, Queen Catherine, Lady Anna, and their councilmen and generals, also discuss their war strategy.
Lord Sirius(Minister of war)_ "Your majesty, do you think we should ask the other nations for reinforcement?"
Carl_ "I'm thinking about that. but for now, we don't know how many men Arthur and Darian have in their army. So we'll have to work with what we have. Besides, other nations would not want to send us their troops, for fear that they might also get attacked.
Jerald_ "so what should we do my king?"
Carl_ "We have fifty thousand soldiers altogether, but we can't take them all to war and leave Everton unprotected. So I would take Thirty thousand to the battlefield, Lord William(Minister of defense) will take ten thousand and defend the border, while Jerald will stay in the palace with queen Zara, and defend it alongside the remaining ten thousand men."
Zara_ "But we'll have to know how many men king Arthur and Darian has with them."
Carl_ "your right Zara, we'll immediately send a letter to our spies in Neptune and Crystal-ville, so they will find out..."
As they were discussing, Lia walked in. "I'm sorry to interrupt your discussion, but I want to speak to queen Zara," Lia muttered.
Zara excused herself and followed Lia. Once they were out of sight she turned to Lia. "What is it?"
Lia sighed, then she said, "Zara, Myla has returned."