Chapter 4 — Poisoned

Since I returned from my stroll, I was immediately hit by newly made reports. Because of James’ absence, every single report that’s in his room was left to my responsibility. Mother already has her hands full with the lords and Elizabeth took it upon herself to do Mother’s obligations. Whenever James was away, this was how royal responsibilities were passed around. We have to manage anything that we can within our capabilities.

As I did my part, I enjoyed the ambience of a peaceful atmosphere, as well as the sound of me, stamping the royal seal on each report.

I was in the middle of reviewing the trade of fish when a knock landed on my door. My page entered, “Your Highness, Lady Elizabeth is here to see you.”

“Let her in,” I replied, not lifting my gaze from the report.

After a brief second, Elizabeth asked, “Am I interrupting anything, my brother?”

I looked up to her with a smile. “Elizabeth, I told you many times before: never interrupt anything that I do.”

She smiled as she approached me. “I looked through every single matter that Mother does on a daily basis, and I got tired of the silence,” she said as she sat in front of me.

“That’s a bit odd, don’t you think?” I smirked. “You spend most of your time in the library and you complain about being alone?”

She rolled her eyes, scoffing. “Reading a book is different from reading reports. Books are a source of entertainment, reports aren’t.” She added, “I don’t understand how you manage to contain yourself in such a lonely atmosphere.”

I chuckled, returning to the report in hand. “Silence helps me make better decisions. It helps me think everything through. James’ reports are vastly different from Mother’s. I need all the space and time to think,” I explained.

Suddenly, the door burst open as my page ran to me. “Your Highness, there’s an emergency in the stables!”

“What do you mean?” I asked, standing up.

“It’s Lady, Your Highness. The servants said she wasn’t breathing.”

I ran to the stables, Elizabeth’s voice echoed behind me as he called for my attention.

♔♔♔

When I arrived, Lady was on the floor, barely breathing. “Lady!” I pushed through the servants, immediately kneeling beside her. “Lady?! Lady, what’s happening to you?! Lady!” I screamed, not knowing what to do.

“Robert? What’s the matter?!” Nana rushed in with the other servants. She immediately gasped at the horrific sight.

“Call the Medicine King! Hurry!” I shouted.

“You heard the young master! Do it now!” Nana yelled. One of the servants jumped onto the service horse and went on his way.

“Lady, please,” tears started to fall as I pulled her to my chest. My hand gripped on her tightly as the fear of losing her took over. I cannot afford to lose Lady. I will not let that happen.

“Robert!” I looked to the entrance and James ran towards us, Gonzalo right behind him. He then knelt and checked Lady’s condition.

“James, you have to help me,” I cried. “I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to lose her, please!”

He then turned to the people who took care of the horses. “Was she given something to eat or drink before this happened?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” they replied.

“Bring me her food and water, now.”

The servants rushed to her part of the stables.

My sobbing was unstoppable at this point. “Lady…please.”

The servants returned and gave James a bucket of water and hay. James smelled each, the hay first and the water, second. “Lady has been poisoned.”

“What?!” I exclaimed. “Who would do this?!”

“Nana.” James turned to her. “Fetch me some hot water and salt. That can help slow down the poison within her system.” As Nana left with the servants, he then turned to me. “Robert, I need you to find some jewelweed in your mother’s herb garden. Bring it here as fast as possible.”

“But Lady—”

“Son, she will get through this.” He put his hand on my shoulder, looking directly at me. “But we need the jewelweed now. It can kill some of the poison in her body. We don’t have much time. You have to go now.”

I nodded. James took my place in holding Lady as I stood. I ran to the herb garden, forcing every inch of strength within me to run faster.

♔♔♔

Upon my return, the Medicine King was already taking a look at Lady. James, Nana and Gonzalo watched over him but gave him space. I ran over to James and gave him the herb.

“Great work, son.” He handed it over to the Medicine King.

The Medicine Man grabbed his mortar and pestle, squishing the herb quickly. He then added the hot water to it and extracted the juice from it.

“Let us give the Medicine King some time with Lady,” James said. We all headed back to the kitchen. James’ grip on my shoulder as we left tightened as we went along.

♔♔♔

After what it seemed like forever, the Medicine King invited James and I back to the stables. When we arrived, Lady was already on her knees, alive and well.

“How is she?” I asked, not wanting to wait any longer.

“She will be fine, young master,” the Medicine King smiled. “The jewelweed, combined with the salted water worked well with my medications. It was smart of you for doing that,” he continued.

“Do you know what poisoned her?” James asked as he stood behind me.

“I examined the food and water that was given to her. I’ve concluded that a poisonous herb was extracted onto the hay and water. I’m not sure, however, if it was done on purpose or out of negligence,” the Medicine King explained, giving me a look of suspicion.

My eyes widened, horrified and confused. “Are you implying that I poisoned my own champion? Medicine King, killing Lady never entered my mind. And should that happen, I wouldn’t have called for you,” I protested.

“I did mention that it could be done out of negligence, young prince,” he repeated.

“How dare you slander me. I wasn’t raised to be that heartless!” I ranted. “Should I do some sort of experimenting, I would never use it on animals. That is not how I was raised!”

“Calm yourself, Robert,” James gently pulled me back as he stood in front of me. “Forgive my son’s outburst, good sir. However, your assumptions on him are absolutely false,” James rebutted the Medicine King’s claims. “My son shared so much with Lady. She means the world to him, and he would never dare do anything to endanger her.”

“I didn’t mean to accuse the prince wrongly, Your Majesty. However, because of this incident, someone close to the prince must look after his champion,” the Medicine King answered. “She mustn’t be left alone. I’m afraid that it might happen again and if it did, it would be fatal. I suppose the person who did this has something against the prince.”

Why would someone hurt a harmless creature? Lady never offended anybody. And if someone felt hatred towards me, let me be the one on the receiving end. My champion did not deserve to go through that pain. I must get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.

“Robert, why don’t you take an early rest?” James turned to me. “It’s been quite a scene here. I need to have a word with the Medicine King as well.”

I nodded. “I’ll see Mother first before I head back.”

“If you wish,” he nodded with a faint smile.

“Good evening. And thank you, Medicine King,” I bowed to them and walked back inside.

♔♔♔

As I made my way to the master quarters, Nana stepped out of a corner and blocked my path. “Nana!” my voice rang through the halls. “You gave me a fright.”

“I’m sorry, my dear. I didn’t mean to,” she apologized as she walked up to me. “Did I interrupt your thoughts?”

“Not at all, Nana. I was just surprised when you appeared out of nowhere,” I explained. “Is there something wrong?”

“The servants have told me that Lady is feeling better. I couldn’t be relieved of such good news,” she smiled. “However, I heard your thanks didn’t extend to your father.”

The maids must stop with their eavesdropping. Our affairs and private conversations weren’t made to be their source of entertainment. To spread such information might lead to our demise in the future.

“Nana, I was going to thank him. However, he told me I could leave, and he needed to talk to the Medicine King in private,” I said.

“Robert, a simple thanks can do a great deal to anyone, especially to your father,” she replied. “He doesn’t tell this to anybody, but he feels you loathe him too much.”

“Nana, he was talking to the Medicine King,” I repeated after a sigh. “Interrupting their conversation would be rude of me.

She stepped closer and held my hands. “There’s always room for a son.”

I smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Nana. I’ll make sure to thank him during dinner. For now, I need to see Mother.”

She cupped my face and kissed my forehead. She then gave me another smile and walked away, and I continued walking.

I was thankful for what James did. I owe him Lady’s life. But with all honesty, thanking James is something easier said than done. For years, he never acted as a father. He never did anything that I would be thankful for. But Nana was right. James deserved my thanks for what he did today.

♔♔♔

I knocked as I reached the master bedroom.

“A private meeting is in session,” Bethilda answered.

Why am I not surprised that Bethilda is here?

I ignored her response and entered. There, Mother and Bethilda stood by the window. I kept my hands behind me as I walked towards them. I kept the appearance of the calm, sweet breeze. But within me, a bottled-up fury began to boil, only waiting to explode.

“Well, hello, dear one,” Mother smiled as I stood beside her.

I smiled and replied, “Greetings to the most beautiful woman in the world.” I then kissed her cheek.

“As I recall, I mentioned that a meeting was happening here,” Bethilda interrupted our warm welcome with her sarcasm.

“Dearest sister,” Mother turned to her, a gentle smile on her face, “Robert was present in almost everything meeting James and I attended. Whether it’s a public meeting or private, we allow our children to talk to us if they need to.”

“And as I recall,” I entered the conversation, “Only the ruling monarchs of a certain kingdom can make those kinds of decisions.” I smirked as I kept my gaze away from Bethilda. I just took a nap and the last thing I would want to see is the scowl on her face.

Bethilda chuckled. “As you can see, Amelia, your son has no manners at all,” she turned to my direction, her fan in hand.

I scoffed, facing her fury with mine. “I would’ve been kinder to you. However, from the very moment you stepped foot into our home, everything about you told me not to,” I answered.

“That’s enough for you both,” Mother blocked the growing hostility. “We’re a family. We’re supposed to be working together, not against one another.”

“With all due respect, Mother, I don’t think she wants to be a part of our family,” I said as I turned away from Bethilda. “She wouldn’t act all superior if she wanted to have a harmonious relationship with us.”

“Amelia!” Bethilda stomped her foot.

“Robert,” Mother gently held onto my shoulders, looking earnestly into my eyes. “We’re the only family your aunt has left. Your bickering with her has to come to an end.”

I sighed, removing her hand from me. I held them tightly and replied, “Mother, she should receive that advice, not me. She gave us a reason not to like her.”

The door suddenly opened and as our heads turned, it was James.

“Finally!” Bethilda exclaimed, raising her hands in the air. “A balancing scale has finally arrived,” she added as James walked up to us.

Not wanting to wait any longer, Mother rushed to James and landed in his wide-open arms. They shared a kiss and a tight embrace of longing, not wanting to let go of each other.

“Oh, my love,” Mother murmured into James’ clothes.

“My heart,” he smiled as he held Mother tightly. His eyes were closed. One hand supported her head whilst the other held onto her waist. He kissed her hair twice as he pulled her closer, taking in her very scent.

Mother gently pulled away with her eyes fixated on him. “When did you arrive?”

“I’ve been home for quite a while now. I just had to help Robert with Lady,” he replied.

“Lady?” Mother turned to me, confused. She then turned back to James and asked, “What happened to her?”

James sighed. “She was poisoned and had a brush with death.”

Mother gasped, covering her mouth. “Who would do such a thing?! What happened?!”

James held Mother’s hand and explained, “That, we still don’t know. I already told Gonzalo and his men to investigate this matter. We will find the culprit.” He kissed her forehead and proceeded to approach us. “What were you currently talking about?”

“James, your son has no respect for me,” Bethilda complained as she stood in front of me.

I scoffed as I rolled my eyes. I guess this is the kind of game we are to play today. And Bethilda doesn’t have to have any sort of problem with making me look bad in front of the king.

She added as she fanned, “He has disrespected me again and I don’t think he has any plans of stopping.”

James sighed, shaking his head. “What’s the root of their quarrel this time?” he asked, looking at Mother.

“We were talking about a few matters when Robert knocked. Bethilda answered saying that we were discussing something, but Robert proceeded to enter,” Mother explained. “That’s how everything started.”

“Bethilda, you know by now that our children are allowed to see us whenever they need to,” James said to Bethilda. “However, I agree that it doesn’t justify the reason why Robert entered. May I ask why Robert wasn’t allowed to disrupt your meeting with Amelia?” he continued.

Oh, I would love to hear her reason for this one.

“James, what we discussed was important. Only you can interrupt such a meeting,” Bethilda continued to complain. “We were talking about changing the curtains here in the castle. But then—”

James and I suddenly snickered. James was quick to stop himself out of fear of offending Bethilda. But I struggled to keep a straight face. My attempts faltered and I finally let out all of my laughter.

Bethilda looked at me, even more furious. “Did I say something to amuse you?”

James struggled to stop his sniggering. “When you said you talked about important matters, I thought it was related to the kingdom’s economy,” he replied, trying to get through his words without bursting into laughter. “But to call the manner of changing curtains as some kind of emergency…that was hysterical.”

“Well, James, if you haven’t noticed,” Bethilda’s hands now on her waist, “your curtains have done nothing but collect dust for years. Doesn’t anyone in this kingdom know the meaning of sanitation?!” she ranted as she threw her hands in the air.

I fell on the floor laughing as she rambled on. I couldn’t help it anymore.

She turned to me and back to James. “I presume that I amused the two of you,” she snarled.

“I don’t want to say this but…to call something simple to be some kind of heavy matter might have established your idiocy,” I answered, trying to suppress my giggles. “Also, when you said they collected dust, you made me realize that you can be hilarious and stupid at the same time.”

Her mouth hung, insulted. “I don’t think I appreciate the message you’re trying to deliver, young prince,” she spatted. “May I ask for an explanation for your baseless theory?”

I took a deep breath in as my laughter stopped. But I still sniggered, which made it harder to speak still. “First, you don’t need to hold a meeting to change the castle curtains. Only overreacting people would do that.” I added, “And second, how could they be that dirty when you just changed them when Mother was sick?”

As soon as I gave my response, James turned around and laughed even more. His laughter was contagious, I started to laugh once again. Tears formed within my eyes. I couldn’t breathe and James’ face had turned red. This kind of thinking from Bethilda was incredibly amusing!

“I have to say,” I wiped my tears, “You annoyed me a while ago. But your idiocy has made my day,” I snickered.

“Robert, please,” Mother tried to reprimand me even though she was struggling to keep herself calm.

“But don’t mistake this instance as I like you. I still don’t. Your stupidity has just become a source of entertainment for us,” I added.

Bethilda’s nose fumed as she watched us enjoy our laughter. She walked over to Mother and crossed her arms. “Sister, I believe we should resume this discussion tomorrow.”

“Are you certain?” Mother asked as Bethilda headed to the door. Mother covered her mouth with her hands, not wanting to offend Bethilda even more.

She turned around with an irritated glare. “Your family has shown no respect for family discussions. They call it stupidity and by the looks of it, they’re enjoying it,” she said. “And as I can tell, you’re about to join them as well.”

“We shall see you at dinner, then?” Mother asked another.

“I would like to have my dinner served in my room tonight,” Bethilda replied as she turned, her head held up high. “Now, if you’d all excuse me, I have something to take care of.” She then walked out of the room, not even taking a second look.

James and I sat across each other at the table, still recovering from what just happened.

“What were the two of you thinking?” Mother walked over to us. She was frustrated, annoyed. But there were traces that she enjoyed it.

“Oh, my darling,” James said as he slowly recovered, “don’t act as if you didn’t enjoy it.”

Mother’s smile slowly crept on her face. She then snickered a bit and replied, “I admit that it was a good laugh. But why did you have to embarrass her in such a way?”

“We were simply being blunt with her, Mother. We didn’t mean to. She brought it upon herself,” I said, taking deep breaths in.

“Well, I think that’s enough for the two of you,” Mother crossed her arms. “Let out every ounce of laughter in your bodies now.”

“Really?” James’ eyes widened.

Mother nodded, her lips in a firm line.

James and I shared a look before we burst into another session of laughter. Who wouldn’t?! Anyone would laugh their guts out if they heard it themselves. We finally stopped laughing and began to catch our breaths.

“Whoo!” I exclaimed, elated.

“That has been very entertaining for us.” James then turned to me and asked, “Don’t you think so?”

“I agree with you on that, Father!” I covered my mouth as my response silenced the whole room. Our eyes widened, surprised. Did I just call James “father”?

I cleared my throat as I straightened myself. “I mean, yes, it was a good laugh, James.”

James nodded, the smile on his face turned into a firm line.

“I would also like to express my gratitude for saving Lady a while ago,” I continued. “Lady wouldn’t have survived without your aid.”

James let out a satisfied smile. “I did that for you, son. Lady means the world to you, and I wouldn’t want you to lose her because of someone’s ill intentions,” he said.

I nodded. “I guess this is where I take my leave, then,” I stood from the chair, putting my hands behind my back. “I didn’t have my rest yet so this would be the perfect time to do so.”

“Will you be joining us at dinner?” Mother grinned as she walked towards me.

I laid a gentle kiss on her cheek. “If I wake up before evening arrives, I probably will.”

She smiled as she nodded.

I bowed before them and walked out of the room.