The Heart and The Sword ~Part One~ // HIATUS

Chapter Nine : Night of Shadows, Morning of Venom

—I prepared more than enough this time, Your Majesty. Just in case, Fresd smiled as he placed two more containers of ointment for her bruises and two more of medicine for her ribs.

—Thank you, Fresd.

—Just a few more weeks and you'll feel better, Your Majesty.

—Let us hope so.

It had been a week since the letter from Prince Ellroy arrived. She wondered how long it would take for her own letter to make it to the Empire.

-—Your Majesty, Duke Callahn requests an audience.

Sylvia rolled her eyes. The new duke had spent the past week in the palace. She couldn't kick him out, but he didn't seem to want to leave either. And he certainly could not pick up on her desire for him to leave.

—Take him to the salon. I'll be there in a few minutes.

Calia bowed and did as she was told.

With a sigh, she bid Fresd farewell and headed for the salon. There, she found Herveus Callahn very fidgety, playing with his hands in his lap while his leg bounced quickly up and down. He looked around, observing every inch of the room. From its walls in a shade of light blue, close to the clear skies, to the dark wooden floors.

—Duke Callahn, I heard you asked for an audience. Can I help you with anything?

The man stood up as Sylvia entered, bowing at the waist.

—I hope I didn't interrupt anything important, Your Majesty.

—Just my good time away from nosy dukes. Please, sit.

Herveus couldn't help but smile. He enjoyed hearing her meanness towards him and the others. He wasn't sure if it was a facade or just who she was, but he enjoyed it tremendously.

—Forgive me, but this is quite important.

—Important for you, I assume, she said, taking a seat in front of him.

Herveus sat down, looking the queen up and down. She seemed well, far better than the last time he saw her face to face. She must have still been worried for the fate of the kingdom, but it seemed like the week that passed and its lack of news gave her time to take everything in.

—So? she asked.

Callahn cleared his throat.

—I was hoping I could ask for a favor.

Sylvia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Dukes only asked for favors if they've run out options or it directly involved the crown as well. For him to come to her...

—I hoped you would grant me access to the archives.

—The archives? Duke Callahn, if this is about your father's death certificate, I can assure you-

—I don't care about that. You can burn that piece of paper for all I care, he cut her off.

It was improper for him to cut her off, but she dismissed it. He seemed truly nervous, worried even. Surely, whatever he wanted meant a great deal to him.

—Then, what is it that you want?

Callahn took in a deep breath and straightened his back, looking at his feet.

—I'm looking for my sister.

Sylvia raised her eyebrows, surprised .

—I wasn't aware your father had a daughter as well.

The duke scoffed with a disgusted smile on his face. Sylvia remained quiet. It was so clear the man despised his father and, while she understood why he would have been a hard man to love, she didn't understand how Herveus cared so little about him.