𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

꧁꧂

     Even in death, he is still a nuisance.

    Adrian crossed his arms over his chest as he stood next to his sleeping father, his eyes and mind however not on the man. After Sofi had been led by Delana and Seraph to where Kandef lie, she immediately handed Komi the Huelda Forla. He didn't waste any time as he then plucked the red leaves off and used a small wooden mortar and pestle to grind them into a pulp, adding the extract into an already waiting glass, the once blue color turning a dark purple.

    "Will this— will this help His Majesty?" Seraph breathed shakily, clutching herself closer to her mother as her eyes widened.

    "Yes, there is no doubt," Komi stated, pushing up his glasses and glancing at Sofi with clear unease in his dark eyes. "If not... than the King will die. But I will do my best to prevent that."

    (Y/N) stayed silent.

    She couldn't focus.

    How could she focus?

    She struggled to keep her emotions in check, her nails digging into her palms to use pain as a distraction. She had been right, only fifty feet from him where he had been in the forest, yet she hadn't even noticed that he was attacked. It was only when twenty minutes had passed that she had started to grow worried, but by then, it was too late. Adrian watched (Y/N), his chin raising. Even with the constant accomplishments he had been presented with, the one thing that truly bothered him still kept presenting itself to him like a pest that wouldn't be exterminated.

    Claude Laurent, just another faceless servant, yet still so very annoying...

    Thinking back to the day when he had met (Y/N), she having been sweeping the courtyard, he recalled that she too had been another faceless servant. He felt relief that he had seen a side of her that was brave and snappish, knowing that he could use someone like that beside him. Someone like that was loyal, and would risk life and limb for the one they wanted to protect. Such a fact was proved true again and again, from the attack on the palace to the incident with the bandits, only furthering his respect for her.

    Adrian glanced away.

    I've killed one of my own.

    All because of how close he was to (M/N).

    Surely it can't be just because of that one, insignificant detail... right?

    Both his attention and irritation were then snapped away when Komi lifted the small glass towards the King's lips to let him drink, every drop of the purple liquid being downed in a matter of seconds. Komi breathed in deeply as the minutes ticked by, soon enough the effects of the antidote becoming obvious from how Kandef's skin tone little by little returned to its normal brown hue and his expression of pain lessened.

    "It worked," Komi sighed, running a hand through his frizzy hair in relief. "He's healing."

    An equal amount of relief flowed through most everyone in the room, save two certain people whose minds were still elsewhere, even though their bodies were present right then. As the high emotions settled and nerves calmed, a small knock could be heard as the door swung open to reveal Basile, curt and formal as ever, who gave  a low bow before approaching Adrian to give his report.

    "I apologize for interrupting, Your Highness, but I merely wanted to inform you that both the horses and equipment have been stored away," Basile informed the man. "As for the gentlemen and women that accompanied you on your journey, they are all recuperating as we speak."

    "Thank you," Adrian nodded.

    "And His Majesty?" Basile further inquired, sliding his gaze over to said man. "How is he?"

    "He should be awake by tomorrow," Komi stated as he stood up, dusting his hands off on his coat before firmly setting a hand down on Sofi's shoulder. "I have strong faith that since His Majesty is healthy, he should be walking again in a week."

    "'Walking again?'" Delana furrowed her brows, stepping forward ever so slightly. "What do you mean by that, doctor?"

    "It seems I have... forgotten to mention a minor detail about the poison His Majesty us ailed with," he cleared his throat, his eyes flicking down to meet Sofi's. "This specific poison has the side effect of paralysis. Though temporary, it still takes the muscles time to gain back their strength."

    "I see," she nodded, worry that was just beginning to fade multiplying back up just as quickly.

    "I apologize, Your Majesty," Komi bowed. "As a medical professional, this shouldn't have been forgotten and I take the fault as mine."

    "You've helped more than you know," Delana smiled with a nod. "You're pardoned."

    "Thank you, Your Majesty."

    Delana gave a small smile before she squeezed her husband's hand one last time, then exiting the room sigh Seraph following not too far behind. Seraph glanced at (Y/N) before she left, immediately able to sense that something was wrong with her. How badly she wanted to console her was overwhelming, yet she knew that in such a public setting, it would only be perceived as entirely inappropriate due to their standings. However, she couldn't help but smile since (Y/N) had come home alive, something that was enough for her.

    Adrian noticed this instantly, finding his sister's infatuation with (Y/N) even more aggravating than Claude's once adamant presence. Dismissing Basile with a wave of his hand, he then beckoned for (Y/N) to follow him.

    He had nothing to order her to do.

    Nothing.

    But something told him that he should not leave her alone for now.

    "Your Highness?" (Y/N) spoke as she walked with Adrian down the long, winding halls of the palace, watching through the windows how already many of the servants were well on their way trying to rebuild the parts that were ruined. "Is there something you need from me?"

    "Yes..." Adrian spoke, stopping in front of a wooden pair of double doors. "I want you to stand guard while I sleep. As I've told you before... a traitor being amongst us is very likely."

    His lips thinned.

    It's best if he guards me.

    Certainly, this is best.

꧁꧂