THE KING'S POSSESSION

Chapter 101

Chapter 101: The Empress' Wine

The dawn of the new day brought with it a charged atmosphere within the palace walls. The two remaining suitors, Lucian and Tristan who were both masked, were summoned from their chambers. Their footsteps echoed along the marble corridors, guided by Cedric, the grand steward, toward the imperial audience chamber. The palace that was usually bustling with activity, seemed eerily quiet, as if holding its breath for what was to come.

As they entered the grand hall, the two found themselves standing before Empress Ilyana, who was seated with an air of regal authority. Her gaze swept over them, lingering for a moment longer than usual as if assessing their every hidden thought. The suitors bowed deeply, aware that this audience was a precursor to the final trial, yet uncertain of what awaited them.

The Empress offered a gracious smile, and with a subtle motion of her hand, Cedric stepped forward, carrying a silver tray upon which rested two ornate goblets. The liquid inside was a deep crimson, swirling gently within the finely crafted vessels. The aroma that wafted from them was rich and intoxicating, a scent that spoke of aged wine, luxurious and rare.

"Gentlemen," Empress Ilyana began, her voice smooth and commanding, "you have both endured much to reach this stage of the Royal Entreaty. Your perseverance and courage have not gone unnoticed. Before you face the final trial, it is only fitting that we honor your efforts."

She gestured toward the goblets, her eyes gleaming with a calm that belied the tension in the room. "This wine is the finest our empire has ever produced, a gift to you for your unwavering resolve. Let this be a toast to your bravery, a celebration of your journey, and a preparation for the challenge that lies ahead."

The suitors exchanged a brief glance as they reached for their goblets. Tristan's eyes lingered on the other man, a tall figure masked behind an assassin's veil. Lucian, unaware of who stood before him, barely spared a glance at the man he considered another obstacle to overcome. But for Tristan, this moment was fraught with meaning. He had not come to the Royal Entreaty seeking glory or reward; he had come for one purpose alone—vengeance. His only goal was to find the right moment to assassinate Lucian.

But everything had changed when Tristan saw Isabel among the court, now called Princess Isabella.

A year had passed, but he recognized her instantly—the exact resemblance, the voice, and those kind, familiar eyes. The shock of seeing her alive and well, after believing she had been lost, had shaken him to his core. Yet, despite his joy, he was haunted by guilt. He had left her in the clutches of Lucian, unable to protect her when she needed him most. How could he reveal himself to her now, knowing that he had failed her so profoundly?

So Tristan's mission shifted. His need for revenge was no longer his driving force. What mattered now was ensuring Lucian did not reclaim Isabel. Even if he could not have her by his side, he would not let her fall back into the hands of the man who had caused her so much pain. Tristan knew that Lucian would stop at nothing to win Isabella back, and the thought of her being bound to that monster again was unbearable.

Empress Ilyana raised her own glass in a symbolic gesture, though she did not drink. "To the heart's truest test," she said, her words carrying a weight that neither suitor fully grasped.

As Tristan lifted the goblet to his lips, he resolved that Lucian would not have her, not this time. Whether he could earn Isabel's forgiveness or not, her happiness and safety were what mattered now. Tristan would see to it that Lucian failed, even if it meant sacrificing himself in the process. The final trial would be the deciding moment, and Tristan vowed to use whatever strength he had to ensure that Lucian never held power over Isabel again.

When the Empress lowered her glass with her serene smile never wavering, she then addressed the suitors. "Thank you, gentlemen," she said with a graceful nod. "You may now return to your chambers. Rest well, for tomorrow brings the final trial."

With courteous bows, the suitors acknowledged the Empress and her daughter, Isabella, before making their way to their respective chambers. The corridors seemed unusually quiet as they walked, a contrast to the earlier bustling atmosphere. However, as they moved, they began to feel an unsettling change in their physical state.

A warm, tingling sensation spread through their bodies, growing more intense with each step. Their heads felt light, as if floating above their shoulders. A subtle dizziness set in, making their movements less coordinated. Their skin seemed to radiate an uncomfortable heat, and an involuntary perspiration started to form.

Each suitor, while grappling with these sensations, noticed a woman in light, flowing garments following them discreetly. Unbeknownst to them, the drink they had been served contained a powerful sedative combined with a mild aphrodisiac, designed to test their reactions under these specific conditions.

Tristan, feeling the effects more acutely, approached his chamber with increasing difficulty. As the woman entered and closed the door behind her, his vision blurred, and a profound drowsiness began to take hold. His efforts to stay alert were in vain as his limbs grew heavy, his thoughts increasingly muddled.

"Please," he murmured weakly, attempting to stop the woman from approaching. "Don't come near me..."

But the woman was unfazed by his plea and moved with a deliberate, almost practiced grace. She slowly began to undress, her movements smooth and unhurried. Tristan's attempts to resist grew feeble, his consciousness slipping away as the sedative's effects deepened. The room seemed to sway as he struggled to keep his focus.

Before he could react further, the woman approached him, her bare skin a soft contrast to the encroaching darkness of his blurred vision. She wrapped her arms around his neck with a tenderness that seemed almost surreal. Tristan felt the weight of her embrace, the warmth of her body, and then everything faded into unconsciousness as the sedative fully took effect.

Both men, now entirely under the spell of the final trial, found themselves at the mercy of circumstances beyond their understanding, the true nature of the trial revealing itself in their compromised states.