Sovereign

Six - Suspect

"You're really into this whole 'mystery' thing, aren't you?"
    Kaia silenced Adrian with a shush, and pinned herself against the wall. The boy didn't move, so she grabbed his wrist and pulled him onto the stone as well.
    "You're supposed to be resting, so be quiet," she hissed. "I can send you back at any time."
    "Fine, I'll shut up," Adrian chuckled.
    Suddenly, Kaia gasped, and inched closer to the edge of the wall. "Suspect One is in the blue corner! Suspect One is in the blue corner!" she whispered fervently.
    "Which one is the blue corner again?" asked Adrian, forgetting his vow to be silent. Kaia's answer was a sharp punch in the ribs. "Ow— hey, I was just poisoned! You're supposed to be a physician for heaven's sake— ouch! Okay, okay, I'm done talking."
    Wordlessly, Kaia pointed to where Prince Vincent stood, surrounded by laughing councilmen. He appeared to be telling an especially lively story. "C'mon," she said, and dragged Adrian by the arm to stand behind an immense pillar, close enough to eavesdrop on the Prince's conversation.
    "...these days. I heard he was the one to kill his wife, you know. Although no one's really sure if it was because he's insane, or because she was just a bitch."
This comment seemed to elicit a lot of laughter from the councilmen; Kaia wasn't quite sure what they found so funny.
    "I'm honestly surprised it wasn't the other way around; he had so many whores walking into his chambers, the palace was practically a brothel! The Queen was probably bored out of her mind. Of course, leave it to King Magnus to stop a problem before anyone's aware of it. He anticipates things, always knows which path will be the most prosperous— but only for him, of course, because he's a selfish ass," Vincent said, with a hint of disgust. "And that, my friends, is why we need to break up this deal. If they really think that we— proud, honorable Osturians— could be capable of the betrayal they insinuate, then they must learn not to cross our path the wrong way again. They are not worthy of us. We have no business involving ourselves in a possible upcoming war, so what are we still doing here? The King is clearly using us for his own personal gain— and I, for one, want no part in it." There was a worrying chorus of agreement in the wake of these words.
"Not very promising..." Kaia murmured, stealing a glance at Adrian, who's face was contorted in anger. This was a bad idea, she thought resignedly, and scurried back to her chambers with Adrian at her heels.
Plan A wasn't working, so it was time to move on to Plan B: interrogate the suspects.
The first subject was the easiest. Kaia invited Princess Teresa to tea on the pretense of friendly conversation, and quickly began her list of mental questions.
"I hope you don't mind," she began, gesturing at the form of an allegedly sleeping Adrian in the corner. "He's just resting, so nothing to worry about." Of course, Princess Teresa had no idea that the Prince wasn't asleep at all; just pretending to be.
"Oh, I don't don't mind at all," Teresa assured her, taking a sip of her tea with a delicate hand. She looked a bit closer at Kaia. "You look a bit pale. Are you alright?"
"Fine. Just out of curiosity, where were you the night Adrian was poisoned?"
Teresa tilted her head. "I was sitting with my brother, on the Osturis side of the banquet. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious, as I said. You didn't see anyone slip something into his drink, did you? Or switch it out with another goblet, perhaps?"
"No, nothing of that sort. I was too busy talking to Vincent. I was reprimanding him, I suppose," she sighed. "What he said about Adrian was unfair, and I told him so. Next thing I knew, I heard a goblet crash to the ground." She shuddered, and genuine concern showed in her eyes. "It was terrifying; no one knew what was going on."
She doesn't seem very suspicious, Kaia noted gratefully, glad that her new friend appeared innocent.
"So who do you think did it? Poisoned the Prince, I mean," Teresa asked curiously.
Kaia shrugged. "Honestly...I don't know. I thought it may have been a servant who was close to Adrian's table, or..."
"My brother," Teresa finished solemnly. Kaia nodded. "I understand why you think that, considering the feud between the two Princes, but...I can assure you he didn't do it. Listen, I know you shouldn't take my word as the unbiased truth. Vincent is not a killer. An arrogant jerk, maybe. But not a killer."
Thinking of the conversation they had heard earlier, Kaia countered, "But what if he didn't do it for revenge? What if he just wanted to stir up trouble, to break up the alliance?"
The princess considered this. "It's a valid point. It doesn't change my views, but it's valid. Except, you're forgetting that it couldn't have been him; he was with me the whole time. I would have seen him get up and tamper with the goblet, as would have the rest of the court."
Unless he didn't poison it himself...or the Princess was in on it. There are too many questions that can't be answered.
"I'll keep investigating," Kaia said simply.

"So? What did you find?"
The King paced impatiently, crossing the room in long strides. Kaia couldn't help but notice how disheveled he looked; his usually slicked back hair hung in strands, and his robes looked messy.
"I believe the suspect is a servant named Solomon. I am unsure whether his actions were preceded by a greater enemy, but I believe it is he who put the poison in Prince Adrian's goblet," Kaia answered curtly.
King Magnus nodded. "He will be questioned."
Questioned. The way he said it sent a chill down Kaia's spine.
"If I may, sire...what will happen to Solomon?"
The King shrugged. "If he's guilty, he will be punished. If not, he will be released," he said dismissively. By the tone of his words, he clearly did not care about the fate of the servant.
"Of course, sire."
"I have ordered the Osturis Kingdom to stay, under the pretense that one of them is the poisoner. Do you think this is wise?"
Kaia hesitated. "I hardly think I am in a position to critique your political decisions, your highness. But the Osturians may take this as an offence." The King merely grunted in response, and Kaia excused herself. But as she turned to leave, the King motioned for her to stay.
"Before you go, did you do as I asked? Will Adrian be well in two days?"
"He's recovering quickly. I think he will be near full health soon. Perhaps not as strong as he could be, but well enough. I have to say, sire, it is a very straining process, as I'm sure you're well aware—"
"Well enough is not good enough, Lady Kaia. I am already risking enough for you to be here, at least fulfill what I hired you for. You promised me that you were strong enough to perform these kinds of things, and I expect you to follow out on that promise. He must be in healthy condition in two days."
"I don't think you fully understand the severity of poison—"
"Silence!"
Kaia shut her mouth obediently. It was not her place to contradict the King. "I apologize, sire...he will be fully recovered in two days."
"That's more like it. Remember to whom your real loyalties lie, girl."
Kaia walked out of that room with a frantically beating heart.

The young servant was tall and lanky, with his ashy hair parted to the side and eyes a shade of medium brown. He wasn't particularly striking, but he had appealing features all the same, and a scholarly look about him. He kneeled below the King, evidently trying— and failing— to hide his fear. The King's stony expression offered no comfort, nor did the mirrored expressions of the surrounding court. Only one face in particular stood out to Kaia; Princess Elanna. She seemed particularly worried, even though there was no reason for a Princess to be concerned with a servant.
Solomon was instructed to rise, and two guards detained him. Before he was carried off into the dungeons, the King had one last thing to ask him; a question that Kaia hadn't heard for years, and certainly not one she would expect to here.
"Do you have magic?"
Magic. It was not something that many were familiar with, but everyone knew it was there. Most people didn't have it, so most dismissed it as superstition. But Kaia knew better than anyone that magic was real. And clearly Welldyn did too.
"No, your highness," Solomon said timidly, bowing his head. The court showed no signs of shock that magic was being discussed so freely, Kaia observed. She thought back to her home, and the monthly witch and wizard hunts, the officials knocking on her door...
As Solomon was dragged away, Kaia caught another glimpse of Elanna's face, and was startled to see that she was crying. No one else noticed, strangely enough, but there was no denying the quiet tears that rolled down her face at the sight of the servant.
Later, the princess approached Kaia— and although the crying had ceased, there was still desperation in her voice as she clutched Kaia's shirt.
"You seem like a nice girl," she pleaded. "My father listens to you. Please...please tell him that Solomon is innocent. I know you have a conscience, and that you can make the right decisions. But I beg of you...Solomon is innocent." Her voice cracked and she hid her face as she scurried away.
There are too many strange things going on in this palace, Kaia thought, shaking her head. It's about time I learn its secrets

..................................
I'm not exactly a consistent updater, oh well.

I didn't update at all last week since a lot of things have happened; I broke up with my boyfriend, my computer broke, homework, homecoming, etc. Anyways...I still want to keep writing, and I will update in the future.

Adios :)