Once Sir Douglas and his knights entered the Queen's Chamber. Rianna told him everything and he was uncomfortable that he let three assassins break through his security.

"So, you're saying the assassins were vampires and were hired from the Kingdom of Marn?" Sir Douglas asked.

"It's a high likelihood, Sir Douglas. But far more concerning is the fact that the Duke hired an assassin as well. We are lucky that she has a sense of honor compared to those three. And that she's on our side now." Lady Nelumbo said as she gestured towards Wina.

Sir Douglas looked at the young girl with an appreciative gaze.

"Is this true Miss Wina?"

"Lady Wina. Sir Douglas," Queen Rianna corrected him.

"It's alright. And yes, it is true." Wina confirmed.

Sir Douglas rubbed his beard.

"Hmmm... How do you want to break this news to His Majesty, my Queen?" Sir Douglas asked.

"I do not know the best course of action, Sir Douglas. But if he knew of this assassination attempt. He would be furious but he would want more proof than Lady Wina's word that she was hired by his brother." Queen Rianna said.

Wina thought for a moment before she came up with an idea, "We could gather up all the moles and tell them that an assassination attempt on the Prince has failed?"

Mathew raised his eyebrow at the idea.

"They would panic and then one of them would most likely try and get word out to the Duke."

"We could have the King watch from one of the hidden rooms. Once they are confronted, I would expect one of them would crack. And out the Duke," Sir Douglas suggested.

"Yes, but what if they don't crack once we confront them?" Nelumbo added.

"Then I can appear in my Assassin's gear. There is one that I believe will lose his facade once he sees me," Wina said.

Everyone gave her a curious look.

"How do you know there are moles that are connected with the Duke?" Sir Douglas asked.

"Because I had to report to them monthly on why it was taking me so long to kill the prince. And this one footman thinks he could do better than I," Wina answered.

"I never knew we had such traitors in our ranks," said one of Sir Douglas's Knights. As he looked like he was going to spit in disgust.

The Queen, on the other hand, loved Wina's idea, but they needed to do a few more things to make sure this would work.

"I like this plan... We can't have any leaks. And we need to get the heads of my husband's council on board. Are they still on the palace grounds? Or have they retired for the night?" The Queen asked Sir Douglas.

"Lord Brice is still at the party while Lord Gawain is still in his study, my Queen." One knight responded.

"And I'll get General Kane as well, my Queen," Lady Nelumbo added.

"Good, have someone fetch them."

"Yes, my Queen," Nelumbo bowed and turned around, and walked out of the Queen's study with two other knights.

"And Sir Douglas... You know what has to be done, correct?" The Queen said.

Sir Douglas nodded.

"Yes, my Queen. We will locate all nine of those moles Lady Wina told us about. And I will see to it personally." Sir Douglas said.

The Queen smiled and nodded.

That's when they heard a sound coming from Mathew's direction as he fell over.

"Gah!" Mathew gasped in pain as his body could no longer take the stress of standing up after using his Lightning Rider ability.

Wina and Sir Douglas rushed to him and knelt down beside him.

"Mathew!" Wina said with worry in her voice.

"Ah! Haha... Aw... I think using my lightning while the toxin was in my system has wreaked havoc on my body and I'm paying the price... I thought I had a few more hours before my body was going to tell me to stop," Mathew laughed as his body was in a lot of pain.

"My Queen! Sir Mathew needs to rest. He's down for the count." Sir Douglas said as he lifted the young man with one arm over his shoulders.

"Ah... Ssssss! Dammit, my body is screaming at me... I'm not dying, Douglas... I'm just paying the price for getting pushed into a corner. Just give me a day of rest and I'll be good as new," Mathew tried to laugh.

"Don't push yourself, Mathew... I can't bear to watch something bad happen to you," Wina said with worry.

Mathew smiled at her, "I'm not going anywhere, princess. I have too much to live for. And the most important thing is right here."

"Mathew..." Wina blushed and her heart skipped a beat when Mathew looked at her and gave her a wink.

"Your Majesty, we should take him to the medical ward and have the doctor examine him," Sir Douglas said.

"Take him there quickly and quietly. We can't let the moles know that Mathew is down. They will know something is up and leave," The Queen said.

"Yes, your Majesty."

Sir Douglas left the Queen's study with a few knights following behind him.

'Mathew... Why do you have to make me feel this way?'

Wina shook her head and got back on her feet.

'No! Focus! This is the most important thing to happen in the kingdom... Well, at least for tonight,'

Wina thought.

"So, Lady Wina... Can you get Miss Rose in here? I need my maids to help me and watch over the prince before we can start the show.

"Of course, your Majesty," Wina bowed and went out the door.

"Now we just need my husband to join us. When the time is right," The Queen said as she sat down in a chair next to her desk.

***

General Kane was sitting at a table with one of his Colonels drinking wine as most of the partygoers had left the ballroom.

"So, I told him! That if you don't stop being an ass to your wife. I would kick the shit out of you." The Colonel was telling a story about his daughter's wedding.

"If only that would work," Kane chuckled.

"Ah, it's not that simple when you have a stubborn son-in-law... But when you have a strong-willed daughter. She does all the ass-kicking herself. Hells, she would kick mine if I ever tried to help her without her permission," The Colonel chuckled.

Just then the door swung open.

"Sir General Kane. My apologies for interrupting you. But I must speak with you."

"Lady Nelumbo? What brings you to this side of the palace? Does the Queen really need to see me that bad?" Kane asked with a hint of playfulness in his tone as he was a little buzzed from the wine.

Lady Nelumbo was annoyed by the general's lack of professionalism and walked up to him and whispered into his ear.

The general was about to make another smart-ass comment until he heard her say.

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"There was a Code White in the Prince's room. Three down not including the rats we know of," She whispered.

General Kane's domainer was back and his eyes were serious.

"I'm sorry Colonel, but it seems the Queen is calling me back to my duties. Make sure the men are sharp while I'm gone." Kane said as he stood up and nodded to the colonel.

The Colonel stood up and saluted his superior as he walked away.

"Of course, General Kane. I will wait here for your return," The Colonel said with a smile.

***

The General and the knights were walking down the hall to where his captain was stationed.

"Give me the details, Lady Nelumbo." General Kane said.

"Three vampire assassins killed a guard, a squire, and a maid. And another squire is in the Ward after retrieving Sir Douglas and his men. Sir Mathew said he had to use his abilities to take down his opponent."

"And Sir Mathew is still standing after that? Impressive." General Kane said.

"Well, he didn't look too good when he made it to the Queen's chamber," Lady Nelumbo stated.

"That doesn't surprise me. How's the prince?"

"He's sleeping soundly and the Royal Wet Nurse was an assassin that was hired by the Duke," Lady Nelumbo said as a matter of fact.

General Kane was a bit surprised but kept his stoic face, "So... Alaric was a fool after all... What happened to the assassin?"

"She turned on her client and saved not only the prince. But the other squire and Sir Mathew. The Queen had the assassin become the prince's Royal Guard. Her name is Wina."

"Hmmm... So, the Queen had a change of heart towards the girl. She must be something special. Has anyone reached out to Lord Brice yet?

"No, but we have reached out to Lord Gawain and he will speak to Lord Brice. Once he's in the fold, I'm sure they will meet up with the King and bring His Majesty to the East Wing. Sir Douglas is looking for the rest of the moles in the palace as we speak," Nelumbo replied.

"So, that's where we're having this interrogation? That's good, fewer eyes and ears. I will have my captain and five of his best men join me." General Kane said.

"I need to return to the Queen. Is there anything else you need General?"

"No, my lady. Thank you. We will wait for the King and then head to the east wing for the interrogation," General Kane said.

Nelumbo bowed and walked in the opposite direction while the two other knights stood by the General.

"Then I shall send word to Lord Brice and tell him where you'll be?" One of the other knights said.

"He should know where I'll be. But I need you to get five more knights ready from the southern barracks. Tell them it's a Code Blue. They will understand." General Kane said.

The knights split up with one of them staying with the General while the other went south.

"Alaric... You're a dead man..." The General whispered to himself as he waited in the hallway.

***

A few minutes later in the main hall of the palace just outside the party. It was almost midnight and there were a few nobles still lingering around talking to each other about the party.

Lord Brice and his wife were in the middle of a conversation with a Baron when Lord Gawain came in with a worried look on his face.

"Huh? Lord Gawain? I thought you were done for the night?" Baron Thaddeus Windermere asked.

"Baron, I would like a word with Lord Brice in private. Would you excuse us?" Lord Gawain said.

"I-of course... Have a good night," The Baron was a little taken aback but bowed and left.

"What's the matter, Lord Gawain?" Lord Brice asked.

Lord Gawain stepped closer and spoke in a quiet voice.

"I received word that there was an attempt on the prince's life."

Lord Brice showed a bit of anger before he regained his calm.

"Is the prince alright? Did you find the culprit?"

"The prince is safe and the attackers were killed. And it's complicated. But the short answer is the King's Brother hired an assassin," Lord Gawain said.

"My... So, that bastard has finally made his move..."

"There's more..."

"Tell me," Lord Brice said.

Lord Gawain tells Lord Brice everything that has transpired up to now.

"And now the Queen and the others are waiting for us to inform His Majesty and to meet with them at the East Wing.

"And you want me to inform the King? I guess I'm the one who always has to break the bad news to His Majesty... Very well, we should get going."

Lord Brice took his wife's hand and kissed it.

"It looks like duty calls my dear," Lord Brice smiled at his wife.

"Oh? And why am I not invited to this little meeting? Are we not on the same side, husband?" Lady Hana asked.

"Unfortunately it's about kingdom business. It might be a long night, but I will inform you once it's over."

Lady Hana sighed, "Alright, you can tell me later."

"Thank you, love."

Lord Brice bowed and kissed his wife on the lips.

"Come on, Lord Gawain."

"R-right," Lord Gawain and Lord Brice walked out of the hall and made their way towards the King's throne room.

"This is going to be a long night..." Lord Brice muttered as he weaved his way around some of the staff and they were cleaning up the hall.

"Tell me about it... This is a huge mess... You know how he is about his older brother. He's pitied him his entire life," Lord Gawain said.

"Yes, the older brother syndrome... It's the only thing holding back our King. I just pray that the Goddess will show him wisdom. And finally put Duke Alaric in his place," Lord Brice scoffed.

Lord Gawain was a little shocked.

"You want to see Alaric die? But the Prime Minister won't allow it. He keeps saying that a civil war would break out if the Duke was killed," Lord Gawain said.

"The only reason Duval Wrightwood is still the Prime Minister is because of winning over Baroness Ysandra Fairchild and Baron Thaddeus Windermere. Without them in his camp, he wouldn't have had the majority of the major lords to maintain his position." Brice said as he waved his hand and two knights opened the door.

"I know! I know... I will find a way to get the Baroness and Baron back to His Majesty's side. I just need time."

"You may not have that time," Lord Brice said.

Lord Gawain stopped walking, "Impossible..."

"I'll tell you about it later but first we need to deal with the main problem at hand." Lord Brice said as they saw King Cyndre and Earl Nathaniel Valerian having a drink together.

"Good evening, your Majesty, and Earl Valerian." Lord Brice said.

The three of them were sitting by the balcony of the Throne Room.

"Ah, Lord Brice and Lord Gawain. It usually isn't good to see you this late at night. Did some minor lords start arguing over some land dispute again?" King Cyndre said.

"It's not about a land dispute, Your Majesty. But I do have bad news," Lord Brice said.

King Cyndre and Earl Nathaniel both looked at each other for a second before King Cyndre gave Lord Brice a nod.

"Go ahead, Lord Brice," The King said.

"Your Highness... There was an attempt on Prince Quinus's life tonight," Lord Brice said with a serious face.

Earl Valerian was the first to react.

"WHAT?!"

Earl Valerian stood up with a shocked expression and was about to say something when King Cyndre raised his hand.

"Easy, Nate... It sounds like my son is fine... Am I correct, Lord Brice?" King Cyndre asked.

"Yes, your Majesty... He's sleeping soundly with the Queen. But three are dead because of the attack," Lord Brice responded.

They all could see the King's throat twitch and his eyes narrowed as his jaw tightened.

"And... Who was responsible?" The King's voice was a little shaky.

"It seems that the Kingdom of Marn is the possible suspect. But the assassins were vampires... They were killed on the spot. Hopefully, they were only trying to make a name for themselves instead of the other possibility."

"What?! Vampires?! That's impossible... Those bastards haven't dared step foot on the mainland of Agon for hundreds of years!" Earl Valerian shouted.

The King was silent as he took a deep breath and relaxed a little.

"I feel there's something more you're not telling me," The King said.

"Yes, there is more. A lot more but I warn you. You're not going to enjoy this, Your Majesty," Lord Brice said with a serious tone.

"Go on," The King said.

Lord Brice and Lord Gawain looked at each other.

Lord Brice sighed, "It turns out that the Royal Wet Nurse is a hired assassin. And she was hired to kill your son. But the strange thing is, she turned on her employer and protected the Prince. If it wasn't for her six people would have died, including the Prince... Her Majesty has tested her loyalty by using her family's ability and she bears the sigil of your house, My King. It seems her story was true and she's not a threat. She is currently guarding the prince and the queen."

"How interesting... It's like the goddess wanted her to be there..." Earl Valerian said as he sat down.

King Cyndre wasn't relaxed though.

"Is that all?"

"Not quite... I know this is going to be hard to swallow. But, it appears that your brother is responsible for hiring the assassin that became the Royal Wet Nurse," Lord Brice said.

The King was stunned for a second.

"WHAT?! SHE'S LYING!" yelled the King.

Lord Brice, Lord Gawian, and Earl Nathanial all cringed at the same time.

"I can understand your doubts, Your Highness. But the now-loyal-assassin has given us info about servants loyal to the Duke who are being rounded up at the East Wing. It's best if we talk about this with the others. And now isn't the time to be yelling Your Highness. It's the dead of night and most of the nobles are still here." Lord Brice said.

King Cyndre was a bit embarrassed as he calmed down.

"I will not believe my brother would stoop to such a low to kill his own nephew... What are the odds of the assassin becoming the Royal Wet Nurse anyway? It's just too convenient," The King said.

"I wish I shared your faith in your brother, Your Highness... But he's been working really hard to get the loyalty of the minor lords to his side. He may say he loves this Kingdom but his actions suggest otherwise," Earl Valerian said to his friend.

"Enough... We need to get the facts straight. And my brother will answer for his actions. If they are true. You said my wife is in the East Wing waiting to interrogate these suspected moles? Then I will be the one to say if it's true or not," King Cyndre said as he got up and headed out of the throne room.

"Can I come along?" Earl Valerian asked.

"Yes, I think you'll need to see the truth with your own eyes," King Cyndre said as a knight opened the doors.

"It's going to be a long night... Isn't it," Lord Gawain said with a pained look on his face.

"Just keep a calm head. If this does escalate, it will get very bloody and very fast," Lord Brice said.

Lord Gawain nodded.

"Let's go."

Lord Brice and the others followed behind the King and Earl.