SYLPHENA KELTHYRA:

“How’s he doing?” I asked Asia as she stood over Alexander, touching his forehead to check if the fever had gone down.

“The treatment was successful, but I’m not sure when he’ll wake up.” Asia sighed, glancing back at my husband and me.

“Will he. . . be alright?” Alice whispered, adjusting the flowers she brought from the garden before placing them in a porcelain vase.

“His ribs were cracked, internal organs damaged, mana pathways clogged with toxic mana, and his core damaged,” Asia explained, to which Alice dropped her gaze with her eyes half-closed and a subtle frown. “However, he’ll make a full recovery without any permanent damage.”

“Really?” Alice’s gaze darted to Asia, taking a deep breath before sighing in relief.

One look at her was enough to let me know Alice felt guilty for what happened to Alexander.

“Yes. Despite Alexander’s poor condition, most of the damage done was mitigated by some form of healing he received.”

“Must’ve been Draining Touch,” Alice said, glancing at Alex, who was soundly asleep.

“A necromancy spell?” Asia looked confused, turning to Elwyn. “Since when-”

“Even if I knew how to use necromancy, I’d never teach it to him,” Elwyn interrupted her. “That’s something he learned before he came to us.”

“I see. . . Well, I won’t pry further.” Asia reverted her attention to Alice. “Regardless, thanks to the healing factor of his spell, the toxic mana he suddenly released didn’t kill him outright. It also stopped his organs from rupturing, making it possible for me to restore them.”

“So he’ll really be alright?” Alice asked again with a shy smile, thankful he was able to be saved.

“Please. . . Why do you think I’m called a miracle worker? Even if he was to return with no arms or legs, I’d be able to make him as good as new.” She walked around the bed, grabbing Alice’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. He’ll be perfect once he wakes up.”

“Thank you,” Alice mumbled, embracing her aunt with a tight hug.

“No need, darling.” Asia rubbed her back with a soft smile while glancing at me, giving me a nod.

“What happened to the Astral Moonflower?” Alice asked. "Will you be able to make use of it?"

“It barely survived, but it should be good enough for making the antidote given enough time. Just more work for me I guess," she sighed. "Truthfully, had it not been for that man Razivolt, I doubt it would’ve been possible.”

Alice wasn't made aware because she was still in recovery, but Razivolt, the faeborn druid the kids met, not only helped with recovering the Astral Moonflower but also stabilized it once it reached Thysa. It was a miracle it survived such a chaotic battle.

Thanks to my brother, we were able to see the fight using his divination magic on the flower. However, while his gift allowed us to learn what happened that night, we were sadly unable to find out who placed the monster in the garden since the flower hadn’t bloomed yet.

After the fight, Alice woke up and had Razivolt use healing on Alex before they carried him back together. Luckily, their injuries were negligible in comparison, and thanks to the boar, they were able to carry him back before his wounds got the better of him.

“How long will making the antidote take?” I asked, glancing at my husband’s cold expression before looking back at Asia.

“A few days at most? It’ll be done before he wakes up, so as soon as his core is repaired, he can begin the treatment.”

“Thank you for helping him,” my husband said, feeling responsible for his student’s condition.

“You too?” Asia cracked a smile, no longer hugging Alice as she walked back to Alexander. “Come on. Compared to the injuries I had to patch up for you, this is nothing.”

She made sure to infuse fresh mana into his system to help fight off the fever caused by mana leaking out of his core. Luckily, Alexander subconsciously recovered mana due to the ability he trained since awakening, and the frozen mana core made it impossible for Mana Freezing to cause him as much harm as it would to others.

“His injuries?” Alice asked, never hearing about her father getting hurt.

“You should’ve seen it-”

“Maybe we should leave war stories for another time,” I interrupted before we all heard a knock on the door. “Who is it?”

“Revi, Your Majesty,” said one of the Royal Guards.

“Come in,” Elwyn spoke up.

The doors opened as Revi immediately bowed respectfully to everyone in the room.

“Have they gathered?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“Yes, they await your arrival in the meeting hall.”

“Thank you, Revy. You’re free to go.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Revi said, bowing again before leaving the room.

“Alice, stay with Alex. We’ll be right back,” said Elwyn, slowly making his way out.

“Will everything be alright?” Alice asked.

“Have faith in your parents,” Asia said, looking back at me. “I’ll stay with them, but inform me later what happened.”

“I will.”

----------------------------------------

Walking down the hallway next to Elwyn, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of his typical cheerful self as we were on our way to meet the twelve elders.

“I know that look. . .” I broke the silence, glancing at the sword strapped to his belt.

“I should’ve listened to you.” His cold glare and low tone would frighten many. It was rare for something to push him over the edge with how goofy he could be most of the time. “If only we sent someone to follow them, none of this would’ve happened.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Your reasons were sound,” I reassured him, reaching for his hand and holding it gently as we continued walking. “And it’s not like we’ll be able to protect them forever. At least Alex fully awakened his gift.”

“I was eager to fulfill our daughter’s wish, to send her out on an adventure outside the city so that she’d feel free like I once was. My foolishness almost cost them their lives.”

“You wanted what was best for them, and it’s not as if they didn’t ask for it.”

“I should’ve done more.”

“We sent scouts days before their trip to reassure ourselves that it was safe.” Gripping his hand firmly, I whispered, “It’s not your fault. If anything, we should share the blame since I agreed with you when you proposed the idea.”

“Thanks, love.” He finally looked at me, but it was short-lived as he turned again shortly. “I hope you’re not saying all this so I wouldn’t cause a scene.”

I chuckled, matching my husband’s energy.

“Don’t worry.” We stopped in front of the doors. “I’ll make sure your sword points in the right direction.”

Pushing the doors open for me, my husband took the lead as we entered the meeting hall.

Sitting around a large round table in their luxurious chairs were the twelve elders, most of whom I had disliked since I was little; however, their influence proved invaluable for the prosperity of Thysa. Among them, or rather spread around the hall, were also six Royal Guards I demanded to be present during the meeting.

An eerie silence filled the room as we walked around them leisurely before we sat down on the opposite end. Everyone must’ve known by now why we gathered, and I could tell my husband’s glare had them spooked.

“Your Majesty, may we know why you summoned us?” Elder Lerion of House Yaldra asked, one of the few people loyal to House Kelthyra.

“Of course, Elder Lerion.” I leaned forward, resting my arms on the table. “Ever since ascending the throne, I’ve done everything within my power for the sake of Thysa and its people. Thanks to my husband, we were able to repel invaders from the west and secure a lasting peace between the humans and elves, something many believed impossible. We forged a powerful bond with the ruling party of the Grand Academy of Nuia and have sent hundreds of our children to study and learn about different cultures and magic. The people are happy, and our traditions are passed on and respected. We even managed to reclaim lost relics we believed to be gone forever. But despite the prosperity we brought, someone dared make an attempt on the Royal Princess’ life. My daughter’s life.”

Even Elder Zavix, a man known to be a loudmouth during our meetings, stayed quiet.

“Surely you don’t believe one of us could’ve done such a thing,” spoke up Elder Seltra of House Ivosya, one of the four houses that commonly started trouble.

“Of course not. I’m well aware that none of you spineless bastards dare do your own dirty work.”

I saw the visible shock on his face as I insulted him for the first time since he had known me.

“Preposterous! You might be-”

“Watch your tone,” Elwyn interrupted with a lowered tone, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.

I could tell Elder Seltra wanted to say something, but he wouldn’t dare test my husband’s patience when in such a mood.

“Your Majesty, were we summoned so that one of us would be accused of attempted assassination? I hope the Council is at least presented with some form of evidence,” said Elder Methya, the only other woman on the Council, representing House Faera.

“No. I summoned you to deliver a warning,” I said, crossing my arms while looking Elder Methya dead in the eye. “I’ve turned a blind eye to your rebellious acts, but you’ve crossed a line you shouldn’t have. It’s only a matter of time before my brother’s divination magic reveals the truth, and when he does, I’ll make sure to make an example that you’ll all remember.”

The room became silent again as nobody dared talk back.

“Does anyone wish to confess?” Elwyn’s penetrating gaze traced through everyone. “If you admit your wrongdoings now, I’ll execute you for the attempted murder of my daughter and my student, but I’ll allow your families to live.”

Of course no one stepped up to take the blame.

“Well.” I slapped the table, making a few gasp while pulling their attention to me. “That’s all I wanted to say. You’re dismissed.”

I wondered how unbearable the tension was for them as I watched them all slowly get out of their chairs and take their leave.

Clearing my throat, I said, “Elder Zavix, would you mind staying back for a moment?”

“Of course, your Majesty.” He was the last to get up, still within arm’s reach of his chair.

“Honey,” I looked to Elwyn. “Would you mind-”

“I’ll go see how Alice is doing,” he didn’t even let me finish, guessing what I was going to ask.

“Thank you.” I turned to the Royal Guards. “You as well.”

Soon the room cleared out, and only the two of us remained as we sat across from each other.

“Your Majesty.” He looked composed. “How may I be of service?”

“You seem awfully calm.”

“Despite what you might believe, I had nothing to do with the attempt on the Princess’ life. Simply put, it would go against everything I’d worked toward.”

Considering he wanted his grandson Aymon to marry my daughter, I believed him.

“That doesn’t change the fact that the other houses gather behind you when wishing to cause a scene.”

“Are you saying I’m guilty by association?”

“Elder Zavix, we don’t often see eye to eye, but I respect you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“However.” I lowered my voice, gazing into his green eyes flickered with gold. “I’m not as kind to forgive someone attempting to lay a hand on my beloved daughter. Do I make myself clear?”

“I’m well aware of the love you share for your family, but I still don’t know who did it,” he reassured me, sounding displeased with the situation. “If I learn anything, I’ll be sure to let you know. I have no intentions of aligning myself with fools.”

We silently stared at each other before a sigh escaped me.

“Very well. You may leave.”

He immediately got up and bowed, leaving without saying another word.

“He seemed in a rush,” said Orist, appearing out of thin air as he dropped the Invisibility spell. “You’ve made quite the interesting move, considering everything we talked about.”

“Now that we infiltrated their ranks, we’ll know their secrets soon enough.”

I watched as the nonchalant dark elf sat a few chairs to my right.

“They’re playing right into your hand,” he said, tapping the table with his fingers. “But will your husband be able to hold on until then? He almost sliced my head off as soon as he entered the room. I’m sure nobody else noticed, but he is quite the frightening man.”

“You failed to notice a monster being let loose. Are you losing your touch?”

“Woah, no need to glare at me like that. . .” He awkwardly smiled as our eyes met. “Are you sure it was elves that did it?”

“Are you saying someone outside of Thysa arranged it?”

“I can’t be certain, but it’d be a bit surprising to learn they got past me.” He was cocky, but for a good reason. “Maybe there’s more to this than meets the eye.”

“Doesn’t matter as long as our goal is achieved,” I said, standing back up with the intent of leaving. “Just make sure you do your job.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get it done.” He smirked. “Trust me.”

As I reached the door, I turned back to him. “Orist, where were you last night?”

“Huh?” He looked confused. “Resting in my room as you allowed me. . . Why?”

He lied.

“Nothing,” I said with a sigh. “Maybe I should’ve asked you to look over the kids while on their mission. Maybe we could’ve avoided all this.”

“Too late for that.” He chuckled. “But hey, it might turn out to be in your favor, and the kids are fine, which is important.”

“True,” I said, turning my back to him. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Leaving the meeting hall, I made my way back to my husband.

Orist. I never trusted him in the first place.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.