The word physician still hung in the air.
Elira’s chest rose and fell too fast.
Her hands had fallen to her sides, but her fingers twitched like she wanted to cover herself again.
King Zareth didn’t move.
He just studied her.
That black, unreadable gaze sweeping from her face to her hands to the faint tremor in her shoulders.
“Should I call the Physician?” he repeated.
Softer this time.
Elira shook her head immediately.
“No.
I… I don’t need one.
I’m… I’m fine.” Her voice trembled softly.
Zareth didn’t push.
He tilted his head, like he was filing the answer away.
“Alright,” he said simply.
Then Zareth smirked.
“Though if you keep jumping like a cornered rabbit every time I’m near you, people will start thinking I beat you.” Elira blinked.
“I don’t….” “You do.” He stepped closer, tapped her nose with one finger.
“Your eyes go wide.
Like this.” He deliberately widened his own eyes and Elira nearly laughed, but she held it back “See?” Zareth’s smirk deepened.
“Always feel relaxed, Elira.
I don’t bite ” He dropped his hand and turned toward the door.
“Rest, princess.
I have urgent matters to attend to” “I’ve been resting since we returned to Nebuzza.” “It’s ok, rest more!” He chuckled.
And with that, he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.
Elira exhaled.
She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath.
She thought of Zareth’s round eyes and smiled.
He looked….cute.
She looked out the window and sighed.
The queen Dowager had intended to introduce her to the royal Harem court, but her health hadn’t stabilized yet.
And Nasha, she had shielded her from the eyes of the curious public.
Always touring her around the palace, away from Maron.
The garden was the only place that didn’t watch her.
Nasha had said.
“It’s your personal place to dwell, my lady.” She slipped out an hour later.
Basket in hand, shears tucked at her hip.
The evening breeze was alive.
It moved through the flowers and made the leaves whisper.
She knelt by the lavender.
Pinching off dead blooms.
Weeding.
Letting the soil get under her fingernails.
It felt honest.
Just her.
The low golden sun.
And the smell of earth.
“You’re doing it wrong.” Elira jerked up.
A young man stood at the edge of the path.
Hands behind his back.
His brown hair fluttered with the wind.
“You’re cutting too much,” he said carefully.
“If you cut the stem here, it won’t grow back right.” Elira didn’t answer, rather, she searched around, maybe for Nasha .
But it was just them.
Then, she studied him.
He was tall and slender, but he carried himself with too much grace to be a servant.
He chuckled at her frightened reaction.
“You don’t have to be afraid.
I don’t bite” he smiled “I’m Darius” Elira’s eyes widened a bit at the realization.
So the legendary son, Darius.
And Zareth’s favorite.’ she thought.
She dipped respectfully.
“Prince Darius!” He winced.
“Don’t.
Just Darius Please.” He came closer, but stopped three steps away.
“I…
I saw you walking towards the garden” he said.
“I thought you might want help with the flowers.” “I’m fine.
Thank you.” She said and something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
“Are you?
Elira looked at the Lavender she had handled earlier and the one he had cut.
The difference was clear and she gave a weak smile.
“I know.” He nodded .
“I just… I was wondering before you arrived at Nebuzza, why so much flowers, but seeing you” he chuckled a bit “it was worth it.” Oh.
“Yeah.” Darius finally crouched, keeping a respectful distance between them.
He picked up a weed and pulled it out carefully.
“The flowers look peaceful….
just like the princess of Elarion.” Elira chuckled.
She liked him already.
“I didn’t know the young prince is so good with words.” Elira crouched beside him while the flowers hid their presence in its territory.
And Darius, his ears reddened.
“I… I uhh…” “It’s ok!” She smiled.
“I came to check on the new flowers brought from Herbendnez.
They look like they might not survive.” “They will, if well taken care of.
They’re still adjusting to the new environment.” He tugged out another weed and got up.
He swept his gaze over the garden and smiled as the wind moved through them.
Elira rose beside him.
“I have to get back to the training ground before Heman come finds me himself” Darius said.
Elira laughed softly.
“Is the training quite hard?” Darius nodded, but then he shrugged.
“Though, It’s worth it.” He hesitated.
“If anyone bothers you here, Anyone at all, you can rely on me.” Elira smiled.
“Thank you for your concern, Prince Darius” she said.
“It’s Darius!” Elira chuckled.
“Alright Darius.
It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He grinned, relieved.
“Yeah.
That.
And I hope we get along well… sister.” He bowed, then turned and began walking away.
Elira watched his back as he go, and she felt something soft tugging in her chest.
“He just called her… sister!” A name no one had ever called her.
Then she looked down at the lavender in her hand, and then towards his direction.
“I hope we get along too… brother!” **** **** It was dawn-next day.
King Zareth sat on his throne made in steel and power, arms crossed.
The royal courtroom was in chaos.
Duke Edric Velloran of wintergate had presented a matter to the king.
“Your highness, this trade is becoming more out of my control.
I had my men look into it and they discovered something terrible.” He signaled a guard who handed a pouch to him.
He walked up to the king who sat on his throne, not saying much.
His dark gaze kept darting through the room.
Duke Velloran stretched out his hand which held the pouch towards him.
“Take a look your highness.” He handed him the pouch and stepped back .
Zareth calmly took it from him and loosened the rope.
The first thing that hit him was the smell of wet dust, damp cave and and mushrooms left too long.
He scrunched his nose and then poured it out on his hand.
It felt cold.
Too cold that his hands felt very numb.
Then he looked at Duke Velloran.
“You didn’t mention you were planning to numb my fingers with this” Oh!
Duke Velloran rushed forward and took it from him.
He was putting on gloves.
“I forgot to mention you needed gloves to touch it” he chuckled awkwardly and Zareth scowled at him.
“So… what is that?” He asked.
“They call it frostglass your highness!” The Duke answered.
“And it’s very dangerous.” “It’s true your highness.
One of my guards died not long ago.
It was a terrible sight your highness.” Lord Beren Holt said and there was an uproar of agreement within the halls.
Zareth didn’t speak, he just stare at them acting like spoiled brats.
They just kept throwing words without actually making him understand.
King Zareth raised his head, and his eyes landed on Maron.
He just stood at the end of the table even though there were enough chairs to settle in.
Maron’s eyes were fixed on the council members and there was something in his expression that Zareth found ….
Suspicious.
Just then, Maron raised his head and their eyes met.
They held each other’s gaze like a challenge.
Zareth stared with cold eyes while Maron stared with a mocking smile ‘you can’t even control those that you rule’ King Zareth tilted his head as he realized the mocking smile being thrown his way.
He stood up calmly, not abruptly and the whole room quieted down.
So silent that they could hear the sound of their own breathing.
Then he smirked at Maron, as though mocking him back.
“Duke Edric Velloran,” he turned towards the Duke.
“since you can’t control a trade that is spreading in Wintergate, does it mean Wintergate has lost its control?” He asked and the Duke’s mouth dropped.
“You can’t say such a thing your highness.
I have tried keeping it under control, but I think someone in position is involved.” The room went dead silent.
Zareth was silent for a while before nodding slightly.
“How dangerous is this…frostglass?” He asked and the Duke sighed.
Not in frustration, but in sheer happiness because the king wants to look into the matter himself.
Just then, general Alaric stepped up.
He bowed deeply to the king.
“If I may your highness.
The frostglass is not something you can explain.
You rather see yourself.” He signaled and two soldiers dragged someone in.
They left him and he fell on the ground with a heavy thud.
General Alaric came closer and turned him over to face the king.
And that was when he noticed.
The man dragged in looked quite young.
A soldier judging by his uniform.
He looked so pale that even his veins stood out sharply against his skin.
He was shaking uncontrollably and couldn’t even kneel down properly.
He looked like a walking corpse already.
“The more you take it, the more you get addicted to it.
And within a week, it starts freezing you from the insides.
That’s what is happening to him now, your highness.” General Alaric explained.
Zareth nodded understanding the situation.
And looking at matters, his soldiers were already taking it.
He needs to put a stop to this before it gets out of control.
“I will see to it Duke Velloran.
I will make sure I end this.” He said and they hailed him.
The court was later dismissed and one by one, the court room was empty, except for king Zareth and….
Maron.
“Brother.” Maron called out, stepping forward.
“Maron.” King Zareth answered as he alighted from his throne to meet him.
Maron glanced around with a smirk tugged on his face, then he faced Zareth.
“I haven’t welcomed you properly, forgive me brother .
Certain matters kept me occupied.” Zareth chuckled.
“Oh dear brother, I know you must be quite busy and I actually did not hold it against you.” He held a meaningful smile.
“Oh, I have met with the peace bride” Maron stressed the title peace bride.
Zareth did not react, rather his smile deepened.
“She is quite a beauty.” “Hmmh!
I know,” Zareth laughed “but I appreciate that you noticed.” Maron’s smile faltered a bit.
Then he slipped on the perfect mask again.
“Well…., why hasn’t she been introduced to the royal Harem?
Does the queen Dowager not find her… appealing?” He smiled.
“Oh…., about that” Zareth pretended to think.
“You should see them drinking tea together… It was a sight to behold.” “If that’s the case then, the noble women can’t wait to meet her.
And lady Akira also.” He watched Zareth closely for the smallest reaction…but nothing.
Slowly, a frustration began to grow behind the flawless smile.
“Instead of worrying about my marriage life Maron,” Zareth stepped closer.
“why don’t we discuss about the frostglass that is being smuggled through Nebuzza!” Silence.
Then Maron laughed lightly.
“You think I’m involved?” “I never said so brother.” He tilted his head “But I thought…since you oversaw the kingdom while I was away, you should at least know something.” “It’s not my place to deal with such matters” Maron answered.
“Sure…it isn’t.” Zareth smirked.
The message was unmistakable ‘know your place!’ And then he brushed past him, heading towards the door.
“And Maron..” he paused “Stay away from Elira.” The door closed.
And immediately, Maron’s mask fell.
He clenched his fist until his knuckles turned white.