Idiots, that’s what they were. Complete and utter buffoons. The nobility of Koenig were set in their ways and would do everything possible to keep the bubble from bursting. The imbalance of wealth in the kingdom had been reaching unimaginable peaks. Their pockets overflow with gold and jewellery, while the average commoner struggles to afford a mug of mead at the end of the day.
While the nobility sit around sampling the most expensive of champagnes and wines, a fire they ignited begins to burn within the palace. They patiently await her response, yet not realising just how moronic “poisoning” a member of the royal family would be. It doesn’t matter if the foreigner was involved through marriage, they’d still meet the same fate either way…
‘Urgh… I feel like I’ve been runover by a bulldozer. This sucks.’
This memory couldn’t have come a worse time, as I shiver in bed and struggle to see more than two feet in front of me. I don’t recall ever feeling this ill, and my insides still cramp up, even now.
Dazed and somewhat out of it, the whole world twirls and spins while I lie here. I’ve… drunk so many vials. At first, it felt so good, like I was soaring through the sky like a bird. I could force my minions to do anything, no matter how sinister.
But now I’m freezing, yet I sweat like a vixen in heat. It doesn’t help that my heart aches for Ashia’s past. At least one of my concerns I can rid myself of, considering death is looking far less likely now…
“What is the matter with you, Ashia!? To allow something like this to happen!”
“You think I purposely did this!? How dare you, Mother!”
“Please… keep it down. This isn’t helping the patient.”
‘Urgh… the noise… no, no, no! Not the bird, anything but that blasted bird!’
So much shouting… and a huge bird right in front of me! I’m definitely one of four inside the room, but I’m struggling to make out who’s next to me. The Princess is obviously here, and so is her mother. The magic she uses on me makes me quiver, as if all my blood shakes from that disgusting mist that surrounds her.
The bird man, however, all I can think of is a medieval quack who recommends leeches for every treatment. I don’t want him to come close!
‘This is torture! I haven’t the strength to even respond!’
“How’s she faring now?”
“Not great, Your Highness. She grows weaker and more feverish, but at least have some solace knowing this isn’t the result of poison.”
“What do you mean?”
Hearing the Princess’s voice so devoid of emotion makes me want to jump out of bed. But alas, I freaking can’t!
“This is the result of your paranoia, Ashia. There is no cure-all solution to poison; you know this! Even using my magic right now, I can’t detect, nor absorb anything.”
“That might not be entirely correct, Your Majesty. I’m fairly certain things aren’t being helped by how strong her menstrual cycle is.”
“Sure, but when one consumes a dozen antidotes, all at once, on an empty stomach no less! She’s bound to be in agony. I’d be more worried if she wasn’t suffering.”
“You should’ve known better, Ashia. Normal people don’t have the blood you inherit. You let your paranoia cloud your judgment!”
…
The room grows deathly quiet from a mother scolding her daughter. In all honesty, if I could speak, I’d tell the Queen to shove it.
In the situation we find ourselves in, desperate times call for desperate measures. In times of panic, who can honestly say they act with one hundred per cent efficiency? We both thought I had been poisoned!
“Will she be okay?”
“Of course, just give her some time. Keep her off solids for now, but make sure she drinks water by the bucket. The faster we allow the antidotes to be filtered out, the faster she’ll recover.”
‘He’s not going to suggest leeches or anything like that? Okay, the bird speaks sense.’
“Give it a day or two, she’ll probably be able to talk. A week, she’ll be as right as rain. If anything happens, contact me. But for now, she just needs rest.”
“Great! No mother wants to see her daughter-in-law in such a state. I’m curious why there’s an egg in here though…”
Both the Queen and the bird man leave, leaving just us two alone. Again, my mind wants to reassure Ashia, yet all I can do is watch on as she grows depressed, remaining as quiet as a mouse.
“Frost… please drink. This is all my doing, resent me as much as you want. I deserve it.”
‘Urgh! Stop it!’
She places a cup of water to my lips, and it takes all my effort to swallow just a sip of water. I can’t even get frustrated and yell at her to cheer up!
Knock knock.
…
Giving no response to the knocking, she stays by my side until the person responsible for making the racket enters by herself.
A brown-haired maid enters the room, this time I’m more than certain this isn’t someone in disguise. What she holds in her grasp, however, I haven’t a clue.
“I’m not paranoid, Anna. Those two don’t have the infor—”
“A wig? You already started the investigation?”
“I planned to, Your Highness. However, this was left on your bed. To be this brazen… those responsible are far too arrogant.”
All along, this is why the Princess was so adamant to only consume food and drink served by Anna. The spies inside this palace used this to our disadvantage!
“If they had truly wished to poison Madam Frost, they’d have succeeded. I’ve also got a decent idea who might’ve worn this.”
As Anna passes the wig over to Ashia, my temper rises, causing my fever to worsen. Is there something inside the wig I can’t see?
“There are several strands of blonde hair... at least this confirms her allegiance.”
‘It was that energetic blonde bitch!? I knew I couldn’t trust her!’
“You always make the right decisions, Anna. But for now… I think it’s time for a wrong one. We have to act.”
An intense aura fills the room, stronger and more gripping than anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s as if the very oxygen inside my lungs is being absorbed and consumed by the fire burning off Ashia. I can’t breathe like this!
“Cut it out, Ashia! Think for a moment who your temper hurts the most.”
“Ah… I’m so sorry, Frost. I’m always hurting you, it seems.”
Anger and sadness, frustration and fury. She can’t even look at me anymore because of how guilty she feels. I fucking hate this! I’d have been better knocked out!
“I agree with your desire for revenge. However, you once told me there’s a perfect time to act. You know this is imperfect.”
Again, she explodes in anger, but this time she backs off and keeps her aura far more contained.
“I KNOW IT IS!! But what am I supposed to do when they refuse to take the bait!? Instead, they dare to treat Frost like an insignificant pawn!”
“They see this as weakness, but they haven’t a clue just how much I’ve been holding back. Now… they’ll understand.”
The entire time, the Princess speaks through gritted teeth, and her anger almost turns cold, comparable to the bitterness in the north. I’ve seen glimpses of her anger, but this calculated coldness is something I’m yet to witness.
I’m… curious about how this will play out. One thing is for certain: people are going to lose their heads for this.
I hope they experience far more pain than that.
“You know anger doesn’t suit you, Your Highness.”
“Heh… you really have no idea what you’re talking about. But you are right on one thing, Anna, it’s too early to take them all out.”
If anything, the Princess sounds completely calm and reasonable now. We’ve come full circle; this might be the scariest her anger and “insanity” can get.
“But I no longer care… we’re not delaying this any longer. They’ve sent an unforgiveable message, so it’s time to send them an unforgettable response.”
The calm and terrifying Princess returns to my side, only to grip my sweaty hand and gift me a clearly fake smile. I think she’s trying her hardest to be reassuring, like this is her way of telling me things will be okay.
No, this isn’t reassuring at all. Those who have caused her to feel like this… I want to see them suffer.
“Frost, I’ve been holding back for too long. I planned for the perfect moment to solve all our problems, yet this has caused you to suffer greatly. I can’t hold back anymore…”
“Please… just don’t fear what you see.”
‘She can be so oblivious at times. As if I could ever fear her!’
“For the next two weeks, I’ll be in and out of the palace. In that time, Anna will refuse to leave your side. When the time comes, if you want to involve yourself, speak to her.”
I may feel like utter shit, but hearing her speak to me like this, it lights a fire of my own. I want to get involved all the way, even if it means my hands are permanently stained with blood. I’d be constantly sick, but then I could just wear gloves, right?
“It’s time for a river of blood to flow through the capital…”
[Preparation]
Spoiler
For the past two years, the insane Princess has been doing far more than just twiddling her thumbs. Land belonging to her and portions of her palace continue to be sold off, and her spending habits never include luxury items, only the bare essentials or stuff requested by her partner. Even the employed servants would be considered underpaid for the industry standard.
Loopholes surrounding certain taxes allow her to legally distribute a sizeable percentage of revenue meant for the kingdom, and being the successor to the King allows for a huge monthly allowance. So where has that money been going?
One would think to her treasury, but that would sit near empty if it weren’t for the foreigner’s dowry. As soon as that money goes in, it immediately goes out, to supply her other interests…
“Oh shit! We’re actually doing this then!? I’ve been looking forward to this day for so long!”
“…”
The mad Princess can only ignore her friend’s excitement, as her anger still consumes deep into her soul.
“Damn, you really are in a mood! You’ll struggle to find any enjoyment if—”
“Will you just shut up a moment, Nova? Take a moment to feel the gravity of this situation. What we’re going to do will be remembered for generations.”
“Nah, you two are taking this way too seriously! On this scale, you’ll never be satisfied… unless things go perfectly. As we all know, perfection is impossible...”
[collapse]