CHAPTER 193: ITS A SUCCESS

King Aden stood near the Queen’s chamber doors, his eyes sunken from sleepless nights.

The weight of guilt pressed on him like a crown made of iron. He had punished her, causing her to lie there.

He paced the floor, every few moments glancing at the closed door where Lord Drex is doing everything in his power to help her get stabilized.

Just then the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall. It was Ero. He bowed deeply before the king, his expression hollow.

"Your Highness," he began, lowering his head, "My Lord Ashen sends his apologies. He will not be able to come to the palace at once. His wife is unwell, and he must tend to her."

King Aden turned, his brows furrowing, but for the first time in years, there was no trace of anger in his eyes. Instead, there was understanding.

"He is staying with his wife?" he murmured.

"Yes, Your Highness," Ero replied.

For a brief moment, something like pride flickered across the King’s face. His son, the one he had kept at arm’s length for so long, was finally acting like a husband, a protector. Perhaps... this was what he had always wanted to see in Ashen.

Before he could respond, another set of footsteps approached. Lord Drex appeared from the Queen’s chamber.

His assistant trailed behind, holding a tray of crushed herbs and shattered glass vials.

The old physician shook his head, his face sad. "Nothing is working," he said quietly.

Aurelia, who had been standing near the window, rushed forward, tears spilling down her cheeks breaking down now.

"There must be something you can do!" she cried. "Please, Lord Drex... she’s my mother! Save her please!"

Lord Drex bowed his head. "Your Highness, we have tried every antidote known to the Celestial and Drakonian physicians, whatever she is sick with would need the forbidden realm now for help."

"Forbidden..." Aurelia repeated weakly, clutching her father’s arm. "How did this happen? Who could have done this? How would she get poisoned?"

King Aden swallowed hard at this, "That’s what I want to know," he snarled.

Before anyone could answer, Adam, who had been standing silently at the corner of the room, clenched his fists. "This shouldn’t be happening," he muttered. "We were supposed to protect her. How did poison even get near the Queen’s chambers? Are we sure Ashen didn’t do this?"

"Adam," the King snapped. "Enough."

But Aurelia wasn’t done. Her voice trembled as she turned to Lord Drex again. "If no antidote works... what are we supposed to do now?"

Lord Drex sighed deeply. "There’s only one path left. Since the Queen’s body is rejecting all natural cures, only a sorcerer could counteract this kind of corruption."

"Stop with that statement! You know what happened the last time we allowed their kind near our gates."

"I do," Lord Drex said quietly, bowing. "But without one... she won’t survive another dawn."

Silence swallowed the room and King Aden’s hands trembled at his sides, torn between his pride and the love he was only now brave enough to show.

Aurelia broke down completely, falling to her knees. "Then bring one! Please! I don’t care what it costs... just save her! You can punish Ashen later please Father!" she pleaded, tears dripping onto the floor.

It was then that Ero’s voice, usually quiet and obedient, broke through the room.

"My lord," he began hesitantly. Everyone turned toward him.

He swallowed hard, lowering his gaze. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but... I believe the Queen’s case may not be the only one."

"What do you mean?" the King demanded.

Ero took a shaky breath. "Prince Ashen’s wife... she’s been suffering from some kind of sickness that also deals with poison. "

"What?" Both Aurelia and King Aden let out. Even Lord Drex stiffened.

"Poison?"

"Yes, my lord. It started a few nights ago," Ero continued, lowering his head. "We have been battling it quietly. My lord would be furious if he knew I spoke of it... But the lady collapsed, and we suspected poison. At first, we thought it was an isolated case, but... now it seems too similar to ignore... with the rate of poison going round." Adam’s blood ran cold.

His heart pounded as he took a step forward, his expression twisting, the king wasn’t supposed to hear this. If his father decided to investigate it might put him in so much trouble.

"What nonsense are you talking about, Ero?" he cut in sharply. "How can you compare a common illness with the Queen’s condition?"

Ero’s eyes flickered to him nervously, realizing he had said too much.

"My lord, I only meant that...."

"You only meant to spread foolish rumors in the palace!" Adam interrupted, his tone harsher now. "Mind your words before they get you into trouble!"

King Aden frowned, looking between them. "Enough, Adam. Let him speak."

Ero bowed quickly, pretending to stumble over his words as he tried to regain sympathy. "Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn’t mean any offense. I only... I only wanted you to know that poison might be spreading within the realm. My lady is still weak, and my lord.. he has not slept for days watching over her. If he knew I spoke of it, he would be furious. I only wanted... your understanding."

His voice cracked slightly, the perfect mix of fear and sincerity.

The King’s expression softened. "You did well to inform us," he said slowly. "If this is true, then the situation is worse than we imagined."

Adam clenched his jaw, his mind racing. Damn it, Ero. One more word, and the King would begin an investigation, one that could expose everything.

"Your Highness," Adam said quickly, stepping forward, his voice suddenly smooth again. "Ero is loyal but untrained in medicine. Perhaps he mistook the symptoms. I am sure the princess’s condition is merely exhaustion or a passing fever."

Ero hesitated but nodded quickly, realizing the danger. "Y-yes, perhaps... You are right, my lord."

The King’s eyes narrowed faintly, still unconvinced. But before he could question further, Lord Drex sighed heavily.

"If this poison is indeed spreading, then it confirms my worst fear. Someone is targeting the royal line."

The room grew colder. King Aden’s gaze turned toward the Queen’s chamber door once more. His heart ached with helplessness, and his voice broke slightly when he spoke. "Find out who’s behind this." Adam swallowed hard at this moment.

"Ero... sent for Ashen should reach out to find the Abyss Land for treatment... Even if I must break my own laws, my wife will not die."

Adam lowered his head to hide the flicker of fear in his eyes and Ero let out a huge grin.

"It’s a success..." he bowed and walked out of the palace the moment he got to a space he stopped in the middle of the way, and then a soul walked out of his body leaving Ero standing there stunned and speechless as he looked around wondering how he had gotten there.