Axel’s brain flicked to the second option. Swiftly, he grabbed the slender arm of his prince and pulled the both of them down.

“Axel what-” Fayt started, but stopped once he heard a whiz through the air right where he was just seconds ago. He looked back. Luckily, there was no one standing directly behind him, so the arrow that had soared through the air hit a portrait, hanging in the back of the room beyond the balcony.

Letting out a breath the knight didn’t even know he was holding, he breathed and brought the smaller male back up again.

Aria quickly motioned towards one of the stationary guards to grab the arrow and secure it so it may be investigated later. As she did that, Iris stepped forward again and raised out both of her arms, signaling attention from her people down below. “Everyone, as you have just seen, my son is still alive! Petty attempts on his life shall not thwart the progress towards his succession. I believe, come any trial thrown at him, my son, your future king shall emerge victorious!” Despite her fragile being, the queen summoned as much might into her words as she could right after what had happened.

Axel watched as, despite how much he was trembling, Fayt joined her at her side to prove to his people he wasn't shaken at all. That was one of his double-edged qualities, which only made the knight exhale. He looked down towards his wrist, reminding himself of the trials they were to face in the future.

Though hold on….

Blink.

Blink.

Was he dreaming?

One of the petals on his own marking had disappeared. Was that one of the trials? Could that have ended horribly had he chose wrong in that moment?

Taking in a gulp of air, Axel put that thought on hold to bring it up later.

Once Fayt ended the speech, which Axel hadn’t even heard the rest of after his discovery, the royals backed away from the balcony and over towards a table where one of the guards had set the arrow to rest atop a handkerchief.

“My lady,” the gentle, yet concerned voice of the female guard started. “It appears the tip was covered in poison. Not only that, but the color of it looks to be one that can only be sold here in our kingdom.”

“Which means…” the eldest princess started and then gasped as her eyes widened in horror. “That means someone here wishes to sabotage Fayt’s succession.”

Eerie silence fell on the group, reluctant to move away until Soren spoke up. “This means that we have to start searching for the culprit right away. Axel.” The king shot his gaze towards the knight who in return stood up straight and saluted.

“Yes sir.”

“I want you to head out tomorrow and bring the town’s potion maker here. I will not settle for another assassination attempt such as this if it can be halted.”

Nodding, Axel held position until he was given the signal to be at ease.

“Well, no need for us to stay standing around here any longer, I’m hungry.” Nala spoke up and decided to be the first to direct the conversation away and to be the first to leave the room. The rest nodded in agreement.

Soren led Iris to her room, Aria wandered off while talking to the guard who carried the arrow away to dispose of it. This left Axel, Rina and Fayt all alone. The young girl walked over to her older brother and held tight to his shirt sleeves.

Crouching down, Fayt smiled and pat her gently on the head. “Everything will be fine. Want me to take you down to the servants and ask if the other kids would like to play?”

Slowly nodding, the quiet girl reached out her arms. “Carry me!”

Chuckling, the prince lifted the princess up into his arms and headed towards the door until a voice behind him stopped him. “My prince. May I request an audience with you once you are finished?”

“Ugh, stop being so formal around me, it's creepy,” Fayt responded in disgust. “But fine, wait outside my room.”

“Ooo, an invitation to your bedchambers? How scandalous,” Axel purred in amusement, gaining a scoff in return. My, what fun it was to tease the blond. However as much as he would have loved to tease him more, Axel clenched his fists in thought and headed out the other way towards Fayt’s room. He had to share this bit and explain what had happened for future reference.

Their lives were on the line.