Just right outside the apothecary's shop, Celeste finds her own place on the cold ground. She wants to be close in case she is needed, but not in the way where she would interfere. She blankly looks down at the broken pendant rolling around in her bloodied hands while unknown noises continue in the background.

Eventually, she presses the heels of her palms against her eyes to ease the burning. 

“Do you wish to wipe off the blood, My Lady?” a knight quietly asks. He kindly offers her a handkerchief as she finally takes notice of Theo’s dried blood.

Hearing the approaching sounds, she looks up at the sight of her family's carriage. Before it could even come to a full stop, her parents throw open its door.  

“Theo!"

Her mother stumbles out first and with her father not far behind. Not knowing what to say, she prevents herself from getting in the way of her mother entering the shop. Her eyes drop and she stares at her own feet. Instead of following her mother immediately inside, her father pauses beside her.

Her words fail her. “Father, I’m–,”

“This is not your fault.”

She is slow to meet his eyes. She fears the disappointment that may show on his face. The vision of him before her begins to blur and she cries for the first time since the start of the ordeal. While alone with her thoughts, she had accepted full blame for Theo's current state. If only she hadn't brought Theo with her, if only she had been the one to eat that plate instead of him. She had forgotten how little he is until she held him against her and in her arms.

“The knights have already briefed us on what had occurred,” her father says. “You did well in acting quickly.”

“Father, Theo hasn’t awakened yet.”

“I will go in to see. Will you be fine out here by yourself?”

She nods her head as her tears continue to fall. She has been so afraid to delay Theo’s care that she hasn’t gone inside to be given any details or see his state. Her father disappears inside and she's again left with her own thoughts.

Some time starts to pass when her parents come out. An unconscious Theo is cradled in her father's arms. Her brother did not look like his usual self, but he no longer looks to be in distress. The blood that he was covered in has also been washed from his face and hands. 

“He is stable now. Once we return, we will have the physician evaluate him as well,” her father informs her.

Her mother soon joins and takes her hand into hers. “Let us go home, Celeste.”

***

Celeste never slept.

She remained by Theo’s bedside despite her mother’s insistence to have her return to her own chambers to rest. In the end, the two women fought off sleep to remain next to each other. Sometime in the morning, her brother finally opened his eyes.

“Theo?” her mother reaches forward, touching his forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“Sore.” His face scrunches from the dryness in his throat.  

“Would you like some water?” Celeste asks.

Carefully sitting him up, she helps him with the full glass. After a few sips, he coughs, but manages to drink it all.

“I will go have the kitchen prepare his medicine now that he is awake,” Celeste says and her mother agrees with a nod.

Stepping outside the room, Celeste takes a moment to inhale a deep breath. She can feel her tense shoulders drop, relieved that Theo appears better. But she refuses to lower her guard entirely. Disturbed by the incident, she carefully watches the kitchen staff prepare the medication before personally bringing it to Theo’s room. Just a few steps away, she finds Duke Ellis standing in front of the closed door.

“Your Grace?”

He looks up. “I heard what happened.”

“Theo woke up this morning.”

“I am glad to hear that.”

He looks down at the tray in her hands.

“This is his medicine. Whatever poison it was, it caused some internal injury. We were reassured that it should heal with some time and with the help of consistent medication.” 

“Are you hurt?”

She shakes her head, avoiding his eyes. “The dessert was meant for me, but Theo said he wanted it instead–,” she pauses, finding it hard to finish her words. She didn’t want to cry and especially, not in front of the duke.

He sighs. “Perhaps we should postpone–,”

“You wished for this to happen quickly," she says.

Both of them soften their words.

"Your attention is needed elsewhere. I can wait."

"No. Please, Your Grace." 

"What is the rush?"

“The crime of poisoning Count Lane’s son is different from poisoning a member of the duke’s family,” Celeste explains. “Whoever planned it takes House Lane lightly, but could the same be said if they knew they would be making enemies out of the dukedom?”

“What is the difference? We are engaged to be married very soon.”

“But we are not married yet,” Celeste clarifies. “I am sure the culprit or culprits will be watching how we respond."

“I have sent my knights out to obtain a list of all the people who visited the shop yesterday.”

When she said 'we', she meant her family. She did not think he would get involved. "You have already done plenty, Your Grace. The sight of you coming and leaving from our manor should be enough for anyone to make their own assumptions. You may leave the rest to my father, he will ensure whoever responsible will serve as an example." 

He falls silent at her words. 

"I still need to give Theo his medicine. Thank you for stopping by."

Celeste plastered a smile as she watches Theo take his medicine. Underneath, her anger brews. Her anger was not resolved by the sight of Theo, she only made sure not to show it. Soon, the people will learn House Lane will not tolerate any level of disrespect any longer. 

*** 

“You may enter.”

The door to King Benedict's office opens and reveals his look of surprise upon learning the identity of his guest. “How is Count Lane’s son?”

“He is stable.”

“So, why have you requested to see me?”

It is usually the other way around. The king would have to summon the duke in order to see his dear friend. Even after his return from the border, it still hasn’t gotten any easier to meet with him outside of court affairs.    

“It is about the poisoning incident.” 

The king hums, leaning back into his chair. “I have given the incident some thought and I will speak with Lord Hall,” he reveals. “I heard that his son returned from his travels some time ago and this is a good chance to assess his skills.” 

“So, you do not have a true understanding of his capabilities?”

“Pierce Hall. Does the name have a familiar ring?”

Duke Ellis shows no signs of recognizing it. He only knew of Lord Hall, a noble known to take a neutral stance in many court matters. Since his appointment, he has proven difficult to be swayed.

“He applied for a position in the royal knight order," the king further clarifies.

“I was not informed.”

“Exactly my point. You already have other matters to think about. It should please you to know that I will have the royal knight commander with him."

The duke thinks to persuade King Benedict otherwise, but it seems he has had his eye on the young lord for a while. He would not simply assign such a task carelessly.

“If that is what you wish, Your Majesty.” 

The duke bows, but he is stopped before he could take his leave. 

“You came here today for Lady Celeste?”

“Pardon?” 

“When you came to me weeks ago with your intent to marry the young lady, I thought you only did it because you wanted me to leave you alone.”

Duke Ellis didn’t have the mind to deny the king's observation.

“Well, how are you adapting?”

He is confused for a second time. “Fine.”

“Good,” the king remarks with a smile. “Here I thought you were staying busy because you needed distractions. Silly me, I suppose.”

“What is it that you want to say?”

It is quite clear that the king is more perceptive than he lets on.

“You see, I do not think you are truly adapting well. You have been at war for a very long time. Your close acquaintances or individuals you consider to be friends, have also been at war for a very long time. You are trying your best to stay busy because you miss those seven years you’ve spent at war. I am also well aware of how you feel about my desire for you to be married.”

“Your Majesty, no one misses war.”

“But you do. That is the only normal you know.”

At the young age of eighteen, Ellis Stone, heir to the dukedom, joined the war effort. Being a young adult, he was shaped by those years spent in battle. King Benedict refuses to believe he assimilated back into society without any hiccups.

Without affirming anything that the king is suggesting, the duke asks, “You want me to find some normalcy? In a wife?”

“In a trusted companion,” he answers while rubbing his chin. “After much thought, this is the solution I came up with. By now you should understand where I am coming from.”

“I am afraid I do not."

“Then why did you choose Lady Celeste?”

“Because out of all the women you had forced me to meet, Lady Celeste made the biggest impression on me.”

"So, her love is one-sided?"

Duke Ellis realizes belatedly that the king had him cornered. He couldn’t possibly deny it since it would lead to the king questioning why Lady Celeste agreed to the marriage if neither of them held feelings.

“I will grow to love her.”

Seemingly convinced, the king smacks his desk lightly. “Not to worry, my friend. I will keep this conversation between us. Neither Count Lane or Lady Celeste will hear any of it.”