Sofia awakens to the familiar sight of her bed canopy. She sighs, once again she is in a weakened state. If it were not for the grueling poison resistance training she was put through growing up at house Oliveira, Sofia would most likely not have survived. Not now and not of the many poisonings she suffered as Princess Consort to Prince Gabriel, once upon a time. Sofia thinks back, the last thing she saw, as darkness befell her, was the shocked face of Prince Rafael. He must not have had much experience with people passing out, she concluded.

Sofia rings a bell beside her bed. A maid checks in and soon rushes out to notify the other denizens of the manor. A physician was called to examine Sofia, the Duke and Duchess also paid a visit. 

“Oh, Monica! How terrifying it was.” Duchess Alicia cries out, taking hold of Sofia`s hands, “You suddenly fell, with blood coming out of your mouth and nose!”

“Yes, but after a fortnight, you are finally awake and in the path of a full recovery.” Duke Miguel turns to the physician, “RIGHT, Doctor?”

“W-with, proper care, I-i believe Lady Monica will recover.” the shivering physician reassures.

“Ugh, How troublesome.” Miguel complains.

“I`m getting better, Alicia. Do not worry.” Sofia comforts the Duchess. “Has your Grace managed to uncover who is the culprit behind this?” she asks the Duke.

“Sigh, we captured the man who served your glass, but he killed himself before we could conduct a proper interrogation.” Duke Miguel adjusts his glasses and then addresses his wife, “She is relatively well, my dear. So why don't you go get some rest, think of the baby.”

“Very well. But if anything happens I`m to be let know. You hear me?” the Duchess warns all before taking her leave.

“We investigated the suspect and learned he has family at Marquess Garcia`s territory.” Miguel continues after he is left alone in the room with Sofia.

“And how are they? Was someone from House Garcia threatening the servant to poison my drink?” Sofia concludes Lady Ana is most likely responsible, the Prince`s involvement left a mystery for now.

“I looked into his family, but they are alive and well. An in depth interrogation of the family was not conducted, though. I trust I don't have to explain to you why not.”

The two Oliverias stare at each other in silence. The Garcias were the Duchess' maiden family. Outing them as conspirators in Monica`s poisoning would only bring harm to Alicia`s standing. Sofia was not willing to hurt her mother, neither was Miguel as it seemed. The Duke either had a spot for the Duchess in his heart, or going against the Garcias was contrary to his political objectives.

“It seems I will have to just be more careful going forth.” Sofia shrugs.

“Yes, you do that.” Duke Miguel Agrees, “I don't want to lose you.”

“...”

“You must marry into the Royal Family.” the Duke finishes.

*

Another day, once Sofia was well enough to leave her bed, she was taking a stroll around the Manor, to recover her strength, when she walked upon Sir Tiago.

“Ah, Hello my Lady.” Sir Tiago greets.

“G-greetings Sir Tiago, What brings you to Oliveira Manor?” Out of breath from her stroll, Sofia asks, curious about the puzzling man`s presence.

“Oh, just on my way out from dealing with some business with his Grace, as my Father`s representative.” he waves it off, “ But I was worried about your Ladiship, I heard you collapsed from poisoning. How have you been?” Sir Tiago steps closer, his figure tall and imposing.

“I`m getting better, noting I can't randle, really." Sofia answers dismissively.

“Dont say that, your health is of utmost importance. To hear someone out there caused you harm grieves me much.” Sir Tiago seems strangely worried. Sofia had noticed at the Prince`s Ball, but this man was particularly interested in her, or at least in Monica. Sofia wondered if the two of them had some history together, there was no mention of Sir Tiago in the diary.

“By the way, what is the tale behind your eyepatch?” Finding his attention burdensome, Sofia decides to be rude to Sir Tiago.

“Oh, this? I got hurt in the woods.” he smiles at Sofia, his answer hinting at him getting injured in the search for Monica when she went missing.

“Oh, um…” She is lost for words at Sir Tiago`s response. To think that was when he got hurt. It complicated things somewhat. “...Well, I`m sorry about that. It must have hurt.”

“Yes, it was quite painful.” Sir Tiago steps even closer and brings one of Sofia`s long locks to his lips. She is stunned by this action, resulting in the two of them standing in close proximity staring at each other.

“What do we have here?” comes the voice of Prince Rafael, who strides through the hallway. 

*

The shocking image of Monica coughing up blood had haunted Rafael`s dreams for the last fortnight. Despite the Prince`s neglect of his fiancee he did not wish for her death. He had all intentions to marry her, while, of course, keeping Lady Ana as his mistress. The Prince desired both women. The reason Monica was the one he planned to wed was because she was the more prude of the two ladies, it was unlikely she would accept to be a mistress. After all, despite her obvious affections for him, she never allowed him to do anything with her before their wedding night. 

The poisoning was a real concern for the Prince, it seemed Lady Ana had higher aspirations than he had anticipated. After he confronted her, she confessed to being the culprit, naming her love for him as her reason. Prince Rafael heavily chastised Ana, the possibility Monica could die before he knew her enraged him to the point he hardly cared if his relationship with Lady Ana was irreversibly damaged.

When he heard the news that Monica had awakened, the Prince was elated and rushed to Oliveira Manor. There, he waved off the butler, skipping visit procedures and made his way through the Manor in search of his fiancee. To Rafael`s annoyance, when he finally found her, she was in the company of Sir Tiago and the two were in close proximity. The Prince scoffed internally at her obvious attempt of drawing his attention, but seeing another man kiss one of her locks of hair nonetheless irritated him.

“What do we have here?” Rafael asked, trying to present an unfazed front.

*

“Greetings, your Highness.” Sofia and Sir Tiago say in unison curtsy and bowing to the Prince. Sofia steps to the side making some distance from Sir Tiago.

“I`m not interrupting? I take.” Prince Rafael steps forward and kisses Sofia`s hand.

“Of course not, your Highness.” Says Sofia.

“And what business do you have with my Fiancee, Sir Tiago?” Asks the Prince.

“I was just worried after the poisoning, your Highness.”

“Your worries brought you all the way here to Oliveira Manor? How intimate.” Rafael comments caressing Sofia`s hand, which he hadn't let go off yet.

“Well, I believe the Lady could use some company to comfort her.” Sir Tiago says brazenly, his comment raising indignation from both Sofia and the Prince.

“Ha, and you would be that company?” Rafael asks, facing Sir Tiago. 

Before the Knight could answer, Sofia interjects, “Now, Now. That is enough. Thank you for your worries, Sir Tiago, but I’m well. So you can be on your way. I believe you have finished your business with the Duke, have you not?”

“Yes. Very well, my Lady.” Sir Tiago reaches out for Sofia`s hand, to kiss it in farewell, but the Prince steps in between.

“You can go now, Sir Tiago.” Prince Rafael smiles, “You are dismissed.”

Sir Tiago grits his teeth and bows to the Prince. He glances at Sofia as he turns to leave.          

“Well, your Highness, shall we move to the drawing room?” Sofia offers.

“Lead the way, my Lady.”

*

At the drawing room, Sofia has refreshments brought to the guest. 

“Just so you know, I have all intentions to go forward with this marriage. So, there is no need for you to continue in your unfruitful attempts to draw my jealousy.” Prince Rafael announces. 

“Is that so? Your Highness's behaviour would indicate otherwise.” Sofia comments, “How is Lady Ana these days?”

“Ugh, I will admit she can be a bit unruly, but there is nothing for you to worry about, no longer. I gave her a stern warning.”

“And pray tell, why marry me and not her?”

“Well, besides the arrangements between our houses, I believe you would make a better Queen.” was the Prince`s claim, which didn’t convince Sofia, he seemed to have some hidden motive. Sofia decided to let it go. For her, Rafael`s reasons hardly mattered, as long as he did not marry Lady Ana it was enough for Sofia. Even if they continued their affair after the marriage, Sofia didn’t care, for her true enemy was the yet to be Prince Gabriel.