Arc 10

At first, he didn’t know what had happened. The white sheets, the white coat, were stained. It was red –fresh blood.

Luciano supported the limp Alana.

“Ah…A- Alana!”

Luciano cried out. He wanted Alana to take the medicine, but the moment he got closer, holding her, a particular smell tickled his nose. Roses.

A chill went down his spine. It made his skin crawl.

Her hair was light and full.

–It can’t be…

He looked down at the jug, keeping his eyes on her. The words of his aide Leandro echoed in his head.

“It is said that if the subject is made to drink it every day until he coughs up blood, he will die in a fortnight or so, even if he does not take the trouble to take it afterwards. It will look like they died of sickness and will be buried without suspicion.”

Alana was getting better when she was with Luciano. Her pale face was also turning pink, and the flush of colour even spread to her lips and cheeks. He was so proud that she was much healthier.

––Poison!

Luciano rang the attendant bell violently. Immediately three servants appeared. As soon as they saw Luciano, they were astonished by the blood.

“Bring the doctor! Then get Callisto at once! And fresh water! Don’t put anything in it. If you do, we’ll kill you. Split up, quick! Don’t be slow!” Luciano barked at them. He put his hand on Alana’s forehead, shaking it, while the servants hurriedly returned to their posts.

And then he hugged her.

The doctor, Callisto and the water came quickly, just as he had shouted. As the doctor looked at Alana, Luciano pointed his chin at a flustered-looking Callisto. He led him to the terrace and immediately grabbed him by the chest.

“You’re her close aide. I want to ask you, is this the first time Alana has coughed up blood?”

“…Ha. Alana said…. no. She said it was nothing. Why are you…? There was a time when her…. nightgown was wet with blood. I made her change her clothes. Alana said it was a nosebleed….”

“When was that?”

“Four days ago…. Yes, indeed, four days ago. There was no blood in the morning but at noon.”

Luciano calculated quickly. Alana’s death was only ten days away if the poison killed about two weeks after the blood was spilt.

He pushed Callisto’s chest, releasing his grasp.

This time he brought his nose close to him.

“Callisto, Alana is not ill. She has been poisoned. Take all of Alana’s servants and examine them. Someone has put poison in her jug. It’s a rose-scented poison. Lead them out and find out. You interrogated me before the marriage. Do it thoroughly. You’re good at that, aren’t you? I’ll make sure of it. You must find it.”

“Poison?” Calisto growled lowly; hatred evident on his face.

“…I won’t forgive. The penalty of murdering royalty is execution, whether attempted or successful. I’ll definitely investigate and find the culprit.”

“I’m going to leave the castle for a bit. She is breathing hard and looks distressed. She said she was not going to kill herself. It’s not likely that she poisoned herself. But even if she did, she would probably drink it. Alana wants to die. I’m not going to let her die, damn it.”

––Die, sh*t.

Luciano left the room, fury in his stride.

“Well, well, well, Prince Emilio. Welcome to my house. Please relax.”

Luciano instructed the knight to set sail. His destination – the mansion of Marquis Matos.

Looking down at the short man, he openly displayed his animosity.

A friendly laugh was returned.

Luciano clicked his tongue inwardly.

“Marquis, I have something to discuss with your wife, Flavia.”

“Flavia is always away… ah, Emilio. I’ve got some wine from the Principality of Faltz that is reputed to be rich and full of flavour. Drink with me?”

He drew a cup in his hand to his lips and sipped. The Marquis’s good-natured attitude annoyed him.

Luciano bit back his anger. However, he could not control himself and his fist trembled.

“It’s fine.”

“Don’t say that. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that the Faltz’s liquor is so good that even the most respected royalty vies for it, right?”

In the past, Luciano had been mocked as a lowly baron of Nogueira. But when it came to be that he was of the royal family, the Marquis flipped his hand and flattered him.

Luciano, however, paid no heed and set off for Flavia.

He burst through the door with a torrent of footsteps and found a naked Flavia, with two servants anointing her with perfume.

At first, Flavia looked furious, but as soon as she saw Luciano, she laughed and told the servants to go away.

“Well, Luciano,” said Flavia, “I’m glad you came to see me. You’ve come to see me, haven’t you?”

As Flavia approached, swaying her hips, he silently drew his sword from his waist and placed the point of the blade against her hip.