When he reached the castle, Callisto greeted him. He would have been waiting for the antidote. As soon as he laid eyes on Luciano, he blinked in disbelief. ‘Ragged’ couldn’t even describe the royal before him.

“Callisto, where is Alana?” Luciano urged.

“Emilio … are you all right?” Callisto asked, an expression of concern on his face.

The fact that Callisto cared for him was strangely annoying. It was as if Luciano was revealing his own weakness. In fact, he couldn’t stop himself from getting nervous if the antidote did not work on Alana.

His body started trembling. He had always been trying to be strong.

“What’s that, Callisto? I’ll tell you what; I don’t take baths,” Luciano ground out.

“I understand. As you can imagine, I can’t tell you to now, either,” Callisto nodded, consenting.

Callisto was surprised by Luciano’s expression. The man, always aloof seemed unable to control his emotions. Luciano covered his eyes with one hand in a vain attempt to conceal his weakness. After all, he was wet and miserable.

––Sh*t.

“Where is Alana?” Luciano repeated.

“She’s asleep. Emilio, what happened to your hair?” Callisto’s gaze fell to the shoulder length hair. The silver glory had been sliced in a jagged sharp stroke.

Until now, Luciano had forgotten that the Poisoner had cut his hair.

“Long story. I’ll explain it later,” Luciano said. His hair was no matter now, when Alana’s life was the most pressing.

“Yes, let’s do talk later. I have something to report to you as well, but that will have to wait.”

The Poisoner had said: ‘Prince Luciano, no, you are already Prince Consort Emilio. Take this medicine as soon as you arrive in Armenia. One cannot live with too much fatigue. You are exhausted. If you don’t, you may die before the Queen. That’s why I’m specially giving this to you.”

–– I’m not going to leave Alana to die. 

Luciano went through his pockets and pulled out two elaborate little bottles. One with a colourless liquid and the other with a red liquid. As he walked, he took off the lid of the red one and swallowed it down.

“What did you drink?” Callisto asked.

“Medicine. They say that when a man is tired, he dies. I’ve heard that it restores physical strength,” Luciano replied.

“Sir Emilio, you went to Aldo, right? Before, for Alana’s sake, my father has gone to Aldo to obtain medicine. Is Aldo advanced in its medical expertise? What is this?” Callisto further enquired. The medicine Luciano held seemed familiar.

“How is it?” As he conversed, suddenly, an overwhelming bout of dizziness overcame him. His knees wobbled involuntarily. Luciano did not process what had happened at first, but soon he noticed that his eyelids had shut.

–– What is this? Is it a sleep-inducing potion? Sh*t, that damn Poisoner… at a time like this!

Indeed, sleep was the best way to recover one’s energy.

But if he fell asleep now, it would be all over.

“Sir Emilio?” Callisto called out.

The medicine was potent.

Luciano forced his eyes open, but he could not focus. He offered Callisto the antidote as his hand shook.

His whole body felt tremendously heavy and sluggish as he sank to the ground.

“Callisto…you go first, to Alana. Will you give her the drink? … I beg you.” Luciano pleaded. He could not fight it anymore.

“Yes, I understand. But your complexion is awful. I’ll send for the doctor.”

“Don’t call the doctor. I’m fine. … Make sure she drinks it. I’ll go later. –– Hurry, you’re running out of time. Go,” he urged.

Luciano looked at Callisto’s departing back. Luciano watched Callisto go.

-The corridor where tranquillity spread.

He should not sleep, but his body lurched. He was stiff, unable to upright himself. His eyelashes felt like they were about to cling to each other at any moment.

A gentle breeze rustled his chin-length hair, but even that lulled him to sleep. A soft light shone through a gap in the pillars. It was strangely bright.

–– I can’t sleep… 

It was when he placed his hand on the pillar, at that very touch, a sudden shock ran down his spine.

Luciano sank.

His back was scorching.

His pulse was rapid.

Badum. Badum. Badum. 

He could hear the rush in his ears.

–– What is this…?

His body trembled with excruciating pain.

Something sharp stabbed him in the back.

“Mmf…mff. I’m finished.” The voice whispered.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a redhead. The mole on her mouth was noticeable. It was a face he did not want to see.

“My dearest Luciano…you’re so bad you know? If you can’t be mine, die. I’ll follow you soon. We’ll be one, together for eternity,” the voice was enchantingly sweet, yet the words it spoke was a death sentence.

“Flavia, you…” Luciano stammered.

“Hey, does it hurt? How do you feel, being stabbed by me? But it’s for love, so forgive me, yeah?” She coaxed him.

Her hands cupped his cheeks, and he winced. He felt her red lips brush against his following the twinge of pain.

“Mfufu…It’s … a vow of eternity. Let’s make a pact this time, shall we?”

//:00 the plot escalates. Flavia is the epitome of she-devil, when desperation, jealousy and spite manifest into pure evil. This book is full of villains – but different types.