How dare he? Coming to my castle unannounced, threatening my guards and my people...I feel like a new-born babe. These people knew how to play this game. I was new to this. Give me hospital full of patients over this any day.
It took me a while but I regained my composure. King Cosmo was acting like nothing was out of place.
"King Cosmo, how kind of you to grace this ceremony uninvited.", I regally announce.
I stress the word intentionally.
His eyes flash. I knew he was expecting subordination and submission, but instead gets a totally different response.
He stares at me unblinkingly and then signals his men to lower their weapons. The room is deathly silent.
"I have a proposal, your Majesty", he booms.
I wait.
"Marry me, be my wife and Queen and I will set your brother free. Rule by my side. Or I will have no choice but wage a war against you and your people. Be wise and choose Your Highness. I will give you three days to decide whether you want to stand before a priest beside me, say your vows and have a brother who is alive or you and your brother can join your parents in their graves.", he declares.
The entire crowd waits with bated breath.
He signals to one of his men and they bring him two unopened boxes. He opens one and I see a beautiful emerald ring in one. And in the other, there is a decomposed and rotting hand of a dead person.
I resist the urge to gag. Only years of training in the hospital ward helping me stand upright. Outward, I am cool and composed. Inwardly, there are a myriad of emotions swirling through me.
"You will have my answer in three days, King Cosmo."
"I hope you choose the painless one, for your sake and your people's."
The King and his men begin to take their leave.
"King Cosmo", I call out.
He halts and turns around.
"It would be a pleasure, if you and your men join us for lunch."
"I will indulge you today, Queen Rosalinda."
He holds out his hand and I let him escort me to the banquet room.
"Rosalinda, you and your brother will pay dearly, if you think to poison my food or my men's", he whispers in my ear.
I grit my teeth. As if I, a doctor would do that. Enemy or not. I knew I will not cross boundaries.
"You insult me, King.", I look up at him, making sure he can see the hatred swirling in my eyes.
********************************************************************
After the whole lunch fiasco is done and my enemies leave, I retire to my room.
Three days...
I go to my study, and take out two parchments. Time to build some friendly relations with the neighbors. Based on the books I read from the library, Methidrion was rich in iron ore. Pendrameda was home to teak trees. And Cosmo wanted to capture these two Isles. Iron for weaponry and Teak for building ships.
But both Methidrion and Pendrameda was at odds with each other and Oredrion's relations with these two Isles was not that great either. After I pen a letter to the King of Methidrion, I call Captain Abrigello.
"Captain, send messengers to Methidrion. I want this letter delivered to the king. I will be going for a diplomatic visit to Methidrion tomorrow. In my absence, choose the men you trust the most and place them guard. Prepare for the journey captain. You and some of your men will be coming with me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He bows and takes his leave.
******************************************************
The next morning, My men and I get ready to set sail. We reach Methidrion. The palace is not as exquisite as mine. It looks cold and dreary. The King and Queen greet me. I reciprocate.
"Your Majesty, you must be tired after this tiresome journey. Please accept our hospitality and join us for lunch.", the King graciously puts in.
Oh man. I am so hungry, I could eat a cow.
"Thank you. Your Highness.", I say.
We make our way to the huge dining room. We take our seats. As the servants are bringing in the food. The King speaks up.
"You must excuse our son, Prince Vincenzo. He is not feeling well and hence not able to join us."
Now, I was curious. I might have a solution to this problem. Sure, I have to work with herbs and plants instead of modern medicine. But this is my forte. My inner doctor kicks in.
"What ails him? I might be able to help. My parents made sure, I had knowledge on something practical like the the art of healing.", I lie smoothly. This should not make them suspicious of me.
"He has trouble breathing properly. He has weak lungs. Our healers are unable to find a solution.", the Queen answers.
Asthma.
"Your Highness, May I see the prince after we finish our food?"
They agree.
After lunch, we go upstairs to the prince's room. Vincenzo is asleep and the way he is breathing does not look good. It looks like he is making an effort to even breathe. The room stinks badly. And it is then, I realize that there is some green color paste on his chest which was the cause of that stench.
No wonder, the prince is making an effort to breathe. If I were in his place, I'd stop trying. The so-called healers clearly were incapable. I call in two servants.
I turn towards the King and Queen and say, "Your Majesties, Prince Vincenzo is suffering from Asthma. This means that in order for him to start breathing properly, we need to get rid of the substance blocking his airway. This substance is called mucus. Luckily, we do have methods to prevent this from happening. But this is a gradual treatment and we cannot see results instantly. All I can say is if you do what I say, the prince can feel well again."
They look relieved.
"We will do what you say. Your Highness.", they reply.
I ask the servants to clean the yucky substance from his chest.
"We need to make sure, he inhales steam as frequently as possible and we need to make sure his room is clean at all times. Make sure there are no flowers or dust in this room. Continue this treatment for six months", I instruct them.
The King and Queen thank me. After this, we move on to the diplomatic talks where we talk about trade. The trade talks went well and now, I could expect my first batch of iron ore within a week. And since, my Kingdom's lands were the most fertile when compared to the other Isles, I could trade food grains for ore.
After a successful mission, my men and I head back to our Kingdom. The day turned out well and I knew I now had an ally.
*****************************************************************
I go to the library. There is a knock at the door. It is Captain Abrigello. He is holding a closed box.
"Your Highness, King Cosmo, has sent this to be delivered to you."
"Keep it on the table."After he leaves, I close the door. Curious, I go the box and open it. There is note and something wrapped in layers of cloth. There are blood stains on it. My heart is beating wildly in my chest. With trembling fingers, I remove all the layers of the cloth and see a human heart. I reach for the note.
_________________________________________________________________
Your brother has paid dearly for your foolishness. You have two days.
- C
_________________________________________________________________
Somehow, he knew. He knew that I went to Methidrion. Did he know about the trade agreement? Now, is not the time to think emotionally. I never met Rosalinda's brother. His death did not affect me. Just like the King's and the Queen's death did not affect me. I did not know them even though their faces resembled my parents' faces. I need to think strategically and attack. This crime should not go unpunished.
I take the ring from the box King Cosmo game me and fit the ring onto the middle finger of the rotting corpse hand.
I take the parchment and quill and pen a note of my own.
_________________________________________________________________
This is what I think of your proposal.
- Queen Rosalinda
_________________________________________________________________
I place the note in the box and call Captain Abrigello. I give him instructions to send a messenger to deliver my present to King Cosmo. He goes to do my bidding.91Please respect copyright.PENANAATrvFJrqCO
You may have won the battle Cosmo, but you did not win the war.
__________________________________________________________________
Somewhere in the castle, a cloaked figure is counting the coins in the bag.
Haha, spying is a wealthy job. It makes one rich. Soon, I will live life like a noble.
91Please respect copyright.PENANAevXwEGh4lL
91Please respect copyright.PENANAHdqA2yDZRg
91Please respect copyright.PENANAnwIPZ5E2vA
91Please respect copyright.PENANAUBD9Kp7v6j
91Please respect copyright.PENANAWBLkggksAO
91Please respect copyright.PENANA6UajAznfvA
91Please respect copyright.PENANA7H4avKAQVK
91Please respect copyright.PENANAH5NsHET390
91Please respect copyright.PENANAunZ9uaXWiL
91Please respect copyright.PENANA1ErIoKjEnu
91Please respect copyright.PENANAYsBOsb0zJf