Aktis sat down, feeling peace fill her mind and body. Setia would die, and the lords would regret ever daring to challenge her. She was jolted from her complacency by the sound of the door opening. Setia entered the room, accompanied by a pale Tendred. It seemed he was the one struggling so hard with this pregnancy.
"Forgive me, Aktis, but I'm having a hard time with this current situation." Setia sat down with an apologetic smile, and Tendred sank into the seat next to her. "I'm definitely feeling better now. Tendred, we were supposed to make a toast."
"Yes," Tendred wiped his brow with a lace handkerchief, then took the goblet, "to the future heir of Emfer and the solution to our problems."
Aktis sipped her wine, wondering what solution they were thinking of. Tendred and his wife made the toast, and Setia eagerly grabbed some honey cookies and bit into them with relish.
"I love them; I could eat them all the time." She said quietly under her breath. "So, yes, my wife and I have been considering further action regarding Fenigrid." Tendred wiped his brow again and even unbuttoned the top button of his purple caftan. "I think we can find a solution that will satisfy us all."
"Interesting," Aktis reached for the goblet again, "I'm all ears."
"You see, since we're expecting an heir..."
"Tendred," Setia stood up, clutching her stomach. Her face turned pale, and Tendred's young wife staggered to her feet. "Help," she whispered.
"Servants," Tendred shouted, also breathing heavily.
Timor, two of Aktis's attendants, and two maids rushed into the room.
"Haleon, how it burns," Setia moaned, writhing on the floor in pain.
"Bring the elder," Timor shouted to the younger maid, who, lifting her skirts, ran toward the physician's house, with her mouth agape in surprise.
Aktis stood paralyzed, feeling as if she were a spectator to a strange spectacle. Timor leaned over Setia, the maid applied a cold compress to her forehead. Her attendants opened the windows and stood in shock, watching the entire scene. Tendred sat motionless, and only after a moment did Aktis realize that Tendred was dead.
She retreated as far from the ghostly apparition as possible. The room was being filled with servants, and Moros, Setia's brother, rushed into the hall.
"Sister," he knelt beside her, holding her hand. Princess of Emfer breathed convulsively, and a moment later vomited greenish mucus mixed with blood. A murmur and muffled screams ran through the hall. Someone was crying.
"Haleon, our lord is dead!" She heard a servant scream.
Into all this, an older man, dressed in brown with a shaved head, entered, carrying a box. He ran to the princess, took her hand, and checked her pulse. He looked at the vomit, then approached Tendred's body and touched his neck.
"Take the princess to her chambers, and unfortunately, the prince is dead." He approached the table. "Do not touch anything, you have been poisoned. I must investigate where the poison was."
Aktis felt the blood drain from her face. "Guards," Moros shouted, "secure the hall, no one leaves Emfer until this matter is resolved."
Six guards rushed into the hall and immediately removed any unnecessary gawkers. Moros carried his sister away in his arms, and Aktis, accompanied by her guards and two guards from the Emfer, went straight to her chamber. Before entering, she whispered to her guard.
"Get the rest of my guard." Then the door closed behind her.
Aktis thought frantically about what had happened. She had to get out of here, take her guards and leave as quickly as possible, taking advantage of the chaos. She had a feeling the accusation would fall on her. How was that even possible? Her stomach dropped to the size of a peanut. She nervously paced the room, packing the jewels she'd brought with her into her purse. The dresses and trunks would stay, only one thing mattered: getting out of here. In the corridor, she heard the clatter of many feet. Good. Her guards were approaching, time to go. She ran to the door, but before she could open it, she heard the lock click. She yanked the handle. The door was locked. Another knot in her stomach. From the corridor, she heard the sounds of fighting, but they lasted very briefly. Then she heard a familiar voice: it was the one-eyed bitch's brother, Moros.
"Keep a guard at her door, day and night. She can't escape." - The sound of retreating footsteps and silence.
Aktis sat on the bed, still clutching the jewelry pouch so tightly her knuckles turned white. What to do, what to do? She thought frantically. There's Jefre. Yes, Jefre will manage to get her out; it's only a matter of time. She got out of bed and went to the window overlooking the main courtyard. Watching the courtyard swarming with guards in Emfer colors, she realized that deep down she knew all the answers and that Jefre probably wouldn't come.
To her own surprise, Setia felt much better that evening; she expected the symptoms to last longer. Never mind, she'd faked pregnancy in front of the entire court, so she could fake poisoning in front of the elder.
"Water," She whispered. At the sound of her whisper, the main maid Rina jumped up and handed her a cup of water, helping her up. Setia took two sips and ostentatiously sank back onto the pillows. "It's stuffy in here," She said to the other servants.
"Open the window," Rina ordered. "The Elder said it was supposed to be airy."
The window was opened. Moros entered the chamber, accompanied by the Elder.
"How is the princess feeling?" The Elder asked.
"She's weak, she asked for water and for the window to be opened," Rina reported, her face flushed, before Setia could say anything.
"I need to examine her. Leave."
The servants and Moros obediently left the chamber. The elder pulled a strange trumpet from his bag, unbuttoned her shirt, and carefully listened to her chest, took her pulse, and then touched her abdomen with his fingers. Setia hissed in pain when he reached her stomach. The elder nodded, then buttoned the princess's shirt and covered her.
"The worst is over. Her stomach will still hurt, but the most important thing is that the child is fine. You were saved by vomiting up the poison. It will be alright," The man smiled.
Child? Setia almost smiled, she faked the pregnancy and yet he confirmed it. Everything was going well, she only needs to point to the most important matters.
"Was it poison?" Setia spoke quietly, watching her interlocutor's face closely.
"Yes, madam, I checked. The poison was in the goblets, yours and our prince Tendred's."
"Was there no poison in the decanter or in the Queen Dowager's goblet?" Setia continued her interrogation.
"No, only in your goblets." The Elder put away the trumpet and stood up. "I'll check in every two hours. Please rest."
"And my husband, Tendred?" Setia's voice broke.
The Elder sighed quietly and shook his head.
"There was nothing that could be done for him; it was too late when I arrived. He must have received a larger dose. Duchess, you must think of the child and yourself now. Bad thoughts and sadness deepen the illness." The Elder took the box of medicines. "I'll be back in two hours," He added, and left the room.
Setia smiled.