Valen didn't take time to fully heal, she was back on her feet in literally a day, the healers were surprised and shocked about how fast her recovery was.
"Valen, you may be strong but that toxin really dealt with you, you still need rest," one of the healers tried talking to her.
"Healer Adros, I'm fine, you have already prescribed what herbs I should be using, and when I should come back to change my bandage," she said calmly with a smile.
Adros let out a tired sigh and finally let her go, "just be careful," Valen nodded and headed straight to the King's chambers.
The moment she reached the door, she was hit with a strong scent of heat, the King was doing it...again.
The guards who stood at the door could not hide their irritation, "I wish there was at least a woman there this time," one spoke up.
"What do you mean?" Valen spoke up and when they noticed that she was there, they straightened up immediately.
"Valen...umm..." neither of them could speak appropriately.
"I said...what...do you mean?" Valen increased her tone, a bit harsher this time.
"The king is alone in his chambers catering to his needs by himself and refused any female this time and that's..."
"And that's what?"
They both exchanged a glance, "weird," one finally spoke, "the king is always known for having women around him when he goes into his crazy episodes but this is his first."
Valen was about to speak when the King's door went open, "come in...now!" King Kaelvryn's deep voice echoed through the room and Valen stepped in.
The room was pitch black though outside was bright, the drape curtains were hung low and the crazy burning scent of burnt peach, roses, and fire, she couldn't explain the feeling of walking in there.
"Open the curtains," she finally heard him say.
Valen went straight to the curtains and opened them, rays of sunlight flooded into the room completely, she turned and found the king half naked.
He laid on the bed, breathing deeply, strands of hair plastered on his face with sweats all over his toned body, it felt like a crime staring at his body like that but he looked like the god he was.
"When you're done staring, clean me up," his raspy voice sent butterflies in her stomach.
But wait?
Clean him up?
"Your Majesty, do you want me to get the maids," Valen wanted to be sure she heard him right.
King Kaelvryn heaved a tired sigh, fully removing his upper robes then sitting down well on his King sized bed, "don't let me say this a second time."
Valen rushed to get a bowl and clean towel, she raised her hand to clean him up but stopped the moment she saw large scars on his back, she couldn't believe her eyes.
Finally, she started cleaning him up calmly, each wipe felt like a crime, he didn't wince in pain but melted in her touch, the moment she was done with his back, she turned to face him.
She gently knelt and starting cleaning his front, his chest was firm, she kept cleaning softly until Kaelvryn held her by the hand and pulled her inches close to him.
They both stared at each other deeply, Valen's heart was racing incredibly but she kept her cool, she couldn't break now.
"Tell the maids to run a bath for me," he finally said, releasing her hand from his grip.
"Yes...your majesty," Valen bowed and left carrying the bowl with her.
The moment she closed the door behind her, she left out a deep sigh of relief, holding her chest, "relax...breathe...I want you to breathe."
She muttered calm words to herself then went out to look for the maids, she found them in the kitchen, "the king wants his bath ready as soon as possible."
They nodded, collecting the bowl from her hand, as Valen retreated back in her steps to the King's chambers, he heard some voices whispering.
"The king was attacked in the open, do you not fear his wrath," one spoke, his voice evidently shaking with fear.
"You fool, can you not fear with the slightest thing,"
"You call me a fool when we both know that the king is highly suspicious of every soul breathing the same air as he does,"
"We need to be careful henceforth,"
"We are safe as long as the rogue doesn't speak up, if he does that means we're all dead and not even from the King's hand."
Finally, the voices subsidied, none of the voices familiar but she definitely knew that they were councilmen and they were definitely working for someone.
Valen decided to visit the captured rogue by herself and do some investigation, she found some guards nearby.
"Where is the captured rogue being held?" She asked calmly.
"The east dungeon, sir."
Valen nodded and headed straight to the dungeon. She arrived at the deepest and darkest place, thought the day was bright but the rays couldn't even penetrate through the thick walls.
The moment she arrived, two hefty guards stood outside with spears in hand, they salutated her once she came in sight.
"Great Valen, why are you here? We weren't expecting you?" One spoke.
"I came with the orders from the king, I need to investigate the rogue that tried to assassinate him."
"We would need to see a scroll of investigation else we cannot let you pass."
"Do you really question my authority?" Valen said, her voice was calm but sharp and stern.
"We dare not but protocols are protocols, until we see the scroll we cannot grant you access."
Valen gritted her teeth, "I was injured to protect the king and the same king ordered me to investigate every possible person who could try to assassinate him and you dare stand in my way.
The two guards both stared at themselves then finally grant him access, "we apologize."
Valen said nothing and walked straight into the cell, it was way darker than the outside, skulls and bones littered everywhere, even bats were hanging on the walls of the cave.
Valen finally found her way as she lit up a touch to grant her light to completely see, she went straight and found the Rouge chained up and brutally beaten.
She bent down and wanted to wake him up when she noticed something weird, he had a flowery smell, for someone who was deep into a crazy dungeon, he smelled nice.
Then it struck her, she checked his pulse, her eyes widened with shock, she stood up abruptly and raised and alarm.
He was dead.
They had gotten to him first, the two guards got to Valen, "take him to the healers now."
Valen searched for any sort of clue as they left, finally she found footprints leading to the back of the cave but there was a huge wall there.
It was a dead end.