"Do you realize that a single drop of honey can be considered poison in this palace?" Yorick whispered.
Josselyn quickened her pace, trying to match his long strides.
"That's impossible," she said, nearly stopping. "If I don't adjust the taste, I'm afraid the Queen will think I'm trying to poison her."
She glanced at Yorick, waiting for his response. In the palace, Yorick was considered young for a healer, yet his skill in crafting herbal remedies made everyone defer to his judgment.
Yorick nodded in understanding.
"Good."
His hand almost reached her hair, a gentle, instinctive gesture, but it stopped when a voice called out.
"Josselyn."
The cold voice echoed through the corridor.
Josselyn froze. At the end of the hall, in front of the Queen's chamber, stood Killian, his gaze burning.
"You're very slow."
His tone was cold, too calm, but not his eyes. Killian glanced at Yorick a moment longer before returning his gaze to Josselyn.
"You've kept the Queen waiting," he added, pressing her.
Josselyn was about to speak, but stopped when the young healer stepped forward.
"My apologies, Your Highness. This is Josselyn's first time meeting the Queen. She must be nervous."
Killian clicked his tongue. His expression suggested he recognized some truth in Yorick's words.
He stood before the Queen's door, arms crossed, his body blocking the way like a living wall. His gaze dropped to the vial resting on the tray.
"That's the new one?" he asked, shifting the subject.
"Yes, Your Highness. I added honey, so the Queen will be more comfortable drinking it."
"Will that affect its efficacy?" Killian now looked at Yorick, as if reinforcing his lack of trust in Josselyn.
"There will be no negative effect, Your Highness. Honey adds a healthy sweetness and enhances the function of the other herbal ingredients," Yorick answered calmly.
Killian raised one brow. His expression shifted, clearly not expecting such a positive answer. He tilted his head slightly, glancing at Josselyn, who stood half-hidden behind Yorick.
Josselyn's heart pounded. She lowered her gaze. Killian's stare was too sharp, like a blade ready to cut her down at any moment.
The thought was not an exaggeration. The entire kingdom of Valenroth knew the nature of Crown Prince Killian.
Kill, his name matched the stories about him, a drawn sword without hesitation, and commands that were never withdrawn.
"Hm." Killian turned to Yorick. "Healer."
"Yes, Your Highness." Yorick bowed briefly.
Killian stepped half a pace closer. "If anything happens to my mother…"
"I'll take responsibility," Josselyn cut in quickly.
Killian looked at her sharply. "How bold."
Josselyn slowly lifted her head.
A few weeks ago, she had only been the daughter of traitors. Her father had been executed by King Aleric, Killian's father. And rumor had it her mother had once escaped a death sentence, only to be captured and executed in the end.
And now, as if granted a chance from the heavens, she had been summoned to the palace, not to be executed like her parents, but to heal the ailing Queen.
'Tragic, isn't it?' Josselyn thought. 'The people who killed my family now need me to heal his wife. Why? Because only my mother's herbal formula can cure the Queen.'
Josselyn nearly laughed at the irony.
'And now that they've erased my mother, I, the only daughter who knows the recipe, am kept here as a hostage under the title of palace healer's assistant.'
They had expected her to grow into a timid girl. That would never happen.
"That's what Althea, the Alchemist of Valenroth, taught me," Josselyn said at last.
Silence hung in the air. Even Yorick seemed to hold his breath. Josselyn couldn't blame him. Mentioning her late mother's name in front of the Crown Prince was entirely intentional.
She wanted them to remember. Always remember the cruelty they had inflicted on her family, the moment her happiness had been destroyed.
"Go in," Killian said at last. He opened the door for her.
***~***
The Queen's chamber was far quieter than Josselyn had imagined. Thin ivory curtains softened the morning light, and the scent of dried flowers mixed with medicine filled the air.
On the large bed lay Queen Elowen, her back supported by pillows. Her skin was pale, but her eyes were sharp and alive, and Josselyn felt a quiet relief at the sight.
"So this is the girl?" the Queen's voice was soft, but firm.
Josselyn quickly knelt. "I am Josselyn, Your Majesty."
"Did you taste the potion?" the Queen asked without preamble.
Josselyn nodded, her head still bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Lift your face."
Josselyn obeyed. She raised her head, meeting the Queen's gray-blue eyes.
"Your eyes don't lie," the Queen murmured. "You've tasted it."
The Queen then extended her hand. "Give it to me."
Josselyn rose, stepped forward, and handed over the tray with the vial.
The Queen inhaled its scent. "You added honey."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Just a little. It does not alter its properties."
"Who taught you to measure without ruining it?"
Josselyn fell silent for a moment. A dull ache stirred in her chest whenever she had to mention her mother.
"My mother," she answered at last, softly.
Silence followed. The Queen seemed to realize something.
"Althea was a brilliant herbal alchemist," the Queen said. "But unfortunately, she was influenced by her husband to betray the kingdom."
Josselyn said nothing. Her fingers tightened against her dress.
"We summoned you to the palace and made you a healer's assistant to give you a chance to erase your parents' betrayal."
The ache in her chest deepened. Her hands trembled.
'You killed her without solid proof. You should be the ones apologizing to me.'
She wanted to scream it in the face of the frail woman lying before her. But if she did, Killian would truly swing his blade at her neck without hesitation.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Josselyn said at last, her voice trembling as she swallowed all her anger.
The Queen studied her for a long moment, then drank.
Killian instinctively stepped forward.
"Mother."
Though he had allowed Josselyn into the chamber, he still did not trust her.
The Queen only gestured lightly with her hand.
A few seconds passed, feeling like an eternity. Josselyn held her breath, waiting.
"I feel the warmth," the Queen finally said. "My body feels more at ease."
Josselyn nearly collapsed in relief.
"Starting today," the Queen continued, "you will personally deliver my potion. Not through servants."
Killian turned immediately. "Mother…"
"It's an order."
Josselyn bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Queen gave a faint smile. "Don't thank me yet. My trust is not a gift. It's a burden."
Josselyn accepted the words without protest. A burden meant one thing, she was being tested.
She bowed again, then turned and left the chamber.
"Is your heart still beating?" Yorick whispered as they walked down the corridor.
Josselyn let out a small, nervous laugh. "It almost stopped."
"You answered the Queen very well." Yorick glanced at her. "And I believe in you."
Josselyn's steps slowed.
Trust. It had been a long time since anyone had given her that.
"Josselyn, what is it?"
She snapped back to awareness. Yorick was already a few steps ahead. She shook her head quickly.
"No. It's nothing." She hurried to catch up.
"Are you unwell? You must be exhausted from training so hard. Especially after what just happened in there."
Josselyn smiled brightly. "No, sir. It's just… thank you."
Yorick paused and turned to face her.
"For what?"
Josselyn didn't answer immediately. She cleared her throat a few times.
"For believing in me," she said shyly.
Yorick let out a short laugh, then resumed walking.
"Josselyn," he lowered his voice, "from now on, you must be careful. Don't trust anyone."
"I know," Josselyn replied. The memory of that night resurfaced. Her hands clenched unconsciously.
Yorick glanced at her, catching the tension in her expression, but said nothing.
"Your status…"
"As the child of traitors?"
Yorick nodded awkwardly. "It invites whispers. Especially with your presence in the palace."
Josselyn took a deep breath. She knew. And when people disliked something, they would do anything to act on it. Just as Killian had done to her.
"I'm only warning you. The King is holding a banquet tomorrow for the Crown Prince. There will be more people in the palace."
Josselyn turned, curiosity flickering across her face.
"A banquet? While the Queen is ill?"
"It's precisely to prepare the throne for the Crown Prince. The banquet is to find him a match."
"Ah…"
"The King hopes the Crown Prince will marry soon and inherit the throne, so he can devote more time to the Queen," Yorick explained.
Josselyn said nothing. An idea began to form in her mind.
"Sir Yorick, will the Crown Prince choose his bride at the banquet?"
Yorick seemed to think for a moment. "Yes and no. If he finds the right princess, they will likely become engaged immediately. But unfortunately…"
Josselyn looked at him expectantly.
"This will be the third banquet, and he still hasn't chosen anyone."
The corner of Josselyn's lips lifted slightly. She looked toward the grand hall at the end of the corridor.
If she could catch Killian's attention, not as the alchemist's daughter, but as someone impossible to ignore, perhaps the palace's fate would turn in her favor.