King Julius guides the Prince to his office handing him all the information he has managed to gather. "We believe she isn't working alone, unfortunately no one has spoken up." Xerxes looks over the information, anger in his eyes.
"Not a single one of the maids know who she is. However a gaurd brought up a report, a maid has been missing for a while, her body was found floating in the river. We believe the culprit killed the maid and stole her identity. "
"Has she stated her intentions? Why she targeted my sister ?"
"All she said was 'an old love finds it's way back, from the shadows it will rise ' " The king looked away from Xerxes menacing stare, "She hasn't spoke, in regards to the antidote, we hope she will speak to you"
Prince Jackson guides Xerxes to the dark hallways of the cell, in a corner the figure of a women is seen. The young Prince leaves Xerxes alone. "Hello your majesty, I see you have come. Just know, I won't speak-"
"All you need to tell me is what venom was used, tell me and maybe I will lit you live"
The maid laughs "You take me as a fool. Please I have heard great things about you, don't disappoint me "
The prince tilts his head scanning her from head to toe "You are from the shores of the Havelok kingdom, from a small village I assume. Your specialty is poisonous plants. Am I wrong? And your name is Tara or Celine "
Celine who has been discovered stops her laughs, how did he mange to figure all of her without saying a word. "You have knowledge of my people ?" She asks
"I do..it would be a shame to destroy such a lovely village dont you think " Celine trembles at the thought of her people vanishing due to her stupidity.
"Careful now your majesty such knowledge might get you into trouble...just like having two different women will"
The prince tightens his jaw "shut up. You know nothing of what you speak!" Tara laughs historically "I pinched a nerve I see. Tell me my friend how do you think your first wife will feel about it? Will she leave you? After all you have made her believe she is the only one, but we both know you are sleeping around "
The prince slams his hands against the cell door "Shut Up! Don't You Dare Speak About My Wife!"
"Hahah..oh but that's not all is it...oh yes.. your lover, she is carrying a child, yours?...And what is this...haha you've been busy my dear. Your wife too is pregnant....oh that's interesting..but I sense a third person...oh fuck HAHAHA is the child even yours?" The maid begins to laugh louder and louder shaking the cell walls.
Angry he left the cell. Back in his chambers he begins to wonder her revelations.
Pregnant? Is she speaking about Lady Isabella? Esmeray perhaps ? That can't be possible, he has been careful with Lady Isabella, he's made sure of it. And Esmeray...he's been careful with her too or has he been intentional with his actions.
It has been a few days since Xerxes spoke with Tara, unfortunately his dear sister has only gotten worse. He knows he has no other option but to speak with her.
"Tell me what it is you want. I will do anything as long as you save my sister "
"Anything?" She mocks
"Yes" Tara sees the determination in his eyes, she has him exactly where she wants him. "Give me ten years of your life and I will give you twenty of hers"
"What?"
"I want ten years of your life, after those ten years your health will decline slowly and painful. Your sister will get twenty years and like you she will slowly die...unless you kill the present King then your life and hers are God's to play with"
Her words make him stumble backwards, he can't possibly make such a deal. He leaves Tara alone once more.
Night slowly and painfuly came, his sister worse then before. The prince paces back and forth but there is no way out.
He goes back the cell, and just as he opens the door he sees flickering of light. At the end Tara is heard chanting in an unknown language. She must've felt his presence because she address him without looking back "You are back I see. Unfortunately the deal is off, Prince Jackson has made a new deal with me"
Xerxes walks around Tara. He spots Prince Jackson covered in blood, on his knees, tears falling down his face. "What have you done?" He questions him, but the prince stays silent
"He is not with us, he is wondering far in the lands..you took to long so he came to me. "
Xerxes held Jackson in his arms, whispering in his ear, meanwhile Celia continues her chanting. Suddenly everything goes quiet.
Prince Jackson comes to his senses, Xerxes looks around but she is now gone. In the midst of the fire, a box. Disregarding the heat and dangers of the flames Xerxes sticks his hand for the box.
Inside a small antibiotic, and a note
'What is done will be gone, time will come for what is mine"