|
Post by littlefluffette on Aug 20, 2014 5:20:24 GMT
Adviser Enguerrand Urbain Armistead King Denton Andre Lywood For three long weeks Enguerrand almost hovered around the castle of Twyford, either staying in his temporary laboratory to further his research or observing the daily grind of this foreign kingdom. Little news had ever been relayed to the tubby advisor about the mental health of the Queen, whether if she had emotionally repaired herself over the death of her unborn child, or was still wallowing in misery. He never directly asked when sending letters back to Didlington if Queen Rosalind was well, but he had come to subtly inquire if there was anything of importance they needed of him back home. They never told him much of anything now, and he was not surprised. He had only planned to stay a week, but his stay had been unexpectedly lengthened when Lance returned to take back the throne. Kiana had been given more power with Lance as King of Twyford, and with this power came a shift in who was considered an advisor. Almost all of the elderly men who had often questioned the female’s presence had been replaced by young, wide eyed scientists in their prime. Youths who were still new to the world of science and who required help, help that only a veteran such as Enguerrand could offer. Now he was almost being forced to stay, not by order or by restraint but by his own moral dilemma. If he were to leave while these young researchers were still fresh to the world of scientific study, they would surely make a mistake. In fact Enguerrand ditching them whilst he knew there was so much they had to understand about scientific study was, to the older man, sabotage of one scientist to another and that just went against his moral imperative to understand the world. So he asked for extended leave, begrudgingly, and had stayed to help organize their permanent laboratory. The plan was to get their laboratory prepared and to help them understand the scientific process as soon as possible, hopefully before the coronation. Enguerrand had quite enough of grand parties, and he especially did not want to stay at one where he was clearly a foreign stranger. Worst yet, many assumed his extended stay in Twyford coupled with the increased presence of scientifically driven advisors was sign that he was to be a permanent advisor, and he just could not accept. Kiana was the head advisors, and leaving a job which offered more promise to take on a lower ranking position with less control was out of the question. There was absolutely nothing Twyford could offer that would make him change his mind. Thus he had to get this done soon, causing Enguerrand to forgo proper sleep to make sure the laboratory was prepared. As he yawned loudly he stepped out of the still incomplete laboratory, heading towards the kitchen to get his meal. He had almost been avoiding most of the locals in the castle, and for good reason. Some rumour of war was spreading and those interested thought Enguerrand knew what it meant. He really did not know much, other then that there was still debate about the death of the previous King, and that was a subject many already knew. Slipping into the kitchen he looked around for some fruit to snack on, wishing to return to his task as soon as he could. For a man who never emotionally attached himself to anyone or really anything, he felt unsettled being so far away from familiar faces and familiar places. - - -
Efforts to ease their King back into a state of calm were fruitless as Denton was still very much shaken up by the events in Didlington. While he had been told that King Gregory had died by illness, he was not so naïve and young to truly believe this. Besides, he had been more shaken by the near attack and mad rambling of Rosalind to feel as if he could trust anyone save for his Knight and Advisor. And now one of them was gone, back in Didlington to investigate further on the death while he was left alone to make choices- difficult choices that affected everyone. Whilst the castle bustle moved on as normally, Denton had come to almost lock himself in his bedroom. He left solely to sit in the throne room and discuss work with whomever he needed to, but other then that he ate in his bedroom, read in his bedroom, and did not want to go anywhere else but stay in his bedroom. Many had tried to tell him it was childish, but after being dragged through the castle halls in Didlington by the Queen herself, he was quite done with dealing with this stressful job of King and just wanted to hide in his room. This morning he was still lying in bed, gradually coming to wake up though it was not as if he was going to go anywhere today.
|
|
|
Post by final_wolf on Aug 20, 2014 18:38:42 GMT
Lance Gavin Dubeux
Lance couldn't have been any happier hearing that Kiana agree to him for having breakfast together. He knew they both probably had a fair share of work to go over for the day, but the day had just begun. "It is nice outside. I stood on my balcony for awhile this morning. Gentle breeze. It feels good." He smiled gently. As the two walked they held idle chit chat. He found himself frowning when he heard that Gregory was going to destroy the garden for an archery range. "I'm glad you were able to convince him to leave the garden alone. Like you said, plenty of sweet memories there. That was Gregory though. He always saw the short term effects of things. He rarely saw the big picture. Impulsive is probably a good word to have described him." That was true. Even when they were younger. Lance kept to his studies and his training, realizing doing all this was going to help him when he was older. Gregory often ditched his studies to go seek out what he felt was better.
Lance took his seat at the table. His eyes scouting through the garden. Sure he had seen other gardens before, including wild gardens. Still, none could tug at his heart like the castle garden here. Lance turned his gaze back to Kiana when she started to speak, about him aging. He chuckled a little when she quickly added to her statement. "I'm glad o resemble my father. He taught me plenty, and I hope I can be just as good as he was when he ruled. I already have his white hair." He chuckled a little more. As a child he had brown hair, but by the time he was twenty his hair started to gray. It didn't bother him though. The same thing had happened to his father when he was younger.
Lance forced a gentle smile when Kiana started to speak about Gregory more. "Thank you. Gregory had a lot to learn and I had hoped he would learn it as the days went by. Kiana..." Lance had not known yet about the real cause of Gregory's death, but hearing that it was heart failure due to a 'bad heart', just did not make sense to him. The family history had never had a known ailment like that. Perhaps that really was the cause, he did not believe Kiana would lie to him. He would drop it after he asked. "From my understanding it was Sir Merek and yourself to realize what had happened to my brother. I just want to make sure that it is what I have heard, that he died of a heart ailment." Part of him just did not want to believe it was due to such a simple thing. His younger brother, Lance had always believed Gregory to be a strong person. Foolish at times, but strong.
Lance took a sip of the tea while he thought about where he should spread his brother's ashes. Most of the royal family was usually spread in the garden or somewhere else around the castle. He thought about spreading them over the water, but that might be frowned upon. Lance, brother of Gregory not seeming it worthy to spread his brother on the castle grounds. That wasn't the case. He knew Gregory enjoyed the water, it sounded like a good idea, minus that fact. Perhaps the archery range would be an idea. He wasn't sure and knew he'd figure it out later.
|
|
Miya
Junior Member
Posts: 85
|
Post by Miya on Aug 20, 2014 23:55:44 GMT
Advisor Kiana Rose Everton
Kiana had kept telling herself that she wasn’t lying about how Gregory died, but when Lance looked her square in the eye and asked if that was the real cause it made her heart plummet inside. She could never lie to him, even if it were a white lie, but the truth about Gregory’s death was shameful for everyone. If other kingdoms heard of what had conspired then they would surely accuse Twyford of lying about other things if they could lie about the death of their own king. She had thought of the consequences countless times already, and each time it convinced her more that the truth must never get out…But this was Lance. His brother died, and he needed to know the truth. Glancing carefully around them, she made sure no servants were about to approach before she leaned slightly closer to the king and gave him a heartfelt look that told him that she was holding back the truth from him. “I fear I have misled you, Lance.” She said softly, but her gaze did not leave his own. “Your brother…I wrote to you on more than one occasion about his somewhat obsessive nature, but this last obsession of his caused him his death. I’m not sure when, but somehow he was in an affair with Queen Rosalind of Didlington. She was his obsession and he felt the need to ‘free’ her from her husband. He wasn’t thinking clearly when he visited Didlington Kingdom, and he conjured up an idea to kill the king there to take Queen Rosalind away. When Sir Merek found your brother’s body, I was immediately informed and saw that your brother had two glasses prepared on a table. One was filled with poison, and he carelessly drank it. My belief is that he planned to get King Roland to see him that night and try to trick him into drinking the poison, but made a foolish mistake of drinking as if it were the untainted one…” She explained to him as clearly as she could while all the while speaking in a way so her voice could not carry. It was hard to admit how foolish Gregory was, but even hard to think of how she was an advisor to such a king. The two of them never got along well, but just enough to tolerate one another. They had to after she was placed as an advisor, and his father praised her. Getting rid of her would bring up questions that the dead king didn’t want to deal with. It was his nature from what Kiana could remember from their childhood. He often ‘bullied’ her, but when he realized that questions about why he did it were bothersome he stopped. It wasn’t somehow worth it anymore. What a twisted king…How could Kiana let him hurt himself so foolishly? She leaned away from Lance as she thought it over, giving him also time to absorb the information. “Sir Merek and I are the only two that know the truth. We covered it up, and for the most part people believed us…I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” She closed her eyes after that, taking another moment to compose herself before she looked up at Lance and reached a hand out to touch his arm. Right away Kiana could feel how strong he was under that hot flesh. He had grown so much, and Kiana wondered if she had changed so much from when they were children. They were nearly inseparable before he began training with the knights…And then he left. She removed her hand from his arm, placing it back in her lap to join the other as the memories and feelings from that day came back to her. She had such childish hopes and dreams of Lance, and she could admit to herself that man sitting beside her was her first love. He had meant everything to her, but it had been made painfully clear that he cared more about crusading. She understood his mission, and she respected his decision unlike her father who called it rash, but she didn’t want him to go. She didn’t want to be left alone with the horrible Gregory that enjoyed pushing her into bushes, and her father who pressured her into being an advisor. She wanted him to stay and love her back as much as she did…But that was foolish. So foolish that it made her smile internally. “ I’m sure your brother’s soul will find peace.” She said softly before picking up her teacup to take a sip. Childhood dreams meant nothing now to a woman who was picking a sensible and logical lifestyle with a knight. She trusted Merek with her heart. He was safe. He wouldn’t hurt her. And that’s all that mattered now.
|
|
|
Post by final_wolf on Aug 22, 2014 0:46:00 GMT
Lance Gavin Dubeux
Lance listened to Kiana's full story of what happened to his brother. He was not sure what to think, at leas not at first. He should have known that Gregory's impulsiveness would get him killed one day. Something so foolish as to allow love to blind yourself. Love was foolish, and it drove men to do the craziest things. This is what had happened to Gregory. Perhaps if Lance had stayed home, Gregory would still be alive. It was no use thinking like that. If he had not gone on his crusade so many more lives would have been destroyed. Lance had learned plenty on his travels and perhaps that was why fate thought it amusing for him to be on the throne. Still, this would not be good if word did get out that Gregory mixed the drinks up and killed himself by accident. Even if it was staged to look like a suicide, it still would not sound good. "You did what was best for the kingdom. I cannot fault you for that, Kiana. Word shall not get out about what really happened." He spoke gently and softly.
Lance still would need time to fully wrap his head around his brother doing something so stupid. Though what bothered him as well, was that Rosalind and Gregory had an affair. He did not like Roland, but to go around and sleep with any king's wife was very foolish. Even he had to admit Rosalind was quite stunning, but not stunning enough to blindside him. Lance wondered if his brother was so bent on this love of his if he really was willing to go to war over it. As much as Lance hated to admit it, this was a good thing that Gregory died when he did. Peace would be kept between the kingdoms. "There is no need to be sorry for not telling me sooner. I appreciate you telling me though." Lance forced a gentle smile.
Lance sipped on the tea a bit more as he then realized, he didn't want to think about this right now. He would have all day to think about the foolish things his brother had done. A genuine smile placed on Lance's face once more. "Tell me, I know I have missed plenty since I have been gone. How are things going for you? What's new?" Lance found himself just enjoying the moment now. In an hour or less he'd be working on his duties. The coronation would be in just a few more days and there was still plenty for him to do. He might as well enjoy the little things while he can before things got too hectic for at least a little while. This would be a new challenge for him, and he would excel at it like he always had when given a new challenge. The one thing he had already found out that he didn't like, and hadn't liked since he was a child, was he needed a proper suitor. Some of the servants he had overheard wondering if Lance would have children and if he did hopefully it would be soon. It wasn't like Lance was young. He wasn't old either, but older than what his father and his grandfather where when they had children. Let alone, Lance still did not have any idea on whom he was going to marry. One of the other advisors had mentioned to him it would be wise to look at some of the higher end nobles and then listed a few. That only gave him a headache.
|
|
Miya
Junior Member
Posts: 85
|
Post by Miya on Aug 22, 2014 6:07:12 GMT
Advisor Kiana Rose Everton
Kiana kept her gaze away from Lance, suddenly feeling like she was out of place. It wasn’t unheard of for an advisor to speak alone with his/her king, but it was certainly strange for two old friends to be trying to catch up over tea when the only thing that brought them back together was a death. Was that really all that needed to happen in order for Lance to return home? It was hard to think about it, so she didn’t. Instead, she listened as Lance praised her quick thinking and appreciated her telling the truth. This was all too strange…Kiana nearly missed what Lance asked until she noticed he was posing another question to her. How are things going? What’s new? Years had gone by, everything has been happening, she wanted to cry out. However, she composed herself and sat her glass of tea down before smiling over at Lance in a friendly manner like she was trained to do. “Things are well for me. After father’s passing some years ago, I inherited many of his possessions, but the most valuable of them is his library. Oh the stories he kept hidden from me. The knowledge that was always at his fingertips are now at mine, which I was able to use in order to help Gregory while he ruled.” She explained before thinking far enough back to recall events that had happened in her life. She couldn’t very well tell him that she had lost her virginity to King Roland during a horrible enchantment that most definitely cost her her youth, but she did relay how she handled foreign affairs more thanks to her ability to offer useful suggestions. “I’ve also happened to get engaged.” She said towards the end before a rather proud smile came to her face as she thought of the man that proclaimed his love for her. “In truth, I’m marrying Sir Merek Hastings.” A warm red blush crossed over her cheeks after she said it. It was still hard to imagine herself getting married, especially after her failed attempts at romance, but Merek was a strong and honorable man. “He’s older than me by a few years, which is rare for a woman of my status and age…But I think I would marry him even if he were ten years younger than me. He truly cherishes and respects me.” Her whole face softened as she spoke more about him and how the thought of being married to such a man would bring her happiness everyday. “We’re planning to wed before the year ends. I have father’s mansion that he left me, so we’ll most likely move there since it is still fairly close to the castle.” She spoke aloud before looking up at Lance. “ I was hoping the King of Twyford, and my dear old friend, would consider coming to our wedding.” She added with a wide smile.
|
|
|
Post by iliaroseraine on Aug 22, 2014 6:08:41 GMT
Erin Willows It had been three weeks had passed since their trip to Didlington, three surprisingly long weeks, and Erin hoped things would settle down. But at this particular moment in time, she wasn't sure if that would ever happen. Right now she had so much she needed to take care of. Erin was already awake and going that morning, She had been working for several hours already at this point, about ready to once again tend to the extra responsibilities that had landed on her shoulders for the time being. Cid, before he left, had surprised her giving her the responsibility to ensure the Kings safety while he was gone and Erin did not take that task lightly. Since her talk with Cid after the trip she hadn't been beating herself up near as much about everything that had gone wrong, but she still felt a strong urge to prove herself as a capable knight. Something she hadn't felt this strongly about since the day she earned her Knighthood.
And to her utter relief she was doing a decent job. Or at least that was how she felt. It wasn't easy. and she wouldn't lie about not facing some tough and rocky moments, but over all their King was in no worse condition then what he was in when Cid had left. Something, considering with everything that went wrong just a few weeks ago, was something in itself many would be proud of. Things weren't completely ideal with how the king had taken to locking himself in his room, but was something Erin was more than willing to compromise with. Improvements otherwise could be made with time. Erin was not naive or ignorant to the thought that improvements needed to be made as well. At least, she thought to herself, at least he is doing his kingly duties.
She was concerned for Denton. She knew that it wasn't good for him in the long run if he continued to lock himself up in his room like he had been and felt that something had to be done. But she knew that things couldn't be forced either, no more than what was physically possible. Her King was teetering on a ledge when it came to social matters and she felt if things were handled incorrectly, he would dive off the cliff into social isolation. Something Luffnum couldn't have from their king.
Luckily, Erin had started to form a plan, and luckily held a few cards under her sleeve that she felt might help Denton back onto the road of recovery. It was something that she had been planning to hopefully start moving into action, only considering it after spending several nights thinking about it. It was with this plan in mind that she walked to Denton's room. She felt if she was lucky, she could get him out of is room for a bit, but she knew she was in no rush and needed to take things as quickly as he was willing to go.
She was before his door and with great practice relaxed the tension in her shoulders. She knew Denton was extremely sensitive and knew that and tension or stress she brought with her would be easily picked up on by him. Only when she was sure she was calm did she consider knocking on the door. "Your highness?" She spoke in a manner to identify herself, "Would you be interested in some company?" It was for the simple fact that she had not ridiculed him, or his choices, that she felt he would respond in some manner.
|
|
Miya
Junior Member
Posts: 85
|
Post by Miya on Aug 22, 2014 21:16:05 GMT
King Roland Tanner Langton & Queen Rosalind Katharina Langton
((So, there are about four pages worth of stuff that happened before the timeskip between RoRo, so it will not be included unfortunately. I may include somewhere else though))
Three weeks later, Roland sat in a large open room that contained sofas and chairs that were normally filled with advisors, but today he was alone in it reading over a report of the events that conspired the night of the grand ball he held for his wife’s pregnancy. The word had already spread that she had miscarried, and the people had sent her many gifts of grievance to aid her, but it seemed the best gift was a small young cat that currently laid sprawled out in the middle of the room. Roland didn’t mind the cat as he looked over Gregory’s death examination that his doctor had been able to briefly do before the body was burned. There was swelling around his lips that indicated poison…Which made Roland’s lips curve up in a smile. He only saw the bad news as him not being the one to have performed the job himself. When he felt a rub at his leg, Roland looked down at the cat before standing up and looking over at one of the knights standing off to the side. “Where is my wife?” He asked, knowing he had sent for her a long enough time ago to the point that she should already be there. He decided he needed to tell her of Gregory’s death himself, and of Enguerrand’s sudden departure himself before she went wandering around the castle and heard. She had spent most of her recovery in his bedroom, like he wanted, but for the last few days she had been on her own…which worried him.
It had been three weeks. In such time, Rosalind had been allowed to recover her strength in Roland’s bedroom, a private space for the king. Even the servants realized what a concession it was to his grieving wife. Rosalind was overwhelmed by his generosity. At first, she didn’t know what to do, but in time realized it was best to simply accept it with a smile. A maid was constantly on duty in the queen’s bedroom, as well as a knight stationed at the door. The three weeks in bed had been spent in nightgowns. On this day, Roland had sent word calling for the queen. It took longer than expected to select a gown. This would be the first time everyone saw Rosalind out of bed and mostly recovered. It was important to look presentable. Eventually, she chose a beaded white gown with a deep cowl neck. The gown was fitted at the waist, with a loose skirt. Sleeves almost long enough to reach the knees allow a peek at her shoulders. The queen’s hair was held back with a delicate by a hair jewel made from two different chains tied to a hair clip on either side of the head. It was quite a romantic look. Several knights escorted Rosalind to the room. The doors were opened and her presence was announced. Shoulders held back in a queenly stance, she approached Roland. At the risk of being berated, she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “I am sorry to have taken so long… I just wanted to look good for you”, she said as the kitten quickly ran up begging for attention. “Come here Spike”, she said picking up the kitten. Spike was a rather odd name for a white cat, but no one dare say anything about it. Not to the queen or king, especially since the kitten was yet another concession the king had made to aid Rosalind’s recovery.
When Rosalind entered the room, Roland saw that everyone else was watching her as well. It had been so long since everyone had seen her, so he waited until the queen was at his side and kissing his cheek before he fully looked at her appearance himself. She looked well, better than the last time he had her in his bed, her face still looked slightly pale though, but he told himself is was due to lack of sleep. She apologized for taking so long, and Roland merely nodded his head before she picked up the kitty named Spike and cuddled him in her arms. “He’s been bothering me for attention that I don’t have time to give.” Roland stated simply before leading her over to a chair to sit her down. He then placed the folder on the table opposite side of her before sitting down next to her and touching her hand with his. “I’m afraid I have some news for your ears that you may not like.” He said softly.
“He likes you”, she said smiling. Spike, for one reason or another, enjoyed spending time with Roland. Thankfully, the kitten did not destroy property and would just lay sprawled about close to the king, meowing from time to time. Roland led her to a chair, at which point she set down the kitten. “Go play for a bit.”After Rosalind took a seat, he set down a folder. Apparently, they had to discuss some displeasing news. It sounded quite serious. “Has something happened?”
"Yes, I'm afraid something happened..." He said quietly before leaning back and deciding it would be simplest to just say what happened. "Three weeks ago, King Gregory was found dead in his room by his knight and advisor..." He waited a moment before continuing. "It was deemed to be caused by a heart condition. Our doctors backed up the report." He lied, but only because he didn't want to upset her again with what was found out.
Rosalind listened as Roland explained everything. Not a single emotion was evident on the queen’s face. She was not overcome with grief. She did not cry. “Three weeks ago. That was around the time of the celebration.” Pausing, she met Roland’s eyes. “He did not know. I never told him.” Did it matter? Perhaps it didn’t, but Rosalind felt as though Roland should know that King Gregory had no idea that he was the father of her child. “Maybe this is for the best. Now we can leave everything in the past.”
Her understanding was commendable, and it made him reach his hand out to touch hers. "Yes. I think it will be best for us to leave that all in the past." He said softly before removing his hand and letting it rest on the arm of his chair. He didn't expect her to take it so well, having prepared time to tend to her in case she snapped again. Unsure of what to do next, he looked off to the side before an idea came to mind. "Since it's been awhile since you've been out of your room. How about we take a stroll outside? The horses must miss your company." He recommended. The majority of the 'pets' belonging to the castle were outdoors, and so he felt she would enjoy time with them. "Do you feel up for it?"
A touch of the hand, such a simply gesture, yet it conveyed a hint of approval from the king. It warmed Rosalind’s heart. Even if it was meaningless to Roland, it was very much appreciated by his queen. Roland’s next words surprised Rosalind. The king was offering to accompany her on a stroll. It was hard to remember a time they took a breath of fresh air together. In fact, any such thing probably never happened. “You’ll come with me”, she asked a bit bewildered. “I would love to.” A smile the likes of which was rarely seen on the gloomy queen’s face suddenly appeared. Her eyes shone brightly, as if the weight of the last few weeks was suddenly lifted.
|
|
|
Post by final_wolf on Aug 29, 2014 3:45:15 GMT
Lance Gavin Dubeux
Lance had recalled in a letter years ago about Kiana telling him her father had passed. He did wish he could have been there for his friend, but knew his place was not to be back in the castle. He had feared if he came back to the castle that his parents or the advisors would try to get him to stay. He even waited to write that letter back. It had taken him about a month extra to write back. That was one of the last times he had written to Kiana. He had stopped about a year after that. There was no real reason for him stopping, just he wanted to focus on crusading. And...that Kiana would be better not knowing about him.
"I'm glad you got your father's library and that it has proven useful. You always did like to read. If there ever is a book that you want, I'll make sure to find a way to get it to you. Help you grow your library." Lance was glad to see that she seemed rather happy. Until she mentioned she was engaged and she was smiling. Why did it hurt? It felt like a stab to the back. He forced his own smile out of politeness, but it was not easy. Sir Merek Hastings? Lance recalled a Hastings knight when he was younger. Was that Merek's father?
Lance seemed to have tuned out, by accident, what Kiana was all saying about Merek. Then, the worst. She mentioned that they wanted to marry by the years end and to move into her father's mansion. No! He didn't want Kiana to live outside the castle. Was he jealous? He needed time to clear his head and figure things out. He knew how he should act, but his mind was fighting with him, or was it perhaps his heart? "Of course, Kiana. It would be honor to attend your wedding. Congratulations. I'm happy for you and Sir Merek." That was quite hard for him to say.
Lance stood up. "It's getting a bit late in the morning. Perhaps we can meet up again later. Maybe for supper?" He had to get away and think. The longer he stayed, the higher of a chance he had of blerting out things he knew he shouldn't. They were childhood friends, he had always seen Kiana like a little sister. Though towards the last two years he was in the castle, he had started to see her differently as she started to mature. Still...Lance had no idea that this is how things would turn out when he came back. He never thought that Kiana would be engaged. Well, perhaps that was a poor thought. He knew Kiana would be married at some point, but he just never thought he'd know of it. He had never planned on coming back to the castle, and now that he has, old feelings were stirring, and stirring hard.
|
|
|
Post by Comtesse de Tournay on Aug 29, 2014 22:12:10 GMT
Cid Sol Heiß
▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄
It had been three weeks. Cid suspected the truth behind King Gregory’s death had concealed. Day after day, he went over the situation in his head, attempting to analyze the details. Nothing quite added up, so he wrote a letter to King Roland of Didlington requesting to hold an independent investigation of the crime scene. The king responded in turn, Cid would be allowed free access to the crime scene on the condition that Roland was given a private tour of Luffnum’s mines. It was a simple request, one that was easily granted. Thus, Cid Sol Heiß set off for Didlington. Along with the necessary tools to carry out the investigation, he brought a beautiful earring for Rosalind and matching cuff links for Roland made of Luffnum’s finest jewels as tokens of sympathy for the difficult situation they had to endure.
During his time in Didlington, Cid discovered various interesting facts. King Gregory had not suffered a heart attack. Instead, his death was caused by ingesting poison. No one had touched the room since the event, which allowed Cid to inspect it thoroughly. Traces of wine laces with poison still remained in the carpet, though someone had attempted to clean it up. Oddly enough, there had been two glasses of wine in the room. Both had been cleaned up, but one still had traces of poison. At first, Cid believed a distraught King Gregory might have poisoned himself, but the evidence said otherwise. This was not a case of suicide. Rather it looked to be a costly mistake by a nervous would-be murderer. It was not out of the question for King Gregory to have wanted to kill someone. In this case, the most likely victim would seem to be Roland. After all, he did speak of wanting to free Rosalind. What better way to free the queen than to kill her husband? It seemed to Cid as though Gregory had laid out the poisoned glass of wine, along with another for himself. Perhaps, to steel his nerves before calling in Roland, he had a sip of wine. Unfortunately, he had a sip of the wrong cup, which caused his death. Noting the implications of a murder plot, those closest to him covered it up. They likely attempted to clean up the wine, hastily emptied the glasses, and came up with a likely story. A heart attack, it was tragic, but would avoid a declaration of war.
It was sensitive information, the sort Cid could not write down on paper for prying eyes to see. Luffnum’s advisor met personally with the king, explaining his findings and the likely scenario. Cid chose to leave out the conversation with King Gregory on the day of the day of the festivities. Roland was an intelligent man, he likely knew about Gregory’s feelings for Rosalind all along. Cid presented facts, leaving out any personal feelings. King Roland was the one who had to decide what to do with the information. His business concluded, Cid headed back to his kingdom.
▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄
|
|