PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST NOVELS || LATEST MOVIES || LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME
GARDEN OF POISON
Just like me... (Chapter 112)
Music Recommendation: Blooming Truth- Byun Sang Hoo
—
Anastasia approached the dungeon with Theresa trailing right behind her. The guards flanking the walls on either side bowed at her. They were the same men who had once denied her entry to see her dead sister.
She realised how power and status allowed her to do things that she couldn't do previously. In a way, it provided her with much more freedom than before. They stepped inside the dungeon, walking down the stairs before reaching the underground area of the palace. But it wasn't quiet, as they could hear Queen Maya's angry words echo in the dungeon,
"How dare you and the others look down upon me?! I will make sure to let everyone know your place!"
And soon, on the opposite side of the passage, Anastasia noticed Lady Noor approaching. She offered a slight bow to the lady, who returned it.
"Are you here to see Queen Maya, Anastasia?" Lady Noor asked her, her voice competing with Queen Maya's angry yelling.
Anastasia nodded, "I thought to come and see how she's doing."
"That is very sweet of you, but… unfortunately, she isn't in the right state of mind. Given the distressing news and the place she is confined in," Lady Noor replied with a sigh. "I encouraged her to come clean with her involvement in the schemes so that Prince Dante might allow her to see King Maxwell. As a mother myself, I can understand her pain, but her refusal to cooperate will only worsen the situation. She's too stubborn."
When Queen Maya stopped shouting in anger, the dungeon fell into silence. Lady Noor placed her hand on Anastasia's shoulder and said, "I will see you later."
Anastasia offered another bow to the lady, as did Theresa, watching as Lady Noor climbed the stairs and departed from the dungeon.
"Lady Noor has always been graceful, hasn't she?" Theresa whispered, leaning closer to Anastasia.
Anastasia nodded in acknowledgement before they proceeded towards the cell where Queen Maya was held. Theresa stood a short distance away so she wouldn't interrupt them, while the younger woman came to stand in front of the locked door.
"Is it you again, Noor? I told you I don't want to talk to you," Queen Maya growled from inside the cell.
Anastasia stayed silent for two seconds before responding, "No, it is Anastasia."
Queen Maya turned to look at the door, and her eyes narrowed as she recalled who her visitor was. She snapped, "What do you want? Not satisfied with having me locked up in here?"
Anastasia spoke up, "I have a few questions to ask you about the time I was thrown into the sea."
"Leave," Queen Maya dismissed her with disinterest, unwilling to engage in conversation with a concubine, even though she had heard from Lady Noor that she was Dante's exclusive.
"If you speak truthfully, I can arrange for you to see King Maxwell," Anastasia bargained, and after a few seconds, she heard a rustling sound. Soon, she saw the woman inside the cell come into view, sitting on the bench facing the door.
"What do you want to know? If I ordered the Vizier to throw you in the sea? I didn't. If I was the one who hit you? I didn't," Queen Maya's answers were sharp, her anger directed towards the woman on the other side of the door. She stared at the concubine through the gap in the door. "Did you see me the night you supposedly heard me talking with Zion?"
Anastasia shook her head and said, "No. That is why I am here."
No matter how hard she tried to remember what had occurred two nights ago, Anastasia struggled to recall the other person's voice that accompanied the Vizier's. She couldn't discern whether it was a woman or a man whispering in the corridor.
"Why did you refuse the space in the mausoleum for Lady Lucretia?" Anastasia asked, hoping to uncover any clues that might indicate whether the woman truly wasn't the one responsible for her near-drowning incident.
"I changed my mind and offered it in the end," Queen Maya replied, fixing her gaze on Anastasia before rising and walking towards the door.
"It was too late when you made the offer. What made you refuse it at first? You even drove her to a place where Dante couldn't easily see her," Anastasia inquired, her brown eyes locking onto the woman's gaze.
Before Anastasia could continue questioning her, Queen Maya scoffed, "Now that you are dressed up, and I have time to look at you, I can finally see what was going on. Sisters. Marianne, was it? Despite the differences in your appearance, from your eyes to the complexion of your skin, you both look alike." A dry chuckle escaped from the woman's lips as she realised the similarity between the women, and she added, "On second thought, I should have killed you to prevent what has occurred now."
Upon hearing her sister's name, Anastasia asked, "Did you kill her…?"
"I didn't," Queen Maya responded so quickly that it raised suspicion in the younger woman's mind. "My son had already turned her into a concubine and was ignoring her. So there was really nothing much for me to do then… but had I known you were her sister, I would have gotten you far away from here."
"I didn't do anything," Anastasia stated. Never had she looked in King Maxwell's direction.
A bitter smile surfaced on Queen Maya's lips, and she remarked, "You look very much like your dead sister. Don't you think Maxwell noticed it? I am certain he was haunted and felt guilty, and guilt can eat you alive. No wonder he was hovering around you." She glared at the younger woman.
"Maybe if you had allowed him to be happy with my sister, they both would still be alive. Rather than blaming someone else for what happened, you should reflect on your own actions first," Anastasia replied, knowing Marianne had been shunned by this woman and the man she loved, along with the other people in the palace.
"How dare you," Queen Maya glared at Anastasia with disgust and hatred. "If I weren't standing in here, you wouldn't have uttered a word."
"Maybe… But it is what people talk about and have witnessed," Anastasia calmly replied to the woman, while Theresa, on the other hand, was sweating nervously, observing how tightly the younger woman's hands were clenched as she confronted a woman of high status for the first time.
"Of course, and you are one of them," Queen Maya said after looking at Anastasia and turning around to sit back on the bench. "Do you believe that I have always been like this? I was once a happy woman, before I was brought to this palace against my will. When I tried to leave, I was held imprisoned. The only thing all of you see is a controlling, selfish woman, but it is the palace and its very inhabitants who make you like this."
Anastasia's eyes widened at the woman's words. Queen Maya had tried to run away from here?
"Why?" Anastasia asked out loud.
Queen Maya laughed with a slight hint of mockery at her own past thoughts before she said, "I thought I didn't need the palace life. I wanted to be free."
______________
GARDEN OF POISON
Survival in the palace (Chapter 113)
Music Recommendation: Abandoned Secret- Fredrick Jonasson
—
Anastasia watched Queen Maya stare at the wall beside her, her hands resting on her crossed legs. The woman inside the cell appeared bitter and angry, yet maintained a stoic expression. As the surrounding silence enveloped them, the only sound she could hear was the distant clanking of chains coming from various corners of the dungeon.
When Anastasia turned to look at Theresa, the older woman took it as a cue and proceeded to walk further away from where she initially stood so that she could promptly inform the young woman if anyone were to approach.
"Were you caught trying to escape from the palace?" Anastasia asked, but Queen Maya only continued to stare at the wall, offering no response. Perhaps the woman didn't want to speak to her, she thought to herself, and just as she was about to depart, she unexpectedly heard her say,
"It feels like a distant memory that has been buried and obscured amidst other recollections. Something I haven't revisited for many years now." Queen Maya's voice softened from its previous volume. "The place I came from used to experience heavy snowfalls. I had loving parents, a brother who cared for me, and a lover I was engaged to. His name was Oslo. I still vividly remember that fateful evening when my town came under attack."
"Was it pirates?" Anastasia inquired, feeling a connection to the woman's past.
"No. It wasn't pirates. It was the soldiers of another kingdom who had attacked us during a blizzard. They captured me and four other women, trading us like sheep before we were eventually brought here," Queen Maya explained, her blue eyes void of emotion. Shifting her gaze towards Anastasia, she added, "You know what happens in this place."
But Anastasia was curious about Queen Maya's attempted escape and the reason for its failure. Additionally, a part of her wanted to understand the woman, who claimed she had not been like this before. Though she didn't believe the woman completely, she was willing to hear her out. She stated,
"Most of the concubines consider themselves fortunate to be in the presence of the royal family members."
"Is that how you are feeling now?" Queen Maya raised her eyebrow. "Being a prince's exclusive concubine, one on the path to becoming a king. You must be feeling fortunate."
Anastasia didn't respond to the woman's words at first, before she said, "I never had my eyes on the throne."
"Do you think that when I was brought here, I ever desired any part of it?" Queen Maya huffed, her lips twisting into a frown, before she continued, "Most of us who end up here either long to go home, or seek to remain as close as possible to the throne. But the inevitable truth is that once you arrive here, there's no way back."
"When did you come to that realisation?" Anastasia asked, her sense of hope still intact as she wondered where the breaking point lay.
"You do have an abundance of questions, don't you?" Queen Maya responded, turning the question back on Anastasia this time. During the last twenty-four hours of being confined in this cell, her only visitors were those who interrogated her about her intentions of working with the Vizier, and her distressed daughter, who had been crying and panicking. The visitor before her now was one she hadn't anticipated.
"I want to understand where you are coming from, as it might shed light on your motives. Like your decision to choose Lady Evin to act as your son's soulmate, even though she wasn't," Anastasia said in a lowered voice, her words intended only for Queen Maya to hear. The older woman's eyes narrowed, but she remained noncommittal, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
"Looks like you are smarter than your sister was," Queen Maya commented as the two women maintained unwavering eye contact. "If a girl who was merely a maid a few days ago is discussing it, it means others have spoken to you about it."
Anastasia disliked it when members of the royal family mentioned her sister, and she especially didn't like it when anyone belittled her sister's memory in her presence.
"Is that anger in your eyes that I see? The loss of a loved one does change people, doesn't it?" Queen Maya questioned, regaining Anastasia's attention. The woman then proceeded to say, "When I was taken captive, my brother followed in an attempt to get me back. What do you think happened?"
By the older woman's words, Anastasia didn't have to guess, so she said, "He was killed by the soldiers who captured you?"
"Not them," Queen Maya's voice hardened, as did the look in her eyes. "My brother came searching for me after he heard that some soldiers had transported the captives to Versailles. It took two long months until I finally saw him, and my joy was indescribable. To see him here, after enduring hell in a place where I didn't belong…" A smile graced her lips at the memory of that moment. However, after a brief pause, the smile faded, and she continued,
"Just five minutes after meeting him, we were torn apart by the guards. A concubine is considered the royal family's property, belonging exclusively to them, and isn't supposed to allow another man to touch her, nor should any man attempt to do so; these are the strict rules of the palace that I didn't pay attention to at the time. After all, who even thinks about such things when their family is before them…"
"They killed him," Anastasia whispered, as realisation dawned on her, noting no tears escaped Queen Maya's eyes.
"In front of me," Queen Maya said as she took a deep breath, with one of her eyebrows subtly raising at the haunting memory. "I witnessed him sacrificing his life for me right before my eyes, but it was all in vain. And the person who ordered his death was the Mother Queen."
Anastasia furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head in disbelief, saying, "That can't be true." The Mother Queen had been kind and nice to her, and she couldn't believe such a respectful woman would ever order someone's death.
"I don't care if you believe it or not. That is what happened," Queen Maya said, repositioning herself on the bench before adding, "If you truly want to know if I'm lying, you should ask the woman herself."
Anastasia wondered why the woman would lie to her about such a matter. Could it be to ruin any possible chance of a budding relationship they might develop? But what if it was true, she questioned herself, considering the possibility. The idea of losing a family member, and witnessing them being killed right before one's eyes, resonated deeply with her. She could empathise with the pain, anguish, heartbreak, and sense of helplessness that such an experience would bring.
"You knew King Maxwell was in love with my sister, didn't you?" Anastasia asked, her heart clenching as memories of her sister flooded in. "You could have selected her to be his soulmate, but you chose the false soulmate instead."
"Max had spent a considerable amount of time in the Paradise Tower, and if such a thing were to occur, it should have happened weeks before the news about Max's soulmate was announced," Queen Maya responded, without explicitly confirming or denying Lady Evin not being his soulmate. "Maxwell began messing things up as she gained more recognition, and it continued to cause us trouble even after her death."
"Mary never caused any trouble, and if you didn't want her here, you should have let her go free when she was brought in," Anastasia defended her sister. Frowning, she continued, "You were once in our position. Why didn't you fight for the little girls and young women who were brought here against their will? You did nothing but watch."
Queen Maya took a deep breath before exhaling the air, as if to convey that the matter wasn't as simple as Anastasia perceived it to be. With a smile, she said,
"My journey until this point hasn't been easy, and I have worked extremely hard for it. Very, very hard." She emphasised the word 'very' to ensure the young woman understood the extent of her efforts. "After my brother's death, I attempted to escape, but was caught and punished. The wounds I received on my legs were so severe that I couldn't walk for days. I realised there was no escape from this place, and if I wanted to help myself, my only path was to rise to the top and become King William's first concubine."
However, Anastasia found that Queen Maya's answer didn't address her earlier question. The more she thought about it, the more she realised that none of them objected to the concept of forced captivity and slavery. Not the king, not his women, nor the Mother Queen, as it was a deeply ingrained tradition followed for many generations. To them, it was as routine as having a meal, a habit everyone had grown accustomed to. She remarked,
"It must have made you happy that you were able to become the king's first concubine."
Queen Maya reminisced, recalling the fierce competition she had faced against the other concubines, who all sought to steal the king's attention, and finally, it was she who was chosen to be his exclusive concubine, even though he already had a wife.
"Sometimes, happiness arrives late but departs early, sooner than one can expect, especially in times of unpredictability," Queen Maya murmured, her words vague and veiled in ambiguity, leaving Anastasia puzzled.
Queen Maya's thoughts shifted to the day she experienced grief for the second time after her brother's death.
'Lady Maya, please, you must stay still so I can examine you!' pleaded one of the midwives positioned at her feet.
'Is the baby alright?! Is he fine?' Maya asked, her back against the bed and her knees pulled upwards. Blood had stained the ground, as she had lost a significant amount.
After the midwife finished her examination, the older woman pulled away with a grim expression and shook her head, saying, 'I am sorry, Lady Maya. The baby is gone.'
Tears spilt from Maya's eyes, and she demanded, 'W—what do you mean, gone? He was right here with me! He is going to be a prince! Call King William!'
However, the king didn't return to her side as she was told he was busy. Before leaving, the midwife advised her, 'You should wait and allow some time for your body to recover before considering conceiving another child. This is the second time you have lost a baby, which only means you need to rest.'
'How unfortunate to have lost two children before birth,' Maya overheard one of the maids whisper as they left the room. 'No wonder the king is showing interest in the new courtesan to secure an heir.'
And though she eventually gave the king two children, it didn't please him as much as she had hoped and planned. This was because another courtesan turned concubine, Lucretia, had already given him a prince before she could. Even when it came to daughters, she had given him the second princess, leaving her position in the palace delicate and precarious.
And it took her many years before she knew she had the chance to gain favour from the king. Queen Maya said,
"I did what I had to do to protect myself. To protect my children. To survive, and, given a chance, I wouldn't have changed a thing."
But she drove her son to take his own life, Anastasia thought to herself. Or was it her resemblance to Marianne that burdened King Maxwell with guilt to his death?
Anastasia coaxed the woman to reveal the truth about everything that had conspired, "You cannot change what has happened in the past, but we can mend the future. There can be peace within the family and a chance to rectify the errors made by others before us."
Queen Maya chuckled at Anastasia's words and retorted, "Do you truly believe there can be peace? When it has been hours since my son died, and I haven't been given the chance to see his face? If I were that cruel, either I or Maxwell could have forbidden Dante from seeing his mother as well. Nobody thinks that way."
"It is your actions that have led them to make the decision. Which is why it is necessary for you to come clean, before you lose your last chance that now capriciously hangs by a thread," Anastasia's words left her lips seamlessly after spending minutes alone talking with this woman.
"You might think that your future is secure, having the favour of a prince who will become a king," Queen Maya stated with a bitter smile before continuing, "Because I thought the same, how they make you feel as if you are the only one, until you cannot provide what they want and they look for someone else to replace you."
"I am aware of it, thanks to you," Anastasia replied. She had seen it happen to her sister and now had heard the same from this woman, but she wouldn't know how much of it was the truth until she verified it with someone else. When she noticed Theresa hurrying towards her, she turned to Queen Maya and offered her a bow, saying, "Thank you for talking with me."
As they started moving away from Queen Maya's cell, Anastasia heard a snapping sound akin to twigs being broken, making her pause and causing her to turn around to look behind. And as they continued down the passage, a shadow stood at the other end, watching them leave.
Aziel, searching for the Mother Queen, came to stand before the room where the Jeremiah family was present. As his gaze fell upon the young woman, who had been sleeping for weeks but now sat upright, holding her head in her hands, the minister's eyes widened in shock, and he quickly ran from there.
"Have you seen the Mother Queen?!" he asked one of the servants.
After ten minutes, he finally found her walking in one of the corridors, and he wheezed as he stood before her. The Mother Queen's lips tightened, and she said, "How many times have I told you not to run, Aziel? Not only is it unseemly, but unlike me, you aren't in the prime of your life."
"She's…awake! Lady Evin!" Aziel informed her, and the woman's eyebrow arched in surprise.
On the floor above, as Anastasia reached the room where Princess Emily was standing with her mother, watching over the king being prepared to be placed in the glass case, they heard hurried footsteps approaching from outside. And like a ghost, Lady Evin appeared at the door.
"My soulmate is dead! What happened to him?!" Lady Evin cried as she stepped inside the room and walked towards Maxwell's bed.
Everyone was surprised to see her awake. Anastasia and Emily stood there awkwardly, not knowing how to react, while Lady Sophia stepped forward, saying,
"Lady Evin, you should be in bed. What are you doing here?"
"My parents told me what happened," Lady Evin said with a look of despair as she gazed at Maxwell's pale face. "How could life be so cruel and take him away from me?! Just when I am awake! As the queen, I order a court meeting!"
Lady Sophia's eyes narrowed at the oblivious young woman, who thought she was the Queen of Versailles. She said, "The court meeting was held a while ago, and it was handled by a member of the Blackthorn family."
"Without involving me?" Lady Evin blinked, as if they should have known that she would wake up.
Suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of another pair of footsteps, and as everyone turned in unison, they realised it was Dante.
Like Anastasia, he had also changed his clothes. As he stepped forward, her eyes were drawn to his hair, noticing that the ends were still damp. A single drop of water trickled down his neck, only to vanish into steam. Soon after, the Mother Queen and Aziel appeared at the door.
"Lady Evin, it's a pleasure to see you have woken up," Dante addressed the woman, who had tears in her eyes. "Our grandmother here believed it would be rude to send you back to where you come from while you were still asleep."
"Send me back home? Why?" Lady Evin asked, feeling perplexed because, without her knowledge, she had been made to feel that she was Maxwell's soulmate and had a rightful place in the royal family's matters as well as the courtroom.
"Because you aren't Maxwell's soulmate. Everything was a deception, and unfortunately, you fell for it," Dante didn't miss a beat in delivering the news to the entitled woman, causing her mouth to hang open.
Lady Evin's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. "That's not possible," she protested, feeling offended by the first prince's words, "I have an inexplicable ache in my chest because of King Maxwell's death."
When Dante raised his hand in front of him, a tense atmosphere settled over everyone in the room, as they didn't want to see the woman explode. Although Lady Evin wasn't aware of what had been happening while she slept, she could sense that she should be frightened right now, especially considering the expressions worn by everyone else in the room.
"With all my past memories back from the underworld, there is one way to obtain the proof, if it's still around. I do have some matters to settle," Dante remarked calmly.
Anastasia noticed the air in the room turning cold as a breeze entered through the windows. The objects around them shook slightly, making everyone wonder what Dante was planning until his hand moved to the side.
A small black ball emerged from the ground, floating in the air, before it moved towards Maxwell and sunk into his chest. And a second later, the dead man let out a gasp.
_________
GARDEN OF POISON
To return to the underworld (Chapter 114)
Music Recommendation: Corvinus- Paul Haslinger
—
Upon hearing a gasp emanate from the lifeless man on the bed, everyone became shocked and confused. Speechless, they continued to stare in silence.
Anastasia's throat went dry when she saw King Maxwell sit upright on the bed. His eyes slowly peeled open, revealing their now dull blue hue. She had never realised the extent of Dante's demon's power, capable of defying the very essence of death by bringing his brother back to life.
Did that mean… Marianne could be brought back to life too? Could Dante do that? If that were a possibility, Anastasia would willingly choose to remain in the palace and wouldn't fight for her freedom anymore. She wouldn't even mind if she were cast aside once his soulmate appeared.
While Dante appeared calm and collected, his red eyes unwavering, the others watched nervously as Maxwell's gaze slowly shifted to take in the individuals present in the room before his eyes widened as they landed on the first prince.
Addressing Maxwell, Dante stated, "This woman here claims she is your soulmate, when she isn't. She would like to hear it directly from you."
Lady Evin's face, previously marked by sorrow, swiftly transformed into an expression of sheer horror and, overcome by fear, she stumbled backwards. She couldn't comprehend how this was possible, considering that the man had been dead until now! Her lips trembled as she managed to utter, "W—what is happening?! Is this a gh—ghost?" Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah, who had followed their daughter, were startled almost to the point of a heart attack.
Dante responded, "You wanted to hear the truth from the man himself."
Maxwell's eyes landed on Lady Evin with an air of unfamiliarity, as if he didn't recognise her. He shook his head and, breaking his silence, spoke for the first time, "You are not my soulmate, and you never were...You are nobody to me."
Beyond merely registering his rejection, Lady Evin descended into hysteria at the sight of Maxwell's ghost inhabiting his body. Overwhelmed by panic, she let out a piercing scream before running out of the room as fast as her feet could carry her.
"What is the meaning of this, Prince Dante?" Mr. Jeremiah asked warily before the man's red eyes fixed on him with an intense glare.
"It isn't as complicated as you think it is," Dante addressed the man in an eerie tone that sent shivers down his spine. "Queen Maya lied and orchestrated a deception, fabricating a false soulmate to secure the throne. Given your daughter's involvement, it would be best for you to take your family and return home, unless you wish to see her hanged for treason. Leave before my patience reaches its limit."
Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah were still digesting the sight they had just witnessed and processing all they had heard. Nevertheless, without any delay, they decided to find their daughter in order to start packing and leave this palace of death and apparitions.
"Brother Maxwell, you are back!" Emily's heart felt a sense of relief as the weight of melancholy seemed to lift from her chest.
The Mother Queen remained perplexed, but it didn't mean she was any less happy. Taking a step towards her grandson on the bed, she said,
"Was his soul floating around? Is that how you were able—"
But Dante interrupted her, cautioning, "Don't." The older woman halted in her tracks, turning to cast a questioning gaze at him. He clarified, "That's not Maxwell."
The confusion only deepened further as people in the room stared at the awakened Maxwell. Was it his ghost? they silently questioned in their minds. Dante approached the still-seated Maxwell and placed his hand on his brother's head before guiding him to lie down on the pillow. He explained,
"Maxwell is dead. His soul has already crossed over and is no longer here. The one who spoke is an imp from the underworld. Migdre." Dante called the creature, and Anastasia noticed something jump on the ground.
A jolt of surprise caused everyone's hearts to leap to their throats. Before them stood a creature whose height barely reached their knees, possessing horns, a tail, and orange eyes. Cloaked in a black robe, it offered a deep bow to Dante, pointedly excluding the rest of them.
"It appeared unlikely that the woman would leave without trying to get herself killed, so I chose a more effective method to encourage her departure. Not to mention, I doubted my half-demon and half-earthling family would appreciate another blood-spilling incident in less than two hours since the last one," Dante stated before his eyes fell on Anastasia, whose heart was pounding loudly. "I thought it would avert another bloodbath here. Migdre worked for me when I used to reside in the underworld. You are scaring them, Migdre."
Facing Dante, the creature clasped its hands together and inquired, "Shall I transform myself into something innocent, Master? Perhaps a rabbit or a deer?"
Upon receiving a glare from Dante, the imp shrank back. "Rabbit is reserved. An earthling will suffice," he stated. The creature didn't appear particularly pleased about adopting a lower form, but in the next second, the imp transformed into a five-year-old boy.
The imp looked around, noticing the expressions of disappointment in the eyes of these half-earthlings, when in truth, it harboured greater disappointment that its Master was living here with his 'family', while his true family remained in the underworld along with itself.
The Mother Queen had the urge to sit somewhere before she received any more shocks for the day. But instead, she composed herself and ordered the servants,
"Have King Maxwell brought to the royal courtroom."
After seeing the king wake up, speak, and then return to his lifeless state, the servants wanted to flee and distance themselves from the deceased. But they had no other option but to fulfil the task of placing the king on the stretcher before heading to the courtroom. Addressing Dante, the Mother Queen said,
"I am glad that you didn't kill sleeping beauty. We've had our fill of deaths for the year. I will go and ensure that the glass case is placed at the centre of the room. Aziel, see to it that the Jeremiahs don't leave anything behind here." And just before departing, she turned to Lady Sophia, who appeared frozen like a statue, saying, "Sophia?"
"Huh?!" Lady Sophia's hair was rapidly turning grey from the succession of shocks she had received, and she believed it was only a matter of time before she would bite the dust.
The Mother Queen stepped out of the room, accompanied by Aziel, Lady Sophia, and the servants carrying Maxwell. Princess Emily announced, "Brother Dante, please excuse us as well. We will go see how our sister is doing." And after a courteous bow, she caught Anastasia's hand and pulled her out of the room. Not a moment later, Aiden followed them, leaving Dante alone with the imp.
In the corridors, away from the king's chambers, Lady Sophia, walking alongside the Mother Queen, expressed her thoughts,
"In no time, this palace will teem with creatures, and it will be nothing like it used to be. How could Dante do that, to be so cruel by deceiving us into believing that Maxwell was alive?" She shook her head in dissatisfaction.
"That wasn't an act of cruelty, Sophia," the Mother Queen stated as her eyes landed on Maxwell's lifeless body.
"Are you saying you are fine with what he did?" Lady Sophia wondered whether she was the only one panicking here, given the apparent lack of concern from the others.
The Mother Queen took a deep breath before exhaling, and her eyebrows lifted. She said, "I am far from being okay, and though I feel an ache in my chest for losing one of my grandchildren, that doesn't excuse me from thinking rationally."
Back in the room, the Mother Queen was sure that Dante would kill the woman, but as glad as she was that he hadn't claimed another life, she was simultaneously upset by the fleeting sense of hope and contentment she had briefly experienced. Speaking solemnly, she stated, "To resurrect a weak soul that had lost hope and been immersed in humiliation and anguish… Maxwell would ensure misery."
When they reached the royal courtroom, Maxwell was positioned inside the prepared glass case that was placed on an elevated platform in front of the throne. They watched the dead man, who appeared to have gone back to sleep, his skin growing increasingly paler with every hour that ticked by.
While the Mother Queen and Lady Sophia were soon joined by Lady Noor and Prince Victor in the royal courtroom, the other prince and princess were nearing the dining room. Not far away, Princess Niyasa was only half done with her task of cleaning the floor. She leaned on the mop for support, feeling an ache in her back.
"Looks like we won't be having dinner in the dining room," Aiden commented.
"Did you think I am trai—" Niyasa began to complain until she caught sight of Anastasia standing there alongside her siblings. "What is she doing here?"
"She's here to provide you with tips on how to finish your task quickly," Aiden replied in a playful tone, which only elicited a glare from Niyasa. "Isn't that right, Anna?"
Anastasia observed how the second princess was covered in dried blood, looking like she was smeared with dirt. It was oddly satisfying watching the spoiled princess who looked down at her and others now engaged in menial chores.
"You don't have to be scared of her," Emily whispered, "You are now of equal standing. So don't hesitate to speak your mind from now on."
"What are you looking at?" Niyasa demanded, her eyes narrowing at Anastasia.
This was the same princess who'd hurt and belittled her in the past. The same princess who had gone so far as to whip and humiliate her in public. It was remarkable to see how times were changing.
"I don't think she needs any tips from me," Anastasia responded to Aiden before adding, "She seems to have an inherent skill, as if she were born with it."
Niyasa had the urge to approach them, but instead, she tightened her grip on the wooden handle of the mop, casting a harsh glare in their direction before focusing on finishing her cleaning task so she could return to her mother.
Anastasia didn't care much about the second princess and her plight, her mind preoccupied with other matters. She felt Princess Emily grasp her hand and guide her to the side of one of the pillars. The princess said,
"You must be quite shocked after everything that has happened today."
"Everything feels like a… dream," Anastasia responded. "You and Prince Aiden seem to be handling it better than me."
Emily offered her a small smile and then confided in a hushed tone, "I wouldn't say that. I have grown up seeing such things at times. Aiden, on the other hand… he jokes to hide his feelings."
Back in the king's chambers, the imp reverted to its demon form before it quickly got on its knees and pressed its head against the marble floor, saying,
"Welcome back, Master! I have been waiting for your return!! I've had little sustenance since I was sent back from here."
"You seem to be doing well, Migdre. How are things back home?" Dante asked the imp, whose tail swayed back and forth.
"The lowly demons have been causing neverending trouble and have seized control of some areas, Master. I and the others have been working to fend them off the towers. With you gone and the other two nowhere to be found, Nathaniel has assumed command," the creature reported.
"You haven't seen Magnus?" Dante questioned, and the creature innocently shook its head.
"Not since we returned. Many believe he has lost his powers and is in hiding," Migdre answered dutifully before saying, "Master, now that you are back, let us return to the underworld!" Its orange eyes shone in excitement.
"Not so fast," Dante interrupted the imp's enthusiasm. "There are a few matters to attend to before I consider returning. For one, go back to the underworld and find out what mischief Magnus is up to. But most importantly, locate the woman of the forest who trapped me here for all these years."
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GARDEN OF POISON
The Funeral (Chapter 115)
When the hour of the night arrived, and supper came to a close, almost everyone retired to their respective quarters. This included Anastasia, who was accompanied by Theresa to her room before the older woman took her leave.
Anastasia hadn't been able to find an opportunity to talk with the Mother Queen as she had intended to, and somewhere within her, she was hesitant after hearing what Queen Maya had said to her. After spending a few more minutes in her room, she stepped out and gazed down the deserted corridor before moving her feet towards Dante's room.
Raising her hand, she knocked on the door and announced her presence, saying, "It is me, Anastasia."
But Anastasia didn't receive any response, making her wonder if she should check inside. After all, during her previous nighttime visit, even though he had been in his room, he hadn't acknowledged her. Her hand reached for the doorknob, but before she could turn it, she released her grip.
She took a step back, and her back brushed against something. Upon turning around, she saw Dante looming above her. She didn't know when he had crept up behind her and said,
"I—I thought of visiting you."
Dante noticed how Anastasia's eyes momentarily shifted away from his to look left and right as if searching for something. She appeared shaken, her breathing slightly accelerated, and her eyes alert. He asked her,
"Why didn't you step inside? Change your mind?"
Anastasia shook her head and replied, "I thought you weren't in there."
"Next time, you can wait for me inside, or you can wait for me to find you," Dante said, looking intently into her brown eyes. Leaning forward slightly, his hand reached behind her to grasp the doorknob before swinging the door open. "After you."
She stepped into the room, and Dante followed after her, closing the door behind him. The soft click of the door was enough to make her heart hitch, which he took note of. She watched him sit down on the couch and heard him say,
"Take a seat." Anastasia complied, leaving a gap about the width of a person between them, her hands resting on her lap. He asked her, "Have you settled well into your new room?"
"I am still getting used to it," Anastasia replied, considering less than a day had passed since she had moved in, and she had spent most of her time outside of it rather than within its walls.
"If you require anything, let Norrix know, and he will arrange it for you. Except for a ship for you to sail away in," Dante said, his tone serious, but the look in his eyes held a touch of mirth. "The seamstress will visit shortly to take your measurements, and to ensure everything is of good taste, I will be present when she does."
"I already have sufficient dresses," Anastasia assured him.
"Those ones have been worn by other courtesans, and you aren't one anymore. You are my woman now, and there are certain articles of clothing that you will come to appreciate, just as much as I will, made just for you," Dante explained as he noticed the question in the young woman's eyes, tinged with wariness. He said, "Looks like the nerves shaken by this noon's bloodbath haven't settled down yet."
Anastasia didn't know how to respond, because what he said was true. But at the same time, she was also wary of him after what they did together in the dining room. Even though he hadn't joined the family for dinner, his previous actions had etched a memory that served as a constant reminder of his presence. She asked him,
"Do all demons from the underworld have that kind of power?"
"To kill with a mere snap of their fingers?" Dante verified her question and saw her nod in response. "No, not all of them possess such capabilities. Each demon holds different abilities, but only the high-ranking ones wield such power," he explained. Despite being the one who had sought him out, as if an unforeseen force had drawn her here, her heart continued to race. He inquired, "Was there something you needed?"
"I wanted to talk about tomorrow's funeral," Anastasia proceeded cautiously, as this was a family matter and even though she had been recently promoted to the role of his exclusive concubine, she was aware that there were restrictions that came with the position.
"What about it?" Dante asked, watching her shift in her seat. "You don't want to attend it?"
"No, it's not that," Anastasia replied, her eyes briefly averting from his before returning to meet his gaze once again. She said, "I was wondering if you could allow Queen Maya to have a final glimpse of King Maxwell before he is buried. Just one time…" Her voice trailed when she noticed his eyes narrow.
"No."
Dante left no space for discussion, but Anastasia had specifically come here to address the matter. She said, "We don't know for sure if she was the one who ordered that I be thrown into the sea, so doesn't that imply she is innocent until proven guilty?"
"She's guilty enough to merit a stay in the dungeon, even without having you thrown in the sea," Dante responded curtly, his red eyes beginning to glow. He added, "It would be best for you to focus on yourself, not on others."
"But—"
"Anastasia," Dante's voice turned cold, as if displeased with her supporting anyone other than him. "While you may not have directly experienced it, I haven't forgotten how my poor mother suffered at the hands of the people inhabiting this palace. The memory of them humiliating her isn't something I can ever look past, and it would be in your best interest not to advocate for them. Else it will only make me feel that you support their past actions and are purposely going against me."
Anastasia felt a shiver run down her spine in response to his words. It was because, even though Dante remained the same old Dante with his love and care for his family, there was also this new side to him, one where an intense fire blazed with the potential to scorch those who drew near.
"I never intended to support the ones who have hurt you and Lady Lucretia," Anastasia replied to him. "I was only considering how it would have felt if I could not see my sister in the past…"
"Unlike them, who mocked and degraded my mother and me, you have been your kind self to everyone," Dante replied before his tone turned gentle towards her when he said, "You are a pure soul. An untouched rabbit, and I prefer to keep you that way."
Was this his way of advising her not to involve herself in matters like these? Anastasia asked in her mind. But dragging the issue out would only amplify existing bitterness, perpetuating a never-ending cycle.
"What were you doing in the dungeon, talking to her?" Dante questioned, and seeing her eyes subtly widen, he asked her, "Did you think I wouldn't know about it?"
"The palace holds no bounds for you; I wouldn't have gone as far as to assume that you wouldn't," Anastasia replied, and a faint smile appeared on Dante's lips, which made her question if it was truly there. She was well aware that news of her visit to Queen Maya would inevitably reach his ears.
"No, you wouldn't have," Dante replied to her words.
Seeing her attempt had failed, Anastasia wondered whether it was time to return to her room. Her gaze once again swept across his room, and with a hint of scepticism, she inquired, "Where is that—thing?"
"Migdre?" Dante asked and saw her nod. "He's gone on an errand and should return in a few days, depending on how fast he moves."
"Is that how you would look too? Once you transform completely?" Anastasia asked, feeling Dante's eyes staring intensely at her, making it hard for her to rise.
A small chuckle escaped from Dante's lips, his eyes never leaving her, and he explained, "There are various kinds of demons residing in the underworld. He and I belong to distinct kinds, with differing roles in the hierarchy. He's an imp, a loyal one at that, who has served me faithfully for many centuries."
"Centuries?" Anastasia asked, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
"Time in the underworld is endless," Dante subtly replied to her. He added, "You should go and get some sleep, unless you are looking for company."
Anastasia didn't know whether it was her interpretation of Dante's words, inferring a deeper meaning than he intended, that was the reason her heartbeat increased. She was about to leave when she caught a glimpse of hollowness in his eyes, prompting her to offer,
"I can stay here a little longer… before returning to my room."
Dante appeared intrigued by her offer and asked with slight amusement, "You look scared, yet you willingly want to stay here?"
Of course, she was, Anastasia said to herself. She had witnessed too many deaths and had been surrounded by the pervasive scent of blood at the scene. However, he had just lost his brother today, and she wanted to return the favour he had extended to her in the past. It was strange to think that the siblings they each had lost had been in love with each other.
"A few minutes should be alright. If there is anything you wish to speak about," Anastasia replied to him.
Dante emitted a soft hum, as if not expecting that to be her answer, all the while prepared to watch her leave at any moment.
Not that he would have minded, because it was an expected reaction. Yet, this earthling went against the norm, even going as far as to demand her freedom, which he found endearing. He took note of her stiff shoulders and the hastening rhythm of her breath. He stated,
"I am impressed by your courage and stubbornness, which I must say is also a little troubling."
"Why?" Anastasia asked, noticing his hand reach for hers, which was resting on her lap.
"For several reasons," Dante replied, not answering her completely. He continued, "Because along with that also comes naiveness and a lack of understanding about certain situations. Do you think it is smart of you to stay here with me, knowing well what I am capable of?"
"You promised not to hurt me," Anastasia quickly breathed when his voice lowered, the weight of the silence accentuating his words.
Dante's head cocked to the side as he replied, "You know what I am talking about." His fingers lightly pressed the tips of hers, stirring a small wave of sensation in her stomach.
She knew, Anastasia said to herself. But she had her reasons for being here, aiming to avoid carrying her heavy heart and thoughts to bed. Her eyes lowered to their joined hands, and she asked him, "Why did you want to destroy the living world?"
"In this realm, when individuals pass away, they either ascend or descend. There was a time when rampant malevolence thrived, transforming certain souls in the underworld and exacerbating the already prevalent turmoil. It is better to eliminate the problem at the root rather than allow it an opportunity to rise. We demons cannot resist the scent of blood."
"But innocent people existed along them too," Anastasia replied, feeling him gently press another one of her fingertips as his slender fingers caressed her hand.
"Unfortunately, they had to bear the consequences in the past," Dante's nonchalant tone worried her, making her wonder if he would replicate his past actions. "Take Maxwell, for example. Despite his aspirations for other outcomes, his mother's actions ultimately drove him to take his own life."
"Does that mean that Marianne is in heaven, then?" Anastasia asked, meeting Dante's eyes, to which he offered her a nod.
"Yes, unless she murdered someone or did something heinous," Dante responded. Earlier today, he had detected a twinge of disappointment in her eyes after realising that Maxwell hadn't been resurrected. "She's in a better place. Your sister."
Anastasia nodded, "Thank you." She had been consoling her mind with the same thoughts, believing that Marianne was now at peace rather than still here, witnessing death and suffering. She wished she could say the same about Dante's brother, but from what she understood, he was in hell.
"Curious about the place I come from?" Dante's hand had moved down Anastasia's fingers, gently massaging her hand while he talked to her. "I have to pay a visit there soon, and you are welcome to accompany me."
Anastasia's eyes subtly widened at his suggestion, "I thought only dead people could gain entry."
"There are a few exceptions, and you will be travelling with me," Dante replied.
"I think I am good not visiting it," Anastasia answered, unsure whether or not she wanted to enter a realm inhabited by the deceased. When she noticed his lips curl up, she swiftly added, "I think I should go to sleep now."
"Probably for the best," Dante responded, and they both rose to their feet. Before Anastasia could leave the room, he gently lifted the hand he hadn't yet released and pressed a kiss to the back of it, "Goodnight, Anastasia."
The following day, the funeral of King Maxwell Blackthorn took place. The members of the royal family assembled in front of the mausoleum alongside the ministers of the royal court. Four guards attired in black garments carried the deceased man's body while the rest of the attendees stood in a sombre gathering.
Anastasia had followed the procession inside the marble building, where the Mother Queen's husband and son were already laid to rest. Most of those present wore sorrowful expressions, while a few remained devoid of emotion, among them Dante and the Mother Queen.
"As per the wish and the decree of the royal family, King Maxwell will be interred in this mausoleum," proclaimed the priest officiating the funeral ceremony.
"I cannot believe he is dead," Niyasa sobbed, her eyes swollen as she watched her brother being laid on the prepared platform. "How could he do it?" she mumbled, with Emily standing beside her, offering solace. Despite their varying perspectives and their different mothers, Maxwell was their brother.
Anastasia watched Emily put an arm around her younger sister, gently rubbing her shoulder. Her eyes moved around the interior. In the end, Queen Maya was not allowed to leave the dungeon to bid farewell to her son.
She knew the woman had committed wrongdoings against her family, but Anastasia couldn't help but feel sorry for her regarding this matter. She also recognised that things could have been worse, with Dante refusing to provide a burial spot for Maxwell, and she was glad that it hadn't come to that. Even though a demon, traces of the old Dante still remained within him.
Anastasia turned to look over her shoulder, noticing the ministers outside whispering among themselves.
The priest continued with his recitation from the book he carried, and once he concluded the prayers, bricks were placed atop the resting place until the body was fully enclosed.
When it was time to step outside, Anastasia observed each member of the royal family beginning to depart after offering their prayers at King Maxwell's burial chamber. She couldn't help but note how the members of the family, except for Lady Sophia and Lady Noor's children, did not extend their respect to the other two burial spots.
This also included the Mother Queen, who didn't stop as she passed her husband's or her son's resting places. Their actions suggested a lack of closeness between them or perhaps some anger towards them. Niyasa didn't leave the mausoleum, choosing to stay behind after the others had already left.
"Prince Dante, is it true that you killed an Elder minister?!" inquired one of the lowly ministers from the royal court just before the royal family members were about to make their way back to the palace.
Dante stared at the curious faces of the men present, and he replied, "He wanted to show me my place, and I demonstrated his. It is not a matter that should concern you."
"You have broken the law, Prince Dante!" another man fretted over the matter. "If we associate ourselves with you, the Elder ministers will think that we endorse the killing of Mattieu."
"He was the one who arrived with baseless accusations. He also used his power in an attempt to force my grandson into submission," the Mother Queen stated, her voice carrying enough volume for everyone to hear her.
"Word has it that a member of the royal family requested his involvement in handling the matter of King Maxwell's death. To be more precise, it was Princess Niyasa," another minister divulged.
When Dante took a step forward, the ministers quickly retreated two to three steps back, as they had already heard about the massacre that had taken place within the palace. A small smile appeared on his lips, which left an unsettling feeling in the minister's stomach. He addressed the matter,
"As you're well aware, our family is grieving following the king's death. My sister is confused and in pain, as one would naturally be under such circumstances, and isn't of sound mind, which is why she summoned the Elder minister, a decision she's very regretful about. However, he crossed the line by presuming his measly ability could dismantle the authority of the Blackthorn rule in conjunction with others." Dante's voice was calm as he looked at each of them in turn.
Dante then turned to look at his family and said, "You should return to the palace. I will join you once I am done talking with the court members."
Anastasia's eyes met Dante's, and his gaze didn't hold its usual warmth. Instead, there was something menacing lurking underneath. He looked away from her, allowing her to leave the place, and she walked away alongside the others.
"Prince Dante, there will be a backlash from the Elder ministers. They won't remain passive over this matter, and the information will reach them before long," said a minister in his sixties. "Anyone who has dared to challenge them in the past has been vanquished, and their kingdom conquered to fall under their control, including executing its king and the entire royal family."
"I would like to see them try," Dante remarked. "It is protocol for them to convene and hold a discussion before they make a decision, and considering that the first Elder isn't returning from the East anytime soon, it gives us plenty of time to prepare." And conquer the kingdoms under the rule of the Elder ministers, he thought to himself.
The minister who had spoken previously asked, "Prince Dante, when would you prefer the coronation to be held for you?"
"I do not agree with this!" the minister behind him interjected. "Treason has occurred here. First, the king dies, and then the Elder minister. This conduct is preposterous!"
Anastasia, who had only just settled inside the palanquin, wondered if Dante had returned to the spot where Oasis awaited him. Driven by curiosity, she gently pulled the sheer curtain to the side. However, when her gaze landed outside, she caught sight of a minister speaking heatedly before suddenly dropping to his knees and collapsing on the ground.
Another death...
Back near the mausoleum, the ministers looked scared once again. Dante inquired, "Anyone else who wishes to withdraw from their position in the court?"
The ministers vigorously shook their heads and began to sweat in fear. Dante's eyes then shifted to look at the person who had asked the question earlier, and he responded, "There won't be a coronation, as it already took place many years ago."
Dante turned to leave when one of the ministers mustered up the courage to inquire and asked, "W—when did that happen?"
"Before you were born."
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