Chapter 18

Grimmel marched with determination through the hallway of the palace. His strides even and his face sported a scowl. He had received news that his grandmother had entered the capital two days ago which only caused him to wonder why she would even return. After the death of her husband and after his father took the throne she retired to her countryside estate without much fuss.

It had been a relief to Grimmel that the old lady had gone but her return sparked his paranoia. Especially after Krogan had sent word that Drago was trying to visit the Dowager Regent. At least the bad blood between those two would probably deter any civil conversation from happening. 'It wasn't yet time to get rid of Drago,' Grimmel resolutely pondered. He had his plans for his ascension to the throne while getting rid of the thorns in his side simultaneously.

The conversation a few days ago had prompted him to keep a closer watch over Drago.

"THAT INCOMPETENT FOOL!" Prince Grimmel shouted in his study as he banged his fists on his oak desk. A report was crumbled in his right hand and the poor official kept his head down and tried to stop his trembling.

"You're excused," Drago uttered, ever so calm as he stood up straight and faced the prince's ire. The young official hastened out of the room with only the thought of his safety.

"I cannot believe that this woman is so shrewd." Grimmel muttered.

"I kept telling you this before my Prince, she is like her mother." Drago stated. "Your plan on getting the Hofferson diamond mine had flaws. Serious flaws," The advisor then continued. "And she is as bold as people claim, knowing that any change in a dowry has to be recorded as public record available to the suitors."

"She's basically telling us that our actions are insignificant in her eyes." Grimmel grumbled as he pointedly narrowed his eyes at Drago. "I would have had my hands on that mine seven years ago if you hadn't interfered." The Prince's open palm slammed on the oaken desk in a fit of frustration.

"The late Marchioness Hofferson had a will in place. There was nothing we could do," Drago stated as he met the glare head on. But the Prince only gave the advisor a hollow laugh.

"Nothing you could do?" Grimmel was looking at the other with a smirk on his face. His lips conveyed mirth yet his eyes had a hollow look to it. "Right... there was definitely nothing you could do," He said with a sarcastic inflection to his voice while addressing his father's most trusted advisor and his late grandfather's confidant. 'Nothing he could do,' what a lark.

"Either way, I must now think of a new plan to fill this Kingdom's coffers." Grimmel sighed as he rubbed in between his brows with his fingers.

"Perhaps if you lay off the opium," Drago muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" The prince asked.

"Nothing, my Prince. May I be excused now? I have to prepare the documents for the next General assembly." Drago stated. Grimmel spared him no other glance and just waved his hand for the man to go away.

Once Drago was out of the office Grimmel called "Krogan!". The rogue in question appeared on the nearby balcony from the tree branch he had been sitting on.

"Yes, your Highness?"

"That man is steadily getting on my nerves," Grimmel stated as he tapped his finger on one of the papers strewn on his desk. "He's playing with me and I don't like it,"

"But he hasn't done anything suspicious," Krogan uttered, looking quite confused. The rogue might not like Drago, mainly because the man had never accepted him as part of the Prince's security detail, but so far none of the advisor's actions had raised alarm bells.

"That's just it, isn't it," Grimmel's eyes narrowed. "He's my father's advisor. He's known him since he was born. There is no way that man doesn't know that I've replaced the king with a puppet."

"I've kept him on too long a leash," Grimmel stated as he narrowed his eyes at the door of the study Drago had departed from. "I want you to watch him like a hawk Krogan."

"As you wish Milord." The rogue stated before disappearing just as quickly as he had appeared.

As the Prince was left alone he began to ponder. His chess pieces were in disarray just because of one woman. The diamond mine that he was promised after he wed Anderson's insipid daughter in return for providing political support seemed to be falling through. Well, he was planning to wash his hands of the girl anyway. She was annoying, he could tell of his one and only meeting with her. Even her letters were childish, asking after his health, favorite food, color... etc. He'd humored her but this girl was just not Queen material........ Not like.... Griselda. Someone cool and calculating. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to get rid of the opposition. Oh, he'd seen how Griselda had looked at Rosalinda. The anger, jealousy..... It was perfect. She was still in the palm of his hand.

"Greetings your Highness," Grimmel was snapped out of his musings by the very person his thoughts had turned to.

Lady Griselda stood poised in front of the Prince. Her head was held high after she had curtsied and her lace gloved hands were holding a sky blue lace parasol for the surprisingly hot day. Her dark hair was in a neat bun and she was wearing a flat straw boater that had the same sky blue lace trimming as her gloves and dress.

The palace maid, acting as a chaperone, standing behind her was carrying a picnic basket. "Where is the Lady off to in such hot weather?" And indeed today was very hot, unusual for the Capital as it lay in the northern area of the continent. Such hot days were seen as a blessing and people generally ventured out more.

"Today a select few of us are going to the lake on the grounds here." Griselda stated. "Remember, I told you a week ago when I invited you," She added.

"Oh right," Honestly Grimmel hadn't been paying much attention at the time. Though he probably should have. Griselda rarely planned social events but when she did do so they were the talk of society for weeks. Only the cream of the crop or those she deemed interesting were invited. Despite her family situation she still thrived in the aristocratic circles.

"Then I bid you a pleasant day Lady Arkas," Grimmel gave a short bow, not noting the sad look in Griselda's eyes. When the Prince departed and was out of earshot the maid decided to speak up.

"My Lady, why did you not ask him to accompany you?" The maid questioned. "There is already news amongst the servants that his engagement with Lady Anderson is not happening. This is your chance to...."

"Mathilda, I don't want to hear it," Griselda grumbled. "Obviously if he had wanted to come he would have said so."

"My Lady, everyone in the palace knows the Prince still has feelings for you!" The maid announced.

"But are those feelings of love or that of caring between cousins. Honestly, Mathilda, I'm beginning to suspect it's the latter." Griselda sighed. "I care about him truly but if he loved me he would not have gotten together with that chit."

"My mother always told me men's hearts are fickle, My Lady," The maid murmured. "Perhaps the Prince needs to realize just what an incredible woman he has willing to stay at his side."

"Mathilda you always know the right thing to say to ease my heart," Griselda smiled.

Meanwhile, Krogan was doing the dirty work of spying on Drago. He frowned as he followed stealthily after the man on horseback. While keeping a distance and in disguise he noted that Drago was heading in the direction of the Markison estate in the Capital. That was worrying as he had previously reported to Grimmel about the advisor sending letters to the estate.

Sneaking into the man's study at night had been a piece of cake. As Krogan stealthily riffled to the paperwork he pondered why Drago had such lax security.

This morning the man had left his residence on horseback and was making his way to the residence the Dowager Regent currently occupied. Krogan only knew that there was some bad blood between the Prince's grandmother and the Advisor but he didn't know the extent of it. Grimmel never cared to elaborate on that and Krogan didn't pry. In his line of work knowing too much could get someone's head separated from their body.

Krogan had tied up his horse in the surrounding forest and made his way on foot. He watched from a high tree branch as Drago tried to get an audience with the Dowager Regent. The man was denied again and again yet he would not budge well into the evening. Krogan was quite bored on his branch but he perked up when the knights guarding the residence finally admitted the advisor to enter. He had long since memorized the guard rotations so sneaking in was no problem at all. He landed in the garden and by luck he saw the Dowager Regent enjoying tea in the gazebo. Drago was being led to the location by a knight. Now all Krogan had to do was get closer to the pair to overhear their conversation.

".....-y have you come here, Drago? You know I loathe to see your face,"

"Your Majesty please. I beg you to hear me out. I know that I have wronged you in the past but this is important," Krogan could hear Drago state as he bowed to the Dowager. The former Queen could be observed as giving Drago a rather unpleasant glare.

The Dowager Regent sighed and put down her teacup. She turned towards the proud man that for once kept his head bowed.

"I will hear you out, but don't think I will help you." Theodora stated with a harsh glare.

"Thank you, your Majesty." Drago said while giving the woman a sad but admiring look. "This matter does not just concern your son and grandson but also the state of this kingdom. I fear that they have been compromised."

The Dowager Regent said nothing, nor did she betray her unease on her countenance, so Drago continued. "The Crown Prince is cunning but he is also a lover of blood sports and a hedonist. The Imperial treasury has been depleted due to this and the Prince has been consuming the Opium drug merchants from the east have recently brought. Not only has it dulled his mind and reasoning but it has made him more volatile."

Drago noted that Theodora gripped the armrest of her chair fiercely, yet he continued. "The King's location is also uncertain. Forgive me your Majesty but the Prince has replaced his own father with a puppet and I can't ascertain the King's current whereabouts. King Quintas's disappearance has been thoroughly covered up. The Prince, as young as he is, has brought people into the palace that have blindsided me. Forgive me for my incompetence,"

"So what you're saying is... My son is missing and my grandson, who is becoming increasingly erratic, is behind the plot," Theodora pursed her lips for a moment. "I only came back to the Capital on Evelyn's wishes but this state of events is rather worrisome." She then looked Drago dead in the eye and asked "What was my grandson's latest scheme?"

"Your Highness, while keeping Lady Arkas close he chose to pursue Lady Anderson who had the Hofferson diamond mine as her dowry. But when Marchioness Hofferson claimed her title the dowry of her stepsister changed. The engagement was subsequently broken off three days ago." Drago announced. "Furthermore I feel that he may set his sights on Lady Hofferson next."

"And you don't approve?" Theodora asked next.

"Marchioness Hofferson is too shrewd a woman. She would never accept the Crown prince's advances especially with the dowry situation being known. Yet with the Prince, I fear, will pursue her relentlessly just so he can refill this Kingdom's coffers." Drago stated. "There is also something the Prince is keeping a secret within the Colosseum and I fear that it might be the downfall of our kingdom."

Krogan's eyes widened when he listened to the rest of the conversation. When Drago finally did leave the rogue was resolute. The advisor could not keep living, not with what he had heard.

But Krogan had to strike quickly, while Drago was still on the forest path. There were no witnesses here and while foul play might be suspected he'd do what it took to secure his benefactor's safety.

From the bushes Krogan struck, an arrow to the horse Drago was riding to ensure that the man had difficulty to escape. As the horse crumbled from the arrow to its leg, he leapt out of the bushes, his daggers aloft as he aimed for the advisor that had been thrown off the thrashing horse.

Krogan had expected Drago to be armed but for the man to parry his dagger strikes.... That took the rogue by surprise.

"YOU!" Drago growled surprised and angry as he stood up and held his double-bladed sword in front of him.

"ME!" Krogan stated as he lunged for Drago again. His first dagger getting stopped by the sword but his second nicking Drago in the neck.

"Do you know who you are attacking!" Drago growled.

"Of course, nothing personal.... That was the case until you decided you needed to poison the Prince." Krogan smirked as Drago's eyes widened upon hearing that.

"Don't think you will leave here alive!" The man then shouted as he lunged for Krogan this time. No one would know of his plans. No one....

Neither Krogan nor Drago were easy targets. Both men had experience in combat so their fight went on for some time. Slices to the neck and torso, getting stabbed in the leg.... Nearly losing an ear... The fight only stopped once one of them had sliced the other's neck open. Blood spurted on the sand and grass as a heavy body fell, grasping at their neck, trying to stem the flow.

The other person, injured yet still being able to move, fled the scene.

Later that evening, at the estate Griselda was occupying on the Palace grounds, the disgruntled woman returned from her gathering. She threw her hat on the bed and stomped over to the mahogany vanity near her balcony. She let her frustrations of the day out on the pearl earrings she was taking off.

'How dare that man!' Her mind shouted. She wanted to shout as well but that would just attract the attention of the maids. The day had been utterly frustrating and she would only blame the Prince for causing the situation.

"M...M.... Lady...." A weak voice could be heard causing Griselda to stop and stand still. She had been in the middle of reaching for her pearl necklace when she heard the voice. It sounded strangled and she slowly turned to her balcony.... Drawing one of the lace curtains back. What she saw made her gasp. There was blood strewn on top of the marble balustrade and also on the floor. There the rogue that often teased her lay in a puddle of blood, clutching a wound to his abdomen.

"H....Help me..." Krogan managed to utter before everything went black.

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AN: (Holds onto squirming Porg)

Vala: "I had to rewrite this chapter almost four times,"

Harry: "What does the Porg have to do with that?"

Vala: "Nothing..... I'm just holding him and mentally weighing him,"

Harry: "NO EATING THE PORG!"

(Porg meeps)