THE REST OF the day passed in a blur. Irina went to Asteria's, and the two had a long and hearty discussion about all the problems that had been plaguing them. Two hours before the feast, Irina returned to her palace, where she, Myrina and Bing Yi quickly got themselves ready for the welcoming banquet. 

  Myrina murmured, "I feel less inclined to be as careful with how you look tonight. Putting any kind of effort into anything that has to do with the Meliqueans... I don't like it."

  "My oh my," Irina feigned shock. "Look at you being positively vengeful, Myrina."

  "I hide it well," Myrina replied, raising her chin as she fixed an elaborate, golden, flower-shaped head piece into Irina's hair. She gave it a quick pat when it was done, kneeling down to glance in the mirror before nodding in approval. Bing Yi was fussing about at the back of the room, polishing Irina's shoes.

  "Do you really, though?" Irina asked wryly. "Not around me, I think."

  "There is nothing I can hide from you, I've realised over the years, and there really is no point in trying. You're ready."

  Irina glanced into the mirror, squinted. "A bit more blush, I should think. Makes me look more healthy."

  "You didn't get enough sleep last night," Myrina scolded. "It's obvious in your face. Stayed up reading?"

  "A book on historical wars Justine lent me," Irina shrugged. "She wanted it back today, I had a bit left."

  "You could have asked her to let you keep it for one more day rather than let it bite into your sleep time. You're a public figure, you need to look perfect."

  "Nothing a bit of makeup can't fix," Irina murmured, pushing her stool out and slowly standing. "Bing Yi? Shoes."

  The maid came forward, the two pairs of cloth shoes in hand. Carefully, she placed them onto the ground. "Here, Your Highness."

  "Thank you." Irina slipped her feet in before turning back to Myrina. "You're not ready," she scolded.

  Myrina shrugged. "I'll go now. It doesn't take me that long anyways. I'll come back when I'm done."

   Irina nodded. Myrina's face was already done, only her hair needed work. "Take Bing Yi with you, she can help. I'll be fine here on my own."

  Bing Yi curtsied and followed Myrina out of the room. She heard the front door slide shut. And suddenly everything was quiet. Irina let out a sigh, stroking her sleeve. She rolled her shoulders, trying to relax her muscles. Dinner with the Meliqueans. Technically speaking they were sat rather far away, but there had been no choice but to put them besides some Wheldrakians and Caershireens. Arguments may still easily start, and as hosts they'd be the one expected to play peacekeeper. Of course, Ryan would be the one actually doing any work, but Irina would be expected to stand there and seem like she was helping, rather than cheering whoever had started the argument with the Meliqueans, or whoever were unfortunate enough to have been enraged by them.

   Truly, her opinion of the Meliqueans was so low it was slightly concerning.  But it wasn't all her fault, they'd had a massive part in lowering her opinion of them. Tian tian zuo si. Always looking for new ways to die, or so that phrase is technically translated. She hated people like that. They irritated her to no end.

  When Bing Yi and Myrina returned, it was almost time to meet up with Ryan and his parents. Irina stood, and they headed out of the palace together. The feast was to be held in one of the main palace buildings, but Irina made her way to the Emperor and Empress's residential palace instead. The guards let her in with a single glance. Irina went up the steps until she'd reached the doors, telling the maid who'd come out to welcome them, "Are the Emperor and Empress ready for tonight's dinner?"

  "Almost, Your Highness." This was no young maid, but a zhang shi gugu, head of the Empress's household. Yan Ran gugu was in her mid-forties, and had been working under the Empress since Irina was born, even when the Empress was merely a duchess. Before the revolution. She'd stuck with the Gu family through thick and thin. "The taizi is waiting in the parlour, would you like to join him?"

  "That would be wonderful, thank you."

  And so they were led through the splendour and elegantly decorated corridors and foyer of the palace, decked in red and gold and filled with all kinds of expensive looking accessories until they reached the parlour, where Ryan sat on a chair. The day bed was empty, but those were reserved for the Emperor and Empress. Irina took a seat beside Ryan. Myrina sat on the stool in the corner, dragging it out slightly so that she was not too out of place.

  They were all dressed to impress tonight. She herself was decked in a dark red and white gown, with golden embroidery on her chest, secured tightly around her waist with a belt. Her sleeves were long enough to touch the ground when she put her arm straight down. And her hair, half-down half-up, adorned with the diadem of flowers and tassels—tassels that she did her best not to move when she walked around, as demanded by etiquette. Myrina wore a similar design, albeit in a very pale shade of green, and the embroidery was silver instead of gold, and the decorations far less luxurious and detailed. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, fastened with a silver chai. The only other accessories were her small arrow shaped hoop earrings and the necklace with a cloud, the symbol of Hongyun.

  Ryan wore almond yellow, as he usually did for formal occasions, the colour of a Crown Prince. There was embroidery of a dragon on his robe in white, barely visible from a distance. A belt hung around his waist, a similar tassel as Irina wore on his head attached to it. It served a similar purpose. His hair was all bunned up, tied with a yellow ribbon.

  None of them had put this much effort into dressing up for the past few days, not even for the day the Arecians arrived. It was far more important to stun and impress your enemies than your allies. Irina had no doubt most of the Arecians, Caershireens and perhaps even the Wheldrakians would be breaking out their best frocks and fits for the night. Not the best—that had to be saved for the wedding, but definitely the second or third fancy garment they'd packed with them.

  Ryan's eyes glossed over her, briefly landing on Myrina's shrunken figure before returning to Irina. "You're ready?"

  Grimly, Irina replied, "Born ready."

  The Empress entered then, a laugh in her voice as she said, "Heavens, listen to you children. You all sound as if you are about to march into battle."

  They all stood to bow. Ryan laughed as he slowly stood up. "We might as well be, huang e'niang. It's just another kind of battle, this dinner."

  "Fu huang ne?" Irina asked, tilting her head. Where is father? Irina didn't truly consider the Emperor and Empress her parents—no, they'd always be her uncle and aunt and they'd remain that way, and all of them in the room knew it. But for courtesy's sake, Irina always referred to them the same way Ryan did. Fu huang, royal father, and huang e'niang, royal mother.

  It felt a bit strange sometimes, but one had to make allowances.

  "He is talking to one of his chancellors," the Empress shook her head, "he'll be done and out in a moment, don't you worry."

  Irina nodded. If the Emperor was talking to a chancellor, there was no point in urging him to hurry. He'd take his sweet time, and if anyone asked, it was because he was too involved in his work—which technically was the truth. And anyone who heard it would praise him for being a wise and intelligent and hard-working ruler, and they'd all go on with their merry day.

  Some people, some people simply had the right to be late for events. Even for ones they themselves were hosting, ones that no one else could begin with unless they were there.

  Right, patience it was, then. A skill she'd been honing for far too long.

   It didn't take too long, thankfully. Five minutes later the Emperor came out. The Empress had already brought out some sweets, and Irina was in the process of tasting her newest almond mango candy, straight from the imperial kitchen. It tasted decent, but she still preferred the peanut candies. The taste of mangos never felt quite right for her.

  The Emperor glanced at them, one brow raised. "We are attending a feast in... right now, actually." He blinked as he noted the time on the clock. "I cannot help but notice we are late. Why did no one come to tell me to hurry up?" 

  "We did not want to disturb you, fu huang." Ryan gave a quick bow, since he himself was halfway through eating a piece of biscuit. Irina stood and curtsied. "We are ready to go now, though?"

  "We must not keep our guests waiting," the Emperor said, frowning. "Come, let us hurry."

👑

"ALL SEEMS TO be going well," Prince Stephen murmured to her. The seating arrangements tonight were simple. Irina sat with Ryan to one side and Stephen to another. That was followed by Asteria and Frederick. On their opposite side were Justine besides General Stoneworth—Irina had tried to get them separated earlier, but it hadn't worked precisely the way she wanted it to. Lady Katharine was besides Stoneworth. And between them all was the Emperor and Empress. It was a rather unique arrangement, but the Emperor and Empress had approved it because they thought it put the younger generation into centre stage, something they'd been encouraging for the past few years.

  "No one's gotten into a major argument yet," Irina agreed with a smile. "Not the Meliqueans, not Justine with General Stoneworth. Not Lady Katharine with... anyone at all, really."

  Stephen winced. "Kate isn't usually so bad. It's just the environment."

  "I'm glad to hear that," Irina replied sarcastically. "Sai brings out the worst in her, eh?"

  "I mean no offence," Stephen murmured, "but I must agree, at least for her case. Something about Sai brings out the absolute worst traits within her. She's usually quite an agreeable and pleasant person."

  "If she is, I've yet to see it. Perhaps it would be better once we head to Arecia."

  "Hopefully, hopefully." Stephen's chopstick skills were subpar, but he was still managing. He clumsily picked up a piece of meat from the plate in front of him and placed it in his bowl of rice, quickly swapping to his spoon to actually eat it. It was almost funny, watching him struggle, if it wasn't frustrating.

  "You're holding your chopsticks too high. It's why you're struggling so much."

  One brow arched, he replied, "I struggle more when I hold it up higher. This makes it easier for me, I've discovered over my few encounters with this particular instrument of eating."

  She creased her brows. "You make it sound so complicated."

  "It is complicated for me," he argued. "I'm not used to this. I'll learn it someday, I'm sure of it. Perhaps you can teach me in Arecia. But for now, let me be, Irina." He said this good-humouredly, and it baited a smile on Irina's face.

  "When in Sai," she said, "eat like the Saian, Stephen."

  "And if I cannot?"

  "Learn and practice until you can."

  "And if I make a joke of myself?"

  "We all mess up once or twice in the learning stage, but we grow in the end, and that's what truly matters." Irina raised her chin. "Is that not right?"

  "Perhaps," he sighed, "but not in front of so many people, eh? Perhaps in private. You can teach me."

  "My time is more precious than that."

  Stephen pretended to pout. Irina cracked a smile, letting out a huff. "Bloody hell."

  "What?" he asked, incredulous.

  "It's difficult to imagine the Crown Prince of Arecia sa jiao."

  "I am not doing that!" he sputtered out. "What makes you think I'm doing that?"

  Irina raised one brow, quickly collecting her emotions to return to her usual demeanour. "You pouted at me. Because I refused to teach you how to use chopsticks. That's sa jiao." Sa  jiao. Pleading someone like a child—widened eyes, pouts, those were the usual methods. It was almost difficult to see someone like Stephen do it, yet he just had.

  Stephen winced. "I do that with my mother sometimes."

  Irina shook her head, returning to her food. "Don't tell me you're a mommy's boy."

  "Is there something wrong with that?"

  "Not particularly. It's just surprising, that's all. You're full of surprises, Stephen Ralloyn."

  "I pride myself on being unpredictable, my lady."

  Irina let out a laugh. "Yes, I supposed so."

  The Empress turned her attention onto them then, a kindly smile on her face as she regarded the two. "You are getting along well, I hope?"

  Irina turned, dipping her head, "Wonderfully, Your Imperial Majesty."

  "How fares your night, Your Imperial Majesty?" Stephen asked politely. "Are you enjoying the banquet?"

  "Well," the Empress laughed, sneaking a glance at the Meliqueans down the table, "if you ignore the true point of this feast, my night has been going on wonderfully well, Prince Stephen. And how's your stay so far?" The Empress's Arecian was lightly accented, with a bit of uncertainty as she spoke it. But it was still perfectly understandable and more than acceptable.

  "Ah, well," Stephen replied with a good-humoured sigh. "We have to make some sacrifices, I'm afraid."

  "Rather unfortunately." The Empress picked up her goblet and took a long sip. "It'll be worth it, hopefully, putting up with them."

  "It would be, Your Imperial Majesty, even if it earns just a bit more peace."

  Irina let out a laugh. "Is it not too grim for this dinner, the topic of war? Let's stick with more pleasant materials."

  Ryan joined in now, head tilted. "Is there anywhere you'd like to visit, Prince Stephen? We could arrange something within the next few days, if you'd like. Prince Frederick, General Stoneworth, Lady Katharine, the same questions go for you and the rest of the guests."

  Frederick said, "I'd like to visit the City Walls of Hong Cheng in more in-depth, quite honestly. I'm rather fascinated by architecture. Would it be possible for you to arrange someone to bring me around them?"

  "Most definitely," Ryan nodded. "Would you like to go tomorrow? Or the day after? Sometime soon, I think, because we'd be very busy on the days nearer the wedding." So close. So fucking close. She was going to leave Sai soon, and god knew when she'd be returning. It was time to eat more food, probably, and enjoy her time a bit more. Perhaps she ought to find a day to take a break with some of the girls, frolic around the city. Shop for one last time.

  All enjoyable stuff. Irina shut her eyes, everything slowly coming to plan in her head. The spare time she has between duties and missions. What she could squeeze into them.

  Quite a few trips, honestly. The time between everything she had to do wasn't long enough to do anything substantial, but it was still a decent amount of time to fit something in. And older friends were arriving soon—Cassalyn and Cirinique, the sable sisters, who for some reason hadn't come with the Arecians. The Dugu twins were to arrive from their country estate in a matter of days.

  Frederick replied, snapping her back into reality, "The day after, preferably. I have a fitting tomorrow, for the ceremony."

   "All these fittings!" the Empress sighed. "They take such a long time, but I suppose it's worth it so that we do not look absolutely awful during the ceremony, or realise our clothes do not fit and have to alter it moments before we leave."

  "I do not mind them, Your Imperial Majesty," Frederick said smoothly. "They are a bit time-consuming, but they're a welcomed break from the business of day to day life."

  "Prince Frederick, my dear, are we overwhelming you with responsibility?" the Empress asked with concern in her voice. "If we are, do just tell us, and we'll rearrange all your fittings and meetings for you."

  "Oh no, of course not!" Prince Frederick flashed the brightest of smiles. "It can be a bit hectic, but I enjoy the work greatly. Don't you worry, Your Imperial Majesty."

  Besides the Empress, the Emperor chuckled. "Come, darling, let the younglings talk on their own. Let us not interrupt them any longer."

  "Of course, of course." The Empress smiled at her husband before turning to her food.

  Lady Katharine flashed a smile. "All seems to be going well."

  "They are certainly going rather smoothly, are they not?" Irina asked, not quite looking at the woman.

  "It makes me worried, truth be told," Lady Katharine said, chewing on her bottom lip. "The Meliqueans are here, and the fact that everything is still so normal... it concerns me, truly. But it probably is just my wariness and paranoia of them.

  "If we could choose not to invite them," Ryan said, "we'd have chosen not to. Unfortunately, we don't quite have a choice. Relations must be maintained."

  Lady Katharine let out a soft 'huh' noise, not giving an answer. Ryan and Irina exchanged  quick glances. Justine and General Stoneworth were behaving themselves so far, both most likely having been given a strong lecture before they'd come about the importance of maintaining civility—Justine certainly had, since Irina had delivered it herself. Asteria was being uncharacteristically quiet, letting everyone else hog the attention while she wordlessly listened and observed. Irina could tell that she was doing that much from the way her body language changed every time the atmosphere grew tense or changed.

  Stephen cleared his throat. "Katharine, how was your day?"

  The woman smiled. "Perfectly pleasant, thank you very much. I spent some time with my friends. It has been so long since we were all gathered in one place, I've almost forgotten how it feels."

  Ryan said, "I'm glad to hear that, Lady Katharine. Is there anything about your stay that you feel could be improved? If so, please do not keep silent. We promise we do not bite."

  Katharine's responding smile was fake. "Nothing at all, Prince Ruge. Everything has been up to standards and simply wonderful so far."

  Ryan could sense if, of course he could. But he didn't say anything or point it out, instead nodding with pride. "If anything does not meet your standards, please do tell us."

  Drinks were served then, juice. Each person got a cup. Irina glanced at hers as the maid placed it on her table, bobbing a curtsy before exiting quickly. She looked across the room, where Justine was frowning into hers.

  "Justine," Irina started, "I think they got our orders messed up." She creased her brow. "I got your peach juice instead of the lemonade I'd asked for."

  "Of course they did," Justine said sarcastically. "Why wouldn't they?"

  Irina smirked. "Want to swap?"

  Justine tilted her head. "I do believe that is the most logical choice in this situation, Irina. Of course." Irina gestured towards Bing Yi, who picked up Irina's cup and crossed the room, exchanging the cups.

  Lady Katharine began, "I've never tried peach juice before, but it does taste quite good. Could be sweeter, in my opinion." Her mouth was tugged downwards as she placed her cup down.

  "If you'd like it to be sweeter," Irina smiled, "feel free to ask for some sugar from one of the servants." One stood behind every single one of them, serving them throughout the dinner. Katharine nodded, turning to the footman behind her and requesting some sugar.

  The footman, who'd be an idiot not to have seen the order coming after that particular conversation, took no time running off for some sugar.

  Coughing sounded across the room. Stoneworth glanced at Justine, frowning, "Are you choking, General Lan?"

  Justine, between coughs, managed, "I'm fine."

  Ryan asked, one brow raised as he regarded her, the slightest bit of concern in his eye, "Drank your juice a bit too fast?"

  Justine said, "It tastes a bit odd today." She placed down the cup, wincing slightly. "Think the kitchen mucked it up."

  Irina's brow furrowed now as she turned to Bing Yi behind her. "Find who made that," she demanded. "We cannot accept subpar food at an imperial feast." The servants ought to know better. At another time, this would have been an offence that might have caused someone to lose their head.

  "Aye, Your Highness." Bing Yi curtsied and quickly scurried off into the kitchens. The maid behind Justine wisely served some water, which Justine swallowed down.

  "You must be careful, General Lan," Stephen said with a small smile on his face. "We wouldn't want you to choke to death now, would we?"

  Justine cracked a grin in return. "My apologies for ruining the mood." She let out another startled cough. "Do continue on with your conversations, no need to pay me any attention."

  Irina sighed, shaking her head. "You look very pale, Justine, do be careful with yourself. What were we discussing again?"

  "Nothing particularly interesting, if I must be honest," Frederick murmured, "if we do not even remember it. Let's find something else to talk about. Lady Asteria, you haven't said anything all night!"

  Asteria glanced up, a sheepish smile on her face. "Apologies, I've been busy all day, I'm rather exhausted right now." Maximilian Harlande had arrived with the Caershireens yesterday, and Asteria had barely been seen around since. The two had gone out into the city together, Irina had heard, only coming back when Asteria was needed.

  "Oh dear," Stephen said, "you must not over exhaust yourself."

  Irina wrinkled her nose. "Go to bed early tonight, Asteria. You're going to need some energy to get through the next week."

  Wryly, Asteria replied, "Your Highness, it's a feast. We're not going to be finishing before ten at the absolute earliest. I'll get my sleep eventually, but most definitely not tonight." She turned to the maid behind her. "More tea."

  A smart decision. Tea did keep people awake, but Irina didn't particularly think drowning herself in tea was the best way to stay up either. But she didn't say anything—Asteria could do what she wanted to do. She had been having a tough time, especially since she was the one closest to Danna and Io. And while Irina and Asteria were not the best of friends (that was Justine and Myrina), they were certainly close, and the most similar when it came to their work. They both held a similar approach, although Asteria was less reckless when it came down to it. Not particularly a bad trait, Irina supposed, but it meant she couldn't achieve some of the things Irina could.

  It meant, though, that they were the two people who had the least conflict between them. And Irina held a healthy dose of respect for the future duchess—there had been a while before Asteria had met her dashing lieutenant, where Irina had thought Asteria a potential future bride for Ryan.

  The countess did have the aura and energy that fit a mother of a country.

  Though from what she'd observed, the Harlande family was quickly gaining political prominence within Caershire. The young Harlande's father was within the list of runners for the next presidential election.

  A decent exchange, Irina supposed, though Maximilian Harlande did not seem to have any major political ambitions himself. It did make it more simple if they did decide to tie the knot. Though their choice not to do so so far was curious—from what Irina gleaned, it was due to their wish to wait until the war ended.

  God knew when that would happen. Asteria was lucky she had such a high title, that such a choice would not be scrutinised. Had she been anyone else... look at Naeva, for hell's sake. Danna was barely escaping the same fate, mainly because her older sister, Lady Megara, was also unmarried. But their youngest sister, Hebe, had a rather dedicated suitor. If Hebe did tie the knot before either of her older sisters, Danna would not be able to escape the gossip any further.

  Though Irina rather thought Aleksandr Volkov would be willing to put a ring on Danna's finger whenever necessary.

   More coughing broke her out of her thoughts. Irina raised her head to see Justine chugging down some water her maid had served her. She had a rather uneasy feeling about this now, choking did not cause this much discomfort. She opened her mouth, starting, "Justine, are you sure you're alright?"

  "I..." Justine's entire face was ghost white now. It was unsettling, watching someone who always seemed so strong and indomitable look so weak and vulnerable.

  Stoneworth said, "General Lan, you do not look very well. Perhaps you'd like to retire and recover first before returning?"

  "Yes," Justine glanced around, acutely aware of everyone's attention on her. Even some of the guests from further away, who wouldn't be able to hear their conversation, had noticed her state. And they were whispering. "I'd quite like that, please." The maid behind her stepped forward to help her stand. Justine's legs were shaking.

  Irina exchanged an alarmed look with Ryan and Asteria. Something was wrong.

  Justine started showing discomfort after drinking the peach juice.

  A peach juice that had been served for her.

  Someone who was a target.

  Irina's spine jerked straight right as Justine collapsed onto the ground. The maid, unable to support her weight, fell with, letting out a yelp. All eyes darted to them immediately, as everyone around shot up straight. Stoneworth immediately moved forward to aid her, moving the two women apart from each other. Irina rushed forward. "Justine!"

  The Emperor began barking orders, asking for Justine to be carried to one of the side rooms and for someone to summon an imperial physicist. Irina shot a questioning glance to the Empress, who nodded. Without a second word, Irina followed as Justine was carried off, leaving behind the confused and panicking room.

  She'd deal with all of them later.

  Ryan stayed behind, to maintain appearances, but Asteria came with her too. Immediately after they left the feast, Asteria started, "The juice, it's the juice—"

  "It was meant for me." Their thoughts had gone to the same place. "It has to be fucking poison."

  Asteria said, "Your maid's still in the kitchen, right? Send someone with her, check the peach juice there—but it's probably not that, it has to have been poisoned after it was poured into individual cups or we'd have a lot more people unconscious right now."

  "It was meant for me," Irina repeated dumbly, ignoring everything Asteria said. "Someone's trying to poison me, Asteria."

  "Yes." There was sympathy in Asteria's voice, but she quickly continued on with business first. "But that's not the point right now. We have to make sure Justine is alright."

  Irina squeezed her eyes shut, "You." She pointed to one of the footmen standing in the side, watching as a group of footmen laid Justine on a lounge. "Go to the kitchen, go find Bing Yi and get the cooks to check for poison in the bloody food. And make sure no one suspicious is hanging around. Get people to search the place for anything that would have caused... would have caused that." She jabbed her finger at Justine's unconscious form. "And you," she nudged her chin at a maid. "Get the peach juice on General Lan's table and bring it here. And you, go to the Iron Wolf headquarters and ask for Asklipios." Asklipios, one of the Iron Wolves, whose ability could heal people. It didn't work as well with poison, but the man was still a trained medic and physicist who could provide aid to the imperial physicists.

  She had to stay calm in situations like this, keep her mind working as it usually would. This was not precisely the first poisoning she'd ever dealt with in her life—a group of rebels from the last dynasty had attempted to poison the Emperor and Empress around four years ago. But it never failed to freak her out, even if she never showed it on her face.

  It was never a nice feeling, knowing someone was out to kill you. Even more horrible, when they do manage to hurt someone. Especially if the person was close to you.

  Irina owed Justine her life.

  Asteria said, "It should be fine, I think. Justine didn't drink that much, I was watching her. She'd taken barely a sip when she began coughing. And it took long enough to work that I don't think it's too life-threatening."

  "It's still poison," Irina hissed, temporarily losing grasp of her composure. "Unknown poison, Asteria. It could be slow-acting, killing her as we speak."

  One of the imperial physicists ran in then. "Hu taiyi," Irina started, walking towards him. "General Lan seems to have been poisoned, one of the maids is bringing in the poison as we speak."

  "The others will arrive soon, they are gathering their kits right now, Your Highness." Physicist Hu, or Hu taiyi, was in his mid-sixties, grey-haired, grimly calm and reliable as a rock. "I will check on the General first and try to determine how much danger she is in."

  The man moved to Justine, kneeling beside the lounge she laid on, picking up her wrist and putting his finger on her pulse. Then he reached up, lifting her eyelid and checking her eyes, her breathing–sporadic, from what Irina observed from a distance. He stood.

  "Well?" Asteria demanded.

  "Your Highness, Lady Asteria, it does not seem to have been a lethal dosage. Where was the poison?"

  "The peach juice that had been served for the princess," Asteria explained. "General Lan and the princess swapped their drinks, but she did not drink much of it."

  "She was lucky, then. We'll need to get the poison out of her system—it could still be damaging, but—"

  The maid came in then, carefully holding the cup in her hand. "Sorry it took so long, ma'am. Many of the guests had questions and we had to avoid them."

  "Put it here," Hu taiyi commanded, pointing at a table. "I will have the other physicists try to figure out what it is. For now I will attempt to stabilise General Lan's state so that she can be moved to her own bedchamber, or a ward if necessary."

  "Xie xie ni le," Irina murmured. Thank you. "I'm handing over Justine's safety to you, sir. I've also asked someone to get Asklipios, in case he can be of any help. Asteria, come with me."

  "You're leaving Justine?" Asteria asked, blinking furiously. "She—"

  Irina cut her off. "We have a poisoner to find, Asteria. Someone's trying to kill me, which is already more than enough reason for me to destroy them. But not only did they fail, they hurt my friend instead. I am not letting them off the hook. There will be consequences. Severe consequences."