Saan's tight grip does not loosen as he makes his way down the long corridor, this time to his own chambers. He can hear the clanging of Aaleyah's jewelry as she follows behind him. Turning he sees her golden eyes dark and her mouth makes no motion to speak. Saan's embittered face hardens and he kicks the door to his own chambers open. "Helan stay out."
Helan bows and closes the doors.
Releasing Aaleyah's hand, "Is it your intention to be harassed? Why do you refuse to stand up for yourself?"
Fixing the bracelets on her wrist, "What would you have me do? Any attempt to speak will only cause more enmity in the court."
Scoffing, Saan pulls out a chair at his table, "Take a seat." He waits for who to sit before moving to stand in front of her. "Has it occurred to you that there are advisors, generals, scholars, men in high positions who are on your side; but unable to move because you do not allot them the opportunity? That the longer you sit channeling the spirit of the shadows you will eventually fizzle out like a flame in the storm?"
"You are angry at me for not arguing in the king's court? I was, in more or less words, on trial."
Saan catches the way she addeses herself and smiles. There she is, "Which is exactly why you should have spoken up for yourself. Official Darius stood up for you. He defended you, you could have given him face by showing you were on his side. Why did you leave him to speak alone?" he asks, genuinely perplexed by her actions.
Placing both hands in her lap, her thumb traces the nail of her index finger. "We had a plan. At breakfast the plan was for the king to punish me and place me under watch by. This allows the officials to toss their masks on their own, so we can truly see where their loyalties are. Minister Amon is one of many, but you stopped him before we could-" Clearing her throat she adds softly, "Minister Amon did not exactly say anything wrong."
"He wished to punish you as an example. Will you pretend you do not know what that means?" Seeing her face fall, Saan regrets his words. Of course she is aware of what that means. To be accused of craving the king's power is a dangerous crime. One her family experienced. But it is different now, his father is a king who trusts her. Never again will Aaleyah see her loved ones fall for false accusations.
Aaleyah rising from her chair, "High-" Saan's angry eyes has her correct herself, "Saan, I understand that you are upset because they wished to punish me. However we were standing before the king, it would only cause unrest to argue about small matters before him." As she speaks, Saan can see it. The shaky breath she exhales, his father makes her nervous. But why? Does she fear that the king knows more than he tells her? Is she nervous about being ordered to use it? That cannot be, she wanted to use it.
The sea of emotions in Aaleyah's eyes has Saan swallow his anger. "Then how about this?" He offers her his hand, "Anyone who disrespects you, disrespects me. In your mind, am I a person who deserves disrespect?"
"Hi- Saan, currently the Kingdom of Nevalvn is in danger. Its mines are something that numerous people from around the kingdoms seek to hold. The kingdom we need on our side the most is the Trivplah Kingdom who are burning down Nevalvn's temples, and their hatred for the Aljehni family is just as strong. If I attempt to take more power or have a voice in rooms where one should not, it could disrupt the carefully crafted treaty that has been drawn."
"If you do not deal with those who show you disrespect, I will. Which would you prefer?" He will teach everyone to respect his queen, ally or not.
Turning her to chin him he studies her eyes searching for a sign that she is listening to him. She seems to be studying him just as much and he prays she can see his determination.
"What if my way of dealing with it is different from your wishes?" she asks.
From the moment Aaleyah returned to the palace she worked in the shadows. She worked with Hammun on plans to aid the government, but it was Hammun who publicly said them. She aided the commissioners in cases, but never wrote her name on the files. She supported and spoke to the teachers at the academies, but stayed away from the public eye.
He will just have Helan watch her, and report anyone who steps out of line. Then he can deal with it on his own. "It depends on my mood. Some words may hurt me more than others."
Her eyes widen in confusion "This one will stand up for herself more in the future."
"Does this one vow?" Saan asks, forcing Aaleyah to give her word.
Bowing, "Aaleyah Aljehni vows to try her best."
Saan stares down at Aaleyah's bowed head. Her hands clasped, one hand over her fist waiting for him to address her to rise. She used to hold her head high, the short girl would jump on the backs of anyone near her so she could reach your eyes and yell at injustice. The bright eyes Aaleyah from before was a force that Saan was sometimes nervous to be around. "Are you still there," he whispers.
Raising her head slightly, "What?"
Saan waves his hand, "We will go to a meeting with the generals today." He turns swiftly and heads out with Aaleyah following behind him. His Aaleyah is still in there, he just has to prove she is safe enough to come out.
Three days later Hestia stands in the medical room talking to the head physician. "How is the queen mother healing?"
The royal physician's dart nervously to the other aids. "Princess Hestia, all information on the queen's recovery has been reported to the king." Smiling politely, "If you have any questions you may retrieve those reports."
Pursing her lips into a cute pout, "Why must I go ask for reports? Are you not here in front of me?" she asks with a bright smile.
The royal physician bows, "My apologies princes, there are many things this physician must do and so little time. If the reports are not helpful this physician will have someone write them up with more detail at a later point."
An aid rushes inside and gives the royal physician an affirmative nod.
Bowing once more, "This physician must take his leave, princess." Then he grabs a small chest and heads out with the aid leading the way.
Wiping the corner of her eyes, Hestia stands dumbfounded. He did not even give her the reports, merely talked about it. "What could he possibly be so busy with?" she asks, and after waiting she gets no response. Sighing, she turns to face Musinm, and waves her hand in front of his face, "Hello?"
Bowing, "Yes Princess Hestia?"
Crossing her arms, "I asked a question."
"My apologies princess, I did not know you were asking me. I am only a guard. I do not know much about the interworking of the physicians."
Tilting her head back and forth listening to the beads of her hair clip shake, "It seems like he was running away from me. Maybe I asked him too many questions yesterday before making the tea and now he is avoiding me." Shrugging her shoulders, "That is fine, I can ask the queen instead. Let's go Musinm," she heads in the direction of the queen.
On the way Hestia passes many aids rushing back and forth from the medicinal gardens. Stopping one of the younger students by the arm so he cannot move away, "What is going on? Why the rush?"
Musinm stands behind her with a threatening enough gaze that the unlucky aid is forced to stop. This young aid has been training in the palace for half a Blue moon, his hair is tied back tightly with a plain white cloth that shows he is barely out of the beginning stage. His job is most likely an errand boy, going to and fro to get plants, or following the orders of the physicians, and learning from experience.
"P-p-p-Princess Hestia," his eyes dart around for help, but none of the seniors are around. "I have to find Physician Mena."
"Why? If you cannot find Physician Mena you can try asking me. I may be able to help," Hestia offers, after all she has medicinal training.
Shaking his head, "No!" he yells, panic all over his face; then remembering himself, "Princess must not trouble herself. Physician Mena requires no help, but this subject must go quickly. Please allow this one to leave," he begs pitifully.
Not expecting his nervousness, and skittish behavior Hestia releases him. Feeling guilty, "Alright, I meant no harm."
With one final bow, the young boy runs off. Hestia watches him move down the hallways, his white hair ribbon flying behind him. "There is something strange going on." Poking Musinm on his arm, "Do you agree now?"
Musinm's eyes scan the corridor for the other guards located at their stations. "There is nothing to fear Princess Hestia, the security is under control."
"Yes, it is the security that I am worried about," she says with a sigh. "Musinm is security the only thing you know? Do you not have hobbies, or interests?"
"Every morning there is training."
Hestia rolls her eyes. She wonders if she can find another more interesting guard. Perhaps a guard with interests in medicine and tea. That would be most beneficial to her. Musinm would be happier working under her High Prince's intimidating troops. Sadly, to guard the high prince one had to be recommended and then pass Captain Helan's tests. Rumours had it Helan was very strict, Musinm would have to exemplify great skills to be approved..
Hammun and Aaleyah sit at the table in the library. Numerous books lay open on plants and poisons. On the table is a map with x's over areas they have already checked. Circles around places that may have what they are looking for.
Hammun rubs the side of his head as he reads a book. "None of these have symptoms of black veins," he exasperates. It has been hours of searching through pages and reading about so many poisons that his eyes feel strained.
Placing the book of poisonous flowers down, "Maybe a flower is not what we are looking for. Maybe the poison came from a different source. What if the source is an animal?" she asks Hammun.
Exiting the aisle he was in, "Maybe black veins are not the key symptom we should be researching." Saan places the book on the table, "Her wound is not healing, the poison is attacking her thrombocytes cells. We need to search for poisons that counteract the body's natural healing process."
Resting his arms on the table Hammun rubs his face, "I wish there was a way to just pull the poison out of her. It has only been a day and it is already obvious that the royal physicians have no idea why she is not healing."
Saan takes a seat on the bench next to Aaleyah and pulls her wrist closer so he can see the book she was reading.
Moving the book closer so he can see, "Do you think the poison could be from an animal and not a plant?" she asks again knowing he will answer her.
Scanning the image of the flower Aaleyah was reading, "It is a possibility, but..." he shakes his head, "There are not many animal poisons we do not know the names of. Nor are there a shortage of antidotes created for those poisons and venoms. It is more likely that there is a plant we are unaware of than an animal," he tells her thoughtfully.
"We still have time, we do not need to panic," Hammun says, his foot shaking under the table.
Aaleyah reaches past Saan to pick up the book he brought, "This is a medical book on the body's natural healing properties?" she opens it and scans the contents page, "You hope to boost her immune system to fight the poison?"
Saan flips the pages, "There is an old treatment that talks about meridians, if we can follow the pathways in her body maybe we can lock it and stop the poison from spreading. We can keep it in one place, and bleed it out? Burn it out?" he pounds his hand on the table as he thinks aloud.
"We will not burn our mother," Hammun says in an appalling tone. "I refuse to cause her harm."
"She is in harm now, that is the point," Saan sharply states.
"She has medicines that are aiding her with the pain. We are just looking to help her wound heal faster," Aaleyah amicably says. Pointing to the page Saan left open, "Talk about meridians and pressure points, yin and yang energy; this is something Hestia may know," she shifts her gaze to Hammun.
Maintaining a cool expression, "She is not to know." His earnest eyes bore in Aaleyah's soul, "Promise me you will say not a word to her."
Aaleyah has no right to tell others when they should and should not speak to others. Thus despite her being certain that Hestia is the perfect candidate for the job, until she is willing to act upon what she tells others to do, she decides to keep her mouth shut.
Saan rests his back against the wall, "Surely Hestia will notice something amiss with all the physicians running around." He wipes dust only he can see from Aaleyah's sleeve, "That and she is with mother daily. It is not a question of if she will find out. The question is when."
Aaleyah nods her head in agreement, secrets always get out. Maybe in one generation, maybe two. Maybe you can be lucky and last 10 Red moons; but eventually, secrets always come out. Suppressing a shiver she stares intently at the book in her hand, swallowing down her fears.
A week later the three are once again in the library. It is late at night, and the candles have been lit throughout the room. Books and scrolls are littered around the table, each royal going through their own pile. Aaleyah is surrounded by scrolls, most of them are written in the old language, for her fluency is better than Saan and Hammun.
Saan takes a break from looking for a cure and reads up on the Stilits, and their origins, as well as their fighting skills; in hopes that he can recognize the style and tie it to a location.
Hammun stands up so fast his chair is knocked backwards and the table he bumps shakes dropping papers and scrolls onto the floor. "I got it!"
Two pairs of eyes look expectantly at Hammun.
Saan stands and walks over to see what his brother is looking at. "This is the Story of Lakia." He shakes his head with a sigh, "she has not been seen or heard of since before the previous king's rule."
The Story of Lakia was very popular. According to records there was a doctor who came from heaven herself. She possessed a wide range of skills, and could bring people back from the dead. Due to her skills the king of the Heahnian kingdom coveted her skills and sent guards to capture her. She was forced to reside in the Heahnian kingdom and teach the physicians all that she knew. Hence Heahnian's advances in medicine. Some say that she withheld information and escaped to another kingdom. The last sighting of her was 6 or 7 Red moons ago.
However, Aaleyah knows of Lakia from another source. Her name was in her father's books.
"Even if we do find her there is no telling if we are searching for a dead body," Saan frowns, his voice pulling Aaleyah out of her thoughts.
Hammun shakes his head, "No, no she has to be alive. She came from the heavens, Saan." He turns to his brother with wild eyes, "That has to mean something. She can heal our mother. We must find her."
Saan does not respond, his expression is loud enough, It is impossible.
Rushing around the table to Aaleyah, Hammun takes the scroll from her hands and tosses it on the floor. Thrusting the scroll he was holding into her arms. "Aaleyah, my Sun Sister, we are always of the same mind. You agree with me, right? If we find her she will have the skills to save mother." His desperate tone pleads for Aaleyah to side with him, "Even if it is hard, even if it seems impossible, even if no one has seen or heard from her in generations we have to try, right? We owe it to our mother, no, to the kingdom. We owe it to the kingdom to try. The queen must not die." Hammun glances back at his brother behind him, "And I do not say this only because she is our mother. She helps maintain the balance between our kingdom and Trivplah's. If she dies, especially now, before the friendships between kingdoms have a stable foundation everything will fall apart."
Aaleyah watches Saan pinches the bridge of his nose. Hammun will not do this if he does not agree. But if Saan disagrees it may be the last straw for Hammun. For days he has been staying up late and waking early. Hammun has been non-stop studying, reading, researching, looking for doctors, antidotes, medicines, poisons; anything that could help.
Maybe giving him this search will ease his mind.
"Alright," Saan's answers, his expression one of solicitude.
Banging and thuds on the door draws everyone's attention and Saan steps forward pulling Aaleyah to stand behind him.
Hammun stares at the door in confusion, "Helan is outside, surely there is no one he will struggle against," he says in confusion.
The thuds get louder and then the door opens. Rushing in, dress all white, hair tied up in a bun with a red ribbon. Her face is red with fury, brown eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Seeing her, Saan backs away, slowly positioning himself to stand behind Aaleyah. His thumb and index finger pinching her blue sleeve.
It is understood now why Helan could not hold this person back. Helan is unable to harm this person, the thuds were most likely her trying to open the door and push Helan out of the way. Helan, nervous she would harm herself, had no choice but to move.
Her eyes glisten under the weight of his betrayal, "Hammun, how could you?" her voice breaks.
Aaleyah closes her eyes and looks away.
It was after all, inevitable that Hestia would find out that the queen was not getting better. Hestia, despite her youth, and childlike personality, is no fool. Her knowledge and intelligence was high enough for her to study pharmaceuticals.
But Hammun, the top scholar, one whose education was something all students of the academy aspired to have; had one fault. He was hopeful.
"Hestia," Hammun whispers her name gravely. "I- how did you know to come here?"
The moment Hestia hears the question her eyes flash. Hammun's question had the result of slapping a hungry tiger with a slab of meat. "You enjoyed your time not telling me?" Marching towards him, everyone takes steps back, but she moves quickly and slaps Hammun across his face. "Everyday I asked how the queen was doing and you told me I did not have to worry." her chest heaves as she speaks. The anger fading from her eyes and morphing into something else, her tight voice holds back cries. "You had the entire branch of physicians lie to me!" Her hands latch onto his clothes, "You had the queen lie to me!" Her tears fall and she shakes Hammun back and forth. Then as if she is hit with a sudden reminder she turns with a fury to Aaleyah, "Even you lied to me." And it is as if saying those words completely breaks her. Hiding her face in Hammun's chest she sobs. Her hands still pounding on his body weakly, her body shaking. Her throat opens and releases a guttural sob.
Aaleyah takes a step forward, her mouth opens to give words of comfort but Hestia's next words leave her at a loss.
"I know I am not really a princess. I know you only want my kingdom for our mines. You only work so hard to make treaties to protect the resources my kingdom's land is rich in," she moves away from Hammun's chest. Her red face covered in tears, "You do not truly think of me as family. I understand. It is because I am not trustworthy, I understand. But I swear. I promise you that I care about the queen. You can trust me. I want to save her. I am not your enemy." Sinking to the floor, "Please just let me help her." Placing her hands on the ground she bows, her forehead touching the back of her palms, "I will do whatever you wish, please allow me to help her," she cries from the floor.
Hammun stays rooted in his spot, his legs unmoving, his face a picture of agony. Unable to silently watch any longer, Aaleyah rushes to Hestia's side. Kneeling on the ground next to Hestia she pulls her up into a hug, "I am sorry. Hestia, Hammun wished to avoid your heartache. He wished to avoid your tears. He did not wish to worry you," moving back, she wipes Hestia's tears. "Your words are untrue. It is not for your kingdom's resources, or mines, that we want you. You are Hestia, such a warm light during a cold winter. Hestia, no one thinks you are not family.".
Saan slaps the back of Hammun's head, "Say something," he whispers.
Hammun finally seems to melt and kneels on the floor next to Aaleyah, "Hestia," his eyes bore into hers, no words being said.
Knowing when she is no longer needed Aaleyah makes to move out the way, and Saan's hand is there to help her to her feet.
"I was wrong," Hammun admits loudly. "I was wrong and I hurt you," he bows to Hestia.
Eyes widening in shock, Hestia rushes to hold Hammun's shoulders up. "You must not bow to me. You can't! We are not the same you and I. I am not worthy of Prince Hammun's bow."
Holding her small hands in his grasps, "You are to be my wife. I was wrong to hide this from you. I promise you that my only desire was to spare you pain." His eyes scan over her broken face, "I see now that I have done the opposite."
Hestia scoffs and rises slowly from the floor. Her legs shake and Hammun reaches out to steady her but she avoids him. Swallowing, she raises her head high. Her red eyes no longer have tears, "No. Prince Hammun will never have to apologize to me." She bows at the waist and rises after 5 long seconds. "This subject knows her place, I will teach myself to expect nothing," her betrayal filled eyes meet Aaleyah's, "There is nothing within the walls of Aidkjeen kingdom that I have a right to. I humbly apologize for forgetting myself."
Hestia's words hit Aaleyah's heart sharply. To feel alone within the kingdom is a terrible feeling. Hestia was not a fool to have hope, to think that they were a family. To believe they could work together and was not wrong. It was a beautiful hope that Aaleyah has failed to allow Hestia to experience.
"Hestia, you misunderstand me-" Hammun tells her.
Hestia bites her bottom lip hard and as she speaks Aaleyah can see blood, "This subject dare not misunderstand the prince." Hestia turns and runs out.
Hammun watches her run out, not following her. Standing, his eyes stare up at the window so he can look out at the night sky.
Dropping a hand on Hammun's shoulder, "You should follow her, convince her that you truly meant no harm." Saan looks down the direction that Hestia ran, "There is a great misunderstanding, only you can make it right."
Hammun stares out the window for some time before he turns to face Aaleyah and Saan, a cool expression on his face. "It may be better this way."
Aaleyah says nothing, already aware of how Hammun is thinking. With Hestia angry she will stay away. Thus, stay away from the danger. The one who harmed the queen may still be around, the Stilits are involved, betrayal of neighboring kingdoms is not an impossibility. The princes of Nevalvn would do best to be uninvolved in all of it. But in keeping her safe, Hammun is chipping away at their relationship.
"We will continue the talk of searching for Lakia at a later date." His hand slides into Aaleyah's to leave but she gives a worried look in Hammun's direction, her feet unmoving. Giving her a sad smile he nods for her to leave him alone and she reluctantly follows Saan out the door.
Helan bows, "My apologies, Helan has failed you."
Saan chuckles, "You have done no such thing. You may be skilled, but holding back Hestia is not easy. You did well, I should thank you for ensuring she did not harm herself."
Helan nods and positions himself behind them as they walk down the corridor.
Aaleyah tries to pull her arm free but Saan tightens his hold, "The time of your punishment is not up. You still must stay by my side," he cheekily says.
"It is late, High Prince Saan should sleep." Aaleyah recognizes the path they are going is not towards her chambers but to the garden.
"Is that an order?" he jokes. "If I leave you to sleep you will feel guilt alone and blame yourself for Hestia's pain." With one pull she is walking at his side and not behind him. "Am I wrong, high princess?"
Aaleyah holds back her pout. The matter with Hestia is not her fault. She knows this, but if someone is to blame, should it not be the person who is able to solve the situation but doesn't?
Reaching the garden, Helan stays at the entrance as Saan and Aaleyah walk in. Saan motions for her to sit by the pond. "In the library when Hammun was asking you about Lakia, what were you thinking?"
Not expecting the question, Aaleyah runs her thumb over her nails, "I have heard of Lakia," she says after some thought. "There is a book that Aljehnis are to study."
Saan takes a seat next to her and places his hand in hers.
Twirling the ring on his finger, "According to the legends Lakia is said to have come from the heavens. However, based on my knowledge, she comes from the same place my family comes from. Not Heaven, but a world far away. I personally do not have any relations with Lakia, but if the book is correct, then if I publish a letter in my family's language," she twirls his ring back and forth quickly, "if she is alive she will be able to read it."
"The origin of your family? Your family has been around for a long time. No?" he asks in confusion, how can Lakia and her family be from the same place?
"I am not sure, that book was destroyed." Most of her family's heirlooms did not survive the fire. Saan's guilty expression does not help her feel any better so she hurries to speak more.
"But from what I know, the Aljehni elders spoke a different language, and came from a different land. When the first Aljehni appeared they looked so different from the people of the previous empire, and spoke a different language too." Aaleyah recalls her elder brother talking to her about this. He had much interest in languages and family history, much more than her at least. "My father and Asbed spent most of their time studying languages. They could find no language similar, and no one who spoke it. But if I plead for help, it is possible Lakia will respond. During the times where my family was searching, they did not need help, it was merely curiosity. Perhaps I can try."
Turning his hand, Saan squeezes her fingers, "We can try," he tells her.