698 Beneath the Roses (1/2)

Charcoal stoves were burning in the hot and humid palace and there was a strong smell of sweat stench in the warm air. In the corner, beside the gigantic bronze stove, there were people that continued to throw herbs into the blazing fire. White smoke rose from the flame and the queer smell was so strong that it was hard to breathe.

On the grand and majestic bed, a thin and frail middle-aged man was lying underneath a thick blanket. It seemed as if he was having a nightmare as he was moaning in his deep sleep.

”Is this really necessary?” The palace official asked the physician, ”We have to open the windows. His Majesty should not be cooped up in here. The smell is so suffocating, he can barely breathe.”

”We cannot open the windows.” The elderly physician shook his head, ”His Majesty must not see any light and wind. If the smell is not strong enough, the poison in his lungs will no longer be suppressed and will spread rapidly.”

”How long will he have to stay like this?” The palace official muttered to himself as his face looked solemn.

”As long as possible.” There was no expression on the physician's face. He looked at the grief-stricken queen and spoke quietly, ”This shouldn't be something for you to say nor ask. Just do what you are supposed to do. Don't think or ask about other things that are not of your concern.”

The palace official was taken aback and realized that he might have said the wrong things. His face turned pale and quickly nodded. The ensuing silence was only broken by the hoarse moans of the Emperor. The expression on the queen's face was slowly changing. After a long hesitation, she seemed to have made up her mind about something and rose to walk towards the door.

Once at the door, two palace guards stepped forward and blocked her way. The queen looked extremely crossed. ”Step aside. How dare you block my way!”

”Your Highness, you cannot leave.” The elderly palace guard continued, ”His Majesty needs your company now.”

The queen scowled, ”What he needs is a physician! A real physician! Who knows where that phony physician came from! Neither does he need to be placed under house arrest! The b*stard son of that b*tch, Don Juan, must have been preparing for this day for a long time! I have always known that he is up to no good!”

The palace guard did not reply. He pretended not to have heard anything.

”Move aside!” The queen ordered.

The palace guard did not move.

”The queen wishes to catch some fresh air. Let her step outside for a while.” A soft and gentle voice could be heard behind the door. ”It won't do her any good to be cooped inside all day.”

The expression on the queen's face changed.

The palace guard finally seemed to relent as he opened the doors. As the door creaked open, beams of sunlight poured in and filled up the grim and dark palace.

The autumn wind swept across the courtyard and into the palace so that the air was no long so suffocating. When the young man stepped into the palace, the queen turned pale and could not help but take a step back. He was much taller than her and looked very handsome, despite little resemblances with his father.

”I think there must be some misunderstanding here. Your younger brother, Marquis Loire, chose to believe in some rumors and hastily decided to act on them.” The young man, by the name of Don Juan, smiled politely, ”Perhaps I have kept you here for too long, which may explain some of the strange rumors that have been spreading about. But I believe that the truth will be revealed very soon. The subordinate has offended you unintentionally. Please don't mind him. Now, I have some things to tell father. Please feel free to leave.”

The queen's face contorted as she retreated from Don Juan's advances. She lowered her head in an attempt to escape from Don Juan's glance. Inadvertently, she noticed the fresh red stains on his boots, as if his boots had just stepped on a pool of blood.

”I am deeply sorry for what happened to your brother.” Don Juan stopped beside her and placed a broken coat of arms in her palm, ”He left me with no other choice.”

The queen was stunned. She raised her head suddenly and stared at Don Juan. Her face began to scowl as her fingers gripped so tightly on the coat of arms that she was almost going to cut herself.

”You…” She began. She almost wanted to scream but then she heard a hoarse voice behind her.

”Is that Don Juan?”

The man on the sickbed had woken up. He struggled to open his eyes. There was a grey mist in his green eyes, as if there was a tinge of fear amidst the fragility. He was clearly very sick. He struggled to prop himself up as the maid hurriedly wiped away the saliva at the corner of his mouth. His brain was still trembling slightly even as he leaned against the bed and waved at Don Juan, ”Come over here, son. Come closer.”

Don Juan smiled, ”Yes, father.”

Very soon, the other unrelated people left. In the quiet palace, there was only the faint burning sound of the herbs in the bronze stove.

”Father, are you feeling better?” Don Juan carefully brushed his hair to the back and sat on the bed.

”Give me some warm water. My stomach feels uncomfortable.” The Emperor sighed and took over the cup of water from his 'son' and sighed while shaking his head, ”Son, this poison of yours is not idea…'Tulip' may be effective but the effect of the poison takes too long. It has a strange taste too. Putting it in red wine will affect one's appetite.”

Don Juan raised his eyebrows slightly but did not say anything.