The Palace Commotion

The palace's hallways were cloaked in darkness within the silence of the night.

Peta's room was eerily silent, save for the soft, rhythmic breathing that signaled her slumber. She lay on the floor, a stark contrast to her usual composed self.

The dim light cast long shadows across the room, giving it an otherworldly ambiance.

Amidst this calm, another maid clad in white pajamas approached Peta's door. She knocked gently, her voice a mere whisper against the quietude. "Peta? Are you there?"

No response came from within, and a sense of unease crept over her. The door wasn't locked, and with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, she cautiously pushed it open.

Her body was shaken by the spectacle that confronted her. Peta was lying on the floor.

With fear and alarm written on her face, she quickly exited the room. She ran down the corridor, her pulse beating as she was looking for someone who could help her find out what was happening.

In a nearby corridor, she spotted a butler, his presence a reassuring symbol of authority. With urgency in her voice, she called out, "Sir Benjamin! Sir Benjamin!" As he turned to her, his brows furrowing in concern, she stumbled over her words, her sentences fragmented by panic.

"It's Peta, in her room... something's wrong, you need to come quickly!"

Responding to the gravity of her words, Sir Benjamin's eyes widened, and he immediately followed her back to Peta's room.

The maid's heart raced as they approached the site, the air thick with gloom. The door was open displaying the frightening scene inside.

"What in the world..."Benjamin murmured under his breath, his expression filled with terror and confusion.

He carefully scanned over the scene, then softly examined the motionless corpse in front of him with his white gloved hands.

His heart fell as he noticed the black liquid seeping from Peta's lips, darkening her formerly normal appearance.

Fear gripped Benjamin's heart, and without a second thought, he swiftly rose to his feet, his mind racing with a sense of urgency. He knew that this was beyond his capacity to handle alone. He needed to act swiftly and decisively.

Benjamin rushed from the chamber, his urgent voice reverberating through the grand hallways as he summoned palace guards and attendants alike, his words carrying the weight of the situation.

"Summon the palace doctor, the head maid, and anyone who can be of assistance. This is an emergency!" Benjamin's command to the maid resonated through the corridors, each word carrying the weight of the dire situation at hand.

Benjamin's pace accelerated as he neared the corner. He realized he couldn't afford to waste time, and the news needed to reach the king and queen as soon as possible.

His determined stride led him to the opulent chamber where the king and queen resided.

******************************************

A knock boomed through the royal chamber as the king approached the door, his face a mask of curiosity. He opened it with a smooth sweep, displaying Benjamin's tired look. The butler's normally collected manner was tainted by a feeling of hurry, and his rushed words carried a sense of urgency as he began to explain what was going on within the castle.

"Your Majesty,... there is a really bad situation...It's Peta, something very bad happened to her."

The king's demeanor shifted swiftly from curiosity to concern, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information. He exchanged a brief, knowing glance with the queen, who was seated at their bed, her features a portrait of contemplation.

The king nodded to Benjamin, indicating that he should continue.

A critical problem demands your quick attention, ''That is all Your Highness. We only need you highness and the queen to be ready when you see her," Benjamin said, his words underlined by the seriousness of the situation.

King's face had turned solemn, his features etched with concern and consternation.

"Is she Dead...Benjamin?" The urgency in his tone was palpable, mirroring the weight of the situation.

''Yes, Your Highness and there is no doubt about that,'' Benjamin replied, his voice tinged with sorrow.

"When I examined her body, I discovered signs that suggest poison may have been the cause."

The king looked worried and confused. He tried to understand the news he just heard. The queen, sitting on the bed, seemed curious. Her face showed different feelings.

"My dear, what's happening?" asked the queen.

The king looked at the queen, wanting to know what she thought. "Do you want to find out, my love?" He spoke quietly, so only the queen could hear.

The queen looked a bit worried and unsure. "Okay, let's go now. I need to see what's happening, immediately show me the way, Benjamin."

"Sure thing, Your Highness," Benjamin replied.

With a heavy sigh, the king's eyes met Benjamin's.

"Summon all those who entered and exited the princess and Peta's room," the king commanded.

Benjamin nodded in agreement. "Of course, Your Highness; I'll gather them right away."

******************************************

Peta's lifeless corpse lay on a beautiful bed within this cloister, her shape reclining serenely in the peaceful ambiance.

The room itself exuded an air of solemnity as if it recognized the significance of the moment unfolding within its walls.

The most respected people in the kingdom were gathered around the bed, including the King and Queen, whose faces were marred by sorrow and disbelief, Benjamin.

The venerable butler, whose usually composed features were marred by a sense of helplessness; and the Doctor, whose presence exuded authority and knowledge.

The Doctor's fingers gently probed Peta's lifeless form, their brow furrowing as they meticulously examined the body.

The king and queen stood side by side, their eyes fixed on the physician's every move, their hearts heavy with anticipation.

Finally, the Doctor's voice broke the heavy silence, their words laced with a mixture of grief and solemnity.

"I humbly beg your pardon, Your Highness, for I must convey the regrettable news that Peta is already dead''

The queen's gasp was echoed by a collective intake of breath from the others in the room.

The weight of the revelation hung in the air, a somber acknowledgment of the loss that had befallen them.

The Doctor's gaze remained focused on Peta's form, their expression a blend of professionalism and concern.

"Furthermore, upon initial examination, it is my somber duty to inform you that her passing may have been a result of poisoning."

The room seemed to grow colder at their words, a chilling realization settling over those present.

The king's voice trembled as he sought clarification. "Poisoning? Are you certain?"

The Doctor nodded, their tone solemn. "The signs are unmistakable, Your Highness. The substance that I detected, along with the liquid oozing from her lips, bears the hallmarks of a potent and dangerous poison."

King Edward's face paled, the weight of the revelation striking him like a blow. "What about the poison? What exactly is that?''

The Doctor's features hardened as they continued, their voice steady despite the gravity of their words.

"The poison is a sinister concoction, one that acts insidiously, slowly sapping the life from its victim. It attacks the organs, causing them to wither and decay, while the body's vitality fades away."

A heavy silence settled over the room, the implications of the Doctor's assessment sinking in.

The queen's voice was barely a whisper as she voiced the question that weighed on everyone's mind. "Who would commit such a heinous act?"

The Doctor's gaze was unflinching as they spoke, their words a grim confirmation of their worst fears.

"Whoever is to blame is skilled in lethal alchemical expertise. This is also no ordinary poison; it decayed so quickly in her organ, and it's not the first time I've seen something like it"

The room seemed to close in on them, a suffocating awareness of the danger that lurked within the palace itself.

"We need to find out what really happened," the king said, "and anyone who had contact with Peta before she passed away, please come forward and share your information."

The palace's chief maid, Matilda, stood at attention with a worried yet determined gaze. She was aware that it was her duty to explain the events that had led to Peta's situation.

With a deep breath, Matilda stepped forward, her voice steady as she addressed the king.

"Your Highness," she began, her gaze meeting the king's with unwavering resolve, "I must confess that I instructed two maids to bring food to the chamber. However, the food was not meant for Princess Melissa. It was intended for the second Princess Henrietta, and Peta, out of curiosity, attempted to taste it."

The king's brow furrowed, his concern deepening as he processed Matilda's words. Beside him, Queen Elizabeth's eyes widened in realization, her hand instinctively reaching for the king's in a gesture of shared worry.

Matilda continued, her voice unwavering, "I take full responsibility for this oversight, Your Highness.

The food should never have been brought into the room, and I deeply regret the consequences of my decision."

The king's gaze remained fixed on Matilda, his expression a mix of sternness and concern. "And who prepared this food?" he inquired, his voice carrying a weight that demanded answers.

Matilda gestured toward a figure who had been standing silently to the side. The palace chef stepped forward, his expression a mix of anxiety and fear.

"Your Majesty," he began, his voice respectful but tinged with unease, "The food was cooked by me and there were no harms on the meal when I taste it. If you want to look at it, I still have a little bit of it here as confirmation."

The king's eyes narrowed slightly as he absorbed the chef's words. He glanced at the queen, their silent communication conveying a shared concern and determination to uncover the truth.

With a decisive nod, the king spoke, his voice firm and resolute. "Very well, retrieve the portion of the food you saved. We need to examine it thoroughly."

As the chef hurriedly departed to retrieve the evidence, The King turned his attention to Matilda. "The safety and well-being of our princess are of utmost importance, and such oversights must be permitted, so I believe you have learned a good lesson from this incident, Matilda."

Matilda bowed her head, her expression a mix of contrition and determination. "Yes, Your Highness. I deeply regret my actions and the potential harm they may have caused. I assure you, I will be more vigilant in the future."

The king's gaze softened slightly, his concern evident.

"See to it that Princess Melissa is moved to our bedroom. We need to ensure her safety and well-being."

Queen Elizabeth nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring the king's worriness.