He Made a Deal for Her

The metal bars locked behind her, and 19 took the opportunity to look around her. She might as well make herself comfortable, because it wasn't as if she'd be allowed to go anywhere else anytime soon. The room was small, even smaller than her own room in the servants' quarters. The stone floor was cold, but at least it was dry. There was a narrow cot tucked in one corner, with a worn out, stained blanket. And a desk with a chair on the other side.

Even with the dim light coming from lone candle in the room, 19 could discern that the table and chair were coated in dust and wrapped with spider webs, an indication that no one had bothered to use them for a long time, maybe even years. She wasn't about to, either. So she sat on the bed and waited. Every once in a while she heard the eerie cries of other prisoners being tortured, but no one came to her.

In some ways, being left alone was worse than being subjected to torture. Because if she was injured, then she wouldn't have time to make herself sick with worry over 20. Until now she was reeling over the news the soldiers had told her in passing. She didn't know anything about poisoning, had never heard of anyone else who had been poisoned. It was illegal to carry such substances in Luxentfort, which meant that whoever did that to 20 must be powerful and influential enough to bend the laws of the empire – or that person was connected to someone who was.

She didn't know how long she stayed in bed, stewing over her own thoughts. She looked up at the sound of the metal gate opening. Holding the prison keys in a chain, the guard rushed over to the side and ushered the archduke in. "This way, General."

Caio walked into the prison cell and turned to the guard, "You can go."

"Yes, General," the guard saluted and turned to leave, keeping the metal door slightly ajar.

19 rushed over to the archduke. "Your Grace, how's 20?" she asked, her voice cracking as though she was barely keeping herself from crying. "Is she going to be all right?"

Caio ignored the questions, because frankly, he didn't know the answer, either. And the worry and fear he felt for 20 was driving him over the edge. So he had to concentrate on something else – anything else to keep his emotions in check. "Why are you concerning yourself with her?" he asked instead. "Don't you know that you could be executed for what you did?"

"Your Grace," 19 pleaded, kneeling in front of the archduke. "I have no way of proving my innocence when it seems like the evidence is pointing at me." Her tears were freely flowing and she impatiently swiped them away. She didn't have time to be crying now, for heaven's sake. "I would give up my life if it means 20 can get back hers. But I'm afraid if I die needlessly like this, it would just give more room for the real criminal to continuously carry out her plan."

Caio narrowed his eyes. "What are you saying?"

19 looked at Caio directly. And in spite of her tears, he saw a clear determination in her eyes. "I think I know who may have poisoned 20, Your Grace."

*****

With one last look at 20, Alessandro forced himself to walk away, motioning Rocco to follow him. When they were at his sitting room, he turned to his butler. "Bring Concubine Number 5 here."

Rocco blinked at the emperor's order. "Concubine Number 5, Your Majesty?" he repeated, so shocked he couldn't keep his expression impassive. The emperor had only ever asked for that concubine once, several years ago when she had just arrived at the imperial palace and he spent his first night with her. After that he had never summoned her again. He didn't even see her outside of official functions, and she herself rarely joined social gatherings. That's why she eventually earned the nickname the Abandoned Princess. 

But now the emperor was suddenly asking for her. What could be the reason he was seeking her out? Surely he couldn't mean to transfer his affections to an unknown concubine – albeit a princess in her own right – when the girl he was clearly besotted with was dying in his bed. Rocco cleared his throat. It wasn't his position to question the motive behind a command. As a servant, it was only his duty to obey. "I'll bring her right away, Sire," he bowed and left.

Alessandro looked at the expensive wine bottles filling one corner of the room, then he went to the coffee table and poured himself a glass of water from a porcelain pitcher instead. As much as he would have loved to drown out his worry with alcohol, he had to acknowledge that he needed a clear head to think. Saving 20 was his sole priority now, and to do that he was willing to do absolutely anything.

If the imperial doctor couldn't treat the poison, Alessandro knew no other doctor in the empire could. After all, he had selected the best medical professional in Luxentfort; anyone else would have been above average at best. He supposed he could ask around the neighboring empires if they had antidotes to poisons. But that would take a lot of time, and he simply didn't have that kind of leeway to spare – not when every passing second was like hell, for 20 and for him.

Therefore, if a doctor couldn't save 20, Alessandro had to resort to using someone else.

"Concubine Number 5 is here, Your Majesty," Rocco announced at the door.

"Send her in," Alessandro ordered. "And leave us." Rocco bowed and immediately left, and a girl walked into the room, her movements so light she barely made any sound.

"I'm sure you must have already heard what happened," Alessandro said, getting straight to the point. He didn't have the time or the patience for trivialities at the moment.

The girl returned his gaze, not at all perturbed that he was being so upfront after not speaking with her for years.  "And what if I have?"

"Then you must already know why I summoned you," Alessandro replied. "Save Concubine Number 20."

"And what do I get in return if I do manage to save her?" the girl asked, her eyes twinkling in anticipation.

"Anything you want," Alessandro answered.