Chapter 8

Simon and Damien stood outside of Marilyn's room as the doctor examined her. "What has happened?" The king asked appearing behind them. "She suddenly became ill, your majesty," Damien replied with a bow. "No one suddenly becomes ill," the king replied. "It appears she was poisoned," the doctor said exiting her room.

"As I said no one suddenly becomes ill" the king repeated. "What sort of poison has afflicted my granddaughter so?" The king asked. "The poison appears to be from an extremely rare flower called myzentopia it has a blue and yellow color and is only found in the rainforest of conya" the doctor explained.

"A man had given her highness a flower just before we danced matching what the doctor said" Damien admitted. "She was pricked by a thorn," he added. "Were you able to give her the antidote?" Simon asked the doctor. "The only way to get it is to go to conya and get the flower. she is in stable condition now but unless you can find that flower..." the doctor said. "She'll die," Damien interrupted.

"How long do we have?" Damien asked. "3 days" said the doctor. "You may go" the king told the doctor and with a quick bow the doctor left. "How unfortunate" said the king as he walked away.

Damien and Simon slowly entered the room to see a sleeping Marilyn. As they approached the bed, they couldn't help but notice how pale she had become. "It would be best if we quickly found that flower," said Simon. "It's gone," Marilyn said weakly as she opened her eyes. "Mari," Simon said, shocked.

"I already know who did this to me," she told them. "Who?" Damien asked. "The king," Marilyn answered.

1 hour prior....

"Don't mistake my command for disdain. If the girl dies she dies, I care not about her, only the power she holds" said the king. "But if she dies you won't have her power" the advisor to the king Victor said. "Perhaps her death is for the best then" the king replied. "I have a feeling she will only cause me trouble if she continues to live anyway" the king added as he approached the ball room doors.

"Let me in" the king said and with a nod the man opened the door. "HIS MAJESTY, KING THEODORE ROSS VON ADLEN THE FIRST" the announcer yelled as everyone stared up at the king who went directly to his throne like chair.

"Do me a favor Victor and have the servant give her the flower" the king said. "Are you truly sure your majesty?" Victor asked to confirm. "Don't make me repeat myself," the king said, obviously annoyed. "Yes your majesty" victor replied before walking away and doing what the king asked.

PRESENT TIME

"The king cares not if I live or die" Marilyn said "he only wants you for your power and if it cannot help him you will be thrown away" said a ghost who was a former maid. "He only wants my power if it can't help him, I become useless to him" Marilyn repeated.

"How do you know that?" Simon asked. "I was just told," Marilyn replied. "I need to get out of here," Marilyn said in an attempt to get up. "You are in no condition to move," Damien said, stopping her. "If I stay here I will surely die" she told him. "And if I'm dead I can't help you" she added.

"Alright" Damien said, picking her up from the bed "what are you..." "shhh" Damien said interrupting her. "It seems the king has decided your death to be too slow and wishes to speed it up some" Damien told her. "What does that mean?" Marilyn asked. "It means the king has sent men to kill you mari" Simon said pulling out his sword.

"Come this way," Simon said, pulling a secret lever by the bookshelf. "The castle is filled with these secret tunnels, follow it to the end and it shall lead you outside" he told them. "What of you and mother?" Marilyn asked. I'll get mother and meet you at the dukedom" Simon told her Reassuringly.

Simon then looked at Damien directly in his eyes. "I beg of you to protect her" Simon said. Damien gave Simon a quick nod before turning and carrying Marilyn into the tunnels. Simon stayed behind and closed the secret passage before leaving the room.

He walked down the long hallway to the last room, and before entering he took a deep Breath, then opened the door. "Is it done?" Victoria asked as Simon closed the door behind him. "It is," Simon told his mother. "You have caused many problems my son," Victoria said, turning away from him. "Don't act as if this was not part of your plan from the beginning mother" Simon said. "You weren't supposed to tell the king of her gift nor were you supposed to allow her to become poisoned by him" Victoria retorted.

"Do you truly believe she will side with them?" Simon asked. "Do you truly believe she will fight for them?" He asked. "No," Victoria told him. "Marilyn is not the type to follow orders she never has nor will she ever be" Victoria said. "I believe she will lead them to the future they need, I believe she will fight with them to join the two worlds together and I believe the only way for her to do that is for her to see reality" Victoria explained. "And how do you intend to do that from here?" Simon asked. "I need not do a single thing but wait," Victoria said.

"How are you holding up?" Damien asked as they reached the woods. "Considering you are about to become a criminal not to well" Marilyn told him. "Why do you say that?" Damien asked. "You took a sick "Princess" from her bed. I have no doubt the king will find some way to turn the people against you for it" Marilyn said. "Don't worry too much about that," he said. "Just focus on living," he told her.

TO BE CONTINUED