Aktis was tired of the shaky road sitting in her carriage. The wheels clattered evenly on the stony road. Soon she would reach Emfer. In her head she analyzed all the possibilities, she did not trust Tendred and especially his wife, which is why she took a 30-person squad with her. She would not make the same mistake as Brandis.
The towers of Emfer could already be seen outside the window. The snow had practically disappeared, here and there on the road there were muddy puddles which slowed the ride and rocked the carriage more than usual. Aktis felt a slight headache, which was deepened by the fact that after the solstice celebrations in her palace, in her kingdom, lords would run riot and one of them would sit on her throne.
She wrote to Lord Walin and received in return a gift in the form of a silver goblet with a motif of copulating couples, a truly exquisite thing worthy of this filthy old man. Lord Colen was silent. Before she could act more decisively, she had to find out what the situation was like in Emfer. It was also important to meet Jefre and find out what had stopped him from carrying out the order. They drove onto the bridge, which could be heard from the loud sound of horses' hooves clattering against the wooden planking. Emfer, she was finally there. The carriage stopped in front of the stairs leading to the main entrance. Tendred and his wife were standing on the stairs, to her surprise. She had barely managed to put her foot out of the carriage and Tendred was already standing and offering his hand to help her out.
"I welcome you, dear sister-in-law, to our humble abode." Tendred smiled radiantly.
"You must be tired from the long journey."
Tendred's wife came closer and smiled ingratiatingly, which, combined with the silver mask covering part of her face, came out rather weakly.
"We have prepared a chamber for you, so that you can rest."
"Thank you." That was all Aktis could do. This greeting was strange, to put it mildly. People do not change so quickly, something must have been something to it, she would receive some kind of proposal from them today. She could feel it. She was watching Tendred and Setia, walking next to each other holding hands in silence. Setia smiled the whole time, asking how her journey had gone, every now and then she put her hand on her stomach. Aktis felt a chill that spread from her spine to her whole body.
"Can we meet in the audience hall in two hours?" Tendred asked at the end.
"We have great news to deliver. " After these words he grabbed his wife's hand again and they both looked at each other tenderly.
"Yes - Aktis replied haughtily. - I'll be ready."
She nodded, entered the chamber and closed the door behind her. She sat down on a chair, rested her hands on the table and hid her face in her hands. In this position she was found by her two maids, who at this sight quietly and almost silently brought in the luggage, prepared a basin of warm water and took out a dress. Aktis straightened up and allowed the servants to freshen up her face, her hairdo and even got up and told her to change. When she was alone again, she poured herself a large goblet of wine, which she drank almost in one gulp, then threw it with a flourish against the wall and shouted to ease her nerves.
"Is something wrong, madam?" The fair-haired maid with a freckled face spoke timidly.
"Did something happen? - Aktis laughed - No, not yet, but everything will change soon."
The maid withdrew without a word. She knew her mistress's disposition and she did not want to get hit without a reason. Aktis paced the chamber like a caged wolf. One thought was racing in her head. This couldn't be true, she wasn't pregnant. Probably not with him. And what if it was his child? Tendred with a pregnant wife would be accepted by the lords. Lord Fladmor would take care of that, he would have a great argument that all the rumors were slander and that a new heir was growing. No, no, no!!!! Aktis wanted to scream, she was the one who was supposed to carry the future king Fenigrid under her heart. This whole situation was too cruel.
Setia held the vial in her hand and measured the appropriate amount. The antidote, thanks to it the poison wouldn't kill her, but she would have symptoms like after poisoning. Tendred stood next to her, he was pale and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Every now and then he nervously fixed his hair.
"Is something wrong? - she asked with concern in her voice - Are you feeling unwell?"
"I don't know, my stomach hurts a bit and I feel weak. It's been bothering me since yesterday."
"It's nerves, it'll go away after today. I also feel like my stomach is tied in a knot." Setia looked at the spoon and drank the dose.
"You drink too." She handed Tendred the vial.
"Me? - Tendred was surprised - I thought we agreed otherwise?" Nervousness and fear could be heard in his voice.
"And so it shall be, drink just in case. It won't hurt you, but what if there was a mistake. What if Jefre mixes something up? Better protect yourself."
"Yes, you are right." Tendred agreed and drank a spoonful of the mild-tasting herbal remedy.
"We have to prepare everything - Setia closed her eyes and took a deep breath - time to perform, my future king."
Aktis, accompanied by Timor and her two personal soldiers, walked to the audience hall.
"Queen Dowager."Timor bowed elegantly and opened the door.
Aktis went inside. The personal soldiers remained outside. The audience hall was prepared differently than last time. On the table stood dried fruit, honey cookies and nuts. There was no shortage of sweet cakes, jam and wine. Tendred and Setia stood at the abundantly laid table. There was a lack of servants, which immediately caught Aktis's eye, apparently the matter was confidential.
"Let's sit down." Tendred suggested and pulled out a chair for his wife and then Aktis.
"What a change, I remember our last meeting in this hall. What do you call it too? - Aktis sat down in the indicated place and after a moment of hesitation answered her own question - audience hall. Well, on the outskirts of Fenigrid it can probably be called that."
Setia only smiled slightly, the small provocation did not bring the expected reaction. Aktis had to arm herself with patience.
"Indeed, the previous meeting was not the most fortunate - Tendred reached for the carafe of wine and poured into three goblets - However, we have a reason to celebrate and to make peace. - saying this, he handed the goblets to his companions and raised his own - Let's drink to…"
At that moment, Setia jumped up from her seat, put her hand to her mouth and mumbled quietly
"I'm sorry. Then she ran to the door.
"Forgive me Aktis, my wife is pregnant. I apologize - said the absent-minded prince - I'll just check on her, I'll be back soon, alone or with her". Tendred quickly followed Setia.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Aktis reached for a honey cookie and took a sip of wine. It happened, Tendred confirmed her fears. They were expecting a child. She didn't have time to drink the goblet of wine to the bottom when the door opened again and, to Aktis' great surprise, Jefre entered the room dressed as a servant.
"Hello, madam. He approached her with that smile on his face and bright eyes. For a moment, Aktis forgot about everything, only Jefre and his warm lips mattered. But immediately afterwards a wave of anger flooded her face.
"My killer parades in my enemy's finery. Why is she still alive ?" She hissed straight into his ear.
"I've been here since yesterday. Tendred's wife never leaves the palace. The only chance was to get here, which turned out to be quite difficult. I'll kill her after you leave. Now I've come to see you." Jefre sat down on the edge of the table.
Aktis stood up and began to walk along the table, telling Jefre about the meeting with the eight lords and Brandis' death.
"So you understand that you are indispensable to me - she added after a moment - when the information about the completion of the order reaches me, I want to see you in Fenigrid. As soon as possible. You will have more work to do"
"As you order, madam." Jefre bowed and then silently left the room.