The next day
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
A middle-aged man wearing a badge depicting the phoenix crest immediately stood up shocked by Matthias' abrupt arrival. A few papers lay scattered on a table that contained several towers of important document.
"Oh Matthias! It's rare for you to barge in like this."
"Good morning Prime Minister-sama."
Christobal sit back relieved when he realized the identity of the intruder was just Matthias. He was the Prime Minister of Almerti kingdom Christobal von West Vern and also the head of one of the four most prominent family in the Almerti Kingdom.
"Matthias, I told you to call me father when we are alone. So what brought you here today? Unfortunately the King had left for some other appointment."
"No, this is an official business."
A seating area was prepared just for such an occasion. Two high-backed chair and a fancy couch reminiscing of the English midcenturies surrounding an oval table. It gives off a luxurious feeling which suited for the high status people that always visits this office. Just as Matthias was about to sit down waiting, the door opened again revealing the King clad in royal attire complete with the cape sewn with the crest of the royal family.
"Good morning, Your Majesty."
"Get up Matthias." The King waived his hand at Matthias' greeting. He went on to take off his cape as the Prime Minister waited to properly hang up the cape.
"Matthias, proceed with your report."
"Your Majesty, this was found in Prince Elmer's nursing bottle yesterday." Matthias placed the bottle on the King's table as he stealthily watched the King's expression.
"The content?"
A flash of surprise and anger cross the King's face for an instant before it's disappear as fast as it appear. If Matthias had not been watching, he might have missed the King's minute changes that reveal his true feeling on Prince Elmer.
The king gave the nursing bottle to Christobal as he expressionlessly look back as he gesture at Matthias to continue.
"What Elfarren!?" Christobal lets out a shout at the absurdity of the item.
Matthias agreed with his father as the item identified in the nursing bottles is indeed Elfarren. Elfarren is unknown to the public as an illegal substance due to its deadly nature. It is manufactured from a plant that is harmful to the human body. A teaspoon of Elfarren is enough to destroy an average adult internal organ in just in a couple of seconds before the victim dies a few minute later. However, it is unsuitable to be used as assassination weapon due to its weird smell.
Matthias guessed they hid the substance in the nursing bottle to disguise the smell and killed the prince with none the wiser.
"Right now, search the culprit for me." The King stood out as he called out to his aide.
"No need. The culprit. The mastermind. I had already found out everything." Matthias answered while fixing his gaze at the nursing bottle.
"But the incident just happened yesterday." Christobal cast an astonished glance at Matthias' efficiency
Is he going to be alright? The King worried a little at his wek-willed Prime Minister.
"The culprit that placed the nursing bottle in Prince Elmer had already been arrested. It is Prince Elmer personal maid. From my investigation, she was someone who pledged her life to the Head of Baraash House. Baraash House Is a newly titled noble that had been expanding their power recently. His daughter is currently being favor by Your Majesty. She judged that the day your Majesty unable to bear another child is near so she planned to have Prince Elmer killed in order to pave the way for her son."
"Moreover, another maid was also found to be found in employment of another noble' House. As of now, no action have been taken as I judged that the incident with Prince Elmer deserved top priority."
"Turning their fangs against the royal family, such a thing was absolutely unforgivable. Thereupon Matthias, I allowed you full authority to punish all those involved." The King spit out these word at Matthias.
The King anger startled Christobal and as the prime minister, he needed to consider the bigger picture. Punishing everyone involved can cause some irreversible damage to the future. Christobal wanted to say something but one pointed glare by the King stopped him from doing so.
Seeing the weak-kneed father, and the son in front of him. For the umpteenth time, the King wondered whether these two people are truly really father and son?
Matthias raised his eyes from the nursing bottle.
"They will be handed their judgment."
Almerti Kingdom's noble and Head of the Baraash House died in an accident of an unknown cause.
Additionally, two of the Third Prince's maids burned to death.
...
"Good morning."
Matthias opened the window today too. As usual the back garden could be seen.
A new breed of wild flower was seen blossoming in the garden.
Matthias recalled the situation the other day. Until the end, the King never asked whether Elmer-sama was safe or not?
He wondered whether the nursing bottle would fall in Elmer-sama hand if he didn't report the incident. There are other suspicious thing too.
Elmer-sama seems to be fine eventhough the volume in the nursing bottle clearly decreased.
Why is nothing unusual happening to Elmer-sama?
Why is the prince fine?
Why was Elmer-sama still alive after ingesting Elfarren?
What was the reason?
Why is Elmer-sama still wake up like usual?
Matthias doesn't know. And he will probably never know.
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