Rowan
I glared at the cook and maids as they stood in front of me with shaky hands and nervous expression, the head cook already had sweat tickling down her face but I couldn't bring myself to care.
"Who put mushrooms in the food?" I asked, my voice calm yet dangerous, they knew better than to lie so they just remained quiet.
Arabella was already laying down inside the residence that used to be mine when I lived in the Thorne Manor, when the doctor checked on her after she passed out, he said she had an allergy reaction.
I knew she was allergic to mushrooms, Avain, my personal guard brought every information on her the day before we got "married".
I wasn't stupid to just let anyone into my manor, after all I have lots of enemies.
"I don't want to repeat myself" I said again, this time more serious and I could see the head cook shaking terribly.
"I am really sorry sir, I forgot" she said with shaky breaths and I frowned.
Forget? She was given a list of every member that was going to eat today, their allergies and likes to prevent such mistakes and she claimed she forgot?.
"Handle her" I told Avain who was standing beside me and he nodded, I didn't wait to hear the pleas of the chef before leaving.
I walked towards my residence-old residence to meet Arabella, this entire building crawl at me, I strongly hope she's awake so I would be able to leave immediately.
I saw Lucia, my brother's wife standing in front of the door, she was waiting for me, I had no intentions of speaking to her so I made to walk pass her.
"Rowan" she called as she held my hand, I gave her an eye threatening glare and she retreated her hand. "Duke" she corrected.
"What?!" I asked already impatient.
"Do you have to marry her, you know she's not the type of woman you want" Lucia spoke.
"How is that any of your concern?" I asked with a frown.
"I-"
"Brother" I heard Finn's voice and Lucia bit her lips in frustration. "Sorry about your wife, the cook made a mistake" Finn said, he doesn't look a bit apologetic at all.
I had no reason to entertain them so I walked into my residence and locked the door behind me, I could hear Finn say something to his wife but I don't care, he didn't have the guts to say it to my face.
Unfortunately, Arabella was still unconscious, seems we would be spending more time here than I imagine, I have work to take care of today, a very busy day but I can't just leave her here.
I don't trust my family even for a bit, especially Lucia.
I walked into the palace immediately I got down from my horse, Avain couldn't accompany me today because I asked him to watch over Arabella.
The court meeting was about to start and I walked to my sit, I could see the eyes of the ministers and advisors pressed on me but I didn't look at any of them.
They weren't worth my time.
"The King is here" a royal guard yelled and everyone stood up, so did I.
King Remus walked into the Courtroom with his concubine, I wondered why he would allow his concubine accompany him to the Courtroom.
I could see the disapproving gaze from the ministers and I sighed, the king never changes, I just hope he makes the right decision before leaving that throne.
After the king settle down, we all sat down. "Let's begin" king Remus voice rang out.
"Your majesty, the king of Elaria proposed a truce" the minister of defense said and king Remus laughed.
"Good, it took him way to long, accept it and tell prince Edward to return to the palace" king Remus replied.
"Yes, your majesty" the minister said with a bow and sat down.
"When would the crown Prince be announced" an advisor asked and I looked at the king with interest, the concubine massaging the king picked interest in the topic too.
I wasn't surprised, she wanted her son to be the crown Prince but everyone knows only the Queen's son is fit for that position.
"I haven't decided yet" king Remus said and whispers erupted. "I am not dying anytime soon, we shouldn't rush things" he added.
The rest of the meeting fell into different things that wasn't important to me, prince Edward was coming back to the palace, finally things would get interesting.
After the meeting ended, everyone was dismissed and I left the palace too.
I didn't go back to the Thorne Manor immediately, instead I went back to my manor.
I have letters to write and send to prince Edward and the Royal general at the front line of battle.
The kingdom of Elaria has been trying to infiltrate Valmor for months, the king sent two his strongest soldiers to the battle front line, Prince Edward-the queen's son and general Cassian-the king's brother.
Consort Alicia has been getting closer to the king, probably trying to get him to make her son-prince Evan the crown Prince.
The three of us are trying to prevent that from happening.
I finished writing the letter and I drown myself in some work, I didn't even know when it got dark, it was already so late.
I remembered Arabella was still at the Thorne's manor and I sighed.
I got on my horse and went there, when I got to the residence, Avain was still standing there. "Is she awake?" I asked and he nodded.
I walked passed him and into the residence to find Arabella looking through my wardrobe she flinched when she saw me. "You scared me" she complained.
"Are you planning to steal something?" I asked, I never thought she was dumb, if she had actually thought of stealing, she would get caught easily.
"I am hurt you think of me in that manner" her soothing voice came out, a bit annoyed, But I didn't reply, I wondered if I would be able to sleep here.
I probably would have nightmares throughout, It would be safe not to sleep.
"Where have you been? Your guard refused to allow me leave this room" she said crossing her arms in front of her, she is well put together for a poor farm girl, she could pass off as royalty.
I had no intentions of answering her but my eyes caught a glimpse of something, I didn't noticed it before, the bracelet on her wrist.
"Where did you get that?" I asked instead and she frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"The bracelet" her eyes snapped towards the golden bracelet with a dragon emblem on it.
"My mom gave it to me, I have been wearing it since I was a child" she replied and I frowned.
The bracelet shouldn't belong to a citizen of Valmor. But she looked completely oblivious to true meaning of the bracelet.
I doubt her poor "parents" know what that bracelet actually means.
It looks like my wife is a little bit interesting.