Chapter 245 - In Dire Straights (4)

"An antidote for the poison, Staff of Caelian?" Sir Albert asked in a curious voice as he knitted his eyebrows because of confusion. It seems like he still doesn't know what happened yesterday.

The 3 of the Elders are inside Alexander's office, standing in front of the wooden desk as they were side by side with each other. Sir Louise, Sir Albert, and Sir Friyedor. The other two Elders were away at the moment, they were doing some sort of task and mission. The other would return next month while the other would return in the next few weeks.

Shortly after Calixander and Gilbert's argument which was about the possible state their sister might be in. Gilbert was sort of focusing on Carlos' condition and Calixander misunderstood that as him not caring about their little sister's condition. Well, it ended quickly as soon as it started, nobody stopped them. Alexander didn't do anything to stop them as he was also in conflict with himself and he somehow understands why they are acting like that.

They have left the office and went back to their rooms, that's why they aren't found here.

"Yes," Alexander responded. He has finally regained his composure and became calm, sorting out all of his thoughts. He was leaning back against his seat while his right hand was resting on top of the surface of his wooden desk, his finger tapped the surface repeatedly emitting a low and faint sound. His legs were crossed and his elbow was being propped up by his armchair as his cheek was leaning against the palm of his hand.

Though he has calmed down, there was a clenching feeling in his chest and it was hard to breathe despite the languid and light atmosphere of the room. Though it seems like that wasn't the same for the others. Klaus wasn't in this office as he just left earlier, he was ordered to investigate and look more into the case. They don't have a single clue where Alexandra could be in, it's not like the one that happened before.

Unlike then, there were other kids who were also taken away and the kidnappers were scattered. They know where the kidnappers are usually seen or found during that time. They have some clues, thanks to that guy in the stall who also happened to see Alexandra wandering around and a pair of people who he thought were her parents or someone that she knows. Well, he ended up receiving a reward from the emperor.

As Peter, that was the name of the guy, has been wanting to become a knight since he was a child, the emperor has granted his wish or made his dream a reality. He was training on becoming a proper knight and just became one the previous year.

Okay, moving on from that, the only thing that they know is that Alexandra was taken away by a person who was wearing a maid's uniform. They have also investigated the servants working in their palace, mainly maids, and they have learned that it was Beatrice, the new maid who just entered the palace months ago was the one that took Alexandra. She was nowhere to be found ever since the incident from yesterday.

Lillianna might have a clue on what happened, they are only waiting for her to wake up. But that doesn't mean that they shouldn't do anything at the moment and just waited for some sort of miracle to happen.

"But why? What happened?" Sir Albert wasn't informed or aware of the current situation of the palace and what's happening. I guess, words still haven't spread that much. Well, Alexander told them to not tell anyone about this especially to the ones outside this palace because it would be bad.

Sir Albert, to be honest, is a very clumsy person. You wouldn't expect that he is an Elder. He has this nerdy appearance, freckles in his face, and slightly messy hair. His stature or height wasn't something like Sir Louise nor Sir Friyedor, compared to them, he was fairly small. Slightly taller than Alexandra who was the same height as Christian. He was timid and he looked fairly weak because of his appearance

But to think that he lived 174 years, the second oldest Elder and is probably next to Sir Friyedor when it comes to being powerful in magic. Well, the weapon that he yields is also pretty scary. To also think that he wields a war axe that is taller and bigger than him. Don't judge a book by its cover.

Well, he might look like a nerd or something but he isn't a fan of reading books or was he that knowledgeable. Unbelievable. You should really not base on the person's appearance, just because they look gentle, doesn't mean they are gentle. Just because they look scary, doesn't mean that they are also scary inside. Well, there are some people whose appearance was also the same as their personality.

"The princess has been taken away and Carlos was stabbed with a poison named Staff of Caelian. The flower that you rarely find here in this empire, it doesn't grow here and is common in the Empire of Apollo. We might be able to find the antidote there, however, I doubt that they would lend us some or let us buy some. Even if we did and they allowed us, there might be some sort of deal. Well, they are our enemies, after all. Why would you expect your enemies to be kind to you? Even though we have come to an agreement that we wouldn't engage in war or battle each other."

Sir Louise was the one that spoke and answered his question. Albert blinked multiple times as if he wasn't believing what Louise has said or told him.

"The princess has been taken away?! Sir Carlos is poisoned?! I just came back from my task a few days ago from my mission and now you're telling me that?" Sir Albert looked shocked and dumbfounded when he heard the news. You can't blame him. He was pretty laidback and carefree for the past few days after he returned, he has always been like that. He was just enjoying his life and training the prince, thinking that nothing bad would happen. No wonder, he didn't attend the training yesterday, he thought to himself.

He ended up falling asleep.

But that is not the problem here.

"I really do apologize, your highness but I don't know where to find the antidote for that poison. Though the flower is quite common in the Empire of Apollo, the poison and antidote for it are also quite hard or rare to find. It's a poison that is quite hard to make. Even though the process or the effects of the poison is quite slow for the victim, that means, the victim is also suffering as days passed by while they are alive. Even when they are asleep, they might be suffering. Sir Carlos might be having nightmares and such right now."

Sir Louise said, an apologetic look on his face. It looks like he really wants to help and do something in this situation but is unable to do so. Sir Friyedor who would usually blabber or say something was quiet and it seems like he was in a deep thought which was quite unusual for him but they didn't say anything about it. Well, there are days that he is like that but it's quite rare. A once in a blue moon event.

"I am not knowledgeable when it comes to those things thus I am unable to provide any information regarding the possible locations or places that antidote could be found. I apologize as I am not of use to you, your highness. Though I will try to help in looking for the antidote and such. If there is anything that you need help with, I'm here."

Sir Albert said, his tone of voice was apologetic but the expression on his face was determined and serious. He was clenching his fist and somehow, he looked like he was picking a fight or is going to punch someone because of the position of his hands along with that look in his face. Honestly, it doesn't suit him.

Alexander just let out a sigh and he spoke right after, "It's fine. What about you, Sir Friyedor?" His eyes darted at the said person's direction as he spoke. His voice was cold and serious yet the expression on his face was calm. It seems like he was expecting this kind of response from them and he couldn't just blame them. The other two Elders might have a clue on where the antidote might be but they are not here at the moment.

And even if they did and they returned, Carlos might be gone even before they could save or help him.

That's the worst scenario possible. Along with that, they don't know a clue about Alexandra's location.

Sir Friyedor hummed before he responded, "I'm trying to remember who the person who told me that he might a clue on how to make the antidote and he was keeping the formula of it in his house. Now, I regret not taking it from him. It was a long time ago and he might not be alive as he was old. Well, he told me how to make it and what we would need if we tried to create one, however, I wasn't paying attention during that time."

"You could make the antidote?" Alexander asked Sir Friyedor, there was a dumbfounded and curious look in his face. The person that he was talking to nodded before he spoke, "Yes but I can't remember how. I wasn't paying attention. I met that old man in the forest mountain, I was in an expedition or adventure during that time and I stumbled in the woods just to take a rest, that's where I encountered the old man. He stabbed me with a spear because he thought I was an intruder or something."

I don't know if I should shock by the fact that you could make the antidote or by the fact that there was on an old man living in a forested mountain and Sir Friyedor happened to bump into him by chance while he was taking a rest and was pierced with a spear at their first encounter, Sir Louise thought inside his head.

Their only fragment of hope was shattered because Sir Friyedor was not paying attention to what the old man was telling him during that time. Alexander let out a sigh of defeat.

"I don't know what to do with you."

"Well, I apologize. I didn't think that I would need it someday. Oh, by the way, before I went here, I went to check on Carlos' condition and healed him. I only lessened the effects of poison and his complexion wasn't that bad as before. I can't completely cure him. You know that most poisons can't be cured with just some healing magic or spell, even when that person is the most talented or powerful healer. He looked like he was having a nightmare as he kept on groaning in pain or it's probably the poison doing things in his bod. He could last for like a week or two if I would do that from time to time," Sir Friyedor said.

If only Harrison has already come back with a bottle of that magical water blah blah, we could use that on Carlos. The Fountain of Life is known to cure any diseases and such just by one single drop of it, Carlos would be healed immediately. Well, Harrison would also know the location of the princess because they both have this bond or something, the mark that they both shared is the proof. He could easily track or find where she is just by that mark.

However, it might take him almost half a year. Considering that he just left a few months ago, he might not be able to return until a few months after the princess's 15th birthday which is 2 months from now, he thought to himself.

"Well then, could you please do that to Sir Carlos, Sir Friyedor? I'll ask Rowan to lend a hand if you're having trouble or something. I'm sure that he could do that but it wouldn't be as great as yours," Alexander said and Friyedor just grinned at him as he nodded. Alexander was about to speak and say something when a series of knocks coming from the door was heard.

"Come in."

The door was gently swung open and it revealed Rowan. A calm yet serious look in his face.

"Blessings and Glory for the Queenilia Empire. I apologize if I interrupted your discussion, however, I have some news. The maid, Lillianna, is now awake, your highness."