Stephen

I told mom and Maya to hang back at the table after breakfast. Fortis was quick to leave after breakfast.

I got up and checked the hallways to make sure he was gone.

"What's happening, Stephen?" Scarlett asked.

"Something really bad is about to happen." I started. "Dad is planning to have the wolf Queen poisoned. And he plans to start a war with the wolves."

"No, he wouldn't." Maya said.

Scarlett shook her head. "He would. I'm going to go talk to him. Thanks for telling me Stephen."

"No problem." I told her, then Scarlett left the room.

"What do you plan to do about it?" Maya asked.

"The only thing I can do is send a letter to Katerina. I wrote it last night. I'm gonna have Brody deliver it for me, he owes me." I explained.

"Alright, sounds good." Maya said, then left the room.

I went to find Brody. A few minutes later I found him outside the castle.

"Hey, I need you to deliver this letter to Katerina ASAP." I handed him the letter.

"Katerina? Do you mean the wolf princess?!" He asked shocked.

I nodded. "Is that going to be a problem?"

He shook his head. "No, I'll get it done, Lord."

"Alright."

Hazel

"Good morning, today is a very exciting day." Fortis greeted.

I kept a grim look on my face and said nothing.

"Just hand us the poison and we'll be on our way." Jayden growled.

"Better her than you, right?" Fortis said, referring to Queen Melanie. He opened a drawer in his desk. Then took out the poison.

Jayden grabbed the poison. "After this, we're done. We go our own ways."

"Sounds good to me, now go poison the wolf Queen." Fortis commanded.

Jayden glared at him before we left his office.

We passed Lady Scarlett in the hallway.

We left the castle and Brody approached us.

"Hey," Jayden said.

"Hey, are you guys on your way to the Jensen's castle?" He asked us.

I nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"I need you to get this letter to Katerina." Brody said.

Jayden took the letter. "What's it about?"

"I think it's a warning."

Jayden nodded. "We'll get it to her."

We headed for the Jensen castle.

Fortis

A few seconds after Hazel and Jayden left my office, Scarlett came storming in. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

"Ruling the kingdom as it is my birthright." I told her.

"Well, you're doing a shitty job. I hear you're planning to poison the wolf Queen and start a war with the Jensen's." She mentioned.

"Stephen told you," I gritted my teeth.

He had me fooled, thinking he was with me on this. I guess not.

"Yeah, because he had the sense to. He's knows what you're doing is wrong, so why can't you see it?"

"What I'm doing is eliminating all the threats around us, so they can't come back to kill us."

"This is unnecessary, and you're going to regret this."

"Careful, you're showing your weak side." I spitted.

"No, I'm being reasonable, unlike you."

"I'm doing this for you guys. So we can live without worry." I said softly as I walked over to her and tried to touch her cheek.

She flinched from my touch. "No, I don't believe that. You're doing this for a different reason." Tears started to gather in her eyes.

I wore a dark expression. "Nothing you say can stop this. This is happening with, or without you."

She crossed her arms, glared at me, then left my office.

Hazel

We didn't talk on the way to the castle. We just enjoyed each other's presence. Jayden and I hugged then went out separate ways. Fortis wants her poisoned as soon as possible.

Today started out as a normal day should. I had looked at the schedule to see what places needed cleaning and at what times. I had to clean a bedroom and dust the library. Then I had a lunch break.

After my lunch break was over, I was on my way to look at the schedule to see what else needed cleaning. That's when Queen Melanie approached me in the hallway.

"Lady," I bowed.

"Hazel, would you be kind to make me some tea?" She asked me.

I nodded. "Yes, Lady. Will you be needing anything else?"

"No, that would be all. I'll be in the common room." Melanie said, then continued walking.

I know it's our job to serve the Queen and her family. But how coincidental is it that I got tasked today with making and serving her tea? Today of all days!

Queen Melanie asked me to make her some tea. I said sadly.

It's easier this way, continue with the plan please. Jayden said.

I know what's at stake here. I sighed. I'll get it done.

Alright, just let me know when it's done.

I will.

I headed to the kitchen and boiled some water. I grabbed a Chamomile tea bag and the sugar bag from the cabinet while I waited for the water to boil.

I grabbed a cup from the cabinet. I listened to the maids talk around me. They're always gossiping, I was never like that. But that's what normal people do.

Once the water was ready, I turned off the stove. I poured the boiled water into the cup. Then added the tea bag and three teaspoons of sugar.

I put the sugar back in the cabinet. And grabbed a serving tray. I left the kitchen and that's when I slipped three drops of poison and mixed it in the tea.

No one was around to see me do it.

Then I walked to the common room and served her to her.

"Here is your tea, Lady."

"Thank you." She drank it right away.

I dismissed myself. I felt numb. I could flee the castle. But that would just make things worse. I have to face my punishment. I took a seat in the dining room for the workers and waited.

About fifteen minutes later is when the chaos started.

"Someone poisoned the Queen!" I heard one of the maids yell.

"I saw Hazel make some tea about twenty minutes ago. Someone go get the guards!" Another maid yelled.

"I saw her deliver that tea to the Queen." The first maid said.

"I'll get the guards!" The second maid said.

I stared off into space waiting for the guards to show up. Eventually Adam and Cooper searched me. Then took me to the dungeon.

"You'll stay in here until the king can deal with you." Adam said.

I nodded and said nothing. They left, I contacted Jayden.

It's done, I'm in a cell. I tear slid down my cheek.

Alright, hang in there. I'm gonna let Fortis know and collect our reward. Then I'll try to talk to king Henry.

I nodded. Do me a favor and don't take his money. I smiled.

As you wish. I'll talk to you later.

Jayden

I leave the castle, it was easy to slip away with all the chaos that was going on. About ten minutes later I was at the vampire castle.

"It's done." I told Fortis.

"Good. I'll just give you your reward and then we're done here." Fortis said.

"Keep it." I growled and walked out of his office. I left the vampire castle and headed back to the Wolf castle.

Fuck his money.

Ten minutes later I was back at the Jensen's castle. I wanted to explained to the king why this happened. Maybe he'll free Hazel if he understood why she had to do it, I don't know, but I have to try. I can't just stand around and do nothing.

The first thing I noticed when they got back is that they increased the number of guards on patrol. Figures.

I walked to the king's office it was guarded by Adam and Cooper.

"I need to speak to the king, it's urgent!" I demanded.

"The king doesn't want to be disturbed right now." Adam said.

"I think he'll want to hear this." I told them.

"The king doesn't want to be disturbed right now." Adam said again.

"You already said that!" I yelled, frustrated.

"And for some reason you're still here." Cooper said his blue eyes glaring at me.

"His wife was just poisoned! Leave the man alone!" Adam yelled.

I get why they're treating me like this, my twin poisoned the Queen. But it was either her or us. Don't they get I'm trying to fix it?

Just then, Henry himself opened the door and poked his head out. "What's going on?" He asked me. He looked down and sounded tired when he spoke.

"I have some important information to share with you."

He nodded, then opened the door wider. "Come in."

I shot at glare at Adam and Cooper before entering the office.

I took a seat and Henry took his.

"Fortis forced me to work for him. I assume you already know of him?" I asked and Henry nodded. "He said if we didn't poison Lady Melanie, he'd kill us both. But I'm here to fix it now."

He sighed. "Why didn't you just tell us what was happening?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Have you met Fortis? He is very intimidating. Also, he'd know if I was speaking to you. I'm not saying that poisoning Melanie was the right choice, but if we didn't he would've just killed us and sent someone else." I explained.

"How do you plan to fix this?" He asked me.

"I'm going to head to the library to do some research. Then I'll find you if I find something." I said.

"Be fast."

"I will, and I won't let you down, Lord." I said, Henry nodded at that then left.

I noticed Adam and Cooper were no longer outside the door.

Oh shit, I forgot to deliver the letter to Katerina. I walked to her room and knocked on the door. I got no response. I opened the door and set the letter on her desk. Than headed straight to the library.

Katerina

Adam and Cooper told me to head to Henry's office, it's an emergency. Once I got there I saw Amber and Alexander sitting down.

"Katerina, take a seat. We're just waiting for James."

I took a seat. "What's going on?"

"I'll tell you when James gets here."

I wonder what's going on. It sounds serious. James walked into the office and took a seat. Henry closed the door behind him.

"Someone poisoned Melanie." Henry said. Amber gasped. "But she is alive, she's just very weak."

Who would do such a thing. The fact that someone would do that made my blood boil. "Who did it?"

"Remember the new people we recently hired?" Henry said.

"Hazel and Jayden?" Alexander asked in disbelief.

Henry nodded, confirming.

"But Fortis was the real culprit behind this. He forced them to do it. My guards had put Hazel in a cell. After we're done talking, I'm going to go free her because her brother Jayden is doing everything in his power to find a cure. He is currently in the library researching." Henry said.

I felt better once he explained what happened. This Fortis guy is sick.

"I hope mom get's better." James said, solemnly.

A part of me actually wondered if he meant that.

"You all are dismissed." Henry said.

We all left the office. Alexander walked me back to my room.

"That's actually the first time I've seen James show sympathy for anyone." I told Alexander.

"I know right."

"I still find him creepy." I opened the door to my room.

Alexander closed the door behind us.

We are going to hang out here and talk. Probably not a good idea to go into town.

"Same." Alexander replied.

That's when I noticed the white envelope on my desk. I walked over to my desk and grabbed it.

"What's that?" Alexander inquired.

"A letter, from Stephen. It looks important." I told him as I opened it.

"As if, it's probably a love letter." He scoffed.

I ignored him and read it out loud.

"Dear Katerina
The last time we spoke I thought you betrayed me. But after over analyzing the situation I realized your father sent those guards to watch out for you guys. So I want to apologize for the words I said to you that night, that might've hurt your feelings.

"I need to warn you of something. I recently learned of my father's plans to poison Queen Melanie and start a war with your family in that order. I hope this letter finds you before he does any of that.
~Stephen"

"If that's true, then we need to warn Henry." Alexander said.

"Let's go." I said, agreeing.

We left my room and headed to my father's office.

Jayden

I opened a book about flowers and medicine. I read until I found what I was looking for. There's this type of flower that cures people who are sick or have ingested poisoned. They're called Sugar Bellflowers that grow in Northumbria. If we could find the flowers we would be able to cure the Queen and get her healthy again.

I leave the library and found king Henry in the hallway.

"Lord, I have some good news."

"It'll have to wait, Fortis is marching his army towards the castle right now."

I stopped walking as I heard those words, still in shock, but the king kept walking. Then stopped walking when he realized I wasn't following him.

He turned to me. "We don't have time to waste, go suit up, Jayden, meet us in the front of the castle." Henry said snapping me out of my shock. He continued to walk again.

I ran to catch up with him.

James

As soon as I heard mom was poisoned I headed straight to the infirmary. To my surprise, she was awake.

"Can I have a few minutes with her?" I asked the doctor.

He nodded and left the room.

I held her hand and spoke to her. "Mom, I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you from this. We're gonna find a way to save you, don't worry."

"Don't apologize, it's not your fault. Did they find out who did it?" Mom asked, weakly.

"Fortis orchestrated this whole plan. He had Hazel poison you. Don't worry, I'll make him pay; I will kill him." I said through gritted teeth.

"You will not risk your life for me just to get some revenge." Mom said sternly.

I thought of a response, then I heard shouting in the halls.

"Fortis is marching his army here. Suit up and meet in front of the castle!" A guard said.

And just like that an opportunity presented it's self that would allow me to kill Fortis.

"Goodbye mom, I love you." I kissed her forehead.

"James, wait! Don't you go out there!" Mom warned me.

I gave her a smile, then turned around and left the room.

"You're going to get yourself killed!" Her voice sounded quiet because I was halfway to the armory room.

Nothing could stop me, I'm doing this.

~Dominique