Let's go our separate ways

Part 15

The King feels dizzy. He can't believe it. Such a terrible thing, how could it have happened? They have always been together, so how did the Queen get poisoned without his notice? And? Is it true? Is this not a horrible prank played on him?

"I will go with you tomorrow," the Queen's request of going out of the Castle, the Queen's plan to verify the diagnosis; the King will always follow her wherever she goes, "But, who gave you this ridiculous judgement?"

"The guest I met in the morning," the Queen leans close to the King to rest her head on his shoulder, so that the King helplessly releases his hold on her shoulders to make the Queen feels more comfortable leaning on him, "She is an interesting person,"

The King doesn't think that guest is interesting at all. He is even thinking of giving severe punishment to the person who said something ridiculous to scare them.

But. If. By chance, that guest was correct in her verdict...

The light in the King's eyes dims down as his mind becomes blank. It is not something he wants to think about, even if he might have to face such a cruel reality if they never realised such a terrible threat right in front of them.

How the Queen got poisoned is the priority of the King's investigation. As for who poisoned the Queen, the King already has several candidates in mind. If they really did such a disgusting thing, then it seems like there is no need to maintain this superficial equilibrium anymore.

"Shall we start the plan?" the King whispers in the Queen's ear

The Queen opens the eyes that she has closed earlier to meet the King's eyes and nods.

~~~

"There is nothing wrong with the contract," that evening after dinner, Rhythm knocks on the door to Flos's room and, without waiting for the room owner's permission, talks as he walks in, "The terms are just and fair,"

Flos is currently letting May-Day float freely on the air, Picky Eater cowering in the corner, and Lashes hanging down from the lamp. Rhythm regrets greatly coming into this childhood friend's room for discussion. And not checking before barging in.

Now that he has entered, he can't leave without permission if he doesn't want Lashes to maim him. So, for his safety, Rhythm suggests, "Shall we talk about it tomorrow?"

"In case I am summoned tomorrow, let's talk about it now," Flos is sitting on the dressing table; checking on the box containing various seeds, packed powders, questionable liquids, and other things that she brings along on this journey. Turning her body around to face her childhood friend, Flos asks, "Salary?"

"The compensation is quite satisfying," calming himself to accept the inevitable, Rhythm leans on the closed door as he sticks out 4 fingers, "This number,"

"4 digits?" Flos wonders about what Rhythm means

"x4 actually," Rhythm corrects the young woman, "Of the competition's prize money,"

The competition's prize money can make them live comfortably for a lifetime. Now, they can get the money that is 4 x the original prize money... As a salary for 2 years?

Rhythm nods to Flos's calculation and adds, "If we do well, we will get a bonus from Her Majesty too,"

Flos thinks this salary is not enough for the trouble they will face later, but well, "Can we add a term to charge Her Majesty for the equipment needed in this job?"

"It's all on her already," Rhythm waves the contract as he furrows his eyebrows and says, "There is a term stating we might need to accept apprentices to continue the work once our contract expires and we choose to retire back to our hometown,"