𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐒. empires smp (in progress)

𝐕𝐈𝐈. BURNING IN YOUR EYES

FORGOTTEN ORCHIDS   |   CHAPTER SEVEN

WHEN IT CAME TO EMERGENCIES, Lady Katherine worked fast. Within an hour of his letter being sent, Jimmy had received a summons for the next afternoon, a generic message sent to all the empires asking them to come to House Blossom for an emergency meeting.

It had taken Jimmy five minutes to understand that this wasn't a prank—he was being taken seriously. Lady Katherine had organized a meeting based only on Jimmy's word. His concerns weren't being brushed aside like they so often were. And he was going to get a chance to help the other empires by offering medical ingredients, which may save a few lives when it comes to the sickness the corruption causes.

Which brought him up to now—sitting beside Count fWhip, watching Lady Katherine bring the meeting to a start with a clap of her hands. Every ruler was there, save for the Foxling—who was likely still healing from a week of a mysterious illness. Jimmy wasn't even sure if the Foxling had woken up, so he planned to visit after the meeting, so long as it didn't run long into the night—though, even then, he would still stop by to make sure the Foxling was healing well.

It was a nice thing to do. No other reason.

"As you can see, the Foxling isn't here today," Lady Katherine said, nodding to the empty chair beside King Sausage. "I've been informed that he contracted a sickness from the red vines' corruption that is affecting all of our empires."

Jimmy watched the other rulers share worried looks, which made him feel . . . strange. He wasn't sure if they cared that the Foxling was sick, or if they were worried about themselves. He was sure it was the latter, and he knew it was valid, the worry for the health of themselves or their citizens. But it irked him to know that most of them, if not all of them, didn't care that the Foxling could have died from this illness.

"This meeting was requested by the Codfather, who has more information on the illness," Katherine finished, motioning to Jimmy. Jimmy was startled, forgetting that he was meant to address the room. The expression on his face must have shown his surprise, because some of the other rulers shared laughs, bringing a bright red blush up to Jimmy's ears.

He cleared his throat, standing up. Katherine shot him an encouraging smile and sat down to give Jimmy the attention of the room. Jimmy wasn't sure if he was grateful for the gesture or not—it was clear that while Katherine respected him enough to take his concerns seriously, some of the other rulers weren't on the same page.

"Hi," he began, internally wincing at the sound of his own voice. "Um. As you're all hopefully aware, there's corruption spreading through our lands. It's taken over my watchtower and some of the farms in Vulpesterra, so I assume it's taken some of your land as well." He suddenly wished he had brought notes with him. 

"We already know this," Lord Sausage interrupted. "What exactly are you trying to tell us?"

Jimmy stumbled, cutting off his ramble as he looked down at the table. He shouldn't have been the one to do this—he should have given Lizzie all the information he had and let her take control of the room. Everyone loved Lizzie—she had no enemies and plenty of alliances willing to speak up on her behalf if Sausage tried to interrupt her.

Alliances that Jimmy didn't have. Alliances that the Foxling refused to take part in.

Jimmy took a deep breath and addressed the room again.

"The Foxling got sick after touching the vines with bare skin, so make sure your citizens are aware not to touch it. As I'm aware, he was in a coma for a week because of the vines," he continued, not acknowledging the interruption. "I was fine because I touched the vines with gloves, so if you have no choice but to interact with the corruption, don't let it touch your bare skin."

He almost sat down again before remembering why else he had called the meeting. "Vulpesterra and I have discovered that mushrooms have unnatural healing properties. I've given Vulpesterra access to the mushrooms grown in the Cod Empire and am extending the same offer to all of you. The Foxling would have died without the stew made from the mushrooms, but as I'm aware, he's woken up and is healing from his sickness." It was a lie, being 'aware' that the Foxling had woken up, but Jimmy said to give himself hope that was the case. "If any of you would like to request a shulker, please meet with me after the meeting, but I know some of you can grow brown mushrooms in your lands and I encourage you to look into farming them. It could mean the difference between life and death."

fWhip spoke up then, before anyone could take Jimmy up on his offer. "Right. And how do we know this isn't a trick to get more trade deals for the Cod Empire?" he asked, sarcasm dripping over his tone.

Jimmy frowned at him. "Even if someone wanted to trade, I wouldn't allow it. The mushrooms and a recipe for mushroom stew will be given for free, just as they were with Vulpesterra. I don't charge for healing, Count fWhip. It's unethical."

"You must be an even bigger fool than we thought, then," Sausage commented, giving Jimmy a too-innocent smile.

"I would rather be a fool than let my ego get in the way of my citizens' health, Lord Sausage," Jimmy said dryly. From across the table, Lizzie beamed at him, giving Jimmy a confidence boost. If Lizzie believed he was doing the right thing, then Jimmy felt no need to doubt himself. 

He probably should have chosen his words more carefully, however, given the sour looks Sausage and fWhip shot his way.

Katherine quickly stood, which was Jimmy's cue to sit down. She forced a smile at the group, dismissively waving her hand. "Now, if no one else has anything to bring up, that will be all for this meeting. Thank you for taking time out of your day to come by, and please be safe and take whatever precautions are necessary to ensure the safety of your empire," she said.

Jimmy stood and gathered his things before making his way out the door, not bothering to return the looks given to him by Sausage and fWhip. He had things to worry about that required attention and couldn't bring himself to care about what the other two thought about him at that moment. If they wanted to risk their citizens' lives, Jimmy would only feel bad for the innocent people affected.

"Codfather!" Shubble called out. Jimmy stopped and turned, confusion taking over his expression. She beamed at him as she caught up with a few others on her heels—Queen Lizzie and Prince Joel, Wizard Gem, Lady Katherine, and Emperor Joey. "Glad we caught you before you left! We'd like to discuss the offer for the mushrooms."

Jimmy smiled, nodding. "Of course! I can have shulkers sent to your kingdoms as soon as I return home."

"Depending on how much medicine Mezalea uses, I'll send the extra back along with moss and terracotta," Joel offered.

Jimmy shook his head. "What I said wasn't for show. I don't want anything in return for something meant to heal. I won't trade any of you for something that could keep citizens safe."

Lizzie smiled softly. "That's an admirable thing to do, little brother."

Jimmy blushed brightly at the praise, turning his head. "Thank you. I have to go now, but everything will be sent out by nightfall and should arrive in the early morning for most of you. I have to visit Vulpesterra now to check on the Foxling," he explained, not wanting them to think he was blowing them off.

They all wore various expressions of surprise at this revelation, but it was Joey who spoke up, asking, "Why would you have to do that?"

Jimmy made a face at the phrasing. "I don't have to. I want to." He smiled and waved to the group before hurrying away, intent on making it to Vulpesterra before dark to make sure the Foxling was still doing well.

Queen Lizzie watched her brother go, a smile quirking her lips upward. She turned to her husband, Prince Joel, and leaned closer to him to whisper. "I think he has a crush," she murmured to him, watching her husband light up in amusement.

Joel laughed, shaking his head. "I've suspected that since the first time they saw each other," he admitted.

Lizzie gasped, linking her arm with Joel's as they walked away from House Blossom. "Tell me everything!" she ordered, grinning up at him.

"Well, remember when the Codfather first came to a House Blossom meeting? I think . . ."