The Queen felt her heart sink deep into her stomach when he said those words. "What do you mean he can't survive?" Her voice almost came out as a whisper.
"I'm sorry my queen, that's the truth." Mabuse replied, an apologetic look on his face. "The poison is so toxic and could kill a person immediately, I can't tell you he'd survive."
Queen Ariel glanced at her son, laying unconsciously on the bed and back at the physician. "Something has to be done." She shook her head in disbelief. "He can't die, you have to do something."
"Like I said earlier your highness, it's a fifty-fifty chance, I can't tell if he survives or dies."
Queen Ariel stared into space, dumbfounded. This wasn't how they planned this. She never thought her plans would fail and put the life of her beloved son in danger. He can't die. She lost her first son, she can't lose the second. She can't survive it. Now the thought that it's actually her fault her son is in situation right now, make her even more scared. If he dies she can't live with the thought that she actually killed him.
"Erm, Mabuse." The king cleared his throat, moving closer to him. "There should be something else you can give him. Just anything, we can't just give up so easily."
"I'm afraid no, my king. But I'd try my best and make some research."
"Yes, thank you." The king said in a low voice with eyes fixed on Luciano.
"I'll take my leave now so I can start my research very quickly my king." Mabuse announced, picking up the bag he came with.
"Yes, you can leave." The king's attention wasn't on him. His gaze were fixed on Luciano, he felt fear enveloping him for the first time in so many years. He would make sure he fixes this, and fixing this starts by eliminating that slave.
He wrapped his and around a weeping Ariel, trying to console her. He has made up his mind already and everything will be fine.
*
*
*The next day*
Curled up on the cold floor, Eleanor faced the wall, weeping silently. It was dark and creepy here, just the mince of rats was heard. But she could care less. Her heart thumping hard in fear, she kept thinking about Luciano all night. She wanted to see him. She wanted to know how he's doing. She needed someone to walk down here and tell her he's fine. That was all she wanted to hear, even though the king will definitely not spare her.
Her breath hitched when she heard footsteps walking into the dungeon, slowly approaching her cell. "Well, well, well, look who's here?" Eleanor rolled her eyes when she heard the familiar voice of the bitchy princess.
"Eleanor, the slave with very big impossible dreams." Mockery was clearly evident in her voice.
Eleanor slowly sat up the floor, groaning at the pains she felt in her tummy due to so much hunger. She turned around the face the bars, leaning against the wall. "What do you want?"
"What do I want?" Sabrina asked in mockery and burst out laughing hysterically, her voice echoing throughout the quiet dungeon. "Well, I wouldn't want to miss this sight for anything. Dreamer slave." She ended her reply, emphasizing on the two last words.
Eleanor rolled her eyes, letting out a loud hiss. If she was definitely going to be killed, she would give her a taste of her words.
"Oh, such audacity." Sabrina placed her right on her chest in fake surprise and burst out laughing again. "Too bad your audacity is so useless. Look at you, in a few hours you'd be six feets beneath the ground, or probably your remains would be thrown into the forest for the wild animals to feed on. I mean who would even waste their time burying you, I think it's more easier you be thrown away." Eleanor breathed out a deep sigh, trying so hard to contain the anger swelling in her.
"A better idea." Sabrina's face lit up with a smile. "Your corpse be well cooked and given to the rest of your people to eat. That way it'll passed a warning to them not to trying anything stupid or dream silly things huh?"
"Princesses have duties." Eleanor raised her brows at her when she spoke. "One which is, learn to be useful."
"Hmm." Sabrina folded her arm and scoffed. "I think it's of no use talking back Eleanor, you'd be killed very soon. I advise you spend your remaining time on earth saying your last prayers, so you don't probably find yourself in Hades."
"Do you really think Luciano would marry you if I get killed?" Eleanor asked, ignore her speech.
"Well, yes. He has no choice." Sabrina chuckled, flipping her hair back.
"He has choices Sabrina, and trust me you're not even one." Eleanor replied, allowing her lips to stretch into a sly smirk.
Sabrina scoffed, looking around the dungeon. It was obvious those words got her. "The same way you're not slave. Just look at you, you failed to realise this is real life not some fairytales. You can't have what doesn't belong to you Eleanor, it can never happen. You're a slave and he's a prince, a charming one. You can never end up with him. You're so disgusting to think you would. Come on, what gave you so much high dreams."
"I didn't force him to love me like you're doing Sabrina, he fell in love with me just like it should be. You can't force love, it comes naturally and that is why he'd never love you. He doesn't feel a slightest affection for you, all because of your bitchy attitude. Maybe try changing and you'd meet someone who'd probably love you." Eleanor did not plan those words she said, they flew freely out of his lips.
Sabrina breathed heavily, her nose flaring in anger. She looked like she was seconds away from exploding in rage. "He'd love me and you wouldn't be there to witness it 'cause you'd be rotting in hell. And mind you, I'm not a bitchy princess, I just don't give chances to lover snatchers like you." She hissed and eyed her disdainfully before storming out of the dungeon.
Eleanor stared into space after Sabrina left, her mind filled with thoughts of Luciano. She laid on ground, allowing the day pass away slowly. By late evening, her body was completely weak and her stomach grumbling due to so much hunger. She felt several bite pains in her stomach, making her let out repeated groans.
She looked up to the bars when she heard hurried footsteps, walking to her cells.
"Child." A feeling of relief washed over her when she sighted Madam Helen, standing outside the cell.
"Madam Helen." she moved away from the wall to the bars. Her stomach grumbled when the aroma of food hit her nose.
"I brought you food." She sat on the ground outside the cell, pushing a tray of food to the bars. "I can't come in, I hope you can eat from there."
"It's fine Madam Helen." Eleanor did not wait again, she immediately picked up a spoon and digging in immediately. It didn't take long before she was done.
"Are you okay?" Madam Helen asked, concern written over her face. Eleanor only nodded, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"He's gonna be fine." Madam Helen placed her palm on hers through the bars. Eleanor nodded slowly, her eyes brimming with tears already. "He'll be fine." Madam Helen rubbed her palm comfortingly. Eleanor closed her eyes and leaned against the bars, a tear slipped from her eyes. She really hope and prays to the gods that he'll be just as fine as she said.