The door burst open and a guard came inside. All the three looked up to the door and the guard.
"Your highness...." the guard trailed off before gulping.
The guard gulped again, this time audibly. "Your highnesses, physician Paul wishes to meet." the guard spoke out while bowing.
Felix visibly relaxed while the father and son sighed heavily internally. This guard had almost made it sound like that there was an army standing at the Palace's door.
Alexander spoke out "Send him in." he stated, his tone coming out harsh than intended. He didnt mind it, though. He looked back at the young men in front of him. One was in the middle of sighing while the other was a bit irritated. He small smile played on Alexander's face. He certainly expected this reaction from his son.
Forever, irritated.
After a few minutes, the physician, Paul, came in with some papers. Evan sensed these might be the test results about the poisonous herbs. About time, he bought them. Now, a new fear started stirring inside him.
What if those herbs didnt come the area he was expecting? If they are from other countries, then he is screwed for. But, still there was a little hope. The herbs have to be exchanged somewhere in the empire. He just had to find that. But, how? Its not like their enemies would be willingly coming to them and saying the place.
That woman lived alone. There was a possibility of handing them to her at home. Then again, someone surely would have seen them, even if its night. Outside environment would be too dangerous. But, there is a chance. To say, there was too much probability in every way possible. So, it was a hassle to take one possibility out.
Evan was snapped out of his thoughts by a tap in front of him. He realized that his father was tapping the space in front of him on the desk. He straightened up and adjusted himself in his position. He bowed a little, blurting out a small sorry towards his father.
Paul was standing in a distance from the desk. He was standing at the side of table, not facing anyone. He gently bowed towards the Emperor first, then to the prince and then Felix. The young men bowed to the elder physician while Alexander nodded in acknowledgement. Felix bowed a little low, while Evan barely bended his neck.
When the greetings were done, Paul spoke. "Your highnesses, I've completed the tests. The herb is snake root. It is not mostly found inside the empire. Even for medicinal uses, the herb needs to be imported. But, necessary precautions are taken. Without permission, the herb is not given to anyone. But, it is found in the mountains in western parts. Mount Ari. But, it is very difficult to find there."
Now, everyone expect Paul wore confused faces. Yes, Alexander created a strict ban on the poisonous herbs from entering the empire. When the physicians claimed it for medicinal purposes, he allowed their export, but with heavy barriers. They need to verified with the Palace before bringing them anywhere in the empire.
As this was being misused in other parts of the empire. It was strictly reduced only to the capital. Anyone who required it, should take it from capital after a verification from the Palace. Everything about the person who is taking is recorded. Unknown people are not given those herbs with easy access. As time passed by, only the frequent users, who are physicians only took them.
"Mount Ari. It is our western border." Felix spoke out absentmindedly. Evan snapped his head towards the voice. Yes, the mountain chains were the western borders of Seazle empire. Seazle empire was blessed with natural protections on all four sides. Eastern side was the mighty blue ocean guarding them. The north was seen by mother nature. The dense woods kept the enemies away. If anything, anyone who went inside them, never ever returned back.
Those were some dangerous and eery woods. It is said that the trees over there are also predatory along with the wildlife over there. There many stories, some real and fake surrounding the frightening forest.
The south of the empire had a huge wall built, which is separates it from the other empires that are in the south of it. The wall of south is spread up to the mountains on the western side. The ancestors of Seazle built this wall and it still stands strong after all the attacks it experienced from the wars.
....
A little back story of the empire:
Seazle was always not this peaceful. When the population was growing on this land, it was part of a big kingdom. Crimson. Crimson was one big empire. Seazle was separated from it. There were a lot of wars from the king of Crimson, when some of the Dukes decided to ask for the seperation into the states.
After a long time of blood shed, the first Emperor of the Seazle, August Seazle, finally detached himself along with some people from the Crimson. Slowly, they developed themselves and the population began to rise. But, this was created a crinkle in the Crimson King's eyes once again.
The war that broke out this time, had many people migrating from Crimson to Seazle. The reason, the king was ruthless and abused his power. He was a cold blooded, ruthless, merciless king, the history ever saw.
After the mass migration, other empires united and started attacking the most powerful empire. Due to the lack of army and people the empire collapsed.
Hence, the era and the power of Crimson came down.
The most powerful empire with most intelligent and powerful kings, Crimson, was dissolved without any trace.
After Crimson was wiped off, Seazle took its place and has been strongly going on, ever since.
Mount Ari was the biggest mountain in the empire and was named after the passing away of the very first Empress of Seazle. The mountain is worshipped as it is said to bring good fortune to the empire.
....
Evan internally did a victory dance. So, it was from the west. Alexander looked pleased by the information too.
He dismissed the old physician and turned his full attention towards his son. "So, my son, do continue your earlier speech." The older man of all three, this time commanded Evan.
Evan nodded his head and began the explanation. He tried to explain all the details without leaving anything out. Except his unexpected rage and guilt towards himself and his encounter with Aeinshia, of course.
When he finished, Alexander looked deep in thought, this made Evan to fidget nervously with his fingers under the desk. He did this without it being in anyone's line of sight. He didnt want anyone to see him weak, at all.
"How were you so sure about that?" The emperor inquired with a curious expression. Evan looked away slightly and shrugged. "It was an instinct. Totally not, but I connected the dots and we had the theory, which is almost right from the physician." he spoke out, softly, trying his best to sound convincing.
"If she isn't caught in City Belgonia?" Alexander spoke out. Evan's heart dropped. He knew of the possibility, but he totally forgot about the Emperor's wrath. "We would at least know about her more if the herb is from there" Evan spoke out rather confidently, than he was even feeling.
Alexander raised his eyebrow. "It was all an assumption." The emperor's voice rang out in the silence that settled in. It was supposed to be question, but it came out a statement, much to Evan's dismay. He bowed his head low and apologized "I'm sorry, your highness".
Alexander scanned him thoroughly and smiled at him. "We will find her." he said, with a soft and reassuring tone. Evan just nodded and decided it was best if he left the place.
As he left the Emperor's chambers and marched straight to his room, tears of embrassment and sadness and hurt filled his eyes. The hallways were fairly empty as is it was getting late and the sky was turning a dark shade of blue. Just like how dark clouds of guilt were spreading in Evan's heart.
Even though, he wanted the tears to fall out freely, but he is yet, to reach his destination. When he saw the door of his room coming into the view, he felt happy. The only.place where he can be himself.
He was about three steps away from the threshold of his door, when he dismissed the guards, who stood there that night. The guards immediately dispersed, seeing aeguing with their prince, is not a very good option.
Just as he was about to step into his safe haven when, all his movements were halted to stop.
He could recognize it clearly. From anywhere. From anyone. It rang out in the void that he created in his head.
"Evan...."