Setting up my station, I had decided to move it outside in the courtyard. If the root is as sensitive as I presume it is, I will definitely need to be outside. I push myself to my feet, and I brush the dirt off my hands.
The guards have dug me a small hole in the ground where I can place the powder and fire, so that I can keep people as safe as possible. Matches are on my station table; now all I need is the contaminated uliope powder.
I extracted a small portion of the powder into a small vial, a couple nights ago, keeping it safely locked in my room. I would not had have felt comfortable leaving such a dangerous compote in the laboratory, even through the large lab is rarely ever occupied.
Slipping on slick black gloves, I start a fire inside the dirt hole. Grey puffs of smoke swirl up into the sky, and I warn the guards and spectators to move back far.
The vial is sitting inside a dust bag to keep the mixture as pure as possible, and I quickly empty the contents into the fire. Dropping the vial on the ground, I sprint for cover behind a pillar.
A small explosion echoes through the courtyard. The vibrations shakes the ground, almost feeling like an earthquake. The familiar floral scents catches my attention, and I cover my nose before putting out the ever going flames.
Looks like mutated uliope root does not react well with fire. I cough, the ashy smell of smoke and floral notes in the air engulfs my senses. That is quite the understatement.
I rush into the castle, searching for the crown prince. He is not in his study like he usually is, and I cannot find him anywhere. Passing through the busy hallways, nodding politely at the maids, I bump into Nikolai.
He looks displeased, but still bows at my presence. I walked into the middle of him scolding a young servant boy. I give him a smile, despite his angry frown, nonetheless.
Patting the boy on the head, he runs off after giving me a childish grin.
"Do you know where the crown prince is?"
He shrugs. "He is likely out for a walk in the hedge maze."
"Thank you."
I barrel down the hallway before I can hear Nikolai respond.
The Lorelle hedge maze is named after King Zeren's mother. She was the one who built the maze. From her portraits, I draw that she was a stunning lady in both appearance and personality.
The maze is located on the west side of the castle, along with most of the intricate fountains. Passing by the head horticulturist, he smiles widely before passing me a bouquet of Algerian irises.
Accepting the flowers, I nod back in gratitude. All the workers here are very polite and kind.
I do not know what I was expecting going into a maze, but I got lost. Walking through the lush, vibrant, green hedges, I keep twisting and turning. Placing my hand on the ground, I place a spell.
A strand of wind blows me in the direction that leads me out. Unfortunately, it does not help me find the crown prince.
"Crown prince Fallon!" I call out.
I keep on shouting his title, but no voice answers me back. Is he even in the maze? Worry starts to set in.
After a few minutes, I make into the center of the hedge maze. There is a large black fountain, decorated with colorful flowers, and carved with stunning swirls.
Walking around the fountain, I jump when I see a large body is propped up on the side of the hedge, with a hat covering their face.
Touching the hilt of my dagger inside my skirt in case, I flip the hat up. Whipping my blade out, a breath gets painfully ripped out of my chest when I land hard on my back on the stone ground.
My dagger was gracefully maneuvered so that it dropped into the fountain behind. The bouquet of irises break from its ties, surrounding us with lovely violet petals.
The crown prince is looming above, his face full of amusement as he keeps my limbs trapped.
"Seriously, Fallon?" I scowl.
"I do not believe we are on a first name basis, Lady Ardele."
I sigh. "Get off me."
In response, he leans his body weight on me. His warm body and woody spicy scent is making my head fuzzy.
"Get off."
"What do you need?"
"For you to get off. And to talk to you like a civilized being."
He leans back, his usually cold eyes, bright today. "Speak."
Knowing I cannot win this fight, rather more like I know that it is not worth my time to win this fight, I snort.
"Experiment results are in, your highness."
He cuts in, "Fallon."
I raise an eyebrow. "Oh, I see how it is. You can address me as madam."
"Who is the unlucky husband?"
Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I continue.
"Mutated uliope root powder reacts violently to fire. In large amounts can destroy anything in a large radius. From the explosion in Illea, I would guess it destroyed the surrounding areas in a thirty to fifty mile radius. It is extremely dangerous, as the fumes still need to be tested."
Fallon frowns. "You should get started on that. Hopefully, we do not experience any symptoms."
I nod. "I wanted to let you know the news first."
He gets off me and pulls me to my feet. Dusting off the dirt from my skirt, I poke him in the chest hard.
"What are you doing out here? Especially sitting out here like a homeless child?"
"As the crown prince, am I not allowed to walk on my own ground in peace?"
I shrug. "You can try."
Pointing at the fountain, I attempt to give him a glare, but I fall short when I laugh.
"Now fish my dagger out the fountain, please."