In her dimly lit chamber, the Viper Queen stood behind closed doors, her eyes glinting with determination. She delicately held a mild porcelain cup, its contents masked by the darkness within. With her slender fingers, she grasped the cup firmly, her elongated fangs glistening in the faint light that filtered through the chamber.
Taking a deep breath, Queen Zuki tilted her head back, exposing her fangs, uniquely adapted to deliver her deadly venom. With a swift, calculated movement, she pierced the surface of the herbal tea, injecting her potent venom into the liquid. Her lethal venom mingled with the warm, innocent brew.
Queen Zuki's face remained calm and composed, her focus unwavering as the venom coursed through the cup, its potency slowly diffused into the tea, altering its composition in a way imperceptible to the eye.
A sense of darkness permeated the air as the Viper Queen completed her clandestine task. The venom was now concealed within the innocent vessel of the herbal tea, ready to be delivered to the one who crossed her path. She knew that with each sip, the venom's effects would slowly take hold, its toxic influence undetectable until it was too late.
The Viper Queen's eyes flickered with apprehension. She understood the consequences of her actions, the irreversible path she had chosen. Yet, driven by her own desires and the need to protect her secret, she continued to hold the cup, its deadly contents concealed from prying eyes.
With that, the Viper Queen donned a breathtaking ensemble, carefully chosen to captivate the king's attention as she entered his chamber. Her transparent gown clung to her curves, accentuating her every movement, while a hint of a seductive smile played upon her lips. With each step, her presence exuded an air of allure and mystique.
As she approached the king, a glimmer of curiosity sparked in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow, slightly perplexed by her decision to personally deliver the herbal tea. He was accustomed to being served by the palace servants, and her presence in his chamber at this late hour intrigued him.
"Why have you brought the tea yourself, my queen?" he asked surprisingly, yet fascinated "Could it not have been delivered by one of the servants?"
Queen Zuki maintained an enigmatic smile, her eyes gleaming as she moved closer, speaking in a sweet and calm tone, her voice... a soft whisper that carried a hint of mischief.
"I desired a moment alone with you, my love" she purred, her words adulterated with a touch of seduction. "A moment to share a personal exchange, away from the eyes of the servants."
The king's gaze wandered, his attention momentarily diverted from the matter at hand. He found himself entranced by Queen Zuki's irresistible presence, his curiosity giving way to a newfound delight in her company.
A playful glint danced in his eyes as he responded, his voice tinged with desire. "Well, my queen, I must admit that I am pleased to have you here in my Chamber. It is a welcome change from the usual formalities."
As the Viper Queen approached with the tray bearing the herbal tea, the tantalizing scent wafted through the air, further heightening the Viper King's senses. He reached out to accept the cup, his eyes lingering on Queen Zuki's enticing figure.
With a coy smile, she leaned closer, her voice a mere whisper that stirred the air between them. "I wanted to personally ensure your utmost satisfaction, my king" she murmured with her voice serving as a teasing invitation.
King Uzra's heart quickened, his mind momentarily consumed by the allure of the queen before him. He allowed himself to be swayed by her seductive presence, forgetting his initial question as he eagerly accepted the cup from her delicate hands.
"Drink up, my love. I prepared this soothing cup of herbal tea specially for you, your Majesty. With warmth and love, let its calming properties ease your troubled mind. Ssss..…" Queen Zuki whispered alluringly, her eyes shimmering with tenderness as she deliberately allowed her smooth breath to caress his sensitive ear.
The Viper King took a sip, feeling the smoothness of the tea soothing his throat. The bitterness of their earlier argument began to dissipate as a sense of contentment washed over him.
In his softened state, the Viper king looked at Queen Zuki, his voice gentle. "Have you reconsidered, my queen? Will you get rid of the child?"
With a feigned sadness in her eyes, Queen Zuki nodded, her voice filled with apparent resolution. "I.. I realized the weight of our kingdom's expectations and the burden that lies upon us. I understand your concerns, and for the sake of our future, I am willing to do what needs to be done. By midnight, I will send him below the ground."
The King emitted a long sigh. With eagerness, he pulled Queen Zuki closer to him "You have no idea how relieved I am to hear those words, my precious. Our kingdom must have a worthy heir, one who carries the royal birthmark. Liang is not fit for such a role."
Queen Zuki nodded earnestly "I know, my love. I have seen the truth in your words, and I have come to see the importance of upholding our traditions. Liang's absence will ensure stability and prosperity for our clan. Again, I don't want anything to come between us. I assure you, he won't be trouble anymore. Not while you are still alive" she added.
The king's satisfaction was evident as he continued sipping the tea, enjoying the apparent change of heart from his beloved queen. In his blissful ignorance, he allowed himself to be enveloped by her touch, her words of reassurance, and the venom-laced concoction he unknowingly consumed.
Gradually, the venom worked its insidious magic, coursing through the king's veins. Unknown to him, the tea that once brought solace now brought forth a lethal consequence. His lungs began to constrict, his breathing grew labored, and his body weakened as the venom spread, its deadly effects taking hold.
"I feel light-headed. Stay with me tonight, my precious. You can take care of the child before dawn" King Uzra spoke in a soft tone.
Queen Zuki lets out a sly smile "I will be by your side until the end, my love. You have my word" She took the cup from his hand as he struggled to hold a firm grip. She fed him more of the herbal tea, stroking her fingers on his chin.
"This tea is delightful, my queen. It indeed warms my unsettled soul. But I still don't fathom why the sudden change of heart. Have you truly changed your mind about your son?" With skepticism, King Uzra uttered, his voice tinged with cautious optimism.
"Yes, my love. I will do as you ask. Liang's presence will no longer trouble our kingdom. Be rest assured, everything would be taken care of before dawn" The Viper Queen answered, smiling softly as she teased his nose.
King Uzra let out a loud cough as his lungs constricted. He persistently coughed strongly, surging for air.
Queen Zuki reached out and gently touched his hand, a sweet-bitter smile quirked her lips. With her voice adulterate with concern "Are you alright, my king? You should drink more of the herbal tea". She said, drawing the cup nearer to his mouth.
He held up his hand to halt her action, pounding on his chest repeatedly as his throat tightened. "Wha... What did you put in the tea?" King Uzra managed to speak in a fragile voice.
The Queen chuckled, flicking out her split tongue "hehe.. Well... I gave you a little something to take away your trouble forever. Hahaha" she lets out a devilish laughter.
The Viper King struggled to hold up his hand to point at her when he felt a sinister and paralyzing force creep up his arms followed by a tingling sensation creeping along his limbs. "You... You deceived me, you sly devil" he cursed at her, breathing forcefully.
"No my love, I did not deceive you. I never said a lie to you, Uzra. When I said I will stay with you to the very end, you have my word for it. I didn't leave you, did I? Hahaha" The queen lets out a mischievous laugh. She lowered her height to his face, holding up his chin as she spoke face-to-face in a vicious tone, flicking her tongue in his face "Sss... I will stay here and watch you die miserably. That would be a job well done" She spat on the ground.
The queen's deadly venom hastened its suffocating grip on it's victim as it spreads like wildfire, penetrating deeper into King Uzra's bloodstream.
His breath grew shallow, with his lungs constricting with each passing moment. A sense of suffocation consumed him and the desperate urge for air grew stronger, yet unattainable.
"H...elp.. P-plea please Help meeee...." The Viper King wheezed, collapsing on the ground.
His chest felt heavy, as if a leaden weight pressed down upon it, making each gasp for oxygen more futile than the last.
"Hahaha" the Viper Queen lets out a mischievous laugh once again "I dismissed all the guards on duty. Heee.... elp p-p-plea please... help meee..." the Viper Queen mimicked the dying king, laughing out loud sarcastically.
Veins bulged beneath King Uzra's scales, tainted with the venom's deadly influence. Dark and twisted, they swam along his body, a chilling testament to the venom's malevolence. His face was contorted with agony, beads of sweat mingling with the anguish etched upon his brow.
Behind the chamber's curtain, Liang, who had sought solace in the presence of his parents that night, watched in horror. His young eyes widened as he realized the truth, his heart torn between love for his mother and the pain of witnessing his father's slow demise. Queen Zuki stood beside the dying king, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions, yet she did nothing to intervene, allowing fate to take its course.
The king's vision blurred, the walls around him fading into a haze. Panic welled up within, a primal instinct fighting against the encroaching darkness. It clawed at his throat, as if trying to tear free from the invisible vise that clamped down on his windpipe.
But the venom showed no mercy, its potency amplifying with each passing moment. It surged through his veins, leaving no corner of his body untouched. Every heartbeat felt like an echo of impending doom, a reminder of the venom's merciless intent.
King Uzra struggles grew feeble, his energy drained by the venom's relentless assault. His gasps for air turned into weak, rasping wheezes, the sound echoing with desperation. The king's limbs trembled with his muscles spasming.
In his final moments, as consciousness slipped away, his dear eyes pleaded for salvation, for release from the torment that had enveloped his very being. But the venom's grip held firm, cruelly denying him the breath he so desperately craved.
And as the venom extinguished the last flicker of life within him, King Uzra succumbed to its merciless power, forever trapped in the suffocating embrace of the venom's deadly surge.
In that dark moment, Liang's perception of his mother shattered, replaced by a profound sense of betrayal and sorrow. He clung to the curtain, tears streaming down his face, as he bore witness to the tragic scene unfolded before him.