"I poisoned you a lot,but you got the antidote on time. We planned on killing you and her, then take over the empire. I never once loved you. You were just a pawn in this game. You were a fool, you are a fool and will always be a fool. Just a little comfort and you trusted the person whole heartedly. I've sent message to her family of what you've done to their daughter. No matter what, you will kill her family. A war will break out." Vanessa said and she laughed.
"I was a fool,but not anymore. I loved you but you played for a fool. I tell you today, none of your plans worked. I was three steps ahead of you." He said coldly.
"What do you mean?" Asked Vanessa.
Three of the elders heard everything that happened, they wee astonished. Hezron went out without telling Vanessa what he meant. He has hurt the right ones and had destroyed someone. He just hoped everything will go well.
Court meeting was held and all evidence were proved. They were shocked. Minister Enosh and Vanessa were summoned. She confessed all her sins with not a single remorse.
"She should be killed. The empress went through so much because of her." Minister Adah said.
"She should suffer more than what the empress went through. " Minister Jabal said coldly.
"Though attempt to assassinate a royal family is treason so punishable by death, death will be an easy punishment for her. She should suffer and fell the pain of living in hell." Minister Irad said coldly.
"She should be whipped and sent to death prison. " A minister said.
Many kept mentioning all sort of punishment for her and her father. They were pure evil.
"They should stay in prison until the empress wakes up. She will decide their punishment. They should be whipped thirty times first." Hezron said coldly. There was no love nor pity in his eyes.
They all agreed since the person who could punish them well was the victim herself. Vanessa and her father were whipped thirty times. They screamed every time the whip touched their flesh. It was the guards that carried them back to the cell. News spread fast and everyone heard the news of what Vanessa and her father did. They all wished different kinds of punishment for them. They pitied their empress but not all. They also heard of what happened to her. Some came together lighting up lamps and showing flowers to her. They wished her a fast recovery. Some of the people who criticize her felt bad and apologized on the flowers and lamps they sent.
Hezron stayed with his wife all through her days of rest. She was breathing fine and her heart was beating normally, her body temperature was back to normal, but there was no movement from her. Hezron never moved from her room. He worked in her room and ate there as well. He didn't want to take his eyes off her one bit. He was so scared he didn't understand.
It has been a week but there was no sign of awakening. They would have proclaimed she was dead if not for her heart beating and her breathing. He couldn't focus much on his work. He was always thinking about his wife. He used to recall all the times they had together even when they fought. The time in the orphanage, the time she whispered in his ear. They were starting to get along before Vanessa destroyed everything. He hated that girl so much. Thinking that he once had an affair with her made him want to change himself.
*****
I opened my eyes and felt the place was familiar. Was what happened a dream? I rose my left hand to my forehead and felt the pain and bandage.
"You're awake." Hezron said softly.
I turned my head slowly and saw him walking towards me. What was he doing in my room? How did I get here? I wanted to sit down but I felt pain all over my body.
"Be careful." He said moving closer to me. When he tried to touch me, I gave him the most coldest stare he has ever seen. He froze in his work.
"I want to fix the pillow well for you." He said after brief seconds of looking at me. I still have him the cold stare. He refused to move aside. He fixed the pillow well for me before moving out. He didn't care about my cold stare.
"I will call the royal physician. " He moved out. He saw Launch at the door.
"Call the royal physician quickly and tell Does her lady is awake." He said.
"The empress is awake. Thank goodness. Praise God." He rushed out excitedly.
"He's coming." He said when he entered.
I didn't look at him. I hated the fact that he was in my room. Within few minutes, the royal physician entered my room. I also gave him a cold stare.
"I'm here to examine you your majesty. I'm sorry I had to lie when you were in pain. Please forgive me. " Elder Hamor said apologetically. I only stared at him coldly. I didn't give any response but I gave him the chance to examine me.
"Her majesty is alright now. You should give her water and food." He said.
Hezron nodded. He poured me a glass of water and handed it to me. Though I received it, I held it in my hands. My body felt weak, I gave him a cold stare. I rememberedalkvthat he did to me. My hand shook as it held the glass of water. They all looked as the glass of water fell from my hand. My hand was still shaking after the glass fell.
"What's wrong with her ?" Asked Hezron worriedly.
"I don't know your majesty. " He said having a shameful look as he couldn't detect what was wrong with me.
Dorcas entered the room with a tray of food and an excited look.
"Your majesty. " She placed the tray down and hugged me. I moaned in pain. "I'm sorry. I'm glad you're awake. " She said excitedly, having tears of joy. I touched her cheek and everything to make sure it wasn't a dream.
"I'm alive. I wasn't dead." She explained. She poured a glass of water for me. I looked at the water then her.
"Oh, I forgot." She said. She drank the water before I could stop her. "Don't worry, it's not poisoned." I looked at her before nodding. "It's your turn." She said. I drank the glass of water. I felt good having something in my stomach.
"I prepared food for you. I made it myself, not letting anyone near it." She said and took a bit first. "No matter what, I wouldn't give them the chance again." Dorcas said. Hezron felt ashamed. It was his ignorance that led to this.
I nodded and have her the chance to feed me. I took only five spoons and refused to eat again.
"You are nothing." Dorcas said.
"Leave her. It's because it has been long since she ate something. " Elder Hamor said
"You should rest." She said.