To His Hell and Back-Chapter 148: Crossing Weapon-I

Back in the Queen’s chamber, Lady Morgana studied the glistening potion cradled in her palms. The vial shimmered with a strange light, its contents swirling like liquid purple.

No matter how many times she turned it in her hands, it bore an uncanny resemblance to the potion Cassius had discovered which could turn vampires into monstrous beings called remnants. But thus one had came directly from her trusted enchantress and she didn’t want to think that her enchantress had been in one of those grim cult who plan to eradicate vampires for good but she couldn’t confirm it any longer ever since the enchantress was found killed in her hut, leaving Queen Morgana with nothing but more questions.

Doubt crept in her heart like a snake. Was it truly the same concoction as those remnant potions? Or something that’s entirely different? If it was identical, she could rest easy, as long as it did what it was meant to do which is to kill Cassius. But if even the slightest error had been made when they were used and cause suspicion to fall on her... then not even the King’s favor would shield her from the death sentence. Any humans who had been discovered with the potion had been long executed and if she, the Queen herself, had used that same potion to kill the crown prince, she was going to become an example for the entire kingdom to learn from.

There was only one path forward and that would be for someone else to take the fall. Her mind immediately chose one person out of everyone. The one that Cassius had kept beside him, the one who isn’t a vampire like Renard or Karnala. Arabella. The name fit the role too well. After all Arabella had proven to be a human who wishes to escape the castle while Cassius is her captor. There would be grudge inside that human girl against Cassius and this would be a strong motive that would allow for all suspicion on her to disappear for good.

This could have worked.... It could. If not for one problem which is the maddening bond of trust between them.

Morgana’s eyes narrowed, frustrated as her calculations have missed.

If Cassius hadn’t trusted Arabella so much, enough to even defang his own cousin who he had always tolerated then she would be able to kill him using Arabella so easily. But that wasn’t what had happened. Cassius had more trust in Arabella than even Renard or Karnala and although she was never interested in Cassius enough, Morgana could see it in a glance just like everyone else.

She couldn’t sway Arabella into killing Cassius either as she had turned her offer despite the gleaming reward of freedom or gold she could have gotten and this made her frustrated as even if Arabella was seen using the potion, Cassius would be on Arabella’s side, eventually finding the tail that would lead to her demise.

Thus Queen Morgana needs to break that trust. She needed Cassius to doubt Arabella and turn on her, and if not Cassius then Arabella would have to do it. They need to turn against one another, hate each other deeply enough to kill in a sight even if it was through misunderstandings or lies.

Queen Morgana nibbled on her nails. Her eyes filled with a sense of urgency as her child in her womb would be delivered by next month. She couldn’t rest easy knowing that Cassius is alive when her child was born, knowing well that Cassius would soon target her newborn baby just like she had done to him when he was still young.

To Cassius her child would be the best target for his vengeance, to return all the sufferings she had made him to go through back when he was still younger. She couldn’t sleep or rest well enough knowing the threat Cassius had posed and as days grew closer to her labor, her worry worsened.

"Mother may I come in?"

A familiar voice entered which made Queen Morgana to turn and sigh, "Come in Malvo."

And in seconds, Malvo the young human prince arrived inside her room, locking the door behind him. He saw the maids and smiled while talking to his mother, "May I have a talk with you alone?"

Queen Morgana narrowed her eyes before shooing her maids away by waving her hands. The maids who had seen the gesture eventually left the place in a tow, allowing the mother and son to have their own time without eyes watching and ears hearing.

"What is it?" The soured tone of Queen Morgana was never foreign to Malvo. After all since young his mother had always regretted giving birth to him and Malvo had long forgotten how to feel hurt by his mother’s words and actions as she had made it clear to him since his youth that he was unneeded and would always be.

Malvo took a seat over the couch while his mother was still sitting at the vanity table, clutching to something he couldn’t see. He didn’t try to sneak a glance as he knew it would resort to him being kicked out. So he leaned backward and hummed, "Is it true that Lady Genevieve has chosen a marriage prospect for brother Cassius?"

"Brother?" Scoffed Queen Morgana, "Until when do you wish to pretend that those people are your family, Malvo? I should’ve known ever since you refuse to become a vampire that you are incapable of reaching greater heights."

Malvo remained smiling despite his mother’s harsh words, causing for her to squeeze her brows. She sighed and answered, "Why should I care about his marriage?"

"Well, I was beginning to wonder who it might be," Malvo mused, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the table. "It must be a vampiress... and a pureblood, no less. Dangerous creatures, you know. Especially when it comes to jealousy."

He leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips as his gaze darkened. "They’re infamous for it. And with how close he’s gotten to that little human girl he keeps around... well, it makes me wonder just how long before something... unfortunate happens."