Duncan arrived at the palace to attend the royal meeting. As expected, the tournament was still a popular topic of discussion. Even before the meeting officially began, he had overheard several lords praising Duke Nathaniel Clifford's performance.
Every time Nathaniel's name was mentioned, Duncan's jaw tightened. Memories of the final duel returned uninvited: the cheers, the humiliation of hitting the ground, and Nathaniel raising his sword while the crowd chanted his name.
He forced the thoughts aside and settled into his chair, determined not to let his personal feelings show. He had more important matters to worry about, or at least, that was what he kept telling himself.
King Alexander sat at the head of the table, his expression troubled as he addressed the gathered nobles.
"We still haven't uncovered anything substantial about the fire incident. Whoever was responsible has managed to leave us with almost nothing to work with. It's becoming an embarrassment."
Lord William nodded thoughtfully.
"I've spoken with several of my allies from Zafarya, but none of them has provided any useful information. Some of them believe the message discovered at the scene may have been deliberately planted to mislead us."
"That is certainly possible," Duke Marion agreed. "But it raises another question. Who planted it, and how did they manage to do so without being noticed? Security in Valtheris has been tight. Whoever did this either found a weakness in our arrangements or had help from someone who knew how to avoid detection."
A brief silence followed.
"Perhaps we should consider removing all Zafaryans from Valtheris until this matter is resolved," Nathaniel suggested. "If the culprit has connections to Zafarya, allowing their people to remain here could put the kingdom at further risk."
"No!"
Duncan's response came so abruptly that several people turned toward him. He straightened in his chair, meeting Nathaniel's gaze.
"Many Zafaryans have lived in Valtheris for years. Some have families, businesses and livelihoods here. We cannot punish an entire population because of the actions of one person. And considering the current tensions between our kingdoms, forcing them out could provoke another conflict. We need to think carefully before making such a decision."
Nathaniel rested his hands on the table.
"I understand your concerns, Lord Duncan, but my investigation has yielded very little. We have no reliable lead, and the longer this continues, the greater the risk. We cannot simply sit back and hope the culprit makes another mistake."
"Nor should we create another problem while trying to solve the first," Duncan replied. "Driving innocent people out of Valtheris won't bring us any closer to the truth."
His tone remained controlled, but there was a sharpness beneath it.
Nathaniel noticed. He held Duncan's gaze for a moment before responding.
"Then perhaps you have a better solution?"
Before Duncan could answer, Skender intervened.
"Lord Duncan makes a fair point, Your Grace. We cannot assume that everyone from Zafarya is involved simply because the culprit may have connections there. Punishing innocent people will only create resentment."
He turned to Nathaniel.
"However, since you've conducted your own investigation, what exactly have you discovered?"
Nathaniel leaned back slightly.
"Very little. I've questioned several people and examined the information available to me, but most of what I've heard has been speculation. Some believe the fire was accidental, while others suspect deliberate sabotage. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything that conclusively supports either theory."
"Then we shall have to investigate further," Skender replied.
King Alexander nodded before turning to Duke Marion.
"Let us move on to the incident at the masquerade ball. Duke Marion, have you made any progress?"
Marion shook his head.
"No, Your Majesty. We've examined the remaining evidence, including the plant remnants, but nothing has led us to the person responsible. Whoever planned it was careful. There were no obvious mistakes, and the evidence we recovered hasn't given us a clear direction."
Lord Matthew frowned.
"But how could such a plant have entered Valtheris without anyone noticing? Weeping Fig isn't something one can simply purchase anywhere. Its presence here is suspicious enough, considering how closely its supply is monitored in Aerathia."
"Exactly," Skender said. "That's why we cannot afford to abandon the investigation. Someone went to considerable trouble to bring it here, and we need to understand how they managed it."
Duncan had been listening in silence, his fingers tapping lightly against the arm of his chair. Then he spoke.
"Aerathia should be among our primary suspects. The person responsible may very well be sitting among us."
The room fell quiet, then Lord William turned toward him.
"What exactly are you suggesting, Lord Duncan?"
Duncan looked around the table before allowing his gaze to settle briefly on Nathaniel.
"I'm suggesting that whoever brought Weeping Fig into Valtheris probably had money, connections and access to information that ordinary people wouldn't possess. It's a rare plant, and its supply is closely monitored in Aerathia. Someone who understands how it is obtained and transported would have a considerable advantage."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"And who would understand Aerathia better than someone from Aerathia itself?"
Nathaniel's expression changed. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he slowly straightened in his chair.
"Are you implying that the culprit is someone from my kingdom?"
Duncan shrugged.
"I'm not implying anything beyond what I've already said. Aerathia is a reasonable place to begin looking, given what we know about the plant."
"Then why suggest that the culprit is sitting among us?" Lord Zayn asked.
Duncan turned toward him.
"Because someone with the right connections could enter Valtheris without attracting suspicion. Someone who understands how things work in Aerathia might know exactly how to obtain the plant and bring it here."
His gaze returned to Nathaniel.
"Of course, I'm not accusing anyone in particular. I'm simply saying that we shouldn't overlook the possibility that the person responsible is closer than we think."
Nathaniel stared at him, for a moment, he said nothing. Then one eyebrow rose.
"How reassuring. You make a point of mentioning Aerathia, speak about someone sitting among us, and repeatedly look in my direction, yet you insist that you're accusing no one."
Duncan's expression remained innocent.
"If you feel that my words apply to you, Your Grace, that is hardly my fault."
A few lords exchanged uneasy glances, then Nathaniel's jaw tightened.
"Do you take me for a fool, Lord Duncan?"
"Not at all. I simply assumed you were capable of following a discussion without making it about yourself."
Nathaniel's fingers pressed against the table.
"You have been looking for an opportunity to provoke me since this meeting began. If you have something to say, then say it openly. Don't hide an accusation behind carefully chosen words and pretend you're merely offering an opinion."
Duncan leaned back in his chair.
"An accusation requires evidence, doesn't it? I have none against you. At least, none that I've presented here. So why are you so eager to defend yourself?"
Nathaniel's eyes hardened.
"Because I will not sit here and allow you to cast suspicion on my kingdom simply because you dislike me."
"Perhaps you should concentrate on the investigation instead of worrying about what I think of you."
"And perhaps you should concentrate on finding the person who poisoned you rather than throwing accusations around because you still haven't managed to discover who did it."
Duncan's chair scraped against the floor. He rose sharply, his face darkening.
"Don't you dare bring that up."
Nathaniel remained seated, looking up at him without the slightest sign of intimidation.
"Or what?"
A faint, mocking smile appeared on his face.
"Will you challenge me to another duel? Oh, forgive me. I almost forgot that we already know how that would end."
Duncan's hands curled into fists as Nathaniel tilted his head. "I believe the entire kingdom remembers."
Several lords shifted uncomfortably. Others lowered their eyes, unwilling to become involved in the confrontation.
Duncan took a step toward the table.
"Winning a tournament doesn't make you invincible, Duke. Don't mistake one defeat for superiority."
"And losing a tournament doesn't give you the right to accuse the winner of a crime without evidence."
"I haven't accused you of anything!"
"Then stop behaving as though you have!"
"ENOUGH!"
King Alexander's voice thundered through the chamber.
Both men fell silent.
The king rose slowly from his seat. His expression hardening as he looked from Nathaniel to Duncan.
"I have listened to enough of this nonsense. We are here to discuss matters threatening the safety of Valtheris, not to witness two grown men quarrelling like children."
His gaze settled on Duncan.
"And you, Lord Duncan, have disappointed me greatly."
Duncan's expression tightened. "Your Majesty, the Duke was the one who-"
"I did not ask who started it!" Alexander interrupted. "I expect every person in this room to conduct himself with dignity. You may disagree with one another, question one another's conclusions and challenge one another's proposals. But you will not turn this meeting into a personal dispute."
Duncan glanced at Nathaniel, who had returned to his seat with a composed expression. The sight only made his anger worse. Nathaniel had provoked him, and now Duncan was the one being reprimanded.
"Your Majesty, I have done nothing to deserve this treatment," Nathaniel said. "I came here prepared to discuss the investigation, yet I've been subjected to indirect accusations and insults. I have no intention of accepting such disrespect simply because I am a guest in Valtheris."
"No one has accused you of anything," Duncan muttered.
Nathaniel turned toward him.
"Must you have the last word in everything?"
Skender closed his eyes briefly, this was becoming worse by the second. He knew Duncan well enough to recognise the look on his face. He was no longer thinking about the investigation or the consequences of his actions. He was thinking about Nathaniel, the tournament and the humiliation he had yet to put behind him.
If Duncan continued, he would only make matters worse for himself.
Skender leaned forward.
"Lord Duncan, enough. Whatever your personal differences with the Duke may be, this is neither the time nor the place to settle them."
Duncan ignored him as Skender's expression hardened.
"Lord Duncan."
Duncan finally turned toward him, irritation flashing across his face.
"What?"
The single word made Skender pause. He had expected resistance, but not such open disrespect in front of the king and the other nobles.
"Control yourself," Skender said quietly. "You are making this more difficult than it needs to be."
Duncan looked away.
Skender took a breath before turning toward Nathaniel.
"Your Grace, I apologise for the manner in which this discussion has unfolded. Whatever Lord Duncan intended, we should return our attention to the investigation."
Nathaniel inclined his head.
"Your apology is appreciated, Lord Skender. Though I trust we can all agree that respect should not be something one has to demand repeatedly."
Duncan's head snapped toward him. "That's enough."
"LORD DUNCAN!"
King Alexander's voice silenced the room once more. The king's expression left no room for argument.
"I will not repeat myself. You will apologise to Duke Nathaniel. Now."
Duncan stared at the king. Every part of him resisted the command. He wanted to tell Alexander that Nathaniel had deliberately provoked him, that the Duke had used the tournament to humiliate him, and that he had no intention of allowing Nathaniel to walk into Valtheris and behave as though he owned the place.
But he also knew that refusing the king's direct order would only worsen his situation.
His jaw tightened. Slowly, he turned toward Nathaniel.
"My apologies, Your Grace. I should not have allowed our disagreement to disrupt the meeting."
The words came out stiffly. His face remained tense, and there was no warmth in his voice.
Nathaniel cupped a hand behind his ear. "I'm afraid I didn't hear you."
Duncan's eyes flashed. "Don't push your luck."
"Lord Duncan!" Skender warned.
King Alexander's expression darkened.
"That is enough, Duke Nathaniel," he said firmly. "An apology has been offered. You will accept it, and we will move on."
Nathaniel regarded the king for a moment before bowing his head.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I accept."
"Good."
Alexander placed both hands on the table.
"I want everyone here to understand something. This meeting concerns the safety of Valtheris. A dangerous plant has been used to poison one of our own, and we still have unanswered questions about the fire incident. We cannot afford to let personal rivalries interfere with our work."
His gaze moved across the assembled nobles.
"If you have evidence, present it. If you have a theory, explain it. But you will not use this meeting to settle personal scores. Any differences between you should be handled privately, not at the expense of the kingdom."
He straightened.
"Am I understood?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the lords and chiefs answered together.
"Good. This meeting is adjourned."
Alexander left the chamber, followed by several of his attendants. The remaining nobles began gathering their papers and speaking quietly among themselves.
Skender rose from his chair, his face drawn with disappointment. He glanced at Duncan, waiting for him to acknowledge what had happened.
Duncan didn't.
Instead, he watched Nathaniel approach Lord William, speaking to him with the same composed expression he had worn throughout the meeting.
Skender followed Duncan's gaze.
"Are you even listening to yourself anymore?" he asked quietly.
Duncan finally turned.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means you allowed your personal anger to take control of you in front of the king. You were supposed to help us find the person responsible for the poisoning, not turn the meeting into a contest between you and Nathaniel."
"He provoked me."
"And you gave him exactly what he wanted."
Duncan's expression darkened. "You think he wanted that?"
"I think you made it easy for him to make you look unreasonable." Skender paused, his disappointment evident. "You know better than this, Duncan. I've stood beside you through difficult situations, and I know you are capable of thinking before you act. Today, you chose not to."
Duncan scoffed. "So now you're taking his side?"
Skender stared at him in disbelief. "Is that what you took from everything I just said?"
Duncan said nothing.
"I'm not taking anyone's side. I'm telling you that you were wrong to behave that way. You can suspect Duke Nathaniel all you want, but until you have evidence, you have no right to turn your suspicions into personal attacks."
He shook his head.
"I expected better from you."
The words struck harder than Duncan wanted to admit, for a moment, he looked as though he might respond. Instead, he turned away.
Skender waited another second, hoping Duncan would say something sensible.
When he didn't, Skender sighed.
"Sort yourself out, Duncan."
He turned and walked away, leaving Duncan alone in the throne room.
Duncan remained where he was, his thoughts returning to everything that had happened. Nathaniel's mocking smile, the humiliation of losing the tournament, and the way the Duke had provoked him during the meeting flooded his mind.
Then he remembered the way Skender had looked at him-with disappointment. His jaw tightened, and his hands curled into fists.
He couldn't stand Nathaniel. He couldn't stand his arrogance, his constant mockery, or the way he seemed to enjoy getting under Duncan's skin and now, Nathaniel had made him look like a fool in front of the king.
Duncan's expression darkened with anger.
"Oh, I'm going to make him pay."
He turned and walked away, his mind consumed by thoughts of Nathaniel.
At a corner of the corridor, a cloaked man stepped out from the shadows. He had witnessed the entire confrontation and overheard Duncan's final words.
A slow smile spread across his face, revealing his yellow teeth.
"Things just got spicy."