Chapter 6

But that afternoon, a box of medicine appeared on her desk. Next to it was a pair of soft lambskin gloves.

Vita stood frozen for a long time, unable to process what she was seeing.

Vita's thoughts were all over the place. 'Why is Orion being so nice to me? I'm just a palace maid. Could it be... he has a thing for me? No way, no way, no way.

'His palace is full of gorgeous women. Why would he ever notice someone like me? I'm just plain, nothing special. Besides, he's not some clueless king. So what is he after?'

Vita was lost in her wild thoughts as she ground the ink.

Orion sat across from her, reviewing memorials, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

'Full of gorgeous women? What a joke. There are only seven women in my palace, and three of them were pushed in by the Queen Mother,' Orion thought.

Later that afternoon, Lila sent someone over with another bowl of soup.

This time, it was Selena who brought the soup, the one who schemed against Vita with Sienna last time.

Sienna had already been punished and sent to prison, so Selena got promoted and took her place.

Selena placed the soup bowl on the Imperial Study desk and gave a graceful curtsy.

"Lady Lila, says Your Majesty has been working tirelessly these days, so she specially stewed some jujube and goji berry soup for you," Selena said.

Orion didn't even glance at the soup. His eyes were fixed on Vita.

Vita stood a few steps away. Her nose twitched.

Vita thought, 'That same smell again. Even stronger than before. Beneath the sweetness, there's a bitter note, and under that, an astringent edge.

'It's just like… like something I remember from childhood… Oh, right, aconite toxin. That's the dry, bitter scent of aconite steeped in water. How do I even recognize the smell of aconite?'

Orion's expression didn't change. "Thank Lila for going to trouble. I'll have it later," he said.

Soon, Selena withdrew.

Orion picked up the soup bowl and set it aside. He was calculating in his mind.

'aconite toxin,' Orion thought. 'And the arsenic powder extract from before.

'Lila's intentions are obvious now. She's slowly undermining my health, turning me into an invalid without me even realizing it.

'A weak and sickly king is the perfect excuse for the Queen Mother to rule from the throne.

'So Lila and Eileen are conspiring together.'

The realization sent a chill down Orion's spine.

He needed more evidence, more concrete proof. Evidence that would nail both Lila and Eileen for good.

Vita was still the linchpin for getting that evidence. Now, she was standing just a few steps away, already daydreaming about what she'd eat for dinner.

Orion needed her to be around more often, in more situations. But he had to make sure no one caught on.

After a moment's thought, he finally spoke. Orion called out, "Vita."

"I'm here, Your Majesty," Vita answered.

"From tomorrow on, besides your work in the Imperial Study, you'll be taking gifts to the other palaces. I need someone I can trust to help me out with errands," Orion said.

Vita groaned inwardly, 'Ugh, more errands? I thought I could finally just relax and grind ink for a while. Orion, you really squeeze every last drop out of your people.'

Out loud, she replied meekly, "As you wish, Your Majesty."

Orion lowered his head, using the memorial to hide his face.

Over the next three days, Vita made the rounds to every one of the Six Palaces.

The act of delivering gifts was just a cover. For Orion, what really mattered was catching those unguarded thoughts that slipped through Vita's mind.

On the first day, Vita headed to Peace Hall, Eileen's residence.

Vita delivered a box of tonic.

Eileen didn't bother to see her; Callie accepted the gift on her behalf.

While waiting for a response in the side hall, Vita's inner voice wouldn't shut up. 'Wow, this side hall is seriously luxurious, even fancier than the Imperial Study. Hold on, is there someone behind that screen? Looks like a man in purple official robes.

'What's an outside court official doing in the Queen Mother's palace? He must have come in through the back entrance. That's suspicious. Wait, the seal on the envelope he's holding. I know that design. I saw it in Amelia's office before. It's an eagle.'

Orion thought, 'The eagle emblem. It was the family crest of Lord Windsor.'

Windsor was Eileen's own nephew, and the most influential imperial relative in the court.

Eileen was secretly meeting with an imperial in-law inside the palace. That was a serious violation.

The next day, Vita went to Warmriver Hall, where Lady Zosime lived.

Zosime put on a friendly front and rewarded Vita with a plate of pastries.

Vita was over the moon, munching away as she thought to herself. 'Lady Zosime is so sweet. Wait, that bracelet on her wrist is exactly like the one Lila had yesterday. Same jade, same entwined vine design.

'Aren't they supposed to be at odds? Why are they both wearing identical bracelets? Unless... they buy them together? What a pair of phony besties.'

'Identical bracelets.' Orion closed his eyes in the Imperial Study.

He'd always assumed Lila and Zosime were rivals. But now, it looked like they were actually allies.

Zosime was Eileen's pawn, and so was Lila. The entire palace was nothing but Eileen's chessboard.

And Orion, he was meant to be the master of the game, but in reality, he'd been nothing more than a piece on Eileen's chessboard.

On the third day, Vita was out running her usual errands. As she walked past the Palace Garden, she caught a bit of conversation.

Vita wasn't trying to eavesdrop or anything. Their voices were just so loud, and it was impossible not to hear.

It was Aron and some servant she didn't know.

The servant said, "Aron, Lord Windsor's estate is getting impatient. They say if the coin doesn't show up soon, they'll cut us off for good."

Aron stamped his foot in frustration. "What's the rush? The king's been keeping a close eye on everything lately. Where am I supposed to get the coin? I've already held onto that batch of tribute silk. Once things blow over, I'll sell it off."

Vita's thoughts went haywire. 'Wait, wait, wait. That sneaky old man Aron really is up to no good. And he's working with Lord Windsor's estate.

'He's even bold enough to pocket the tribute silk. That's enough to get him executed ten times over. Crap, I just overheard something I really shouldn't have. I need to get out of here. I didn't hear anything, nope, not a thing.'

Hearing that, Orion slammed the desk in the Imperial Study and jumped to his feet.