The Alchemist

I need to hurry; the Duke will arrive any minute. What would he think if he found his adopted daughter poisoning his final meal? That doesn't matter anymore. He's shown his true colors—the monster I've always known hiding a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Ten years Earlier

I stood with my father, Duke Casterwall, in our gazebo. Watching as Queen Amina's armada docked at our harbor. A plague had begun to ravage the northern isles, and the queen sought my father's council every seven months. For Duke, Casterwall was known for his skills as an expert potion crafter. My father taught me a little about potion craft, and he was impressed with my natural talent, learning the proper sizes and portions of certain ingredients. I had managed to create a potion that changed the color of your hair and eyes. 

"This would be of great use for spies." My father told me

The sun shone through the clouds momentarily. Unmasking the beautiful colors in my mother's garden below the gazebo. Seeing her favorite Violets, lilies, sunflowers, and roses blooming made me miss her even more.

"This will be the one, my dear. I know it." My father said, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder.

I looked at him, and he brushed my long black bangs to the side. 

"You're the spitting image of your mother." 

"Really?... I don't think so. Daddy's mother had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a perfect nose."

"H-a-a-a. Yes, my dear, you certainly have my strong jaw and curved nose. But your eyes are your mother's."

"Mom had blue eyes; you have brown, and I have green. This makes no sense, Daddy. "He scratched the back of my head.

Queen Amina's ship had docked, and I could see her and some of the royal guards leaving the boat and making their way to our royal palace. They look like pebbles from here, I thought.

"My Lord." 

My father and I turned, and we were met by Baron Draconis, a tall, slender man with jet-black hair and cold blue eyes. Today, of all days, I couldn't explain, but I felt extreme anxiety. My heart raced when I looked at the baron, and a cold chill ran down my spine.

"May I speak to you about an urgent matter?" he said in a deep raspy voice.

"What's the matter, baron?"

"It's best to discuss this matter privately, my lord."

"Very well…Cassandra, run along, play in the garden, and wait to greet the queen when she arrives."

As two guards escorted me to the garden, I heard only five words. 

"The south district has been quarantined."

After what seemed like an eternity, I saw Queen Amina and two of her royal guards making their way up the marble steps. Both royal guardsmen had long swords and short snub pistols at their sides. The queen was not in a fancy dress. Still, she wore attire similar to that of her guard—more ornate and intricately designed to match her beauty—an outfit fit for long travel.

"Why hello, little Cassandra!!! The queen said 

"Hello, my queen." I did a proper curtsy like the noble ladies of the court had taught me. 

I remember running towards the queen after the bow and embracing her with a tight, long hug, not knowing this would be the last time I hugged her.

"Now, where's your father?"

The queen was gorgeous. I felt like I looked like her, mainly because we had the same cheekbones and green eyes.

"He's up in the gazebo with Baron Draconis," I told her

"Come with me, dear." She held her tanned out

Once we reached the gazebo, my father sat by a newly set table.

"My queen." He said with a charismatic smile.

He got up, bowed, and kissed Queen Amina's hand. Her guards stood watch outside the gazebo. I watched as my father and Queen Amina caught up. My mother had passed away five years earlier, and I couldn't help but notice that my father seemed to come to life when the queen would visit.

The sun began to set, letting its beauty illuminate the high waves of Cromwall. The colors dancing along the waves looked like stained glass, like those of the monolithic colossal cathedrals the city was known for. Dwarves had helped build the wall that protected the city from

, crushing waves that would sometimes come during storms.

"I found it, Amina, a cure."

"Are you certain, Damian?"

"Yes, this version of the formula should be the key. I just need more access to the crown's resources. The materials are quite expensive, and Phoenix tears are difficult to cultivate and come by."

"You'll have all the gold you'll need and more once this is over." 

I looked away, blushing. I've not seen the queen make a face like that to my father. I decided it would be best to go and play in the garden again. How I wish I had not done that and remained by their sides. Before I left the gazebo, one of my father's royal servants brought a tray with iced tea and lemon. 

Hours seemed to pass as I watched the city in the distance; the gothic architecture of the dwarves was an intriguing choice. The sun provided a wonderful backdrop. It grew quiet early, hushed. I was not sure how much time had passed. But, as I looked around, I noticed no guards around. My gut twisted and turned, and I ran as fast as my legs could carry me back to my father. My heart was racing, thoughts of my father and the queen lying dead. Cromwall was not safe, and many attempts had been made on my father's life in the past. I made it to the gazebo, finding it difficult to breathe.

"Cassandra dear, catch your breath. What's wrong?" my father asked

"I…I noticed there were no guards around, and I grew worried."

My father smiled

"That's because we sent them away so the queen and I could get some privacy. However, we should escort the queen back to her royal guard."

"One moment, let me sip from this tea," she said

It was here where everything began to fall apart. My father held out his to Queen Amina.

"Thank you, Damian, for the…" She fell silent, and I could see her eyes widen with fear.

"Amina, what's wrong?!" My father was worried

“ I….I…. Can't….Bre.." She was shocked by the words.

The queen fell to the floor, convulsing white foam ooozed from her mouth.

"AMINA!!" My father shouted.

He held the queen tightly as we watched her soul depart from her body. I remember how she looked at me in the queen's final moments. Bloodshot eyes dying for air, she tried to reach for my hand to hold it one more time. Before I could get it, she went limp. Her eyes were red with tears of blood. 

"No, no, no….." My father held Amina closer. At this moment, I realized they were more than just friends.

Before we had any moment to consider what had just happened, I could hear the sound of armored footsteps. Clank clank clank clank.

"Quickly before the queen is.." It Was Baron Draconis

I turned and saw the look of remorse and sadness on everyone's faces, which made me feel shocked. Some men cried, and her two royal guards were in shock. Except for the Baron… I could see behind his cold, calculating eyes that he was responsible for this in some way. 

"Arrest the Lord Casterwall for treason and murder of the queen."

"No, it wasn't my daddy; you can't do this!" I shouted

I looked back at my father, who was in a state of shock. Unable to speak, he just looked into the dead eyes of his lover.

"Take the girl away.." The baron said

My father suddenly snapped back to reality when he heard me mention it.

"Cass!! Cass!!." He shouted, reaching out for me.

But before I could take his hand, one of the guards slung me over his shoulders and began to escort me away from the gazebo.

“ No daddy nooooooo!”

I kicked, thrashed, and screamed at the guard, but he didn't budge. He passed the main palace gate, and it didn't bring me inside. A feeling of panic began to take over. Where is he taking me? I thought

"Alrighty now, hard, no hard feelings, little missy, ya see, the baron paid good gold for this."

I could hear thunder rumbling and the waves crashing against the walls. My eyes filled with tears.

"P-p-p-please, you don't have to do this."

"Naw, don't dowry. The rocks below will do quick work. It'll be painless."

I closed my eyes and accepted my fate. I felt the wind rushing past me, making a loud whistling sound. Whiiiiiiissss. Kathoom…kathoom… kathoom... The crashing of the waves. And I felt the cold embrace of the sea.

I woke later with a wide-eyed boy staring at me. He had a gap in his teeth, auburn hair, and a tan complexion. 

"Who…Who…Are..You? Where am I?"

"The names Edwin Copperspittle; I found ya on the south shore. Ya, a one, those rats were sniffing ya, but I shooed them away from you. I screamed for an officer to help us, and they brought you here."

"Where is here?"

"The Amberward orphanage."

The spacious room I was in smelled slightly musty and had about twelve beds. They seemed old and worn out from use. Old blue paint was peeling from the walls. Creeeeak, the main door to the room, opened.

An old woman came strolling in.

"Edwin, give me and the girl some privacy."

Edwin did as he was told. The older, pale woman looked friendly. She had deep blue eyes and wore spectacles.

She sat across from me and gently placed her hand in mine.

"Tell me how ya ended up on the south shore, love." She said

I had so many emotions running through me; tears began to pool down my face, and I began to shake.

"You're…not going to hurt me or throw me over a high wall?"

The old woman's eyes narrowed. She simultaneously looked concerned and like a loving mother. 

"No, deary. You're safe here. What's your name? I'll start with mine. My name is Lady Karabell." 

I stopped crying and mustered up the courage to speak.

"I'm Cassandra, Cassandra Casterwalll."

Lady Karabell's jaw dropped. She quickly closed the windows, which allowed people to see them from the street, and looked outside the door to make sure no one was listening.

"Now, Cassandra deary. Tell me everything that's happened."

1 year later

The Amberward orphanage was not so bad. I made friends with the other children and heard their stories about how they ended up there. We were family, and I only shared my actual name with Edwin. Lady Karabell thought it wise to change my name to Belle Valentine. Once she heard of my talent in crafting potions, I helped her craft medicine to help the people of the south district. Giving medicine to help fight off the plague. Of course, the medicine we made only delayed the symptoms and eased the pain of those already afflicted.

However, things in the south district have only been getting worse. More parts of it were quarantined day by day. It seemed as though Duke Draconis cared little for his poorer subjects. The signs of the plague were a violent cough first, followed by a bloody cough, fever, chills, pasty skin, and bleeding eyes. Once the eyes began to bleed, it was too late.

Ms. Karabell was able to send multiple letters to the royal place, one of which was finally answered. She begged the Duke to find a home for these children. In response, he said he and a few nobles would arrive at the orphanage to get the children out of the southern district.

I was taken and adopted by Duke Draconis and his lady wife, Lady Synthara. They had trouble having a child, and Lady Synthara thought I looked like her long-lost childhood friend. Ms.Karabell tried to suggest other children for the Duke, but her efforts were fruitless. 

On our way back to the royal palace, the Duke was discussing the execution of my father that had taken place. I did my best to hide my emotions. I must not cry; I must show them who I truly am. I will strike when they least suspect it.

1 year later 

Lady Synthara was just as bad as Duke Draconis; this woman was not kind. She even aided the Duke in political matters, such as burning the south district to ensure the page did not spread further. The orphanage…my friends and Lady Karabell were among the casualties. Again, I did not show my emotions until I was alone in my room, and I allowed myself to grieve for them.

Present day

I can't help but feel this unease, a sense of foreboding, a warning that death is waiting for me around the corner. I have everything I've wanted, but it feels like it's not enough. At least I have my adopted daughter, Belle. She gives me comfort and solace.

When I opened the door to the main banquet hall, there was a large table and ornate tapestries of my house, Draconis. A serpent coiled around a flaming spear.

"Father, it's good to see you." Belle smiled

"You as well, Belle."

Despite getting as close as I could to Belle, I felt I still did not honestly know her. She would talk, but whenever I'd ask her about her past, she always said it was too painful to speak about.

"What on the menu tonight, daughter?"

"Your favorite father. Roasted tomatoes served on a fine slice of bread with melted ox cheese. Made by me." She smiled lovingly 

"Where's your lady mother?"

"Why she's resting, Father. She wasn't feeling well."

I took a seat and removed the cover from the food. It looked delicious—Crunch. It was warm, with a hint of sweetness and bitterness that balanced each other out. Gulp, gulp, all washed down with refreshing water.

"Belle, I wanted to.." I was choked for words; I could not speak; I could not move; I saw a shadowy figure behind Belle, though she did not appear to notice. That must be death.

"My name is not Belle. It is Cassandra, Damian, Castwerwall."

Of course, it all makes sense now! But it was too late now. The air left my body, and I began to violently shake; I felt blood running down my face, and my eyes clouded with red. The shadowy figure approached me and whispered I'm your past deeds, and I will be taking you from this world. I screamed as the shadowy figure pulled my soul from my body. But no one could hear me, and Belle still was speaking. 

"My father's will, cure for the plague, and the list of crimes you've committed." She placed the seal and letter next to me, and I watched as she pulled out another letter.

"Your confession letter."

"I've waited for this day for so long, but I was taught that revenge is a dish best served cold. And don't worry, Duke Draconis, you won't be alone. Your wife is waiting for you."

The letter had the seal of my house on it. Everything I worked so hard to build was destroyed in a single stroke by the girl's life I stole. Why was this shadowy figure allowing me to see this as it battled for the soul hiding in my body? I watched as Cassandra wore a white mask; it had the face of a sad woman with red paint running down its eyes. I watched as she made her way out of the palace from the balcony outside the banquet hall.

My dark silhouette spoke to me.

"You will be judged for what you did, nothing more and nothing less."

All of a sudden, the events of this world seemed to matter little. What frightened me more was the unknown I was being dragged down into.

As Cassandra watched the city of Cromweall shrink in the distance, she was relieved it was all over. Her father's advisors, who served the Duke Draconis that still had some good in them, would know what to do with the cure she left. The deal she made with Baron Stillthorn was that he would have the dukedom after the assassination of Duke Draconis and that I had to leave the city. As much as it pained me, I left this place, which was filled with nothing but pain for me. I think I'll enjoy my mother's home further in the east; I wish I could talk to her now, Queen Amina, and my father. But I felt they knew what had happened and were with me all along. Cassandra left the deck and retired to her bunk, happy for the first time to sleep peacefully.