How to cure a Dark Lord

I wondered what the butler would want to speak to me about as I followed him out into the gardens. I noticed that even the garden was being spruced up for tomorrow's event. It was like the event of the decade, literally.

 Gilbert stopped at the fountain and turned around to face me. For once, I would like to know what was going on in that head of his.

 "Miss Frieda, I see you've made a lot of friends during your stay here. Everyone has something nice to say about you here in the castle." Gilbert began.

 Every one except the Dark Lord by the time I'm done with him, I thought to myself. Then I answered Gilbert. "I'm glad to hear that.

 He stayed silent for a while before speaking. It seemed he was weighing his next words.

"We all in the palace would like you to stay."

I looked sharply at him. Did Gilbert just say what I heard him say?

 "I'm sorry Gilbert. I wish I could stay but I can't." I told him regretfully.

 "Why not, Miss Frieda?" He seemed confused.

 I smiled sadly. "There is nothing for me to do here Gilbert."

 "Quite the contrary. Your father's position as the royal head physician is still very open and vacant. With your skills, you should succeed him. The royal infirmary needs you."

 There was no way I was going to stay in the castle.

 "Thank you for the offer, Gilbert. But the infirmary at Mirideth also needs me."

 "That is not a problem, Miss Frieda. His Majesty could dispatch a team of physicians to take care of it."

 "And what about my father? He was brutally killed and I haven't even seen what happened to his body, whether he was buried or not."

 Even if I didn't have my reason for leaving, I wouldn't stay. Not when I had no idea what happened to Papa.

Gilbert nodded in understanding. "Alright. When would you like to leave?"

 I took in a deep breath and tried to ignore the apparent disappointment in the air despite Gilbert's straight face.

 "After the ball tomorrow." I had already given it some thought. If I left the capital the day after tomorrow, I would reach the village the day after.

 "As you wish, Milady. I will inform his Majesty of your decision and begin preparations for your departure." Gilbert said and bowed slightly, marking the end of this conversation. Just as he started to leave, a thought came to my mind.

 "What about his Majesty?"

 "What about him?" Gilbert asked back.

I didn't know how to answer the question. Honestly, I didn't even know why I had asked.

 "I-I, it's just that I haven't seen him for four days now. I hope he's really doing alright." I said lamely.

"Yes, His Majesty is fine. He is quite better now thanks to you. He is very busy at the moment but you might see him at the ball tomorrow." He informed me. Afterwards, he gave another bow and left.

I wasn't so sure I even wanted to see the Dark Lord tomorrow. But I bet the subtle symptoms of the nightshade poison would be visible by then. And boy would I like to see that.

I spent my afternoon lounging around the garden. I would miss this place a little bit. I took the time to think of what my village would be like and how it would receive me upon my return and I failed to see the figure that walked up to me.

"You must be Miss Frieda of Mirideth." A smooth and cheery male voice came from behind me and I quickly turned around. In front of me stood a man I had never seen before.

His face held a gentle smile with curious green eyes. He looked a little older than the king himself and he didn't seem like a servant from his gait and appearance. I guess he must be nobility.

I bowed slightly in response. "Yes I am. Good day sire."

His smile broadened and exuded an air of pleasant mess and politeness.

"My apologies for disturbing your leisure. My name is Victor Conrad and I am the head of the royal treasury."

My eyes widened a bit in realization. This was one of the most high ranking officials in the kingdom and one of the king's elite servants. I bowed again at a loss for appropriate behavior.

He also bowed back to me.

"I have heard quite a lot about the new physician who was treating the king and is finally able to cure him. It's an honor to make your acquaintance."

"The pleasure is mine." I managed to say without stuttering.

"I don't mean to intrude, but if you don't mind, would you like to accompany me to the castle's grand hall?" He asked.

I wondered if I could even say no to his smile that looked like he had been born with it. I nodded my head and he held out his hand for me to take as I crossed over a piece of rock.

"I was quite sceptic about your arrival in the castle at first. The king taking the life of yet another physician didn't really sit well with me." He said, staring forward but occasionally meeting my eyes.

I wasn't surprised he'd feel sceptic about it. If the Dark Lord was a sane person, he would as well.

The man named Victor continued to speak. "But you've really proven yourself as a very knowledgeable and skillful physician. I must commend you."

"Thank you, Mr Conrad." I replied with a small smile of my own.

"You know it's such a shame that you're not taking your father's position as royal head physician. The castle could really use someone as talented as you."

I wondered if everyone was out to make me stay on this place. If I hear the Dark Lord asking this too, I might just pull my hair. But I matched his pleasant expression as I tried to express the regret that I didn't even feel.

"I would have loved to stay, but my father's last wishes is for me to take over the infirmary back at Mirideth."

Mr Conrad nodded in understanding. "And that you must do. Your father must trust you a lot to hand it over to you."

I disguised the sudden swell of pride in my chest.

"And I hope his Majesty didn't give you a hard time." Mr Conrad asked as we passed the courtyard and into the castle building.

A hard time? I didn't even want to talk about it. Plus, I couldn't be complaining about the king to his subordinate, could I?

"No, he hasn't. For all I know, he has been kind and co-operative."

Mr Conrad's lips twisted in surprise. "That's a first. The Dark Lord that I know is a stubborn as an angry mule."

I couldn't help myself so I chuckled a little at the description. At least, I wasn't the only person who felt that way about him.

"How long have you been working for His Majesty?" I asked.

He tapped his chin gently for a bit before responding. "Well, I think since he became the king of Kevan. Although I didn't become head of the Royal treasury until six years ago."

"That is still a long time too." I said.

We talked about a whole lot of things afterwards. He seemed to be an easy talker and a good listener. His charming personality made him approachable and down to earth. He could also relate with life as commoner. I think he must have been from a common background when he was younger.

"Mr Conrad!" We heard the sharp voice of Gilbert as he came towards us. "I have been looking around for you all over the castle."

"What is it Gilbert?" The man beside me asked, not even a bit annoyed at the interruption.

"His Majesty needs to see you now." Gilbert said and both of us fell silent. Mr. Conrad didn't seem too moved at the message that the butler had brought and Gilbert did not seem to pleased about it either.

He gently took my hand in his and placed a gently kiss behind it.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Frieda. I apologize that your walk has been cut short." He sent a sideways glare at Gilbert who didn't seem to care. "I shall see you tomorrow at the Ball, yes?"

I nodded and bowed to him, he bowed also then he left with Gilbert while I watched his curly brown hair bounce as he followed Gilbert down the hall.