Hanako busies herself pouring the questionable tea into cups. You try to map out a smooth plan, but you can't think of anything.
She smiles at you once more as she takes the tray into the dining room. Another cook has you bring out the food: a delicious roast. You hurry in the dining room.
She was passing out the tea. Nel, Clair, Tynave, Farleen, and Woltar were deep in a conversation. You place the roast at the center of the table.
Albel grabbed the cup of tea from Hanako.
Your heart thuds in its cage. You walk around the table near him.
He brings the cup of tea to his lips.
On impulse, you shout, "DON'T DRINK THE TEA!" You grasp Albel's hand and take the cup of tea. Everyone paused, shocked and too speechless to move.
You deliberately pour the tea on the table. It was so corrosive that it ate away at the delicate doily. It was poisoned!
Hanako's face twisted in rage. "It looks like I have to take care of this. Physically."
The old woman reached into her bosom, taking out a concealed dagger. In a surprisingly swift movement, she raised the dagger over Albel. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Nel and the others move to restrain her.
Not thinking at all, you stand in the way of the dagger and Albel.
What would have entered Albel's ribcage entered your stomach. The second it happened cruelly dragged on. You feel the dagger's point easily pierce your skin, and glide through your abdomen.
Nel and Farleen had Hanako in a grip, blades to her throat. Woltar called the guards to hold the mansion in lock down. Tynave took the dagger and Clair left to get help.
You clutch your stomach, warmth escaping between your fingers. It feels like Time is slowing the very air; he is suspending you between two frames of movement. The blood is the only thing that continues to escape its fleshy dam. Pain is like fire--it is burning away the delicate fibers of your neurons, radiating throughout your body. The sensory overload places you in delirium.
Time presses play, and you fall into Albel's lap.
Your eyes that had been closed tight in pain struggle to open. You manage to smile at Albel's genuinely concerned face, blood seeping out of the corner of your lips at every heartbeat. His arms clutch around your limp body.
You are slipping out of consciousness; only one of Albel's desperate cries rings in your mind: "Don't die on me, maggot!"
The last thing you remember is Tynave exclaiming that the dagger had a hidden compartment for poison, and if a healer does not come quickly, you would die in minutes.
All is black.
A/N:
You are the second person that would die for Albel. How will that affect his character and attitude towards you?
You will find out when I upload. :D