Finally he got a time to travel to the island of Crete, where was his last hope to defeat Maleficent. Philip was on deck watching the movement of the waves and trying to beat the sickness. Sea voyages were always long and stressful although the ship was one of the fastest of that time.

What could he offer the wizard? Gold? Gemstones? His riches were scarce thanks to the taxes he had to pay the Aragon, but Aurora's kingdom was very rich and prosperous. After marrying her, he was going to become rich and powerful.

At the moment, only cared about winning Maleficent and get her out of his way. That as going to make him not only rich and powerful but also feared even by Aragon. When thinking of his victory, the sickness was over. Yes, he was very close and couldn't fail!

Although not needed, Aurora enjoyed working in the kitchen doing some light work. So she could hear the gossip of the maids at first hand. They always said funny things!

"Then the idiot couldn't decide which of the two women wanted to stay and ended up alone!" One of the maids spoke provoking laughs from colleagues.
"He deserved it, the bastard!"
"Who doesn't decides, ends with nothing!"

Aurora also thought it was deserved. Another maid talked about an ugly brawl between couple in the village because the woman surprised her husband with the mistress.

"It was pandemonium! Pandemonium! I thought she was going to kill him with a big stick!"

More laughter and funny comments. When her service ended, Aurora went away red-faced from laughing so hard.

"I don't know what funny you see those silly conversations." Maleficent said in a frown.
"What are you doing here?" She asked finding odd the her presence in an area where only employees circulated.
"Nothing important. I was just going around here." She tried to disguise not to confess that there was looking for Aurora. "I still don't understand why you enjoy doing these petty jobs."
"I like to feel useful and also always hear funny stories. Do you know what's the latest?"

She tried to tell the story the best way possible, but couldn't pull out a single laugh from Maleficent. Maybe her mind worked differently or she simply didn't have the same sense of humor of humans.

"These stories are very boring. I have one better for you." Maleficent said, laughingly, how devastated a village with a big tornado and houses, animals and people flew everywhere. Aurora heard everything without understanding how she could find it funny.
"And there were many deaths?"
"Of course! It was complete chaos. Nothing like a good day's work... what's up? "
"It's so sad see people dying and suffering! I don't know how you can!"
"Years of practice." She replied with a shrug. "Suffering is inevitable for humans."

How she could be so cold? Of course, Maleficent was always Maleficent. Still Aurora couldn't accept that lack of empathy.

"Do you never put yourself in their place?" she asked indignantly.
"Why would I do that? It's no big deal."
"Sure, it's not with you!"

Maleficent looked at her surprised with so much indignation. Humans were the most dramatic creatures she knew.

"I bet I'd know deal with those difficulties much better than any human. You are too weak!"
"With power everything is easier. Just snap your fingers and everything is solved."

The older scowled.

"No need to have the power to solve these so insignificant problems . Just use the intelligence, logic and have more discipline and determination. People suffer because they exaggerate, make a big drama about the problems and everything seems worse than it really is."

Aurora began to think it was useless to argue. Maleficent was not human and, therefore, had no way of knowing how people suffered.

"You are very sentimental. Why care so much about the suffering of others? Isn't your problem!"
"Don't you feel compassion for these people?"
"That would not solve anything. Even though I feel some sympathy for these humans, couldn't stop doing my work. You know chaos is necessary."
"Even so..."

Maleficent went away and Aurora followed.

"Try not to think about it because you can't do anything. By the way, I brought the shells you have asked."
"Really? Thank you!"
"You're welcome. Be careful, someone might see!" Fairy said embarrassed with the hug Aurora had given her. Although enjoyed so much, she didn't feel comfortable with public displays of affection. That kind of thing should be done only in private!
"Don't be boring! No one's watching!"
"Let's go to the garden. The blizzard is over."

The two went to the garden, arm in arm. At least she was not ashamed of it. When they passed near the large central tree, Aurora remembered something and asked.

"It is possible to make love potion?"

The other's eyes widened.

"Love Potion? For who? Tell me now and I'll kill the bastard son of a bitch..." Aurora rolled her eyes.
"Please, stop it! I don't want to give this potion to anyone! The other day I knew GeorgeI was making a potion for a young woman, that is."

Fairy calmed. Just a little.

"How did you know?"

Aurora told about what she had seen, including when he dug up that silver spoon. Maleficent listened in silence and with a strange expression on her face.

"Then he said it was to make a love potion because he is no longer young and beautiful as before."
"And has he been beautiful someday?"
"I don't agree with what he's doing, but I felt sorry for him."

She didn't respond and continued immersed in thought. There was something wrong. That ritual was used only in the preparation of very complicated and complex potions. It was necessary to mix it with a spoon of gold or silver, which needed to be buried from time to time close to a century-old tree. For all she knew, it wasn't necessary to do such a thing to prepare love potions, wich was very simple.

That idiot man was up to something and she wanted to find out quickly.

After more negative from Helga, Baltazar felt even more motivated to possess this woman anyway. His financial situation was improving a lot and it was only a matter of time until he becomes so rich that she was not going to be able to reject him.

The other maids watched from afar. What a foolish man! Why he was so insistent with a woman who rejected him?

Helga returned to work still thinking about the conversation with Baltazar. His financial situation was improving greatly. Wouldn't it be time to begin seeing him as a possibility? He could not be rich now, but was very promising. And also very beautiful, passionate, submissive and ready to satisfy all your desires.

On the other hand, she had the chance to be the queen of that castle next to the GeorgeI that, although was the ugliest man she had seen in her life, could give a life with which she always dreamed. And one day he was going to die, because was no longer young. So she would be free to find a more handsome husband. Maybe Baltazar, who was so passionate and could be willing to wait a while as her lover. Why not?

Georgei felt something bad in the stomach when he entered the throne room and saw that Maleficent was very upset. It would be a problem in finance? No, it could not be. Since getting gold from Aragon, he never swerved a single penny.

"Your Excellency sent for me?"
"Yes. I demand that you give me some explanation right now."
"Any problems with finances?"
"No. It has come to my attention that you buried silver spoons beneath the large central tree of the garden. I know very well that this procedure is only used in high magic. What are you doing?"
"I'm doing nothing, your Excellency!" He said terrified, knowing that there was no way to fool Maleficent.
"Love potions do not require this type of procedure. I want to know what kind of magic you're doing. NOW!" She growled and lightning started sparking around her, showing that man he was in serious trouble.
"It's a very complicated story, something that happened long ago and..."

He tried to gain time, speaking several things but without answering anything. Maleficent lost her temper and threw a thunderbolt against him and yelled.

"Explain to me right now or I'll make you into pieces!"

When he thought he was going to die, some ministers entered the throne room, leaving her angrier than she was.

"Assholes! How dare you interrupt me?"
"We're sorry, your Excellency, but you made an appointment for now about the security scheme of the northern border..." the man said totally terrified.

Maleficent took a deep breath and remembered that that matter was very urgent, because some people were coming into her kingdom through that border and the last thing she wanted was a crowd of immigrants burdening the villages.

"Get out of here, you little worm. We'll talk later and you'll give me a lot of explaining."

The man went away thanking her guardian angel for giving him more life time to think about how to get out of that trouble.

"I'm doomed! Doomed! "He spoke walking from one side to the other pulling the little hair he still had on his head. "What will I do now? Heavens!"

There was no escape or hide. If Maleficent resolved searching his room, was going to find the potion and discover his plan at the same time. After that, he would be tortured to death in the worst way.

Someone slammed the door, leaving him angry.

"Go away, I do not want to talk to anyone!" He shouted angrily. Still, the door opened and he saw it was only Helga.
"Are you in trouble? What happened? "
"I'm a dead man! Definitely a dead man! She will find out my plan and finish me!"

Helga trembled from head to foot. If his plan was discovered, all her dreams would fall apart.

"You can't give up now, there has to be a way to solve this!"
"But no!" He shouted desperate "She'll find out my plan before this day is over! There's no avoiding it! I'm only alive because ministers appeared with an important issue and it will distract her until nightfall. "
"Distract her..." she scratched her chin. An idea was forming in her mind. "How long before your plan be executed?"
"Four days! Four days only! I'm so close and now everything is lost! "
"Maybe not! If it is possible distract her for four days, you'll have time to execute your plan. "

He stopped walking and listened her.

"How can we distract Maleficent? It's impossible! When she wants something, never give up!"
"There is one thing that can keep her distracted long enough. It's easy!"

Georgei was so desperate that he decided to listen Helga's plan, wich could be his only salvation. And her plan was good, but had a flaw.

"It might work, but she isn't stupid and will quickly find out!"
"We just need to keep her busy for four days!"
"Only four days... let's see." He thought for a while and had an idea that could make that plan works. It was only a detail that was going to make all the difference.

And it was a way to revenge that gossipy little princess. He was in trouble because she could not keep her mouth shut.