1st Clear Glass Moon, Ten Hours Earlier…

King Gilbert and Queen Constance stood by the doorway, anxiously waiting for the Aromatisse doctor to finish her checkup on Dimitri. It had been three days since the Foresters attacked the party, and hardly a peep was uttered from their son. The incident was still fresh in their minds.

They remembered how the knights gave them the all-clear to leave, but they practically sprinted to the foyer when they heard what happened to Dimitri. They found him being tended to by the doctor while Erasmus was trembling beside them. Their other children were heartbroken when they followed after, and the twins had to comfort Teri who probably took it the hardest.

The Aromatisse finished changing out Dimitri's bandages and approached the royal couple. "I've done all I can. I filled the room with a calming fragrance that should keep him relaxed. I did the best I could to ease his injuries with Heal Pulse."

"Is he alright, though?" Constance asked.

The doctor sighed. "Fortunately, the chandelier didn't break his bones. They're cracked, but my Heal Pulse should speed up the recovery. He took a nasty blow to the head, though. He's going in and out of consciousness. I've barely heard a coherent word."

"It is nothing too serious, right?" Gilbert asked.

"Hard to say. Best case, he makes a full recovery with no complications. Worst case…well, let's hope he can still remember his name by the time he wakes up."

Constance broke out into tears and pressed her face against Gilbert's neck. He gently wrapped his foreleg around her and whispered, "It will be alright, my dear. Dimitri will get through this."

"I just…I just do not understand why this happened," Constance muffled into his fur. "Why would they go after our son? Why would they do this to Dimitri?"

Gilbert frowned. "I do not know, my dear, but we cannot retaliate until we get the facts straight. As much as I wish to charge into the Forbidden Forest and seek justice for what they have done to our son, we need to make sure that was their intention. For all we know, this was nothing but an unfortunate accident."

Constance sniffled. "Dimitri…"

The Aromatisse packed up her belongings and walked around the royal couple. "It's best for Dimitri to get his rest. Give him time, and I'm sure you'll have your son back in no time. If he can survive that, I have complete confidence in his recovery."

Gilbert bowed his head. "We are eternally grateful for your assistance, Dr. Sappington."

She shrugged. "Please. Don't thank me. I'm just doing my job." She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "I need to check up on the Tetrarch prince in a bit. Probably wreathing in bed from his burns. I'll be back later to give Dimitri his pain meds." She stepped out of the room.

The Talbots looked at their bedridden son as he lay wearily in his bed. The disgruntled look in his face twisted their hears, but the enchanting fragrance in the air eventually settled him into a peaceful slumber. They quietly backed out of the room and closed the door.

Constance sighed. "I just cannot believe this was an accident, Gilbert."

"There was a lot of commotion in the foyer. Perhaps—"

"Perhaps? Gilbert, he was bruised up when we saw him. Some of those marks did not come from a chandelier dropping on his head. Someone attacked our son."

Gilbert glanced aside. "Dimitri was not attending the party, so I suppose there is a length of time where he was absent. Still, the notion is ludicrous. We Talbots would never…" He frowned. "Then again…"

"Gilbert?" She glared. "Do not tell me this had something to do with the Boldvale incident."

He closed his eyes. "I cannot say for certain."

"It would be the only reason someone would blindly attack Dimitri."

"…" He turned away. "We can talk about this later. I rather not bring it up with the Tetrarchs."

She huffed. "You have been dodging that incident ever since it happened. When are we finally going to come clean to the children that we made a mistake?"

"…" Gilbert lowered his head and sighed. "I rather not face that reality."

A raspy groan howled from within the untouched spare room of the castle, the section thankfully spared by the intense battle against the fearsome Fairy Knight. Darby lay out in his bed, wrapped in blankets, and grimaced with every movement he made in bed. Erasmus sat by his side in a chair as he tried to feed the fussy Prinplup his soup.

"Darby, hold still for a moment," Erasmus insisted. "You are not going to get better if you keep complaining like this."

"You, ugh, are not the one with second degree burns bordering on third," Darby hissed. "That damn Pikachu nearly killed me. I think, urgh, I think he burned one of my organs. I rather not know which one."

Erasmus rolled his eyes. "I am only here to give you company. I much rather be checking on Dimitri, but our doctor said he needs time to sleep. So, as long as I am here…" He jabbed the spoon full of soup through Darby's beak.

"BLEH!" Darby sputtered, which caused his injuries to flare up again. "Agh! Warn a pal, next time!" He smacked his beak together and hummed in delight. "Oh, this is actually pretty good."

Erasmus shook his head and set the bowl on the nightstand. "How long will you be cooped up for, anyway?"

"I will need to apply some ointment to the burn areas for months, but I should be feeling better in a week. The doctor said I was lucky. Any longer being exposed to that electricity, and it could have done serious damage to my heart."

Erasmus glared. "I heard something similar happened to a former knight of the Verde Kingdom."

"You heard right. Artur Blackfire. Never met him, but I heard he was strong." He winced as he moved his wings out from under the covers and folded them together on top. "I heard his body was seriously damaged after encountering the Fairy Knight. I really was lucky, especially being much more susceptible to the element. What about you? You got hit, too."

Erasmus touched his cheek. "Minor burns. They should not scar."

"Lucky you. I am going to be walking around with these scars all over my body until I hit the grave." He closed his eyes and sighed. "A shame what happened to Dimitri, though."

Erasmus frowned and bowed his head.

"I feel bad for you, Erasmus. I really do. I saw the whole thing before my eyes. Dimitri put up a good fight against the Fairy Knight. You should have seen him, claws swinging and everything. He was not going down without a fight. Though, you know Foresters. They do not fight fair. Next thing I knew, the Fairy Knight chucked his sword into the chandelier and severed it. I must have passed out after that."

Erasmus glared and lifted his head. "I thought his sword broke."

"He took it after you got hit, but that is not important." Darby crossed his wings. "I wish nothing but a speedy recovery for your dear brother."

"…" Erasmus sighed. "I just do not understand."

"About what?"

"Why was Dimitri in the foyer to begin with? He should have gone straight to the emergency bunker when the commotion started. In the time it would have taken him to leave his room and get down there, he should have joined us by then. Something held him up."

Darby shrugged. "Perhaps."

"Are you sure you did not see him?"

"What do you mean?"

Erasmus closed his eyes. "You said he should have vacated the top floors when I found you. We were fighting the Fairy Knight for a while, so what could have held him up?"

Darby looked off to the side. "Perhaps the Foresters needed to silence him."

"Silence him?"

"Perhaps he got too close to some information they were keeping secret from us, and they needed to make sure he did not spill it. Though, I guess they did not account for me to know the secret."

"Darby, what are you talking about?"

"I happened to see Harlow before she and her cohorts escaped, and I discovered a most peculiar thing about her. I feel dumb for not seeing it sooner, but it makes so much since in the grand scheme of things."

"What?"

Darby turned his head and whispered, "I saw her face, Erasmus. Harlow, that notorious Buneary that has suddenly popped up out of nowhere, is Princess Melissa Penworth."

A chilling silence filled the room with the two princes staring intensely at each other. Erasmus, overcome with shock, looked away for a moment as his eyes flickered around the room in confusion. Darby wore a smug grin on his beak as he watched the mostly logical cat process the newfound information.

"…I am getting the doctor."

Darby's eyes widened. "Pardon?"

Erasmus nodded as he hopped off his chair. "Yes, because you are clearly suffering from delusion." He headed to the door.

"Wait, hold on—ACK!" Darby shot up from bed and instantly regretted it. He felt back and waited a moment for the pain to ride out of his system. "I am serious. She looked just like Melissa."

"They are both Buneary. Not all Buneary are the same person."

"But it makes so much sense. That Harlow chick started gaining notoriety after Melissa disappeared, and it just so happens the person who kidnapped her was a Buneary. You cannot tell me that does not raise any red flags."

Erasmus shook his head. "Correlation does not equal determinative fact. Besides, we are talking about two radically different people here. Can you honestly say Melissa, who was so reserved that she never once left the capital, would pull off half the stunts Harlow did in the last year?"

Darby shook his head. "Deny all you want, but I saw her face."

"How did you even get that good a look at her face to come to that conclusion?"

Darby waved it off. "The details are not important."

Erasmus groaned. "Look, I know you and Melissa have history before the Senbo Kingdom considered the treaty, but I have known her for at least a week. Melissa just is not capable of those kinds of actions."

"We have not gotten any update, word, or reason as to the kidnapping, and the only lead we had was that it was committed by this random Buneary thief. You want to tell me the odds of that happening?"

"This is ridiculous," Erasmus mumbled, pressing his paw to his forehead. "I am convinced you are suffering from head trauma."

Darby crossed his wings. "Well, there is one way to prove it. We simply need to capture her. After all, they did try to off your brother, so what reason do we have not to retaliate in Dimitri's honor?"

"I am not leading a crusade against the Foresters over this," Erasmus said.

"I saw them drop the chandelier on top of him. You do not do that by accident."

"You were barely conscious. What if what you saw was not true?"

"Does that change the fact the Foresters are dangerous monsters who have been getting more and more violent recently?" Darby asked. "They reportedly kidnapped several individuals, two of them being a princess and a knight, one of their own infiltrated the staff, and staged an attack on your castle. Why do you refuse to do anything against this injustice?"

A brief flash of Adenine passed through the Glameow's mind. He looked down and frowned. "I do not want to believe they are that cruel. If they were, that means that she…"

"She?" Darby asked, raising his brow.

"…" Erasmus closed his eyes. "I do not want to assume the worst."

Darby groaned. "You and your bleeding heart…"

A knock sounded off the door, and Serell poked his head in. "Prince Erasmus?"

He turned to his guard. "Something wrong, Serell?"

"Your parents requested to see you."

Erasmus sighed. "I think I know why. Lead the way, Serell." The Togetic bowed and let the Glameow exit first. He stopped and looked back at Darby. "We will discuss this later, Darby. By then, I hope you have come to your senses." He stepped out, and Serell shut the door behind them.

Darby leaned his head back into the pillow. A smirk curled up over his beak as he laughed to himself. "Oh, I have nothing but sense, my dear friend."

Bracing himself, he twisted his wing around his head and dug behind the pillows. He was fortunate whoever undressed him didn't immediately take his clothes away to be washed or disposed of. It gave him enough time to search the pockets, and thankfully what was hidden inside remained intact.

"Though, if you refuse to retaliate, I suppose I will have to give you some incentive."

Darby pulled out two vials from behind his pillow and cupped them inside his wing.

"Let us see the extent of your wrath, Erasmus. And the extent of my Wraith."

The Talbot and Tetrarch royals joined in Gilbert's study along with Hobs. Gilbert sat at his desk, Constance sat in an armchair beside him, and the Tetrarchs joined on a couch. Hobs stood by the doorway, arms crossed. There wasn't much room or time to talk in the last few days. News of the party crashers reached through the capital, and Gilbert had to use his time to quell the people. This was the first time he and the Tetrarchs had a chance to talk.

Gilbert sighed and looked up at Wilkin. "I am not going to sugarcoat this. We may need to cancel the train system."

Wilkin's eyes widened. "What—"

"Not decommission it, mind you. We invested too many resources into its construction. However, given the circumstances, we may have to cancel the opening until this incident blows over. The Senbo capital has not been attacked like this in over a hundred years. We never had a direct attack inside our walls. Naturally, my subjects are concerned."

Wilkin relaxed and leaned back into his seat. "Tickets have already been sold in the Wick Kingdom. We would not want to disappoint anyone. They will be the first to ride in this luxury mode of transportation."

"And they still will, but not now. We have to postpone the opening until we have tightened security measures. This is just as much about the people's safety as is their happiness. We do not know exactly why the Foresters crashed the party, but it is likely they knew there was a secret project going on behind the scenes."

Wilkin glared. "Let us be reasonable, Gil. We put too much work into the train system just to postpone it. It will still launch on the nineteenth, and there will be no further troubles."

"How can we guarantee that for sure?"

"Simple. Post some knights to oversee the launch. Some of yours, or some of mine. The best of the best to protect the train wagons. Who would not enjoy such luxury? Fancy service AND renowned protection from the Senbo Kingdom. A blend of class and military might."

Gilbert groaned. "You still are not getting it. What is stopping the Foresters from sabotaging the train?"

"Why would they sabotage the train?" Saige asked, finally joining the conversation. "Unless you are claiming they plan to purposefully derail it and kill all the nobles aboard."

"…" Gilbert glanced to the side. "We cannot make any rash decisions."

Wilkin leaned forward. "I understand you are distraught over what happened to your son, but you are a king first. We have to show the people that we will not be pushed down by the Foresters and their evil. We are symbols to our kingdoms, and the people will follow our lead so long as that symbol remains uncorruptible."

"Symbols are great and all, but they are not solutions."

Constance patted her husband's shoulder. "He may have a point, though. The train is supposed to unite the Wick and Senbo Kingdoms together. Our subjects have always been weary of outsiders, and delaying this may reinforce those beliefs. We already failed to make a proper alliance with the Verde Kingdom. We might not get more chances."

Gilbert frowned. "I still do not know."

Wilkin raised his wing. "Would you feel more at ease if some of your knights guarded the train wagons? After all, there is no greater military force than Senbo, so surely you will be able to protect the passengers." He gestured to Hobs. "And we could always employ my good friend's assistance again."

Hobs huffed. "Ignacia can keep an eye on the skies. Any commotion stirs, and she'll drop down to break up the fun."

Constance frowned. "I would not exactly place my bets are your…security detail if the horrid state of our foyer is anything to go by."

He shrugged. "We're mercenaries first and foremost. This is more our style. Besides, given one of my men was kidnapped and the other hospitalized indefinitely, you kind of owe me."

Gilbert sighed. "I suppose I can debate this with my advisors and see what they make of this. If we are to continue forward with the train opening, we need to get it right on the first try. We cannot let anyone get hurt this time."

Wilkin bowed his head. "You have my word, Gilbert. We will make sure the opening goes off without a hitch."

A knock sounded off the door. "Enter!" Gilbert called.

The door creaked open, and Erasmus stepped in with Serell. He bowed to his parents. "You summoned me?"

Gilbert frowned. "Ah, yes. Wilkin, Saige, Mr. Desierto. My wife and I wish to speak to our eldest in private. May we continue this conversation at a later time?"

Wilkin nodded. "Of course." The Tetrarchs and Hobs got up and exited the study. Serell bowed to the Talbots before shutting the door behind him.

Gilbert nodded at the empty chairs. "Erasmus, have a seat."

The Glameow hopped into the chair and stared at his father with a nervous, yet regal expression. "Is something the matter, Father?"

Gilbert closed his eyes and sighed. "Son, we need to talk about your girlfriend."

"Ugh, this is so boring!" Rikmai cried as she and her fellow knights searched through the sand-covered foyer. Darby's personal guard were also assisting them on the other side of the foyer. "Why aren't the maids cleaning this up? That's their job or something, right?!"

Linota rolled her eyes and dug her hands through the sand. "We're not cleaning, we're investigating. The king wanted us to assess the damage and see if there's anything that might explain why the Foresters attacked."

"I thought we agreed they wanted to see the train or something."

"That doesn't explain why Prince Dimitri was attacked." Linota glared over her shoulder, making sure the Wick knights were out of earshot. "And perhaps some explanation for Adenine's impromptu vanishing act."

Gaufroi sighed. "The prince was devastated when she fled."

"It was practically an admission she was a Forester." Linota slapped herself on the forehead. "Got to admit, she didn't strike me as the thieving type, so no wonder we were never suspicious."

"I still say this is all one big misunderstanding!" Rikmai exclaimed. She squished her cheeks and sighed dreamily. "That was real love they shared, and no black-hearted thief could fake that kind of compassion she held for our Prince Erasmus."

Linota pouted. "How would you know?"

Rikmai laughed. "Just because I'm a hopeless romantic doesn't mean I don't have standards. You won't see me falling in love with a Forester. I know for a fact that Adenine got scared with all the attention on her and ran away."

Linota raised her brow. "So, care to explain why that seamstress came up with an enhanced move designed to blind and disorient everyone around her? Or the fact her umbrella was disguised to hide the fact it was basically a metal bat underneath?"

Rikmai waved her off. "I don't know what that chick's hobbies are. That's not proof, that's just eccentricities."

"Says the girl who proposes to every guy she meets."

"Oh hush!"

Gaufroi groaned as the girls bickered back and forth. As he dug into the sand, he glanced over his shoulder and glared at Darby's guard. The three didn't look like they were digging, just mindlessly prodding into the sand in an attempt to look busy. The only real work he saw them do was check the sand for broken glass. If anything, the only one showing any sort of emotion was the irate Arcanine.

It was a startling sight, but he remembered finding him and two waiters tied up in a supply closet. The waiters were drenched in cleaning chemicals and had to be hospitalized. The Arcanine (he believed his name was Lionel) was not only roughed up, but had a fork jammed through his left eye. There was no hope saving it, thus rendering him blind.

He was wearing an eyepatch with gauze wrapped around his head and yelling at his allies, complaining about some crazy chick like he did for the last few days. Gaufroi had every reason to believe the injury was inflicted by a Forester, but there was the issue he couldn't figure out.

Why did a single Forester specifically target a couple of waiters and one knight? And in such brutal fashion?

"Hmm…" Gaufroi turned back to the girls, who were still bickering. "Linota, Rikmai. A moment?"

They stopped and faced the Ursaring. "Something wrong, Gaufroi?" Linota asked.

He beckoned them closer, still looking over his shoulder to make sure the three knights weren't listening. "Something weird is going on here. I can't place what, but something doesn't add up."

Rikmai tilted her head. "How so?"

"This isn't the Foresters' normal behavior. Nothing that happened during the party makes any sense. Coming here to see the train system is one thing, but when have they ever targeted royals with such hostility?"

She shrugged. "Hey, when you do the same thing over and over, you're bound to snap and mix things up."

"These are the facts. Our prince was crushed by a chandelier because someone cut it, Prince Darby was viciously attacked while he was absent, and a knight and two waiters were ambushed. Why go through all that effort?"

Linota glared. "What are you saying?"

"I've been around for a long time. Call it an old knight's gut, but I'd feel better if we kept an eye on those three."

Rikmai raised her brow. "What are you suggesting exactly?"

Gaufroi shrugged and stood up. "I need to get the facts straight." He walked around the girls and headed for the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Linota asked.

"To find Prince Erasmus. I believe he's in his father's study. I'll wait for him there. I need to have a word with him." He stopped on the first couple steps to look at the Wick Knights.

They stopped their digging and met his gaze with neutral glares. Gaufroi narrowed his eyes at them before looking back at the girls. He gave them a quick nod before continuing up.

Linota crossed her arms. "I will never understand that guy."

"Me either," Rikmai agreed.

Darby finally found the correct position to recline in bed and relaxed himself under the covers. Granted, he was criminally bored, but not much to do when the gentlest movements cause him to seize up in pain. He attempted to sleep, or at least rest his eyes and daydream in hopes the pain will go away sooner.

No sooner than he started to drift into a pleasant daydream, his door creaked open. He opened one eye and saw the family physician enter. He smiled. "Ah, good day, Dr. Sappington. You are looking as lovely as—"

"Open." Darby recoiled as she flicked a pill into his mouth. As he coughed and wheezed, she opened her bag and pulled out some burn cream. "How are your injuries today?" she asked after squirting the cream into her hand.

Darby finally caught his breath and shot a glare at her. "Better than yesterday."

"Where does it hurt most?"

He hid a smirk. "Well, there is one area that could use some relief—AAHH!" She grabbed his wing and started rubbing the cream on. "C-Careful!"

"I see you're in good spirits," Sappington said nonchalantly.

He seized his wing from her and cradled it. "Are you trying to kill me or something?!"

She raised her brow. "Prince or not, I expect to be treated with a modicum of respect, so you can put aside the flirty behavior or you can let the body heal naturally without medication."

Darby hissed. "Devil woman…"

"I'm a noble. I've been called worse. Other wing, now." He grumbled, but obliged as he lifted his right wing to her. She applied the burn cream, this time more gently. "So, you got into a fight with the Fairy Knight? He must've had a vendetta against you."

"Something certainly set him off," Darby growled to the side.

He perked up as his door opened again. He was met with the pleasant sight of his favorite maid in Castle Talbot, Vanessa. She curtsied to the injured prince. "Lovely to see you today, Prince Darby."

"My dear Vanessa, your presence alone soothes these scars more than the burn cream~," he said.

Sappington glanced at him. "So, I'm guessing you don't want me to treat your chest next?"

He winced. "Uh, well, maybe not that soothing…"

"That's what I thought." She glanced over her shoulder. "Good afternoon, Vanessa."

"Hello, Lady Brinley," she greeted with a curtsy. "How is Darby doing?"

"Stubborn as yesterday, but he seems to be getting better." She pulled Darby's shirt up and rubbed the burn cream on it. "After this, I just need to give Prince Dimitri his pills and I'll be done for the day."

Vanessa smiled. "If you want, I can give him the pills. I was going to stop by his room to change out his bedsheets anyway."

"You sure? He's not exactly conscious."

"It's no trouble. I've had to wrestle with my younger siblings to take their medicine all the time. You do so much around here already, and I feel you could use the break." She waved it off. "Besides, I think I can handle feeding him a couple pills."

Brinley sighed. "I suppose I could use the break. Check my bag, they're in there somewhere." Vanessa bent down and rifled through her bag. "Just be careful when you feed them to him. You'll have to adjust his head and help him swallow. You wouldn't want him accidentally swallowing them into his windpipe."

Vanessa nodded. "I know what to do, ma'am." She pulled out the pills. "Got them!"

"Alright, I'm trusting you." She pulled Darby's shirt back down and pulled out a handkerchief to clean her hands. "That should ease the pain. Try not to move around too much. By tomorrow, hopefully you'll be well enough to walk."

Darby smiled. "A thousand thanks, Dr. Sappington. And if by chance you are interested, I could thank you some other—" He froze as the noble doctor gave him a warning glare over her shoulder. "Um, a fruit basket, p-perhaps?"

"I'll pass." She patted Vanessa's shoulder. "Remember, two pills."

"Yes, ma'am."

Brinley smiled wearily. "With that enthusiasm, you might have a potential career as a doctor, too." She gave them a half-wave and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Darby sighed in relief and pressed his head back into his pillow. "The less I see of her, the better." He smiled at Vanessa and beckoned her closer. "Dear Vanessa, come closer."

She smiled and approached his bedside. "Did I do a good job, darling?"

"Absolutely. I was right to ask for your help. No one has any reason to suspect an honest worker like you of trickery." He carefully lifted his wing and caressed her cheek. "Now, do you remember what we talked about? The plan?"

"I memorized every word, my love."

"Good, good. Do a good job, and I promise we'll be together forever." Darby narrowed his eyes as a pink glow emanated from them. "Does that not sound like paradise?"

Vanessa cradled his wing against her cheek and purred. "It sounds amazing, my love. I'll do anything for you."

"Hold out your hand." She obeyed, and Darby deposited two vials to her. "Give Dimitri his true medicine. The vial marked with the 'W' first. Wait a moment before giving him the other potion."

"What does it—" Darby shushed her before she could finish.

"No questions. Only listen."

"Only listen," Vanessa mumbled as a pink glow flashed off her eyes.

"Give Dimitri his medicine."

"Give Dimitri his…medicine."

"When you are caught, make sure to say the thing we discussed."

"Yes, my love…" She curtsied to him and walked out of the room with a dreamy smile on her face.

Darby reclined in bed again and laughed to himself. "Oh Dimitri. Sweet, naïve Dimitri. This is even better than my original plan."

Erasmus shifted uncomfortably in his seat as his parents stared him down. He knew sooner or later the topic of Adenine's disappearance would come up, but he had hoped to avoid the topic until he got some word back from her over it. It had only been three days, but he was hopeful a letter would wind up addressed to him explaining the situation.

You didn't always get what you wanted.

Gilbert sighed at the lack of response and pressed his paws together. "I suppose we should get the obvious out of the way. Did you know she was a Forester?"

"…She is not a Forester," Erasmus mumbled.

Gilbert shook his head. "Clearly not."

Constance frowned. "Son, understand we are not angry, but she could have been a serious security risk. We have not suffered a serious incident like this in several decades. If anyone knew a prince was in a relationship with a Forester and brought her to the castle—"

"She is not a Forester!" Erasmus snapped. He flinched from his own tone and retreated into his seat. "I…apologize for my outburst."

Gilbert narrowed his eyes. "I am sure she meant a lot to you, and I do believe she reciprocated those emotions. That was a tone of genuine affection for you. Still, with what transpired at the party and the lack of details for what started it, we cannot overlook the fact she may have infiltrated the castle for devious purposes."

"I understand…" the prince muttered.

"But what worries me the most is that you never once picked up on this. I understand you were aching over what happened to Melissa, but you should have been more careful with who you bring into your life—"

"I have known her for at least ten years."

Gilbert and Constance sputtered in shock. "W-What?!"

Erasmus lifted his head and glared at his parents. "We have been together for years."

"Erasmus!" Constance gasped. "But you were to be married to Princess Penworth a year ago. You were having an affair!"

"To be fair, I was not having an affair until you arranged the marriage," Erasmus said.

Gilbert narrowed his eyes. "Then why did you agree to it?"

"Because my duty as a prince must come first…even if I hated the decision," he mumbled to himself.

His father sighed and fell back into his seat, massaging his face. "Is there anything else we should know about?"

Nothing I want to admit at the moment. Erasmus shook his head. "No."

"Regardless, this makes it worse. You have known her for at least ten years, and you never once suspected she had other intentions."

"Father, it was a long time ago. I doubt she was a Forester then, and I still do not believe she is one now. There has to be more to this than we see. I just need to talk to her so we can clear this up."

"Forgive me if I need more than her word that this is a misunderstanding," Gilbert pressed on. "We were dealt a devasting blow by their actions, and I cannot risk you continuing conversation with her until these matters are resolved. We are still looking into why the Foresters staged an attack on us, but I will not have this investigation jeopardized by feelings alone."

"…" Erasmus looked away.

"If we are to find out that Adenine is indeed aligned with the Foresters, this will look bad on you for failing to do a proper look into her background, especially with ten years. It is not befitting of a king. Why else do you think there is controversy surrounding Castle Penworth? This exact lack of insight is what led to their defenses being penetrated and exploited. We do thorough background checks on those we allow into our lives, whether as staff or allies. It took a great deal of convincing many years ago for King Penworth to arrange a meeting with us. I had to double security for the occasion. Though travelers were free to enter our territory at the time, we have always been wary of outsiders, especially inside the capital. If word got out you have been fraternizing with a Forester—"

"I understand, Father," Erasmus said, bowing his head.

Constance placed her paw on Gilbert's shoulder. "Perhaps you should not be too harsh on him, dear."

Gilbert sighed. "I am not mad, Erasmus. I am just as worried for your safety as I am the rest of our kingdom. You are destined to become my heir. Or…were."

Erasmus lifted his head in surprise. "What?"

"Given the circumstances, I do not see fit to punish you for this oversight. Instead, I have to take certain measures once rumors inevitably flood the capital. Effective immediately, I am renouncing your right to the throne."

"…" Erasmus lowered his head.

"Normally, Dimitri would be next in line, but his current condition complicates matters. Since he is my third eldest, Galen will be appointed as my new heir when he is of age. Maybe one day I will give you your right to the throne back, but…" Erasmus raised his paw before his father could continue.

"You do not need to spell it out for me, Father. I understand."

Gilbert frowned. "I am sorry, my son."

"I am sorry, too." Erasmus slipped out of his chair and lumbered out of the study. He wasn't dismissed, but Gilbert didn't attempt to stop him as the door creaked shut behind the Glameow.

Gilbert sighed and buried his face into his paws. "I feel awful."

Constance scooted closer and wrapped her forelegs around him. "There, there, dear."

"Did I do the right thing?" he asked quietly.

"I do not know for sure, but do not fret. No matter what, Erasmus will never hold hate in his heart for you."

The Houndoom sighed. "You make it sound so simple…"

It was to be expected.

Though he continued to be in denial, Erasmus knew his parents would have something to say regarding his relationship with Adenine and the questionable revelations regarding her history. Taking away his right to the throne was just another thorn plucking into his skin, though he hoped it wouldn't come to pass.

He shook his head. I know Adenine better than most. She would not become a thief because she has a dark heart. But then why? Why did she flee? If she is a Forester, what possessed her to seek them out? He narrowed his eyes. She always did seem to speak vaguely when talking about her homelife. I barely know anything about her family aside from names.

Erasmus tried to deny it, but he couldn't stop his curious mind from rifling through the details.

She had to limit her visits from time to time. She told me that once. Strangely, her parents always allowed her to stay a lot longer when we were kids. She was staying with relatives. But there was a point where she stopped making her regular visits. No letters or anything for months. I was worried about her and kept sending her letters, but nothing. Nothing until I finally got a reply. That was a little under five years ago. I just told myself she was busy once I got the letter, but…

"Your Highness?"

Erasmus broke from his chain of thoughts and saw Gaufroi approaching him. "Ah, Gaufroi. Hello."

The Ursaring bowed to his charge. "I see you have finished your meeting with your parents. How did it go?"

He frowned and looked away. "As I expected, unfortunately."

"I see. My sincerest apologies."

Erasmus shook his head. "Save it, it was my own actions that brought this upon myself. Best I can do is spare them the details of your involvement, as well as the others. I would not want you four getting in trouble on my account."

Gaufroi shook his head. "Though I was employed to look after you by your parents, my loyalty will always be to you, Your Highness."

Erasmus smiled. "You always were a good friend, Gaufroi. I do thank you for at least trying to find Adenine after she escaped. I just wish I got a proper response from her."

"Actually, that is partially why I need to talk to you." Erasmus raised his brow at the old knight. "Something about what happened at the party isn't sitting well with me. There was too many things happening at once. Personal attacks, secret agendas, and a supposed assassination? The Foresters will launch a blind robbery on a city, but all for one express purpose."

"What are you saying?"

"This didn't seem like a normal operation. It was too unfocused, almost like the attack was unplanned. Rushed, even."

Erasmus glared. "Rushed?"

"The attack on Darby, the attempted assassination of Prince Dimitri, a group secretly infiltrating the party to see the train project for themselves, and a brutal assault on three unrelated victims. You can normally piece together their true intentions, but this was different. I don't think they ever planned to stage an attack."

"But why?"

"That I cannot answer without diving into speculation. Still, it calls into question certain actions. There may be a common link to all these events, and it points to one motive: a vendetta."

"A vendetta against who?"

Gaufroi glared. "I don't know, but there's something strange going on around here. Just what are we dealing with if not the obvious?"

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

Vanessa let herself into Dimitri's room and shut the door behind her. She walked up to Dimitri's bedside, where she saw he was still sleeping soundly in bed. She picked up the candle on the nightstand and struck it with a flint and steal laying beside it.

She smiled to herself before setting the two vials given to her down. She reached inside her apron and pulled out a capped needle.

"You've been through a lot, Prince Talbot. I'm terribly sorry for all the stress you've gone through," she whispered. "For what it's worth, I hold no ill-will toward you. I know you never meant to yell at or frighten me. I have Darby to thank for helping me understand."

She pulled the cork off the vial, uncapped the needle, and stuck it inside. She pulled on the plunger and slurped up nearly the entire vial. She pocketed the vial and squirted a little of the Wraith onto the bed.

"Darby is so kind. So amazing. So charming." A pink hue reflected off her eyes, and a dreamy smile formed over her lips. "I am really sorry, Prince Talbot, but Darby wants me to give you your medicine. I am glad you are sleeping, though. I do not want you to suffer."

She pulled the covers off of Dimitri and lifted his sleeve. She steadily aimed the needle at his foreleg before sticking it through. She pressed her thumb down on the plunger.

"You were a good prince, Prince Talbot. May you rest in peace and know you are doing a great service for my true love. I am blessed to have been in your service. Thank you for everything—"

BOOOOOM!

Minutes Earlier…

With her newfound assignment, Petra flew laps around Castle Talbot in search of any clues as ordered by Jason. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to be looking for, though. Aside from dodging the watchful eyes of the knights and getting distracted by delicious food out in the open, she hadn't seen much to warrant investigation.

"So hungry…" she groaned. She lingered in the air for a moment and held her grumbling stomach. "I need a snack."

She considered flying into the city and stealing an apple to quell her stomach. Or maybe stealing a pie. A delicious apple pie with gooey, warm, apply flavor and a crisp crust. She gawked at the imaginary pie forming in her mind, salivating as its imaginary scent filled her nose.

"Piiiiiie~," she hummed. With no time to waste, she turned and prepared to steal the fabled pie.

However, just before she darted off, she caught something in her peripherals. Upon lapping around the castle, she ended up just under the main checkmark she was ordered to survey: Prince Dimitri's room. Jason ordered her to check on him and make sure he was in good condition. Normally, she would just leave it be since he was probably still sleeping and concern herself with her pie cravings.

This time was different as there was light inside the room. It was hard to see with the sun out, but she definitely saw flickering candlelight in the room. She passed by the room a little while ago just after the doctor left, but maybe the doctor came back to check on Dimitri?

Petra whimpered as she looked between the window and city. "Pie? Moral duty? Pie? Moral duty? Pie? Moral duty?"

Her stomach growled louder at her, trying to persuade her to forget the mission and search for some pie. She hesitated, nearly following her stomach's grumbling orders, but a little voice in the back of her mind spoke over her stomach.

Just check really quick. Maybe it's an update on his condition. Just check, hear what needs to be heard, and get that pie!

Petra shuddered in disappointment, but followed her head and flew up to the window. She latched onto the windowsill and peeked inside. The first thing she saw was an Indeedee maid standing next to Dimitri's bed, not the family doctor. She noticed she had a needle in her hand.

Huh? Is she giving him medicine? Petra frowned. Wait, I thought they were feeding him his medicine. Why is she using a needle?

"Darby is so kind. So amazing. So charming." Petra's eyes widened as she heard the maid speak. She watched her squirt the medicine onto the bed. "I am really sorry, Prince Talbot, but Darby wants me to give you your medicine. I am glad you are sleeping, though. I do not want you to suffer."

Darby? Medicine? Suffer?! Petra's jaw dropped. That's not medicine. That's not medicine! HOLY SHIT, that's not medicine!

She gasped as the maid lifted Dimitri's sheets and stuck the needle into his foreleg. She fluttered away from the window and gripped her head, flying circles as she tried to figure out what to do.

She's going to kill him, she's going to kill him! But if I go in there and stop her, someone might capture me! Oooh, but the prince might die if I don't. What do I do?!

Petra did the one thing she was good at when no other option was available: she went with her gut.

Oh sweet Arceus, please let someone hear this! Petra clapped her hands together and channeled a mass of orange energy between them. She gulped and aimed it at the wall.

"Hyper Beam!"

Minutes Earlier…

Darby stared up at the ceiling with a smirk sitting upon his beak. He was waiting for it. He was waiting for the exact moment where his plan went into action, and all the pain he endured would've been worth it.

"If only you knew how far I was willing to go to obtain that throne," Darby mumbled to himself. "Poor Dimitri, you just got too curious for your own good, yet I commend you for figuring it out sooner than your far more perceptive brother. A shame the wheel of destiny has decided to make you the pawn when I was willing to do it myself. After all, how would the Wick Kingdom react if their precious prince was the victim of an attempted assassination?

"True, I would have to endure the horrible effects of that vile poison, but at least I am the only one with access to the antidote. You could have played the hero, Dimitri, and become the beloved prince instead of your brother. Instead, you decided to stick your nose in my business, and that made you the perfect pawn. How funny that you would end up helping the Foresters only to become the symbol of their destruction."

Darby folded his wings over his stomach and laughed to himself. It hurt to laugh, but he didn't care. He felt like laughing.

"You really have no idea what is really going on, Dimitri, and you never will. All of this is bigger than you can imagine, and getting rid of you puts the Tetrarch family one step closer to overthrowing the rest of your family. And then, I will inherit the throne. My true throne."

BOOOOOM!

Darby jumped with a start at the sound of a distant explosion. "What the hell?!"

Mere seconds earlier…

Serell yawned as he marched through the castle halls, nothing to do but his usual patrol. He considered going back to the foyer to help with the investigation, but he didn't feel like digging through sand and picking particles out of his wings.

"Man, this week has been nuts," he said to himself. "I need a vacation, especially after dealing with that freaky Lycanroc. I hope I never see her again." He looked off to the side thoughtfully. "I wonder if I can ask for time off and catch a boat to Alola? Nah, the beach would remind me of the foyer—"

He staggered to the sound of an explosion, and a close one from how loud it was. He shook off his mood and ran down the hall, banging on doors with his halberd as he passed them. He stopped after the third door upon seeing dust seeping out from under one of them. His heart stopped as he finally took in which hallway he was actually in.

"The prince!"

He fluttered his wings and bolted straight for the injured prince's room. He aimed his halberd and fired a Mystical Fire through it, incinerating the door off its hinges. He dropped in and waved the smoke awake before gasping at the gaping hole right where the bedroom window was. Based on the debris scattered inside the room, he determined the blast must have come from outside.

"Who was flying around the prince's room this high…up?" Serell finally noticed the other occupant in the room, who was crouched next to Dimitri's bed.

The Indeedee maid poked her head up, shakily staring at the hole in the wall. Serell blinked as his eyes traveled down her body before spotting the needle in her hand. Blood dripped off the tip, almost like she just pulled it out after being startled by the explosion.

The two met gazes for a brief moment until Vanessa remembered she was still holding the needle. She blinked and looked back up at Serell with a concerned look. "I…I can explain—"

It only took Serell three seconds to realize what happened. He and his fellow guard were looking over Dimitri while the family doctor checked on him, and he knew for a fact she was only giving him pain meds in the form of pills. The realization caused Serell's blood to boil and his wings to beat fiercely.

"YOU!"

Serell lunged through the air and tackled Vanessa off her feet. He pinned his halberd against her neck and pushed her against the wall, causing her feet to strike the nightstand. Unbeknownst to either of them, the second vial rolled over and fell down, disappearing under the bed.

Vanessa wheezed as she struggled to push the halberd off. "C-Can't…breathe…"

Serell snarled. "What did you do to him?!"

BOOOOOOOM!

Erasmus and Gaufroi jumped to the distant explosion. The Ursaring knight looked over his shoulder and yelled, "That sounded like it came from the floor above us."

Erasmus twitched his ears as he tried to listen in on the commotion. He heard something going on upstairs followed by rhythmic banging. His eyes widened, realizing where the sound came from.

"Dimitri's room." He bounced off his paws and raced to the stairwell with Gaufroi tailing after him.

Erasmus and Gaufroi burst through the broken down bedroom and were met with the startling sight of Serell assaulting the maid. Gaufroi immediately grabbed the Togetic and pulled him away from Vanessa, who dropped to the ground and broke into a fit of coughs.

"Dammit Serell, what the hell are you doing?!" Gaufroi growled.

Serell pointed at Vanessa. "Ask her. I saw her injecting something into the prince!"

Erasmus' eyes widened. "What?!"

Vanessa pushed herself up on the bed and rubbed her throat. "Oh Arceus…" she groaned.

Erasmus approached her, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Vanessa? What is going on here? Is what Serell said true? What did you do to my brother?"

Vanessa looked away from his stare for a moment. A pink flash shined over her eyes before she glared back at him. "Finishing what we started."

"W-We?"

Vanessa stood rigid and placed her fist against her heart. "This is a message from the Foresters! To all royals who stand against us!"

The trio gasped. Gaufroi let Serell slip from his grasp as his arms fell to his sides. "The…Foresters?"

"No longer will we be subjugated by your rule! This is a message from us! We will strike back and tear down your monarchies by force, claiming your riches for ourselves! We will stop at nothing until the land is reduced to chaos!"

Erasmus stuttered over his words as tried to make sense of her declaration. "W-What are… this is…" He glanced at Dimitri, wondering what vile concoction had been injected into his brother. And Vanessa, who had been loyal to Castle Talbot for years? Why her?

He wanted to seek a reason. He wanted to understand why. He wanted to hear what the Talbots did to deserve this underhanded display of malice.

But he couldn't. His vision was clouded in a sudden haze of red.

Gaufroi and Serell sensed a shift in Erasmus. His fur stood on end, his claws crawled out from his paws and dug into the wood floor, and a seething growl bellowed deep in his throat. It was a look unlike anything they've witnessed from the eldest prince, someone who was normally composed and confident when faced with adversity.

He stared at Vanessa with hatred.

"Serell. Take her to the dungeon. Now," Erasmus ordered in a cold tone.

Serell didn't hesitate to oblige, even though he shivered at the cat's tone. He seized Vanessa's wrists and bent them behind her back. "Vanessa Rousseau, you are under arrest for the attempted assassination of Prince Dimitri Talbot. May Arceus have mercy on your soul for the punishment that awaits you when judgment is passed." He shoved her out of the room.

Gaufroi watched them leave down the hall before turning back to Erasmus. He walked up to Dimitri's bedside and grazed his cheek with the back of his paw. There was hate burning in his eyes still, but tears flowed gently down his face. Gaufroi carefully approached him.

"Your Highness, I—"

"Inform Dr. Sappington at once," Erasmus ordered.

"Of…course, Your Highness."

"Get my parents and have them inform the knights for an emergency inspection of all members of the staff." Erasmus clenched his teeth. "This…is a declaration of war."

Petra quickly flew away from the castle and took off into the sky. For the first time in a long while, she ignored the growling pains of her stomach and buzzed her wings as fast as she possibly could, slicing through the air in a hurried effort to get back to the Forbidden Forest.

"This is bad. This is really bad!"