Esteban hissed as another sharp pain ripped through his left arm. He waited for the ache to pass then placed his quill aside to rub his jaw and neck. They and his back were quite sore and had been for most of the day. He also had a fierce bout of indigestion and pressure on his chest, but chalked it up to the spices the royal cook had used in his breakfast.

Pain and discomfort were nothing to the chancellor of Avalor as he'd experienced both throughout the years. They'd grown more frequent as he aged.

Abuelo was right, he mused. Getting old isn't for the faint of heart.

Esteban stood from his desk and walked over to the window. The view of the city from the palace was breathtaking, but it did little to ease his anxiety. He scanned the scenery for any signs of discontent, but nothing seemed to be amiss, at least that he could see.

Esteban had done his best to lay low and avoid Shuriki. It'd worked for the most part, but the day was still young and the witch had a knack for popping up out of nowhere, and when he least expected.

A subtle knock on the door drew his attention from the window. "Come in."

Doña Ximena Perez entered. "I brought the vials you asked for. Take one in the morning when you wake and the other before bed. Do not take them with an empty stomach or you will dry heave, get a migraine, and likely have to visit the infirmary for a clensing of the belly and bowels which I know wouldn't be a pleasant experience for either of us."

Esteban nodded and thanked the royal apothecary before taking the two tiny vials she handed him. He'd hoped to keep his declining health a secret, but Shuriki came in as he was tucking them into his coat pocket.

The witch had a suspicious mind. She eyed Ximena. "What is in those vials?"

"Something to help the chancellor with his indigestion," the apothecary replied.

Ximena was one of the few people who didn't fear Shuriki's wrath. She crossed her arms and gave Shuriki a less than amused expression refusing to fear the witch. Esteban had always admired her for that and wished he had half as much courage.

Shuriki glowered at Ximena who stared back unphased.

The witch jerked her head toward the door. "Get out."

Ximena refused to curtsy for Shuriki, but offered Esteban a polite nod before she turned and left. He watched her go, wishing that he had somewhere else to be, knowing Shuriki would focus on him again once the royal healer was gone.

Shuriki held out her hand. "Vials. Now."

Esteban frowned. "No. I need them."

"I know those aren't for indigestion. The liquid inside would be amethyst in color if it was. Whatever's in those glasses isn't for digestion of any kind. You're hiding something. What is it you're not telling me, Esteban?"

Esteban scowled. "My health is none of your concern. In forty-one years, you never once took an interest in anybody else's well-being or private affairs if it didn't effect you or your reign, so why start now?"

Shuriki squared up to him. "Your health is my concern, and I have always known your whereabouts, your actions, and the company you kept. Do you truly believe anything happens around here without me knowing about it?"

Esteban glared at her. "So you admit to spying on me?"

"As if you wouldn't have done the same in my position," she retorted. "You and I both know you have spies of your own in the palace."

"Had," he corrected. "You've terrified the servants. They're so afraid that they will not go near you. I've had to double their pay - triple in some cases - just to have a staff to maintain the palace. It's the same with the guards. I'm too busy taking care of Avalor and Isa to concern myself with your private affairs, and unlike you, I do not have the means to afford spies. I've put all my personal funds and resources into furthering our kingdom's interests and the betterment of its welfare."

"I want those vials," Shuriki growled.

"You're not getting them," he snapped.

Esteban tried to put distance in-between Shuriki and himself, but she was quicker than him. He'd only taken a couple steps when she caught up to him and grabbed him by the collar of his jacket. The next thing Esteban knew, she had him shoved up against his desk, rummaging through his coat pocket.

She pulled out the vials and released him. Esteban was forced to grab the desk just to avoid sliding down onto the floor. He tried his best to appear unaffected by her actions, but doing so was difficult as her sheer strength still surprised him.

He watched Shuriki remove the cork off one of the vials and sniff at its contents. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "That is not for indigestion. This is a medicinal concoction for the heart." Realization caused her eyes to widen. "Esteban, is your heart giving out?"

Esteban refused to answer. He looked away instead. He'd rather die than give her the satisfaction of knowing she was right. Esteban didn't have the time or the patience to listen to her gloat.

His sudden bout of bravado came to an abrupt end when he saw her open up the other vial and pour the contents of both out onto the floor.

Esteban fell onto his knees in front of the now stained rug. He stared at the spilled contents shocked by the sheer cruelty of the woman in front of him. She'd denied him the one thing in existence that might have prolonged his life.

Esteban felt himself giving into despair. "You've condemned me to death." It was too much. All of the anger and pain he'd kept bottled up and locked away within himself for decades boiled over.

"I hate you!"

He lunged at the witch catching her off guard. Shuriki gasped as Esteban leapt back up and grabbed her by the throat. She saw the rage burning in his eyes as he slammed her against his desk and felt it when he began to tighten his grip on her neck.

She grabbed onto his wrists, but his sheer ferocity and the fact he'd caught her unawares gave him the advantage.

Shuriki realized he'd misread her intent. Esteban's reaction was one brought forth by misunderstanding. She'd went about things the wrong way, and in doing so, the lack of an explanation had pushed the poor man too far.

She didn't want to hurt him, but he'd strangle her if she didn't retaliate, so she kneed him in the solar plexus. It worked. Esteban's hands released her throat. She saw him double over in pain. Esteban hit the floor clutching his belly.

"Have you taken complete leave of your senses?" she snarled, rubbing her sore throat to rid it of the marks his fingers had left.

Her fury fizzled out when she saw how her decisions were affecting him. She'd crushed his spirit in every way possible without meaning to and it showed in his eyes. There were no traces of the man he had once been. Only anguish and sorrow remained. Nothing else.

Tears, salty, silent, and stinging, ran down his face. His voice broke under the weight of them as he spoke. "If you have one shred of affection for me left in your heart, you'll cease this torment, and put an end to my suffering."

Shuriki's expression softened. "I can't do that, Esteban. Don't ask me to take your life. Letting you go is the one thing I'll never do."

Esteban closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Then you've never loved me."

Shuriki started to protest but he cut her off.

"If you won't put an end to this hell," he whispered, "I will."

Her eyes widened when he drew the dagger his abuelo had given him, the blade he'd worn to their wedding, and severed the carotid artery in his throat with a single, swift diagonal motion.