I actually got it out on time! Sorry I got it out so late. I've been on the road literally all day.

Hubert typically liked to leave the diplomatic stuff to Ferdinand. He was the one who enjoyed talking to people. He was the one who enjoyed tea parties. He was the one who could make people like him with just a smile.

So Hubert didn't really have a reason to follow him into what used to be Alliance territory. But something about that area rubbed him the wrong way.

They were going to meet a lesser lord near Goneril, and with Hilda dead, maybe he was just scared that something would happen to Ferdinand. Hubert didn't doubt that the ginger could defend himself, but with those who slither in the dark still at work, he would take any chance.

The two arrived in the early evening and were greeted at the gate. "Prime Minister von Aegir, I presume?"

"Correct. And you must be Lord Henry. I thank you for allowing us to meet here." He gestured to Hubert. "This is Hubert von Vestra, the Imperial Minister of the Emperor."

"My, such a high title you own. It's an honor to be in your presence."

"No flattery is necessary. But thank you." Hubert continued to glare at the man.

He averted his gaze, clearing his throat. "Well then, dinner is nearly ready. I'll have your bags taken upstairs if you two will follow me."

"Thank you." Ferdinand smiled, linking arms with Hubert as they followed Lord Henry. It wasn't until he was out of earshot that he dropped his smile, pulling Hubert down to his height so he could whisper in his ear. "Will you please get that look off your face?"

Hubert smirked just to irk him. "What look?"

"You know good and well what I am talking about. You look as if you are plotting his murder."

"Who's to say I'm not?"

"Hubert…"

"Is something the matter, Prime Minister?"

Ferdinand's head snapped up, his usual smile falling back on his face. "Not at all. It's just that the Imperial Minister is not used to these diplomatic meetings."

"I don't mind. In fact, I think he's doing quite well."

"You hear that, Hubert? You are doing a wonderful job." The two sat down, but Lord Henry did not. Ferdinand simply looked at him.

Lord Henry smiled. "Don't worry your pretty little head, Prime Minister. I'm just going to check on the cooks. I requested that dinner be out here. I'm sorry for this terrible service."

"No, it's alright. Take your time." The ginger waited until Henry left before he turned to the man on his right. "Now, you were saying?"

"I don't trust this man."

"Dear, we have only been here for a few minutes. What is there to not trust?"

"For one, he's not hiding his attempts to flirt with you-"

Ferdinand laughed. "What? Are you jealous?"

Hubert ignored his jab. "I also sent spies here a few weeks ago and I still haven't heard anything from any of them."

His smile dropped. "How many did you send?"

"Four."

"...Oh."

"Mind you, they weren't my best-trained spies, but for all four of them to possibly end up dead is suspicious."

"But I cannot let him know that we are suspicious of him."

"That's my job. Your job is just that. Make sure he does know I'm onto him. And stay on your toes."

Ferdinand placed a quick on his cheek. "I will."

"Here we are." The two turned to see Henry and his kitchen staff walk in. Henry himself placed a teacup in front of Ferdinand. "I've heard that you like tea. I hope that Almyran Pine Needle will suffice." His hand brushed against Ferdinand's.

He didn't fail to notice how it lingered. "It is one of my favorites. Thank you." He went to take a sip, but Hubert kicked his foot under the table. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes as the food was placed in front of him. It looked to be pheasant, another one of his favorites. "How did you know that I like this?"

"Count Gloucester talks about you a lot."

Ferdinand couldn't help but smile. "Oh, Lorenz." He put the teacup up to his lips, making sure that none of it got in his mouth. "So, you wanted to discuss creating a trade route from Enbarr to out here?"

"Yes. At our last council meeting, Count Gloucester mentioned all the resources coming from Emperor Edelgard and I noticed that we didn't have the same resources."

"I see. We initially made that choice because your land of rule isn't that inhabited compared to other regions around you. Has Lorenz not been giving you proper supplies? That doesn't sound like him at all." He felt Hubert draw a symbol on his thigh. He waited.

The food was good to eat. He took a bite, holding back a moan of delight.

Henry seemed to notice. "I take it as you enjoy the food."

Ferdinand blushed. "Oh, yes. I am sorry if I made you think otherwise." He felt Hubert draw another symbol on his thigh. His smile dropped.

The tea was poisoned.

He gently pushed the cup away from him before engaging in some small talk with Henry. This continued for about thirty minutes before they had finished and then dessert came out. Saghert and cream; yet another one of his favorites. It was starting to worry him, but it wasn't poisoned, so he dug in.

He was about halfway through eating when Henry stood, moving to stay behind Ferdinand. He grabbed a piece of his hair, twirling it around his finger. "Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful hair?"

Ferdinand tried to control his breathing. Hubert squeezed his hand under the table. "Thank you, Henry."

"You know…everything about you is just breathtaking." He moved his hand to Ferdinand's shoulder. "And so is that Crest of yours." Ferdinand felt a prick in his neck. "You knew the tea was poisoned. Why couldn't you be a good little Prime Minister and just drink it?"

Hubert was quick to move, readying a spell in his hand. Henry smirked. "I don't think I asked you to interfere, Imperial Minister." He fired a silence spell, hitting Hubert square in the chest. The raven-haired man growled, but no sound came out.

"Hubert!" Ferdinand stood, grabbing a dagger from his belt, brandishing it towards Henry. "Who are you?"

"My name is of no importance to you. But your Crest is."

"...You're a slitherer, aren't you?"

"I am. And we desire your Crest. Ever since Saint Cichol went into hiding, we've been at a standstill. You will help us greatly."

"You have to catch me first." Ferdinand lunged, striking Henry across the arm. He didn't even flinch.

"The poison is quickly depleting you of your strength. With no backup, you'll be ours soon enough." He fired a spell at Ferdinand, who easily dodged.

"You would do well to not underestimate me." He threw the dagger, striking Henry in the stomach before he grabbed another one, tackling Henry to the ground. "Tell me where your base of operations and we may consider taking you back as a prisoner."

"Over my dead body, Prime Minister. You've been a lovely guest, but I'm taking you back dead or alive." He fired a spell, knocking the ginger off of him, but not before Ferdinand could bury the dagger deep in the Agarthan's chest.

He hit the floor not far from Hubert, who instantly kneeled beside him. He lifted his head, checking for any injuries before pulling a vial out of his pocket. He then lifted up the younger man and warped away.

The first thing Ferdinand heard when he woke up was voices. He groaned, squinting against the harsh light of the sun. The voices instantly stopped and someone moved to grab his hand. He turned his head. "...Hubie?"

"Take it easy, Ferdinand. That was a strong poison you were injected with. Between the antidote I gave you and Linhardt's magic, you should be fine in a couple of hours."

"Where are we?"

"We're back in Enbarr. I warped us there."

"...Are you okay?"

Hubert couldn't help but chuckle. "You were the one who got poisoned and you're worried about me?" He kissed the back of Ferdinand's hand. "I'm a little tired, but nothing a cup of coffee can't handle."

"Keep an eye on him, Hubert. I'll let you know if I hear anything from Lorenz."

"Thank you, Lady Edelgard." After she left, Hubert let out a breath. "You had me worried. You broke out into a fever after I warped you here."

"I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"Everything? For not listening to you about Henry and for worrying you."

"We're courting. It's my job to worry about you. It's also my job to be skeptical of everyone I meet. You did nothing wrong. In fact, you reacted quickly. Henry was right. If you didn't react as quickly as you did, he may have taken you…and it wouldn't have been easy to find you."

Ferdinand weakly squeezed his hand back. "I can handle myself. Besides…I do not need to add more to your worries. You'll have wrinkles before you turn thirty."

"Between you and Edelgard, I'll be gray before either of us retire."

"Us? Retire? What would Edelgard do with herself if we did that?" The two of them laughed before Ferdinand yawned. "I'm exhausted. Can I go back to sleep?"

"I'll be right here when you wake up." It didn't take long for Ferdinand to fall back asleep, but he was awake enough to feel long arms wrap around his midsection and a kiss on the top of his head.

Again, sorry for the kinda crappy writing. This is all very last minute, but I couldn't pass up. Stay tuned for tomorrow and see you guys l8tr!