Got my first bad table today at work -_- luckily I had a lot of support at the time and my other guests were very understanding. Overall, today was okay~

Well, it's that time again! Time for me to give you another chapter of Kismet!

Kismet

Chapter Twenty-Six: Carnations

Lunch was being served outside and Lovino sat down in front of Antonio, who was already there, "Lovi~? You're usually here before me … did you get caught up talking to Femke or something?"

"No. I was talking to Savino." he growled, the bad feeling returning.

Antonio grabbed his hand, "Are you okay? Did he say anything to upset you?" Lovino shrugged, "It's nothing. I was just reminded of my father and got angry."

The Sverran king nodded, "I see~" he kissed Lovino. Lovino felt his anger melt and he kissed the older man back.

A servant walked up and Lovino thought it odd that it wasn't Femke or Savino bringing the food. The girl set down Antonio's tray and then Lovino's. She smiled sweetly, "Is there anything else you need?" Lovino shook his head and turned to the food. The girl nodded and went to walk away, but she tripped, catching herself on the table.

"I'm so sorry! How clumsy of me!" she reached over his food to make sure everything was okay, "Again, I'm sorry!" she said, turning to walk away.

Lovino rolled his eyes and picked up a piece of tomato and popped it into his mouth and slowly chewed.

"That was interesting …" Antonio laughed lightly, eating a little bit of his own food. The Illonian nodded, "Yeah. I just wonder why Femke wasn't the one to bring lunch … or Savino for that matter."

Antonio shrugged, and continued eating. Lovino finished his food and frowned at the weird after taste. He sipped his wine to rid himself of the taste.

"How has your day been so far, my love~?"

Lovino shrugged, "I spent most of the morning reading in the library and walking through the tomato field, thinking. You?" he sipped more of his wine, feeling slightly hot. Sweat formed on his forehead and he wiped it away. Antonio seemed fine and the weather was actually really cool today.

"The usual~ thank you for asking, Lovi~ I did have some issues with a farmer, though. Said his neighbor was stealing his livestock!" he shook his head laughing.

"Stupid … who really cares about that kind of thing, anyway?" Lovino wiped away more sweat and he began to shiver. Why was it suddenly so cold? He tried to steady his breath, but his heart rate picked up and he shook his head.

"Well, some people need them to make a living, Lovi~ if his neighbor was really taking the animals, he would make less money and not be able to support himself while his neighbor would be getting all that the farmer was supposed to earn."

Lovino looked up at Antonio and his vision blurred, refocused and blurred again. He was finding it hard to breathe, "S-so … s-stu …" he grabbed his head and felt like he was spinning in circles.

" … -ovi?" he looked up but couldn't see anything but vague shapes, "-i! Lo-"

He fell out of his chair and felt the contents of his stomach rise passed his lips and onto the ground. A darkness crept into his vision and he collapsed, succumbing to it.

Antonio jumped from his chair and knelt beside his Lovi, "Lovino! Speak to me!" he pressed his hand to his face and found it to be cold and clammy to the touch. Fear rose in him and he picked up the unconscious man in his arms and ran inside, alerting the first servant he saw to find the medic immediately.

He carried Lovino up to their room and placed him in the bed and grabbed his hand. Lovino's chest rose and fell irregularly and it seemed to pain him to keep breathing.

"Hold on, my love …" he pleaded quietly, wiping Lovino's sweat soaked locks from his face.

The medic burst into the room and pushed Antonio aside to check over Lovino. Antonio bit his lip and felt his heart throb painfully. He couldn't lose his Lovi! Not now. Not ever.

The man sighed and looked at Antonio, "Your majesty, I have no idea what is wrong with him. He has no fever, but he still shivers and sweats. His pupils are dilated and moving quickly. His breathing is irregular and so is his heartbeat." he looked down to Lovino, whom was wincing in his unconscious state, "He may have been poisoned, but unless I know what kind, I don't know how to cure it." he set out a small bottle, "This should help keep his heart rate and breathing normal, but … he will die no matter what is done for him." he left the room.

Antonio stared down at Lovino and felt rage build up inside him. The rage quickly dissipated and was replaced with something darker. He wanted to find whoever had poisoned his Lovi. He wanted to see their blood painting the walls of his throne room. He wanted to hear their screams.

A light knock came form the door and he reluctantly left Lovino's side to open the door. Femke stood there with Savino behind her. Her face was red and puffy with tears, "Please tell me it's not too late?"

She rubbed at her red wrists. Her eyes scanned Antonio's face and more tears welled up in her eyes, "I-it is …"

"What do you know?" he growled darkly, ready to forget she was Lovino's best friend and rip her apart for information.

"I was … I was on my way to pick up lunch like usual, but I was stopped in the halls by some man. He was smiling and happy, but there was ill will in his eyes as he tied me up and told some girl to make sure the poison got to Lovino … I was hoping to stop it, but they left me tied up. Savino happened to find me." she finally broke down and began sobbing, "Please tell me he isn't dead at least?"

Antonio growled and let her in to see Lovino. He returned to his side and grabbed his hand. Femke saw the man, so she would be able to point out who did this to his lover. Antonio smiled, already excited about the taste of blood on his axe again.

Lovino shifted and rolled over coughing. A mixture of saliva and blood dribbled from his mouth and Antonio clenched his fist, his anger becoming unbearable, "Watch him. I need to find something."

Femke and Savino nodded. She took to cleaning his face and Savino ran to grab some water for her.

Antonio began ripping open Lovino's dresser drawers until he found a carved wooden box he knew Lovino kept his prized possessions in, including his gold stash. He broke the latch and grabbed a leather skin from the box. After opening it up, he moved the dagger and grabbed a small vile of red liquid and dropped the box to the floor now that he had what he needed.

Femke moved away from Lovino and watched as Antonio popped the cork from the vile and poured the liquid down Lovino's throat.

Silence engulfed the room, except for Lovino's ragged breathing. He slowly stopped shaking and his breathing evened out. Antonio lifted his head and laid it down in his lap, thanking every god, spirit and elf he could think of. He owed them his everything.

Lovino's eyes fluttered open and he groaned, "Antonio? Wha … what happened?"

Lovino looked up into his eyes and felt fear as he saw the dark look, "Someone tried to take your life."

The Illonian felt his blood run cold. Some one tried to kill him? He racked his brain but couldn't remember anything before standing in the field with his thoughts on his mother.

He felt something hit his face and he looked up at the tears falling from Antonio's eyes, "I almost lost you …" he whispered, pulling Lovino closer to him, "I'm so sorry! I should have been more careful. I shouldn't have let you eat that food."

Lovino just blinked, confused, and still in shock that someone had tried to kill him. He felt queasy just thinking about it.

"I promise I'll find the person responsible and make them pay for this act of treason." he kissed Lovino softly and lovingly, relishing that it wouldn't be their last.

He rose from the bed, taking Lovino with him, "Femke, you're coming with me. Savino, spread the word. I want everyone in the castle to make their way to the courtyard and I want guards stationed everywhere." Savino nodded and ran off to carryout the order. Antonio carried Lovino in his arms and Lovino dozed off, feeling the wear from the healing potion working to heal all the damage done by the poison. Femke followed closely behind.

Antonio stepped onto a balcony overlooking the courtyard and he looked down at the many confused faces.

He looked down at his sleeping Lovino and smiled lightly, then he looked back into the crowd, "Some one thought it would be funny or smart to play the dangerous game of Treason." the people began talking amongst themselves, whispering about things Antonio didn't care about, "They thought themselves bold to poison their future queen." the whispering grew louder, "Luckily, death is not the case. He survived, like the strong angel he is." he smiled down at the sleeping Illonian in his arms, "But let me make something extremely clear to everyone here: I will find those responsible. I will see them hang … or worse …" the king grinned with blood lust, "And I will enjoy it. No one messes with anything that belongs to me and gets away with it. No one."

He looked at Femke, "Is the man or woman in this crowd?" her eyes scanned again and she let her brow furrow, "No … I don't see them …"

Antonio nodded, "Don't worry, I'll find them." he turned away and walked back to his room. His first priority was Lovino's well being, the second was writing the elf and procuring more of the potion that seemed to come in handy.

Femke locked up the king's bedroom and let the others know that Antonio didn't want to be disturbed, before going to find her mother.

The king laid Lovino down on the bed and stripped him of his robe and boots, did the same for himself and climbed into the bed beside him. Antonio wrapped his arms around Lovino protectively. The guards had the description Femke gave them and were searching the entire vicinity to locate the ones responsible.

He pressed a kiss to Lovino's neck and closed his eyes, but kept alert.

Days passed, but the culprits were not caught. However, everyone was under suspicion and tasters were the last to touch Lovino's food.

Lovino thought it was a little overkill, but Antonio had become ten times more protective over Lovino. He was always to have a guard by his side if he wasn't with Antonio. No one was allowed to approach him unless they were familiar with him, such as Femke, Savino, Christian, or Tessa.

The Illonian spent most of his days sitting in Antonio's office, reading or writing to Lukas or Tino.

Francis sent the occasional letter to let them know how Jeanne was doing and wanting to know how his 'little brother' Lovino was doing.

Lovino awoke one morning on his own. Femke had not waken him and Antonio wasn't in the bed either. He growled to himself and slipped on his clothing and the circlet and he stepped from the room and was greeted by his guard.

"His Majesty had requested that you meet him for lunch when you awake," the guard muttered, "I'll take you to where he is at." Lovino nodded. His relationship with Antonio had become slightly rocky ever since the incident, what with Antonio taking away some of his freedoms. He could still go where ever he wanted, but he felt like a bird in a large cage. He had the room to move, but he still was stuck.

It was beginning to get to him and causing a small build up of resentment for the king.

They walked silently for a moment, but Lovino began to get annoyed quickly, "What the hell is his problem today, anyway? I mean … he gets up, eats breakfast and goes about his day like nothing's up, but leaves me in bed? I have stuff to do too you know!" he crossed his arms when the guard said nothing. "And what about you? I'm sure you'd rather be off doing anything else than be stuck babysitting me? I would be so bored of just standing around while I read or nap or eat. I'd probably have to fucking kill myself." he growled in annoyance with no reaction, "You're lucky I'm not a huge dick or else I would make your job exceedingly difficult for you. I could run off and hide because you're never actually looking at me. I could … fall behind some, maybe just run. I'm a really fast runner. Out ran anyone I knew when I was younger. I could out run you, too. I think I'll-HEY! Put me down!"

He hadn't expected the guard to lift him and fling him over his shoulder, "Try running now." he laughed, "The king says you are never to be alone for your own safety, so please, don't make things difficult for us."

Lovino began kicking and screaming, "I order you to put me down! This instant!"

The guard simply laughed, "I'm sorry, but my orders come directly from the king and since it involves your safety, they can not be overridden."

The Illonian glared and his face was bright red with embarrassment. "But I will let you down if you behave yourself. No more talk of running away?"

Lovino said nothing, but the guard let him down anyway, "Good. I'm glad we've come to an agreement." they walked the rest of the way in silence, Lovino being completely humiliated.

But he had to admit, at least the guard said something. That made him more human than he was before, so that was progress.

The guard finally stopped at a large door and opened it up. Lovino walked into the room and looked around. There was a cake sitting on a table off to the side, but there was nothing else. He turned back and saw his guard just standing against the door, "So where is he?"

No answer. Lovino rolled his eyes and looked around the room. He stepped towards the cake and looked at it. It was a simple vanilla one with a sugar glaze. His finger slid along the side and he brought the icing to his lips, tasting the sweet glaze.

He jumped when arms grabbed him from behind. The Illonian yelped and slammed his head backwards. The arms let go and he heard a familiar deep voice cry out in pain.

"Ouch!" he turned to see Antonio clutching his jaw, "Your head hurts my face …"

Lovino frowned, "Then don't scare me like that, bastard!" he crossed his arms and turned away in embarrassment. Antonio chuckled and pulled him into a hug, pressing a kiss to his temple.

Tessa, Savino and Femke also walked out of their hiding places, carrying a couple packages, "Happy birthday Lovino!" all four said in unison.

Lovino blushed. That's right, he thought, it's my 'birthday'. He received hugs from Femke and Tessa, who kissed his cheek, "You're growing too fast! It feels like it was only yesterday Antonio brought you to my room, asking me to get you all cleaned up …" tears welled up in her eyes and she crushed Lovino against her again. He smiled, hugging her back.

After a moment of congratulations on his sixteenth year, they offered up gifts. Lovino was told to sit on the plush sofa as Tessa handed him her gift. He opened it and was confused to find a carnation hairpin lying in the box. He lifted it and frowned lightly, still puzzled, "A carnation hair pin?"

Tessa smiled warmly, "Carnations mean many things. A white one," she touched the fabric carnation, "usually means luck and innocence, sweetness and purity, the red one means love and admiration, such as the kind you feel for Antonio and the pink ones mean that you'll never forget the one you love." she looked back down at the hairpin. The one with the larger fabric white carnation, surrounded by smaller pink and red ones, "I would like to see you wear it at your wedding."

His face flushed red and he looked at the pin, "M-my w-wedding?" his heart began racing.

"Yes, I made it to represent your love for our king and it would make me so happy to see you wear it for him." she whispered lightly.

Lovino looked at her and back to the overly girly pin, but nodded, "I'll wear it …" Tessa smiled and kissed his cheek, "Thank you, Lovino."

Femke handed over her present, "Enjoy it~! It's from both me and Christian. He asked me to tell you happy birthday since he couldn't be here."

He nodded, smiling. Inside the parcel was a leather bound book with a heavily decorated front. Cuts and swirls marked the edges and corners and his name was engraved on the front and filled with gold. He opened it up and each page was completely blank. Along with it was a quill set and a bottle of ink.

"It's a journal. You can draw in it, write, take notes to study, anything!" she explained, "I thought it would be nice for you to record your thoughts on~!"

Lovino thanked her, smiling down at the journal. Savino tentatively handed him a gift, "I thought I'd give you something, too … it's not much, but I wanted to get you something anyway."

The Illonian took the small box and opened it. Inside was a simple necklace with a tarnished silver pendant hanging from it. Inside was a small painting, still perfectly preserved. It was of a young woman holding a small child in her arms and her other hand on her swollen belly. A tall man stood beside her.

"This was one of the only things I took from my house before I left. It was one of father's treasured possessions … a-after that talk … well … I thought you would want it."

He stared down at the small painting and felt a warm feeling seep into him. He had very few memories of his mother, since he had been so very young, but he remembered her olive eyes, her long brunette hair and her stray curl that matched his. Each of those few memories were instantly sharpened.

Those days where she would come singing to him when he fell. Nights of comfort. Even times when they cried together, him just mimicking his mothers pain.

"Thank you … this means a lot …" he whispered, willing his tears away. Savino nodded and sat down. Lovino tucked the pendant in his pocket.

Antonio sat down next to him and pulled him into his lap, "Now for my gift …" he kissed Lovino's cheek lovingly, causing the man in his lap to blush.

The door opened to reveal a servant carrying a large cylindrical object covered in cloth. She carried it carefully and set it down on a small table in front of them.

"I've been feeling a bit guilty about how much protection is over you. I can't take that away … I wouldn't be able to live without you, but I can give you something special. A friend of sorts~" Antonio reached forward and grabbed the cloth, carefully removing it from the cage.

Lovino raised a brow at the cage and peered inside at the large bird. Multicolored feathers in orange, yellow and red covered its body and it looked back up to Lovino with its black and gold eyes.

"It's a phoenix!" Femke gasped.

Lovino looked at her and back at the bird. Antonio laughed and opened the cage, "Here. She won't bite you~" he held out his hand and the phoenix glanced at it and cautiously stepped on. Antonio pulled the creature from the cage and let her climb onto Lovino's knee. She squawked and nudged Lovino's hand.

"She won't hurt you, Lovi~" Lovino reached out and touched her beak. She nudged him again and he grinned.

"What are you going to name her, Lovi?" Femke asked staring at the phoenix.

Lovino shrugged, "I don't know …" he dragged his fingers down her back and she shivered her feathers and made a noise, "Maybe … Ariana." he said.

"Fitting name~" Antonio kissed Lovino's cheek.

The Illonian ran his fingers over her feathers once more, "Thank you, Antonio … she's beautiful."

The king kissed him sweetly and ran fingers through his hair, "I'm glad you like her. She's perfect for you to send letters and she'd good to talk to~ phoenixes are smart creatures~!"

Lovino nodded and smiled. This birthday was turning out to be the best yet.

TBC

Ve~ I love Ariana! She's such a sweet bird~ ^_^ Anyways~ I have a sudden craving for an omlette from IHOP which is weird since I've only ever had two bites of one o.o oh well... I hope you guys have enjoyed that little scare I gave you ^_^ I'm off to find food! XD

~Lady Pyrien