Apollo and Kane arrived back at that hut and saw the three clustered together. Then thy asked what was happening. Misty told Kane they were just reminiscing on their time spent with Agatha. Princess Candula fixed her dress and hair, then smiled at Misty to let her know she is fine. Apollo couldn't stop staring at her. She had this sense of grace to the air that she was surrounded by. The smile made everything else seem pointless and he almost forgot what he was doing there. Godric cleared his throat to snap Apollo out of his thoughts. Godric said, "Don't get too close to the sun or you will cause many unpredictable events."
Princess Candula looked up and her eyes met with Apollo's. He was actually handsome and very fit. Well, all the beast men were fit in her opinion. It was probably due to their rigorous training for war. But the majority had blemishes caused by the war. Scars that already healed. Except for Apollo who had none. Was it because he hasn't been to war or was he just a formidable opponent, she asked herself. She slightly tilted her head as she examined him curiously making him blush at how intensely she was looking. Then Princess Candula realized she was staring too much and wiped her neck back to regular posture. She smacked her cheeks lightly to stop herself from looking embarrassed at what she was doing. They all looked at her bewildered,
She thought to herself, what should I do so the focus is redirected. Oh yes! The reason for the secrecy. Right, I should tell him now. "The reason I wanted it to be a secret was because I believe that my father would not trust my well being to Godric if he was someone not to be trusted. Also, I heard reasons to suspect the other one who traveled with you, Godric. To confirm my suspicion, I wanted to check for myself. Also, Kane would not have brought a murderer to meet with me he suspected that he wasn't to be trusted. Where did this happen and what do you know so far?"
Apollo answered, "I know that Godric spoke to Leonidas first and Zodiac found him already collapsed on the ground." Then Princess Candula asked, "and how do you know it was Godric and not Zodiac." I don't know, that is why I came here to find out," replied Apollo quickly. Then Princess Candula asked, "who told you it was Godric?" Apollo replied slowly, "Zodiac." Then she asked him, "was there no noise made during the commotion?" Apollo took a moment to think through the events, Zodiac had rushed him to catch up to Godric that he didn't have much time to ask questions and look around the place for clues. Then he remembered that one of the guards reported hearing roars coming from Leonidas hut. Princess Candula asked, "no one said they heard noises before Zadiac arrived while Godric was with him?" Apollo fixed his posture and said, "I'm sorry, someone reported there were roars heard which made some guards check in on Leonidas. But I didn't gather any information because I rushed out to catch Godric." It hadn't occurred to him that Zodiac was behind it the entire time, until he noticed his rage. Then again, Zodiac had just revealed that Leonidas and him both betrayed the royals. Was that true or was it a lie?
Then after waiting for some time, Leonidas' body arrived and was set on a blanket on the ground. He looked so peaceful with his eyes closed. Princess Candula kneeled on the ground to look over his body and examined it. She grazed her fingers over his fur and let her instinct guide her. She then stopped at a spot where there was dry blood. It was where he was stabbed. Then she noticed that his leg also had a similar wound. It was a weapon that was thin enough to be unnoticed but also lethal enough to go through the muscle. Placed her ear on his chest and concentrated on his heartbeat. Then she heard it, a soft heartbeat so faint that you wouldn't know it was there. She smiled because he wasn't dead. The heartbeat was not slowing down, it had a regular rhythm that was not common, but it was still going. She emitted her healing energy and sense he didn't have morbid injuries. He did not collapse because of these injuries. She then checked his eyes and mouth. Then she saw it. It was the residue of poison in his system.
Princess Candula stood up, and asked for Sapphire to bring elderberries and wheatgrass. She also needed to grind them into a liquid, so she asked for water too. Then after grinding the herbs and diluting them with water, she picked up the lion's head and slowly made the lion drink. When Apollo asked what she was doing, she said, "I am detoxifying his body from the poison he ingested. Everyone except Godric gasped in surprise. Then Princess Candula continued to speak, "he didn't collapse because of his injuries. He actually would still be awake if it wasn't for this poison he took." Then Godric said, "you won't have to worry too much regarding the poison. It wears off after two hours and it heals in the process. I know this because I found out by luck that it doesn't make you die. It preserves you fresh for the snake that bites you. I know this because I'm the one who gave him that poison to drink if he was ever attacked by Zodiac. Then only I would know the signal." This is confirmation Zodiac is the reason for all of this. Leonidas and I have always suspected him, but there was no proof. Now we are certain it is him. We must prepare to defend the Princess" Apollo puffed his chest up and nodded in agreement. Kane had already told his warriors nearby to make sure everyone begins their war alert announcement. To prepare to keep the village safe and the princess safe. Then a cough came from Leonidas and his eyes were beginning to open. Princess Candula was using her concentration to speed up his ability to digest the detox. Leonidas stared at the female tending to him. She looked like someone he loved long ago. Someone he thought he would never see again because of his old age. Was this his queen?