"How are you both?" Matheas inquired as he approached Elias and Caelum.
"We're fine," they replied in unison.
"Where is Father?" Elias asked, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.
"He's downstairs with Aurelius," Matheas explained. "We reapplied the magic sealer on him while he was asleep. He completely exhausted himself trying to use as much of your magic as he could last night." Matheas paused, his expression serious. "Now, His Majesty is attempting to find out why Aurelius drank the poison."
Caelum and Elias exchanged a significant look.
"I think we have a hunch," Elias admitted, his hands trembling slightly, a subtle sign of his lingering anxiety.
"Elias?" Alexander's voice cut through the air as he walked out of the shadowed dungeons. "What do you mean you have a hunch?" he pressed, his gaze fixed on Elias.
Elias proceeded to explain the detailed theory he and Caelum had pieced together during the three days they had been confined to their beds, immediately following the chaotic moment when all four of them had abruptly teleported into Alexander's office.
"That could very well be true," Alexander conceded, nodding his head slowly as he processed the information. "We've certainly been hearing those kinds of rumors lately, and they only intensified after the noticeable change in Aurelius's behavior."
Elias confirmed this with a small nod. "That is precisely why Caelum believes they possess a potion specifically designed to control Aurelius's mind and actions," he elaborated.
"There might be one other distinct option to consider," Caelum interjected, directing a pointed look toward Elias.
Elias acknowledged this with a nod. "The main consort," he stated, turning his attention to Alexander. "She is never near Aurelius unless she requires something from him. It's clear she cares far more about maintaining her own public image and consolidating her power than she does about her own son." A flicker of sadness crossed his features. "That dynamic has already caused Aurelius to become deeply jealous, particularly because Mother openly cares about me more than anything else in the world."
"When the official announcement was made that Elias would be named the crown prince, the main consort must have felt profoundly disappointed in Aurelius," Caelum hypothesized. "There is an exceptionally high probability that she forcibly made Aurelius drink both the mind control potion and the separate potion that enables him to drain Elias's magical power."
"With him being the crown prince, he absolutely needed to be under her direct control or the control of her influential family. That is where Aristotle becomes relevant. Since he already knew about the main consort's schemes and Aurelius's situation, he was the ideal person to manipulate and control Aurelius," Elias explained logically. "Even if we manage to discover the antidote to the potion I was given, the first person we would be forced to imprison would tragically be Aurelius. In the critical time that follows, the main consort and the Ravenlofts could easily flee the country and escape justice."
Alexander thoughtfully considered the scenario. "That is highly possible," he admitted.
"I also received Nathan's full report," Elias said, handing the sheaf of papers to Alexander. "Aurelius is definitely under the influence of a mind control potion," he confirmed. "Nathan is diligently working on the antidote. He is confident that he can synthesize it within this week, which means we may be able to free him from the mind control potion without having to reveal such a grotesque and damaging plan to him."
Alexander inhaled sharply, a gasp escaping his lips as his eyes scanned the shocking details of the report. "How reliable is his report?" he asked, looking up with concern.
"I trust his work as much as I trust Caelum's work," Elias stated firmly, and Caelum, standing beside him, readily nodded in agreement.
"I've personally confirmed his loyalties," Caelum added. "He is completely and utterly on Elias's side."
Matheas nodded slowly. "How close are you to finalizing the antidote for the potion you were forced to drink?" he inquired, his curiosity evident.
"Quite close now," Elias replied with a genuine smile illuminating his face. "With absolutely nothing else to do for these past three days, I have spent the time meticulously revising all the ingredients I had initially discounted, and I finally identified the correct components," he explained, sounding relieved. "All I need to do now is successfully make the potion and send a sample of it to Nathan so he can scientifically confirm that they are indeed the same potions."
Alexander nodded in understanding. "What about the potion inside Aurelius?" he asked, a crease forming between his brows.
"The one in him will not function without the one in me being active," Elias clarified. "If the potion inside me is neutralized and ceases to work, the potion in him automatically stops working as well," he said with a soft, reassuring smile, aiming to ease Alexander's distress.
Alexander rapidly crossed the distance between them in two long strides and pulled Elias into a very tight, heartfelt hug. "I'm so deeply sorry it took me such a long time to realize how much I have hurt both of you," he apologized, his voice thick with emotion.
Elias glanced over at Caelum, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. He returned the powerful hug and then spoke, "It's not too late for amends. If that stupid brother of mine actually apologizes to me sincerely, I will leave him alone, provided he stays far away from my personal business."
Caelum was smiling warmly as he looked upon his beloved prince, his relief palpable.
Elias pulled away from Alexander and gently took Caelum's hand in his own. "We will be in my laboratory now," he announced. "If you happen to discover anything new or relevant, please be sure to inform him," he instructed before teleporting both of them instantly to his secluded potions lab within the palace walls.
"Ready to begin?" Caelum asked, looking at Elias, who was surveying the large table covered with all the necessary ingredients, which he had instructed his loyal knights to arrange in his lab before he finally went to sleep the previous night.
Elias nodded, his expression focused, and immediately began his intricate work. "I might completely lose track of time," he warned, glancing up at Caelum, who was leaning against an empty workbench and watching him with deep fascination.
"I am here precisely to remind you of the time," Caelum assured him, his voice calm. "You can fully concentrate on your important work," he said with an encouraging smile.
Elias nodded in response and then turned his attention back to the vigorously boiling potion.
Caelum let out a quiet sigh. 'If only he would still want me, even after he successfully finds the antidote and is truly free,' he thought, a fragile hope blossoming in his chest. 'That would be truly wonderful.'
After a full four hours had passed, Caelum walked over to Elias, carrying a tray of lunch. "Is the potion stable enough right now?" he asked gently. "It is a little past the usual lunch time, so I thought you must be hungry by now."
Elias peered intently at the concoction, then nodded. "It will be stable for at least thirty minutes," he confirmed as he carefully placed the lid back on the pot. "I need to allow it to simmer for a while. Did you eat anything yet?" he asked, finally looking up at Caelum with concern.
Caelum shook his head slightly. "I was patiently waiting for you," he said with a warm smile as he placed one of the trays in front of Elias and began to eat his own meal. "What are your thoughts on the potion you're currently making?" he inquired.
"I genuinely think this is the one," Elias admitted confidently. "But I will only know for absolute certain once it has simmered for thirty minutes, and then I add the final two ingredients and let it cool down completely," he explained the precise process.
Caelum nodded. "How quickly do you anticipate getting the confirmation report back from Nathan?" he asked, hoping for a swift conclusion.
"Within a day, tops," Elias said between bites of food.
Caelum nodded again, letting out a small, relieved sigh. "Then, all that will remain is for Nathan to successfully create the antidote for the mind control potion, correct?" he asked for final confirmation.
Elias nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, exactly," he confirmed. "Then, we will also make an antidote for Aurelius's potion... if that stupid idiot actually apologizes to me," he added with a playful smirk playing on his lips.
Caelum smiled, a genuine expression of admiration for Elias's resilience. "That is absolutely the spirit we need right now," he said encouragingly.