Picture Perfect

The remnants of the purple liquid swished at the bottom of the glass as I set it on the window pane. I watched the courtyard quietly; the afternoon sun was just warming the marbled walls and the shadows of the garden took their familiar place on the wall. I knew this view well, but not as well as my own.

“How do you feel? You usually don’t need the antidote” He said moving next to me, motioning towards the purple liquid.

I turned, facing him instead of the glass. “I feel fine, I’m used to both of those plants, I just wanted to make sure they didn’t have new effects when mixed.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll do well to impress my father tonight at dinner, mother already loves you, almost as much as I do.” He smiled.

His father the king, what a night this would be.

“I doubt there will be poison present tonight, there has been no traces in months. I hope he likes me.” I said, my voice shaking slightly. There had been no poisoning attempts on the royal family in a long while, but I could never be too careful. It was better to have a base to have myself prepared.

“I can sense you’re nervous, but you’re the best poison tester in years. Even before I knew you, I had heard of your skills. You have nothing to worry about.” He said, “And dinner isn’t until this evening, you have plenty of time to prepare.”

I moved away from him, the nerves growing in anticipation for tonight. Unsure of whether I was nervous that poison might appear or nervous over meeting the King and father of the Prince. The paintings on the Prince’s wall were the same style as the rest of the castle, warm colors and scenes depicting the history of the kingdom, and though I had seen them time and time again, I tried to distract myself with them now.

I rested my face in my hands trying to breath as I sat on his bed, I focused on the effects of the antidote flowing through my system until I felt his hands cover mine.

“Lyra look at me.” His voice was firm but not mean and his eyes delved into mine, “You will be perfect tonight.” I took my hands away from my eyes and gripped his in mine, trying to take comfort in his presence. If I could win over the Prince and his mom, I should have no problem with his father.

Should.

“It’s easy for you to say. I’ve been in this castle since I was a young girl, you don’t ever have to worry about parents let alone the King.”

Just breath, everything will be fine. Everything will go as planned.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the chiming of the clock drowned him out. It was already three in the afternoon, which meant I only had a few hours to prepare. “I have to go, I have to go get ready.”

He nodded, “I will be outside your room thirty minutes before dinner, ok?”

I nodded in response and he pulled me up off the bed and into his arms. He was always calm, maybe it came from his simple life as a prince or maybe it was just him, and often I wondered how it felt to never worry.

He pulled slightly back and placed his hands on my cheek before kissing me softly for a moment. And for a moment, I knew everything would go perfectly.

A few years ago, I was gifted a new room, for my performance and enhancing skills. Like withstanding poison with less antidote than usual, and I was less and less affected by most poisons in general. I had been moved up, so to speak, in regards of importance to the royal family. Poison testers were one of the more highly favored servants in the castle. I couldn’t blame them; my history lessons had shown almost five of the previous kings were killed by acts of poison. My room was not in the basement with the prisoners of the kingdom, but nowhere near the upper floors that the royal family and advisors occupied.

As I walked between my two guards, Lewis and Nathaniel, I noticed the stone walls of the hall were blank, no paintings no art. Not that I expected such, I had only ever seen artwork when I was taken to the upper library to learn and study the poisons I would be subjected to. This floor was reserved for servants and the poison testers and I supposed they didn’t want to waste art on the disposable. There was no conversation between the guards and I, as important and favored as poison testers were, I had learned we were often still despised. Only Kane, the Master of Poison had a seat at the royal table.

Ironic, since even those below the master were in charge of protecting the royal meals.

Voices from down the hall brought me out of my thoughts as we stopped outside a door of what I assumed was my room. Another group walked toward us, four guards, who I did not know, and someone centered, if I was right, I believed it was the Prince. My guards slowed down to flank me directly, as if they didn’t know me better. As our groups approached, each group slowed to a halt.

The Prince spoke, “And who is this?”

I looked at my guards who looked between themselves until I pointed my gaze to the floor. After a few moments Nathaniel spoke, “This will soon be your new main poison tester. She begins lessons from Master Kane tomorrow, whom she is projected to take his place when he is gone.”

“Impressive. Does she have a name?” The Prince said, I raised my eyebrows as he did. I didn’t expect him to care. I learned his opinion was highly regarded by his father and the royal advisors which was odd, considering he was only in his twenties.

“Her name is Lyra, your highness.” As guard Lewis spoke, he slightly lowered his head. I raised my eyes and looked straight ahead at the Prince, surprised by the kindness on his face. And I was even more surprised when he reached out a hand.

I glanced between the six guards in the hall, before reaching out my own hand.

“Good afternoon Miss Lyra, it is an honor to meet the future Master of Poison.”

I let go of his hand and bowed slightly, a small smile formed on my face, “It is my honor Prince.”

He motioned to the hall and the door of my room, “I hope the room suits you well and that the Master teaches you as he was taught.”

Before I could think I said, “Well, it would suit me better with some artwork, but I suppose it will do.” A small gasp came from one or two of the guards, and I felt my face blanch as I truly realized what I said. The air felt warm as I waited for him so speak.

Luckily, the Prince only chuckled, “I will have to see what I can do about that.” He said and began to continue his walk down the hall. “Good luck Lyra, I do hope to see you again.”

I was taken aback by his words and his kindness, I smiled at the Prince before I spoke. “Thank you, Prince, I hope so as well.”

Maybe, one day, I can be one those upper floors of the castle.

A silly thought, but I thought it anyway.

**

I brought myself out of the nostalgia as I dried myself. The bath had done well to calm my nerves slightly as dinner approached, and I now casually got ready for the meal. The sun was setting now and as it shown through my window, it reflected through the vials on my window sill. Various poisons I was interested in learning more about, their effects and how else they could be used.

I picked each one up one by one until reaching the last one. A crystal-clear liquid, it so easily resembled water. I had no interest in experimenting with this one after the first time. Too much and death would come quick. It’s smells like nothing, it’s tasteless, dangerous and almost undetectable. The little amount I had when I first started almost killed me. Carefully, I placed it down next to the book.

In this room a few floors above my previous, I was given artwork. Only two small paintings near my bed and the book. The book was the only object in the castle that had paintings of former poison testers and the masters. The Prince had given it to me after one of our many late nights in the upper library, he had been walking me back to my artwork-less room before placing the leather-bound book in my hand. I flipped through the pages, looking at everyone who had served this castle for centuries.

As much as I loved this book and wanted nothing more than to have my painting within its pages, I wanted more than that.

I wanted a painting on the wall.

The clock in my room chimed and I realized it would only be moments before the Prince arrived to get me. I slipped the deep purple dress on and strapped on my boots before letting the dress cover them.

Just as I reached for the clear poison as I slipped it in the top of my dress just below my shoulder, there was a knock on my door. I smoothed out the dress before opening the door. He stood there, in the royal colors of black and silver, a large smile on his face upon the door opening.

“You look beautiful, are you ready?” He said and held out a hand. I grabbed it and closed the door shut behind me. We walked silently hand in hand down the hallway, my eyes flittering past the windows and the plants that lined it. My heart was beating nervously in my chest as we ascended the stairs up to the dining room floor. As we ascended, a friend of mine, Catherine, who worked in the kitchen passed us, a large smile formed on her face as we hadn’t seen each other recently.

She bowed slightly to the Prince before turning to me and placing her hands on my shoulder, gripping the vile I had slipped there before pulling me in for a hug.

I warmly embraced her back before pulling away, “Wish me luck.” I said.

She patted her shoulder as if she had an itch and glanced between the Prince and I before responding, “You don’t need it Lyra.” She said and turned to him bowing slightly again. “Good day Prince, bye Lyra.” She waved once again as she ascended to the kitchen.

We continued walking and paused only for a moment outside the dining room door, he kissed me softly like he had earlier that day, “I’ll be next to you the entire time, let’s go.” The dining room doors opened, and the room was glowing with light. The chandeliers highlighted the paintings on the wall so beautifully and the long table was set with silver and black accents. I’d been in here only once or twice and it was never to dine.

I first noticed the guards, Lewis, Nathaniel, Cole and Matthias in the corners of the rooms and then I noticed the King and Queen and the others sitting in their respective seats. Kane, the Master of Poison, and a few of the advisors of the court sat as well. As we moved closer to the King and Queen, I bowed slightly in front of them.

The Queen stood, ignoring my bow and pulled me in for a hug, where no vile would be felt after my encounter with Catherine. The King sat for a moment longer as my heart beat quickly, waiting as everyone looked between us. He rose, and carefully grabbed my hand, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lyra. Please, sit.” He said and motioned to the chairs on his right. Thomas and I took our place next to each other.

“Will you be testing our food for us tonight or will one of the lesser testers be taking that responsibility?” The King said, disdain accompanying his words and I let the anger roll through me.

Always the lesser.

“I am not the designated tester tonight, your Highness, but I would be honored to take the first bite.” I said, my voice unwavering as I look at the King.

I felt the Prince’s hand on my leg as I waited for his response. He nodded slowly his crown bobbing on his head, “Very well then. Dinner will be served.” He motioned with his hands and the guards then motioned for the servants. As the food was carefully placed on the table, I glanced around the hall. The high ceilings and large windows accented each and every portrait of the former rulers. Each with a gold crown painted on their heads accented with gems and jewels.

I want my portrait on that wall.

The room was silent aside from the clinking of plates as food was served and the water and wine glasses were filled. The King looked pointedly at me as he gripped his water glass, I picked mine up and a took a few sips looking him in the eye.

The tension in the room was as palpable as it could be. A few moments went by and the King repeated the same test with the wine glass. Everyone drank when we finished.

Soon the glasses were empty and refilled, and the food was being eating. When I set my wine glass down after finishing it myself, Thomas pointed at it, noting the purplish tint at the bottom of it.

“Lyra what is that?” He said, confusion clear on his face. Before I could answer, one of the advisors started coughing.

And then the next.

And the next.

Only I, the Master and the guards sat calmly.

“Lyra. What have you done?” The Prince choked out, now suddenly having trouble breathing after his coughing fit. The King and Queen looked around alarmed, even more so as I stood.

I moved away from my seat and towards an empty spot on the wall. All eyes that were left alive, were on me as I stood under it. “This spot is where the next portrait will go. And it will be mine. Not the Prince’s. No one else of this family will be placed on this wall. Only me. With my own gold crown.”

At this point, the Queen couldn’t even speak. She only gripped her throat as her skin turned red and purple and blue. Her crown tipping off of her head as she leaned forward.

The Kings eyes were practically bulging out of his head as he tried to hold back the coughing. And the look on the Prince’s face, well, I almost felt bad.

I moved back towards the table, towards the Prince, I said nothing, only gave him a small pat on the back, in which he fell forward slumped just like his mother. I picked up his dainty crown in my hands. It was small, not what I wanted.

So, I tossed it aside.

The King, now, was the last one breathing.

I walked slowly towards him, my boots clicking on the floor as I did. As I approached, I picked up the former Queen’s crown. Much larger than the Prince’s, more jewels, more gold but not enough.

As I approached the King, he could no longer speak, but his eyes still followed me. I reached forward, grabbing the largest crown in the room and holding it firmly in my hands.

“This, your highness, is for every single poison I’ve had to taste to save one of your useless royal family members. For every single portrait of this family on the walls. For all the undeserved worship you receive. It’s my turn now.”

The crown felt slightly heavy in my hands as I raised it up to my head. I placed it carefully on top, feeling the large jewels in the center and all around it. It felt like home.

As the King finally slumped forward like the rest of his family on the table, I turned and smiled at the empty spot on the wall.

I looked at Master Kane, who had primed me for this position.I looked to Lewis and Nathanial, the guards with me from the very beginning. To Cole and Matthias, more recent followers of our plan like much of the castle. But followers nonetheless.

I looked between all of them, around the walls and basked in the weight of the crown on my head.

“So, when can I have it painted?”