"What's wring with you? Are you a teenage girl or something?" Evan whispered to himself but, was still smiling like an idiot. Surely, he was stupidly in love with Aeins.h.i.+a. The only thought of her made his heart burst with love. He was now, seriously, deep inside an endless pit of love. He sighed again with happiness and sat up on his bed.

He looked up to the window and saw the sun rising. It was half risen and was casted a beautiful colors to the blue sky. Painting it mesmerizingly with all shades of orange, red and pink. The warmth of it can be felt on his skin. He smiled and thought, whether Aeins.h.i.+a was also seeing the beautiful scene from her window. He wished she would watch it.

His train of thoughts were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. He turned his head and immediately rolled his eyes. Of course, it was Peter. His best friend. But, he was literally like he was like some stalker. He would show anywhere and that too, out of nowhere. Evan doesn't know how Peter even manages to keep up such ability. But, he has to admit, it was useful sometimes. Still, it would great if he didnt use it on him.

"Are you like a stalker or something?" Evan asked, scoffing. Peter just rolled his eyes and sat on the comfortable looking couch. "I'm your aide, remember? Or have you forgotten after seeing the princess yesterday for too long?" He muttered while making himself comfortable on the couch. By, comfortable meaning, slumping up and stretching his legs out on it. Peter looked back to check on Evan's expression and of course, it was exactly like what he expected.

Evan stared at him with unamused expressionless face. Peter looked at him with bored expression and decided to stop and just get to point. "The investigation." He started and he can almost immediately can see the gears working in Evan's head. "Any leads?" He asked his voice still rasp from his sleep.

"We have to get it. We have to meet the physicians." Peter replied with a soft tone. He didnt get a proper sleep and just wanted to rest. He was thinking about the case, and couldn't rest properly. So, he decided he would just get Evan and go to the doctors. At least, that would keep his mind off the much needed rest his body was demanding.

"I'll be back" Evan disappeared to go change and freshen up. Peter sighed and decided a power nap would be better. He would catch a bit rest for his mind before he starts the investigation. He closed his and almost immediately fell asleep.

Evan came out and saw peter pa.s.sed out on the couch. His lips twitched into a smile. He looked adorable despite, his hard and masculine appearance. Legs stretched out in front of his body, armed folded across his chest and his head tilted a bit to the side, squis.h.i.+ng his cheek on his shoulder. Evan chuckled and knew immediately his friend was sleep deprived. He must have been thinking about the case and couldn't have slept last night. Peter was like that. Until he completed his task, he won't rest peacefully.

He figured out he would let him sleep for a bit. After all, he needed peter in his full attention and right mind to function properly on this case. After few minuted, he shook his shoulder and Peter woke with a start. "Are you ready?" Evan asked with a smug face. Peter looked at immediately mimicked his expression "Always". They both chuckled and went on their to the royal physicians.

"Royal physician." Peter asked out loud when they didnt find anyone in the room. Evan was standing beside him scanning the from all over. An old looking man came rus.h.i.+ng over and immediately bowed to the prince in front of him. "Greetings, your highness". Peter and Evan both bowed towards the elder man. Even if they are high in rank than him, they learned to respect their elders.

The elder man, Paul Winters, the royal physician, smiled at them. He knew what they came here for. He directed them towards a small couch to sit and went inside to bring some papers. He seated himself, across from the young duo. "Mr. Winters, what have found about Mr.Samuel Cullen?" Evan spoke out while eyeing the papers brought by Paul, curiously.

"Prince Evan, it is clear case of poisoning. Although, its very peculiar poison. The amount of poison in his blood has decreased after his death." Paul paused while placing a paper on the table in front of him. Evan and Peter shared a frowned glance and looked at the table towards the table. "There are only three types of herbs that has this kind of poison. But, I still have to run some tests to exactly know what kind of herb is used." Paul continued his observation. Evan's frown deepened even more. The investigation was certainly going to delayed if that was the case.

"Can you, by chance tell whether the poison was forced or was willing taken?" Evan asked a bit troubled. He didn't know whether he can find that way or not. Paul smiled at him and answered it. "There were no signs of force, other than the stab into his chest. I definitely suspect it was mixed in the food taken by him. I wouldn't know if Mr. Cullen mixed or was it mixed but, it was taken or given through food." Paul finished his observations.

Peter who was silent the whole time, spoke up. "You said there are only three herbs like that. Can you tell the origins of it?" He spoke seemingly distracted by his own thoughts. Evan turned towards Peter, his widening a bit. He was impressed by the question. Till the conformation, they can easily search for the leads over there. Or at least, send their informers over there for any suspicious movements.

Paul was now, the one in deep thought. After some moments, he spoke out "Two of them are found in the eastern countries and the other one is very hard to find. Although, all three of them are found on mountains. The cool climate is what makes them more poisonous." He sighed out. The duo were thinking hard on the new found information. "But,,,," Paul started again and both of them perked up at that. "One herb is found at the western of the Seazle empire. It is used in some medicines to cure deathly diseases." He declared with much confidence.

"Are you sure it was the herb used?" Evan pressed. He didnt want to hang on the fake hope that rose in his heart. It would be waste of time, if the information wasn't right. "As I said, your highness, I can't tell anything for sure, before the testing" Paul told with a sympathetic and helpless look. Evan sighed. He cant press anymore at this point. He would figure something out while connecting the dots.

He glances up to Peter and he seemed to be thinking about the same thing. They both stood with Paul also standing up "Mr. Winters, please make the process fast. Our empire might be serious danger. I hope you understand the seriousness of the situation." Peter spoke with a stern tone.

"Yes, I'll make sure to find as soon as possible." They bowed towards each other and walked out of the room. Evan released a heavy sigh. Peter looked up at him, empathetically. They were stuck again but, only for sometime. "Let's dispatch some guards to western side. And alert our informers" Evan spoke and Peter nodded his head.

........

Somewhere deep in the forest:

"Have they got any leads?" a woman, who was the leader asked. "No, they are trying to find from the poison herb, your highness" a man who was dressed as a guard of Seazle, informed her, while bowing lowly in front of her.

The woman smirked "Seems like they will make it. Let them get the surprise." She laughed out maniacally.