I woke up with a splitting headache. It hurt even when I breathed and I didn't have time to calm down because people immediately started screaming into my ears:
"Duke Consort!
-He's awake!
-Quick, call for the doctor!
-Your Highness, how are you feeling?"
They were so loud that I wanted to break their heads off.
"Stop yelling for God's sake!"
Everyone froze and I thought I could finally relax but that was when the door opened very loudly. How could a door be this loud? When was the last time they oiled it seriously? It sounded like a dying raven.
I grunted as I turned towards the sound and what I saw next was a familiar face walk up to me. It was a very tall and grumpy man that had red eyes and white hair and eyebrows. Was he albino? That would explain the colors.
Despite being familiar, I had never seen this face in my whole life. I would have remembered this man if I had already met him. Not only because of his unusual eye color but mostly because he was very handsome and very scary at the same time. I would never want to meet this man twice that was for sure. However being in such pain, I completely forgot about safety and looked at the red eyes with anger:
"Can't you open the door any louder? Where did you grow up? You have no manners."
The stranger seemed taken aback and he raised his left hand, making everyone bow immediately. Some people rushed to the door while others seemed hesitant:
"We are so sorry Master... He is still unwell. He has no idea what he's saying...
-Leave.
-But Master...
-Seeing how rude he is being, he must be just fine.
-But...
-I said leave.
-Yes, Master."
I was relieved to finally have peace and sighed. However the white haired stranger stayed and even came back into my field of vision:
"What do you think you're doing? Insulting me in front of my men. Do you have a death wish?"
I covered my ears:
"For my sake! Can't you shut up for three seconds? My head is going to split in half!"
It hurt so bad that I almost threw up. The man didn't seem impressed however. He sat down on a chair and crossed his arms not wanting to help a bit. He could at least look a bit sorry for me. What the hell was wrong with this guy?
"I'll wait for your crisis to pass."
I imitated the stranger, in a very bad mood:
"Gngngn I am the big scary dude with red eyes. I am grumpy all the time and currently I am angry at life itself because why not?"
He didn't answer and I finally had time to calm down. I focused on my breathing and exhaled loudly through my nose after breathing in through my mouth. The breathing technique worked because the headache slowly subsided and I could finally sit up. My thoughts started clearing up and I looked around me, frowning:
"Where the hell am I?"
The man didn't answer, staring at his shoes seriously. I waved my hand in front of his face and he really didn't seem to like it:
"Hello? Earth calling the rude dude. Where am I?"
Having no answer I got up:
"Okay then see you never, asshole.
-Where do you think you're going?
-Oh we are on talking terms now? I thought you were deaf. It seems you are just an asshole.
-Call me that one more time and I'll sew your lips together."
I ignored what he said and frowned. Now that I could think I suddenly realized that this man did look very familiar.
"Wait... Where have I seen you before?"
The man rolled his red eyes:
"Don't act stupid. I am your husband.
-Husband?"
I started laughing but that hurt my head so I stopped. It seemed the stranger was very serious so I asked:
"Then what's your name?"
He sighed but answered:
"Ephraim Dupree.
-Doesn't ring a bell."
I froze.
"No... Wait. Say it again.
-Ephraim Dupree.
-No! Shut up!"
The man frowned. He was way scarier like that:
"What did you just say?"
I took three steps back:
"You can't be. Does that mean..."
I ran to the closest mirror:
"Am I Sliske Wraith?
-What are you playing at? Who else could you possibly be?
-No, no, no, no, no..."
I grabbed my head:
"No! I don't want to! This is stupid! This must be a joke!"
The man got up:
"The only joke here is me putting up with this nonsense for so long. Now that you are fine we can depart for the Capital.
-Nope! I ain't going anywhere! Especially not with you! I don't want to die!
-Could you stop screaming for three seconds? Weren't you the one complaining about the noise? Why are you being so paranoid? You are not going to die in the Capital.
-Not yet! But you will kill Sliske! Or me. Or... Anyway, you are the worst husband ever."
I started digging my finger deep into the man's chest. He didn't like it and grabbed my wrist.
"You neglected Sliske for years and got rid of him as soon as you didn't need him anymore. Okay he was a brat and he was spoiled and he was difficult to live with but that doesn't mean you could kill him! I can't live with you. You are terrifying. I'm out. Bye."
I ran back to the bed and laid down under the covers:
"What do you think you are doing? The knights are waiting for us.
-I don't care. Shut up and let me sleep. I want to wake up from this nightmare."
The man walked up to the bed and lifted me from under the covers. I was so surprised that I bit him to the bone. He immediately let me go and I could finally hide under the covers.
"Leave me alone! I am not going anywhere.
-You! Fine, then just do as you please. I am going to take you there once you fall asleep."
I laughed:
"You won't take me. You'll take Sliske.
-That crazy..."
The man sat down but I couldn't fall asleep and that was pissing me off. I suddenly jumped up:
"You bastard.
-What could I possibly have done now?
-Where is the kitchen?"
He frowned:
"Don't you know after 7 years?
-I am not Sliske! How many times do I have to tell you for that stupid head of yours to understand?"
The man jumped up, his hand on his sword:
"You...
-Where is the kitchen?
-... You really don't know?
-That's what I have been saying!
-... Ground floor last door on the right."
I jumped out of bed and ran there with Sliske's husband following close behind me.
"What are you looking for?
-None of your business. Found it!"
I remembered from the Webtaan that they kept poison in the kitchen inside the cookie jar. It would be found out when one of the maids discovered it and used it to poison Ephraim and Sliske's child, Arora. A small portion would make an adult fall asleep and would be fatal to a child. I remembered clearly that the maid used three drops. I immediately drank them and seeing me do so made Ephraim jump towards me, grabbing my arm:
"What has gotten into you? Are you crazy? What are you doing?"
I pushed him back:
"Don't touch me!
-Sliske!
-I am not Sliske for fuck's sake! I am Acheron and I am going home!"
I could finally feel the effect of the poison and smiled:
"I'm going home."