Chapter 2:Heartless

ea       "Help me" The lady said before losing consciousness.

       At an inn, Maxwell stepped inside with a lady on his back. His blue outfit had a stain of blood on it and his slightly brown hair was a little disheveled. His face was still covered leaving only his amber eyes visible.

       Maxwell walked briskly towards the innkeeper and then dropped a huge amount of money on the table. The innkeeper was pleasantly surprised. Luck seems to be on his side! He smiled at Maxwell and happily kept the money away. He was a man in his sixties and over the years he had seen many people come to this inn so he could tell at a glance that the man in front of him was no ordinary man. The innkeeper simply turned a blind eye to the blood on Maxwell's cloth, the unconscious lady on his back and his face that was covered. It was none of his business!

       "Sir, I would show you to one of our best rooms" The innkeeper said with a smile. He walked ahead while Maxwell followed behind him. They walked up the stairs and passed by some rooms before the innkeeper's steps halted in front of a particular room.

       "Here we are sir" The innkeeper said as he opened the door of the room. Maxwell walked inside without saying another word but just as the innkeeper was about to leave, he said in a deep authoritative voice;

       "Get me a doctor"

       The innkeeper nodded rigorously and hurriedly left to get a doctor. Maxwell walked towards the bed and carefully laid the lady on his back down. He checked her breathing again and once he had confirmed that she was still alive, he took a seat on a chair beside the bed. He closed his eyes and decided to get some rest while waiting for the doctor to arrive.

      (*Knock*Knock*) A slight knock on the door made Maxwell open his eyes. Guessing that the innkeeper must have brought the doctor, he simply asked them to come inside. The innkeeper opened the door and beside him was a slightly old man with grey hair. Without entering the room, the innkeeper said in a respectful tone;

       "I've brought the doctor, please let me know if you need anything else". After saying this, he quickly left leaving the doctor alone with Maxwell. On his way down the stairs, the innkeeper couldn't help but think;

       'This guest is truly scary!'

       Inside the room, Maxwell was still sitting while the doctor who was still surprised by the innkeeper's behavior was standing outside the door.

       "Enter" Maxwell said as he stared at the doctor. His eyes seemed lazy but there was a little bit of impatience in them. The doctor could only gulp nervously. He entered the room, his legs a little shaky as he felt the man's suppressing aura.

       "She was stabbed in her abdomen. You can check for other injuries as well" Maxwell said flatly. He stood up and left the room as he felt that the doctor was not comfortable with his presence.

       Maxwell waited outside and after about an hour, the doctor also came out. He didn't dare meet Maxwell's gaze so he could only keep his head lowered.

       "The wound was quite deep but luckily, she's out of danger. I've dressed her injuries. She should wake up in a few hours. Here's a prescription I wrote out. As long as she takes the medicine every morning and rests well, she should be fine". The doctor said as he stretched out a piece of paper with writings on it. Maxwell collected the paper and checked through the prescription. He raised his head to address the doctor but the doctor was nowhere to be seen. Who would have thought that such an old man could run so fast! Maxwell's expression did not change the slightest bit. He kept the prescription in his pocket and then entered the room to check on the lady. Once he confirmed that she was okay, he left the room. He walked in an unhurried step down the stairs. When he got to the innkeeper's front, he dropped a pouch filled with gold on the table before him.

       "The lady inside is injured. Assign a female to take care of her while she recovers. Let her stay here till she's okay to leave. Here's the prescription for her medicine. Get the medicine and make sure she takes it" Maxwell said as he handed the prescription to the innkeeper who could only accept it with shaky hands. His love for money might one day kill him!

       "Don't you dare try to take the money without doing the needful. If you mess with me, I'll make sure you pay. Also...get the lady some new clothes" Maxwell threatened. His tone was murderous and there seemed to be hidden flames in his amber eyes.

       The innkeeper was frightened out of his wits. He broke into a cold sweat and repeatedly promised to do as Maxwell had said. Maxwell added more gold before leaving the inn, not bothering to look back even once.

     *                         *                         *                   *

       Maxwell was now back in the palace. He was sitting on a chair in his study. He just came back and hadn't had a chance to change out of his bloodstained clothes yet. His gaze was fixed on his trusted guard, Glenn who seemed a little hesitant to talk.

       "Speak! Now" Maxwell said lazily as he leaned back on the chair.

       "Um, actually...about an hour ago, the royal concubine's body was found inside the pond in the garden. By the time the guards brought her out, she was already...dead. Her maid was also found dead by the side of the pond. She seemed to have been stabbed to death. There was no clear injury on the royal concubine's... body" Glenn said solemnly. He paused in his words to observe the king's expression. Seeing the king's expressionless face, Glenn really felt bad for royal concubine Amber. He could only sigh in his head and continue his words.

       "The queen came to report the incident to you herself but thankfully she was stopped by the guards at the entrance. She requested to see you but since no one would dare disturb your sleep, the guards sincerely apologized but did not let her enter"

       When Maxwell heard this, his brows lightly furrowed. The queen is starting to overstep her boundary, he has to remind her. Seeing the frown on the king's face, Glenn thought he was concerned about the royal concubine's death but Maxwell's next words shocked him.

       "Send words to the royal concubine's father. Inform him of her death. I'm tired and need to rest. You can take your leave" Maxwell said indifferently. He stood up and walked towards the door linking his study and his bedroom. He opened the door but before entering, he turned his head slightly towards Glenn who seemed to be in a daze and said;

       "Tomorrow, I need you to go somewhere for me". After saying this, Maxwell entered and closed the door. The little sound made by the closed door brought Glenn out of his daze. He really wanted to cry for the royal concubine.

       'His majesty is just too heartless' he thought. He wiped his non existent tears and went out of the study.