Chroma and Achromos

Chapter 6: Restless

Achromos moved the pen in his hand so quickly. The pile of documents on his desk seemed to have not run out. He then gritted his teeth in annoyance. At a time like this, his work piles up. Though the contents of Achromos' head since he woke up this morning is how the development of the investigation of the Chroma attack case.

CTAK!!

Accidentally, Achromos broke the pen he was using. He could no longer bear to be upset. He then got up from his seat, wanting to immediately approach the research team he had made since four days ago.

"King Achromos." Cain who had been standing next to Achromos without flinching finally opened his voice.

Achromos looked at Cain sharply. He knew exactly what Cain meant without having to hear Cain speak at length. He snorted and sat back in his chair. Cain took out a pen from his pocket and put it on the table. He then stood beside Achromos.

"Ck!" With great ogah-ogahan, Achromos finally returned to pens on top of the documents.

After some time, Achromos finally began to calm his mind.

"Cain" he said without taking his eyes off the documents before him. "How's Jane doing?"

Cain paused for a moment to hear Achromos' question, trying to remember how Chroma was doing when he visited her this morning.

"Hm.." Mumbled. "It's still the same as yesterday."

"Hoo.." Answer Achromos flat.

"But.." Added Cain. "The doctor said there was poison in his body.. So don't know when to wake up."

Achromos immediately stopped the pen in his grasp and looked at Cain sharply.

"When did you know this information?" Ask.

Cain turned silent and looked like he was thinking.

"Maybe.. yesterday?" The answer.

Achromos felt his sense of unease again peaking. This tulalit Cain never fails to make himself want to squeeze Cain's head. But of course he never did. Cain was his personal bodyguard and knight whom he trusted the most. In addition, Cain is his sister—although a different mother.

Achromos took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling. Somehow he became a little worried about Chroma's fate. Realizing that, he immediately shook his head and turned back to the documents.

There was no need to think about the boy, no need. Say it in the heart.

Despite thinking like that, once in a while he stopped his work, then shook his head again and returned to work on documents that were impossible to complete in that one day.

Cain looked at his brother who did not look like he usually was clingy. His eyes were sparkling, like a child looking at a new toy.

Interesting though.. His inner.

•••

"So, what information have you got?" Achromos asked three straight men in military uniforms before him. After three days struggling with his documents, he was finally able to focus on the Chroma attack case.

"Reporting Your Majesty, we found the type of arrow used to attack Princess Jane—"

"Queen." Achromos said firmly.

"Ehm, I'm sorry I mean Queen Jane. The arrow came from a mysterious organization of unknown motives and existence. They often attacked royalty or nobles for no apparent reason, and they always used arrows with the mandala engraving." Tukas one of them.

"Mysterious organization?" Ask Achromos while raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The organization was famous like a ghost, they attacked without being seen. But they always use arrows with the same engraving. People call them Schatten."

"Why can you be sure it's an organization? It could be just one person, right?" Ask Achromos again.

"At first, we also suspected so, Your Majesty. But there was an unusual incident where ten nobles from the Kingdom of Bhel were attacked at the same time, even though their residence was adrift by a great distance."

"Hm.." Achromos then looked at the arrow in his hand and grasped it tightly.

"Find out about this organization until you can figure out its location." He spoke briefly as he turned away.

The three men bowed to Achromos, who then disappeared behind the door.

Achromos accelerated his path to the library. Somehow he felt familiar with the engraving on the arrow he was holding. Who knew he could get clues from the books and documents that were there.

"What's up, Cain?" Ask Achromos.

Cain walked out the door and stood in front of his brother. Then he saluted.

"Your Majesty," he said slowly. "Daughter Jane.."

"Queen." Cut Achromos.

Cain looked at Achromos for a moment, then his eyes sparkled again. Achromos who saw it immediately shuddered.

Why is he looking at me like that? Her thought.

"Ah," said Cain— realized that he had to convey something to Achromos. "Queen Jane.."

"Why Jane?" Tanya Achromos was impatient.

"The conditions. deteriorated." Tukas Cain's.

Achromos. He feels confused. In his heart he strongly believed that he would never feel worried about others, but deep down he felt a little worried about Chroma's state. He moved his feet in agitation.

Cain's eyes sparkled again. His very cold brother had never been seen this lithe. To him, this was a very interesting new thing.

Achromos glanced at Cain, feeling himself being stared at. He immediately shuddered when he again saw Cain's sparkling gaze. He quickly walked away from where he stood.

Cain scared me for a long time, he said in his heart.

Cain looked at the figure of Achromos who was getting away with eyes that were still sparkling.

Interesting though.. His inner.

*

Achromos walked in the east castle hallway with misgivings. He really did not want to cross paths with Chlari again. After arriving in front of Chroma's room, he rushed in and closed the door.

"Ah, Your Majesty." Doctor Ghoz and some of the guards inside saluted Achromos.

Achromos approached Chroma who was still unconscious. His breath seemed to be wheezing and sweat pouring out profusely. Achromos then sat by the bed and looked at the Ghoz— doctor asking for an explanation.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for not realizing there is poison in Queen Jane's body. This poison only reacts about a week after entering the body. I've never encountered symptoms like this before, I'm sorry, Your Honor." Doctor Ghoz said, bowing his head to his king.

"Is there an antidote?" Ask Achromos.

Doctor Ghoz was silent restlessly. His hands he held tight and his eyes ran around. He then swallowed his saliva.

"Mo-please forgive me, Your Majesty. I really don't know what kind of poison Queen Jane's body is. I also haven't been able to find an antidote if I don't have a sample of the poison." Reveal Dr Ghoz carefully.

Achromos threw the arrow he was holding at Doctor Ghoz, causing the doctor to catch him clumsily.

"That's the arrow used to attack Jane. Check his arrow eyes, there might be poison left. Make the antidote as soon as possible." Achromos Command.

"Okay, Your Majesty." Reply doctor Ghoz while looking down.

"Yes-Your Majesty." Call doctor Ghoz in doubt. Achromos looked at Doctor Ghoz who again looked very agitated.

"I'm worried.. Queen Jane will not last long if not immediately given the antidote. But the process of making an antidote for poison takes a long time, so.."

Achromos stared intently at Doctor Ghoz and immediately pulled his collar violently.

"In that case, why don't you finish it in one day?" Achromos asked with an unusually horrifying look. Doctor Ghoz shuddered and his hands weakened, making the arrow he was holding fall to the floor. His legs and hands were shaking violently.

Achromos removed the doctor's collar and got up from his seat. He looked at Doctor Ghoz deeply.

"Then something happens with Jane.." He said as he held onto Doctor Ghoz's head violently. "your head will be displayed on the palace door."

Achromos then stepped away, leaving Doctor Ghoz who fell to the floor feeling helpless, as if half his age had run out after encountering the dark king.

———