Indian Queen Of Roman Crown (completed)

Chapter 28

(Stephano)

"We need to execute our plan well because we can not afford to lose more soldiers of ours. It was a bad move of yours to send messages at first. Why don't we kill them already ?" frustration was leaking out of Aelia's mouth when she spoke these words.

She was very furious at the fact that their four soldiers died just in order to send message to Augustus. Even Luca got hurt by Augustus's wife. She raked her teetered hand through her silver shiny hair in order to calm herself.

Stephano didn't like anyone defying him but instead of venting out his anger, he kept his calm because he knew that in a group, unity plays a key role. He straightened his position and cranked his neck side wise which produce a crackling sound. After calming himself he muttered in his deep voice, "nothing goes in vain, Aelia. The fear which is instilled in their heart is because of messages. In the back of his mind, Augustus just be blaming his brothers which will create more fire in the fury." his eyes were looking at a particular point on the wall as if he could anticipate the near future.

The very thought of Eagles ruling the whole of Italia made his heart swell with happiness. He snapped out of his thoughts when Aelia shook his shoulders and said, "but why to play so much? We can directly kill them. " Aelia threw her black cloak on the ground and she was breathing fire. Balbina gasped seeing Aelia's anger and quickly came forward to calm her down.

  "If you have forgotten Aelia then let me remind you, we are working under someone and  we will do as we are asked to. We are nobody to object that. " spoke Stephano in heated tone fixing his sharp gaze on the old lady which left no room for further discussion on this topic.

  After settling the matter, he went near a shelf and took out a white handkerchief. After wrapping his hand with handkerchief, he took out a yellow coloured flower which was blotted by purple imprints which looked like as if web of blue veins are running through it.

(Scientific name: Hyoscyamus niger
  common name. : henbane)

  Everyone's curiosity was on fire after seeing a, plant in Stephano's hand. Luca came forward in order to touch the shrinked leaves of the plant(since it was plucked previous day therefore it leaves were bit shrinked) but Stephano jerked his hands away and shouted, "Are you fool? This is a poisonous plant or else I wouldn't have used handkerchief to pick it. It can cause rashes on skin.

         Luca was flabbergasted with his reaction. The sudden jerk caused an immense pain in his shoulder. He groaned hard due to the pain. Balbina was not at all happy with Stephano's behaviour as her lover was hurt but she kept quiet. After the pain subsided a bit, Luca asked Stephano, "alright! I won't touch it but tell me what plant is it? "

            Before Stephano could explain him, Aelia replied smirking,  " It is belladonna, Europe's most poisonous plant. "

"Belladonna! Is it deadliest? But ladies
consume belladonna in order to dilate their pupils to look beautiful and as far as I remember, this plant is named belladonna because it is used as beauty product." it was Balbina who asked this question in a confused tone.

  Aelia just rolled her eyes at Balbina's silly question and replied, "those are different plants of the species belladonna which are used by ladies and if you remember, those plants have a sweet fragrance unlike this one. The plant which Stephano has in his hand is hernbane, whose oral consumption can paralyse any person or worst can kill him. If a person's skin touches this flower or leaves, it can cause severe rashes and itchiness on the skin. "

   Balbina and Luca were shocked seeing such a deadly plant while Stephano had a proud look on his face seeing Aelia's knowledge. He complimented her, "Very well Aelia, I'm proud of your research and to further increase your knowledge Balbina , hernbane is the deadliest plant of species belladonna or deadly nightshade. It has a very pungent odour unlike other plants of deadly nightshade. Now, listen to the plan very carefully. "

      He continued after gaining everyone's full attention, "Aelia make a powder of this and keep it with you. After two days, there will be meeting where king Atticus alongwith his important advisors, ministers and noblemen would be present. They would be giving the report of their progress to king. Either Balbina or Aelia would poison particularly king Atticus's wine. Decide according to your convenience and I expect perfection. Not even a whisper about our plan should be heard. Got that? "

Aelia assured him with a menacing smile,  "with age comes experience, don't fret over it. I'll do my work with perfection because apart from perfection, I don't know anything."

     Stephano hummed in response and dismissed Balbina and Aelia to do their work. All the eagles were oozing confidence and determination and if they succeed in it, Florence's politics will take a three sixty degree turn adding more into the already chaotic situation.
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        In the another part of the same palace, mother-son duo was laughing and giggling making the vibe around very living and chirpy. After changing Justus's dressing of his injured hand Ritha hugged him close to her chest and stroked his hair.

  Justus on the other hand was having the time of his life. His mother returned and now uncle Cato was also there to play with him. He didn't allow Romeo and his other cousins to bully him but still one question was bugging him.

  He raised his head from Ritha's chest and adjusted himself on her lap. He then cupped Ritha's cheek and asked her the question which she dreaded the most, "Where were you till now, ma? "