"You're asking me about Betrayal, huh? Hmmm…. Betrayal is an interesting thing, done by very uninteresting persons, but you know, in the end, it is very uninteresting. After all, the bonds between us are far more important, and interesting of course, than the breakage of them that is called Betrayal. Therefore Betrayal is more boring than interesting and should not be worth your time" – an interesting philosopher

"Umm… sir," one of the mansions many servants says in the attempt to gain his master's attention.

"What is it? I'm not allowed to visit my son, and now this? Please tell me that you have a purpose in waking me at this ungodly hour," the duke says while fiercely glaring at his subordinate.

"Sir, I understand that you're tired and out of sorts at the moment, but something has passed that must come to your attention, your son… please calm down I know he's important to you, but you must let me finish speaking… yes… well, your son has collapsed… I understand, we have it under control. Also, we believe he may have a form of amnesia… I understand… this faithful servant Robert will see you soon then sir Duke" The servant then taps the stone he had held to his ear and talked into twice and places it on the nightstand, "Lady Ivona, he should be here soon, in the meantime he told us he would be here soon, and to proceed along with your advice and that he would reward you for continuing your care for his son a bit longer."

"I won't be able to work like this Robert, so could you please fetch my tools and meet me in Alex's room, the stasis on him now will not hold for much longer."

"Understood Milady," Robert bows and makes to leave the room.

"Oh, and you won't need to wear that monstrosity of a suit, Alex is right about them being unnatural, you know. Just make sure Walter doesn't interfere with the procedure, I know he's concerned, but he isn't a healer, and he'll do more harm than good, understood Robert?"

"Understood Milady"

Ivona proceeds to walk towards Alex's room, much as she had just the day before and opens it. Inside, Alex is suspended in air, with slowly circulating symbols covering him in a cocoon, yellow tendrils reaching out from the sheathe, and swaying gracefully as if in a breeze.

"You know I could buy a mansion of this size with the amount of money this is going to cost me, in a better quality mana area too, not to mention the strain of using such high quantities of magic in an area like this is going to cause me, to be honest, you've caused a right mess," Ivona says while walking around the room, scanning the walls, furniture, and ceiling when she finishes she nods, "But… I've got a favor to repay, and Walter says he's going to pay me, so… let's do this." She takes a deep breath in, and then slowly releases it, and repeats until Robert knocks on the door lightly, a brown bag in his hand. Ivona opens her eyes and gestures for him to come over, he does so and opens the bag, inside are numerous glowing stones.

"Ivona," Robert says, getting her attention, "Here is your bag, shall we get started?"

As he says so, the duke bursts into the room, multiple servants, "Ivona for the last surgery I stayed out of here, but I'm not going to tolerate that again. Please, Ivona, at least let me watch…"

Ivona sighs and looks poignantly at Robert, who shrugs and looks away, Ivona sighs again and then looks at Walter, "Fine then, here are the rules. First, no magic, it could interfere with the healing. Second, no closer than five feet. Third, don't ever do this again, or don't expect to ever have the opportunity for me to grace your presence."

The duke nods in acquiescence, and Ivona starts. Ivona starts chanting in a low tone and puts out her hand; in response, Robert hands a glowing blue stone.

"Let there be the domain of calm."

The stone glows, then cracks, and then dissolves into dust, the barrier surrounding the boy turns blue.

"GREATER DIAGNOSIS," Ivona says, then as if reading something she pauses for a few moments, and then looks at Walter and frowns.

"Walter, he's been poisoned."

Walter looks towards her and takes a step, before thinking better of it and grimly nods, Ivona nods and then looks towards Robert, "This poison seems deadly, but I've dealt with worse, please hand me the earth stone."

Walter asks, "Is he going to be okay?"

Ivona rolls her eyes, "Who do you think I am, Walter. I should have this done in a jiffy, whoever thought that it was a good idea to use poison, or even attempt to assassinate my patient while I'm around is simply insane, now Robert, please hand me the earth stone."

Robert simply stands there for a moment and then sighs while handing Ivona the earth stone, "What's wrong Robert, you seem a bit down over there" Ivona says while focusing on the stone now in her hand.

"Is it really safe to be talking during this?" asks Walter

"Usually not Walter, but I'm quite the premier doctor, and this won't pose a problem," she then crushes the stone and whispers something. The cocoon of magic surrounding Alex turns brown for a moment before flaking away and disappearing, Alex then slowly floats down to the bed.

"There we go," says Ivona, wiping the bead of sweat from her forehead, "That was harder than I thought. Usually, I don't have to go as far as using the stones, even in an environment such as this, little Alex sure has enemies doesn't he Walter?"

"Just as any prince might Ivona, just as any prince… ROBERT, what are you doing."

Ivona then turns around from her conversation with her old friend to see Robert holding a dagger over a now awake Alex.

"Robert, you can still stop this-"

"Your majesty, I mean no disrespect, but we both know that that isn't true." Robert sighs, shaking his head, "A monstrosity like this shouldn't exist, much less be the prince of such a magnificent nation."

"Robert, stop what you are doing right this instant," Ivona says as she tenses, ready to spring into action.

Walter starts to slowly circle the bed to get to Roberts blind side

"Take one more step, your majesty, and this dagger will go right through poor Alex's throat."

Alex starts crying as he sees the dagger hanging precious centimeters above his throat, and tries to scooch out of the way.

Robert's hand slams down onto his throat, serving the dual purpose of both choking and strangling him.

Walter and Ivona, seeing this, both dash for him.

"I'm sorry Alex, I guess this is just fate?" Robert says while stabbing Alex through the throat, staining the bedsheets crimson.