♔♔♔ 
The scream led us to the stables. Upon our arrival, the cooks stood in the middle, huddled over something on the hay-covered floor. 
“Let me through,” I pushed through the cooks. 
Something I regretted doing. 
As they stepped away, my world stopped. My heart slowed down - stopped, even - as I saw a corpse on the ground. James and Mother were calling my name. But their voices were muffled. All I heard was the slow beating of my heart and my rasped breath. 
I finally fell to my knees and screamed. “NO!!!!” I shouted until my lungs gave in. 
Lady laid lifeless on the ground. Her eyes were closed as she laid on her side. I reached out to her as the tears began to fall. As my hand landed on her stiff body, it confirmed my fear. She was truly dead. 
“Lady…” I sobbed as I carried her head in my arms. “No, please…” I put her near to my heart, not wanting to let her go. 
James sat beside me and put his hands on my shoulders. In an effort to console me, he lightly squeezed my shoulders. 
“Lady, please, don’t,” I whispered to her ear, still hoping she would reawaken to my voice. A hand rubbed my back as I pleaded with my best friend. “I need you, Lady. You know I need you.” 
The excruciating pain felt like a knife that was pierced straight to my heart, being twisted over and over again. There was no sign of it ending. No words were able to come out of my mouth. I wept and held Lady tighter. Our memories then played in my mind, making it even harder. 
The very first time we met was when James gave her to me as a gift for my birthday. That same day, I asked one of my tutors to teach me how to ride a horse properly. 
Lady was the horse I used when I was able to go on a trot on my own. I fell off her due to my negligence but was still something I could never forget. 
Lady was the horse that helped me win a race against Benjamin. 
There were just so many memories of us together. And for all of it to come to an abrupt end today… I don’t know what to do. 
“I’m very sorry, son. I really am,” James spoke, his head low. “This is all my fault. The investigation wasn’t fast enough to save her.” 
Lady was still in my arms but my tears were now under my control. Mother and Elizabeth sat around me as they continued to comfort me. I closed my eyes as I hugged Lady tighter. As I opened them, I noticed that there were no signs of blood anywhere near Lady’s body. 
“She must have been poisoned again,” I said, turning to James. “And this time, the poison was fatal.” 
James looked around the crime scene, searching for something within the scattered hay. He then reached out for something. A cork. He then stood up, examining the evidence. He then turned to the cooks. “Has anyone of you been here last night? Or earlier this morning?” he questioned. 
“No, Your Majesty,” they muttered.
“Then who would do this?” James’ voice changed from calm to furious. “Someone poisoned my son’s champion and was foolish enough to leave evidence where the crime happened.” 
“Your Majesty,” one of the cooks spoke out, “we never stepped foot in the stables last night. After the two stablemen took care of the horses, we all stayed inside.” 
“Then who would do this to Lady?” he repeated, pointing to Lady. “Who would even dare to harm a harmless creature?” 
James’ anger was evident. Everyone could feel it. Beneath his calm yet stern voice, he wasn’t happy with what we saw. 
But as James’ anger grew, I still didn’t know what I was feeling. I don’t even know if I could forgive the one responsible for Lady’s untimely demise. Her death was too much for me. Too overwhelming to a degree that I feel nothing but numbness. She’s been with me for so long. And in an instant, she was just… gone. 
“Fetch for Gonzalo now. Ensure that everything in the castle is clean of poison. We don’t want to have more casualties. The loss of a good friend is enough for today,” he instructed. “Other than that, you may all return to work.” 
Without saying another word, they rushed back to the kitchen. 
“Son,” James sat beside me once more. 
Gently, I laid Lady’s head on the floor. It looked like she was only asleep. “She was my best friend,” I sniffled. 
“I know, son,” he gave my shoulder another squeeze. “I understand how hard this is for you. We will find whoever killed Lady. I promise you.” 
“Your Majesty?” Gonzalo spoke behind us. 
James quickly stood and walked towards Gonzalo. “I need an immediate investigation for Lady’s slaughter. This time, we cannot afford any more delays. The culprit must be found and punished for their crime.” 
“Yes, Your Majesty. What are your orders?” Gonzalo asked. 
James answered, “Here is a cork that was found near Lady. And this note, I’m sure you’re familiar with it.” He continued, “Use these to find who killed my son’s champion. Do it as fast as possible.” 
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Gonzalo then went on ahead. 
Mother moved closer to me, still rubbing my back. “My darling, I am truly sorry about Lady.” 
“Who would do this to her? She’s never done anything wrong against anybody,” I protested, the tears started once more. “If someone is angry at me, why hurt an innocent being?”
Mother gently kissed my forehead. “Horrible things happen sometimes, sweetheart,” she replied as she rubbed my arm. “These are the things we cannot explain at the moment they happened. Answers will surely come but for another day.” 
“But why? Why Lady?” My blood began to boil as I continued to question Lady’s fate. 
Mother quickly grabbed hold of my arm and said, “Hush now, son. There is a reason why the gods have allowed for her to be taken. But you must never harbour anger and resentment because of this. Wait for the answers you need.” 
Wait? All I have to do is wait? 
Do I have to wait for everything to be cleared for me? Does everything require me, waiting? I can’t simply sit here and wait for answers to come, especially at a time like this. Lady’s death was unfair, absolutely unjust. Whoever did this to her knew very well that she couldn’t fight back. They knew that no one guarded the horses. The killer must be hanged for their crime!