Maplepunzel, Part 15

It took them nearly half the night to make their plans. They called in any servants who were awake and not tending guests. Maple managed to rouse Mackie and Scott long enough to bring them along, and Scott brought in Hilary. Even Walter and Betty sat in. Betty stood between Hilary and Scott, ready to protect them with her life. Maple got Victor down so Walter could lick his face. Walter liked it when Uncle Victor gave him a belly rub, even if Mama had to help his hand find his belly.

Maple, Mackie, and Walter started out first thing in the morning. “You sure ‘bout this?” Mackie yawned heavily. “I mean, I figured they were adding something to it. It never really tasted like regular coffee. Why drug the whole castle?” He looked down at her writing furiously on a scroll. “So no one will question her marryin’ Victor?” His eyes widened. “Or realize who she really is and put two and two together.”

They came in just as Brumpton leaned over the gleaming silver coffee pot. She had a glass bottle and was pouring a greenish fluid into it. Maple smelled something a bit woodsy and herbal. She glared and ran over to her, fighting Brumpton for the bottle. Walter grabbed at the fat lady’s white skirt. She was mean, making his papa and Grandmama Hilary and his friend Mackie take naps all the time!

Victor came in with his parents as Maple finally got the bottle away. She pointed at the Brumpton, then at the bottle. Before Brumpton could stop her, she grabbed the coffee pot and shoved it in Victor's hand, then put the glass bottle in his other hand. 

“Thank you, Maple.” Victor sniffed at the bottle and made a face. “That’s what I thought. Valerian. It’s an herbal sedative. It’s manufactured in several kingdoms, including Berlania, to help those who suffer from acute anxiety relax before sleeping.”

“We found this,” Queen Gertie added, “in the cupboard in place of our regular coffee. Rip Van Winkle Coffee, the drink of heavy sleepers.”

King Thomas waggled a finger angrily at Brumpton. “She said it’s decapitated!”

“No, Father. Decaffeinated.” Victor ran his fingers over the label on the can. “It’s a process that removes the caffeine. It tastes largely the same, but there’s nothing in this to keep people awake.”

Scott stumbled in next, clutching Abernathy’s arm with the help of two lucid young gardner’s assistants. Mackie trailed behind him, yawning. Betty stood at Scott’s arm, tugging at Abernathy’s jacket and helping to pull him along.

 “I intercepted mail in town intended for Abernathy,” Scott said, his voice raspy with exhaustion. “He claimed he was working for the Pittsburgh Town Gazette, but old man Grant said, in no uncertain terms,” he went on with a yawn, “that he had no one by the name of Abernathy working there. He and Brumpton are really potion makers in Berlania. Queen Pavla hired them to make sure everyone in the castle wouldn’t ask questions about Prince Victor’s fiancee.”

Abernathy and Brumpton tried to run for the door, but two of Victor’s men in the Wennaria Army blocked them. “Boys, Nurse Brumpton and Master Abernathy are under arrest for conspiracy against the crown.” Queen Gertie glared at them. “You can take them to the jail downtown. We’ll question them further there later, after we’ve gotten our son married to the right woman.”

Hilary stumbled into the room next, leaning on her cane. Jeff’s mirror was under her arm. “Show’s starting. It’s starting without me. I don’t know why it’s starting and I’m not there. Jeff’s in here. I think he’s girting with Flirty.”

“I think,” Victor said, “you mean flirting with Gertie.”

“Ah,” Hilary muttered, “so you saw it too!” Maple took the hand mirror from Hilary’s back. Jeff’s reflection just shrugged. She’d been drinking tons of coffee to keep awake, more than most of the castle. “Night night!” The elderly woman finally passed out at the table, snoring heavily.

Queen Gertie looked up as Maple’s songbird friend fluttered in through a window. “What’s going on here?” Eugenia twittered like crazy, pointing her yellow-gray wings at the main ballroom. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, little bird!”

“I do.’ Mackie yawned as Eugenia landed on his finger. Maple hurried over to him and gently stroked Eugenia’s round little chest. “My late wife was better at talking to animals, but she taught me a little ‘bout their speech. She’s saying she saw monsters lurking outside. That griffin she rides is hoverin’ overhead, too. Probably ready to take Pavla an’ Victor on their honeymoon.” 

Maple narrowed her eyes in pure fury, her face turning almost as red as her hair. She swung her fists so hard, she almost knocked over Mackie. “Whoa, sweetheart!” He yawned and grabbed the girl’s shoulders. “Hold your horses. There’s no way we’re gonna let her walk off with him.”

“I refuse to wed that odious creature.” Victor groped, grabbing at the table and Maple’s knee before he finally got her hand. “She couldn’t begin to measure up to you, my love. You have more kindness and intelligence in your little finger than she has in her whole body.” 

King Thomas nodded. “I don’t want my son marrying her, either. She isn’t very nice, borrowing a lady’s hair and voice without asking permission.” He took Maple’s arm. “Shall we, dear? I might as well practice walking the bride.” She gave the king her sweetest smile. Walter trotted on Maple’s other side. Mama and Mr. King needed a bodyguard, after all! Someone had to eat the honey and keep bad people away. 

Gertie took her son’s hands. “Walk an old lady to the ballroom, sonny?” 

“Even without my sight, I know this is no old lady.” Victor gave his mother a kiss on the forehead. “I’m addressing a queen.” Eugenia twittered as she followed them. Scott and Mackie got their arms around Hilary, while Betty grabbed Jeff’s mirror from the table and carried it between her teeth.