Chapter 165

[ 1,079 words ]

{Third Person}

On Amara’s side of the residence, Mrs. Woods and Barron did not have to wait long before Elder Mage Seraphina arrived.

The moment she entered the room, the older woman immediately moved aside to give her space.

Seraphina approached the bed without wasting time and began examining Amara. At first, everything appeared normal. Then she rolled back one of Amara’s sleeves.

The reaction was immediate.

Seraphina’s eyes widened ever so slightly, and for the briefest moment, genuine shock crossed her face.

But it disappeared almost as quickly as it had come.

By the time she looked up again, her expression had returned to normal. Unfortunately, Barron had noticed.

Nothing escaped his attention when he was paying close enough interest.

Just then, his eyes narrowed slightly. “Elder Mage.”

Seraphina did not look at him. Instead, she continued examining the markings.

Barron folded his arms and said casually, “You recognized them.”

This time, Seraphina paused as the room fell silent.

Mrs. Woods looked between them, immediately sensing that something important was being left unsaid.

After several moments, Seraphina finally released a quiet breath. “Yes.”

Barron’s attention sharpened. “You know what they are?”

“I do.”

The answer came reluctantly. Then Seraphina gently turned Amara’s wrist and studied the red markings beneath her skin.

“These markings are her body’s way of alerting her that it has been attacked.”

Mrs. Woods immediately became anxious again. “Attacked?”

Seraphina nodded. “The poison.”

The word alone was enough to make Mrs. Woods’ heart sink. Every time it was mentioned, her worry seemed to double.

She looked toward the unconscious Amara and felt a fresh wave of anger rise within her chest.

Who could be cruel enough to do such a thing?

The more she thought about it, the less she believed this had happened by accident.

Her instincts told her that whoever had done this was close. Very close. Perhaps even within the palace itself.

Meanwhile, Barron’s attention remained fixed on Seraphina. “You’ve seen markings like these before.”

It was not a question. It was an observation.

Seraphina’s expression became noticeably uncomfortable. For the first time since entering the room, she seemed uncertain.

Her lips parted a few times, then closed again.

Several seconds passed. She appeared to be weighing her options carefully. Eventually, she looked away.

“I’m not discussing that.”

Barron’s brows rose slightly. The refusal only confirmed his suspicions that Seraphina knew more than she was willing to admit.

Perhaps far more.

Still, he chose not to press her, at least not tonight. There would be time for answers later.

For now, helping Amara was more important.

The room fell quiet as Seraphina resumed her examination. She checked Amara’s pulse, then placed her hand over her wrist and closed her eyes. A faint glow emerged beneath her palm as she used her magic to examine what ordinary eyes could not see.

Several long moments passed before she finally withdrew her hand. Her expression had become serious again.

“The previous assessment was correct.”

Barron immediately straightened. “The poison?”

“Yes.” Seraphina nodded. “It is a slow-acting poison.”

Mrs. Woods felt her stomach twist.

Seraphina continued, “The person who administered it was careful.”

That statement immediately caught Barron’s attention. His eyes narrowed. “How so?”

“The poison works gradually. Its effects take time to fully develop.” Her voice remained calm, but there was unmistakable disapproval beneath it.

“By the time the symptoms become obvious, most people would struggle to identify where or when it entered the victim’s system.”

Barron immediately understood. Whoever had done this had planned very carefully.

Mrs. Woods looked horrified. The realization only strengthened her growing suspicions.

This was not the work of someone acting on impulse. This had been calculated. Deliberate. Cruel.

After a moment, she gathered her courage and asked the question that had been bothering her since the poison was first discovered.

“Elder Mage Seraphina…”

The mage looked toward her.

“Do you know what kind of poison it is?”

Seraphina was silent for a moment before answering. “Yes.”

Mrs. Woods felt her pulse quicken.

Seraphina’s gaze shifted briefly toward Amara as she said, “The minor effect of the poison is infertility.”

The words hit Mrs. Woods like a physical blow. For a second, she simply stared, then Seraphina continued.

“The primary effect is death.”

The room fell completely silent.

Mrs. Woods’ face turned pale as a chill ran down her spine. Suddenly, countless memories resurfaced in her mind.

The women of the inner palace.

The concubines.

The noble ladies.

The whispered rumours.

The miscarriages.

The women who never conceived despite years of trying.

The women who quietly disappeared from favour.

And standing at the center of every story was one person.

The Queen.

Mrs. Woods immediately lowered her gaze before anyone could notice the thoughts running through her mind.

She had served in the palace for many years. Long enough to understand that some suspicions were safer left unspoken.

Still, she could not stop herself from wondering, ’If not the Queen, then who?’

The thought lingered heavily in her chest. After all, she knew exactly how ruthless Queen Lysandra could be.

The Queen had successfully secured her own position by giving birth to Lord Zarek and Princess Elowen. Even Lord Rowan’s existence felt like an exception to the natural order of the palace.

Had the late human political bride not given birth before her death, Mrs. Woods sometimes wondered whether Rowan would have survived long enough to celebrate his first birthday.

The thought disturbed her more than she cared to admit.

Across the room, Barron had noticed her silence. He studied her briefly before deciding not to comment.

He just turned his attention back toward Seraphina and inquired, “Can it be removed?”

The mage looked at him. “The poison?”

“Yes.” Barron nodded. “Can you detoxify her?”

Unlike before, Seraphina’s answer came without hesitation. “Yes.”

Relief immediately appeared on both Barron’s and Mrs. Woods’ faces.

Seraphina allowed herself a small smile before saying, “For her, this will not be particularly difficult.”

Barron raised an eyebrow. The confidence in her voice was impossible to miss.

Seraphina straightened her back. “I will take care of it tonight.”

Mrs. Woods visibly relaxed. For the first time since the banquet, genuine hope appeared on her face.

Barron inclined his head respectfully. “Thank you, Elder Mage.”

Seraphina nodded once before turning her attention back to Amara.

The tension inside the room eased slightly. Amara’s life was not in immediate danger. And before morning came, the poison threatening her would be gone.

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