We came back to the library after eating a light snack in a café.
The book shop has a great ambience as soon as we enter. There are some seats on the corners. The books are organized according to the genres, oh there is also a second floor.
"What are we looking for?" Boaife picked a book and flipped the pages as she skimmed the book.
"poisons."
"master, are you finally going to poison the young masters?" My eyes shot wide open at Cervi's question. He asked it in such a loud voice that people looked at us with wide eyes.
then suddenly...
"...!"
It was fast and the next thing we saw is that Cervi's head is down and behind him is Boaife with the book she's reading up in the air. She must've smacked him.
"Our lady wouldn't do that you idiot," she said as she dusted the book and put it back on the shelf. For once she said something rational.
"If she wants to kill them, there is no need for poisons. I can just burn them," what the hell is she saying? Now the people around us trembled as they looked away.
I really thought that she was going to help. I should have known. Both of them are now talking about it. How did they reach the conclusion that I want to poison Lexus and Laxus.
"Then... I will bury their bodies," he says that like it's a natural thing, "Don't open your mouths."
Damn it, now I feel like I will commit a crime here because of these two. Now let's see, these books are about plants... well, there may be listed here about poisonous plants that match with the current information I have.
I took it all and read some parts, mostly some of it is about rare plants. As I flipped the pages, one plant caught my attention.
"it really is a rare plant," for a moment there I thought that I was being tricked and almost planned on destroying their shop.
Anyway, there is nothing unusual with the said list and there is nothing else that fits the description I had in my memory.
Since it is almost my curfew, I should head back home. Jemina might worry.
"buy these books," Boaife clicked her tongue as still followed me. Cervi and I wait for her outside.
"..."
Strangely, I find myself being quiet with this guy. Cervi turned to me and said, "should we go around, master?"
at first I went along with him, with the reason of boredom as Baoife is really taking her time. That is not the point, we end up buying some merchandise in the stores we visited unconsciously. It must be the fact that the goods are eye-catching.
"really? Shopping sprees?" This is also what happens after we return to the bookstore.
Boaife is angry as she taps the ground with her foot. Well, she did wait for us for an hour. It is not my fault that I bought some clothes and toys. I just thought that these will suit both Astreia and Joelle.
After heading home, the three of us came home and Jemina was there waiting for us. Luckily not one of my stresses is not at home and no destruction for today.
"Young Miss... the things you bought where should we put it?" Jemina asked as she helped me change clothes and remove the masks.
hays, I did not find any leads about the poison. I couldn't help but feel disappointed. As I thought it was hard to figure out the type of poison that has no other description on it.
A sigh escaped from my lips, Cervi then moved forward and laid in front of me of a Bird and a big dog– a figurine.
"Why does this thing look like they are fighting...?"
Cervi shrugs and suddenly looks at Boaife, "I just remembered her being a big bird." he said while he points at her. Somehow, this figurine is sending me goosebumps. Still, it was a gift from Cervi and besides seeing the two of them bicker made me laugh.
A sudden thought has crossed my mind and I looked at both of them. Even though Cervi appears to be an air head he always observes his surroundings. Then, perhaps this must be his way to cheer me up...
"master, I have a question,"
"It must be about food, Wren." I like to tell her that she also likes that the first time she cling to me. Anyway, Cervi looks like he has something serious to ask.
"What is it?"
"Isn't your mother a saintess? how about asking her to examine the concubine," Boaife suddenly dropped the book we bought and a disbelief look appeared on her eyes.
"Perhaps I hit him too hard on the head for him to suddenly use his brain," Boaife commented while she was trembling which made Cervi sigh, "How rude, Senior"
"since when did I become your senior?" her brows raised as she smacked his head again then looked at me, pointing at Cervi and said, "He is right, why won't you let the duchess examine her?"
I also did not thought of that! I am too focused with the contents of the book that I had forgot the present. Mom is alive and she can heal Zairon's mother.
with that I came out of my room and looked for my mother. Noland says that she and Joelle were in the garden, taking a walk.
Another prodigy came out and it was Joelle.
She can already call me sister. "Wren there you are!"
Yessenia is running around with Anna behind her. She looks tired, she must be running around a lot.
"Slow down Yessenia," I said, holding her to prevent from running.
"Thank you, Young Miss." Anna bowed. Cervi followed us along her as we headed in the garden which they fix in the instant using magic.
"Wren let's go outside!"
"Not this again. You know we can't"
the reason is simple. We can't afford to be prey, especially since the investigation from 2 years ago has no clue up till now. I heard it from Dad's office and he was so angry with it.
She pouted and pointed to the knights hall, "what is their purpose then?"
She really intends to go out. I wonder if something caught her attention again.
"..."
she huffed and said, "We just need knights to come along with us"
"... No"
all the way in the garden she whined at me. I mean, I just got home from coming out secretly and she expects me to go out again.
When we arrive there, mom is sitting under the umbrella's shade as she drinks tea. She then noticed us, "Oh, Wren and Yessenia"
on the other side is where Astreia and Joelle are running around, Jemina is following the two of them and they did not notice our presence.
"Good afternoon, mom" I said as I sat down in front of her, meanwhile Yessenia plays with my sisters as she said that Azi is boring all he does is read books. He rarely hangs out with Astreia.
Come to think of it, it's been 2 years since I last saw Euphrasia. I think she's 3 or 4 this year. I wonder if when they are coming back and it is surprising that none of them asks about Aunt Mave.
"Wren?" My mother called out to me. I shrug, the maids start to give me a drink and sweets as I stare at the place.
"How are your studies?"
"it is all right... except math" well, even in my past life I have a failing grade at that subject.
she hummed while sipping the tea. The sweets are also delicious---
"Master what about the thing you want to ask?"
I flinched, I totally forgot about it. Mom looked at us and smiled, "What is it? do you want something?"
before I could answer, someone answered her voice, "Aunt! Can we go out?!" Of all things she chose to jump now.
"maybe next time Yessenia," she said and looked back at me, ignoring Yessenia's whine.
"Can we visit the Palace, mom?" she's taken aback from my question. I hope she doesn't think of anything weird from it. But by the looks of it, she really misunderstood something.
It's been three or four years since it had happened and I behave myself. I can't help but say the thing that the prince told me in the letter. Mother probably has no idea, besides I know that this will soon spread in the empire.
"mom, the third concubine is bedridden and the doctors said they cannot identify the cause of it..." she listened to me with serious expression and then sigh, "You want me to heal her, yes?"
I nod at her, "I did not know that you were exchanging letters with the princes," this kind of smile of her is still scary for me. Besides that It is more than one side exchanging letters as I rarely reply to them.
"All right. We will go to the Imperial Palace, Noland get me a pen and paper" what? What, what?
"mom, what do you mean by 'we'?"
"You are coming with me of course," Don't tell me that my mother still remembers how I act at the time she's pregnant?
"Besides the book you're looking for might be in the Imperial library,"
the book I need...? My eyes shot wide open, Mother... she knows what I am up to earlier.
"My daughter is so helpful. You have grown up," she smiled as she started to write on the paper.
No matter how hard I tried to hide the things, she can easily know what I am up to. She really scares me.
later that day, three letters from the imperial palace arrive at the door. One is for my mother, the emperor has granted us an audience tomorrow. The other two... It really scares me to open it. These are the princes we're talking about.
Still, with my spirits around they find the situation amusing as they open it for me and force me to read it on my desk,
Just seeing the handwriting of the 1st prince is enough to make my head dizzy. There is no improvement in his handwriting. Zairon's letter was merely a thankful about my mother examining the concubine.
He must really love his mother, enough to send me tons of gifts along the letter. Her death must be the reason why Zairon starts to become twisted that time and the start of his hatred to the empress.
"Hmmm..."
wait... something feels like a puzzle that fits the board and I cannot grasp it....
suddenly, the door of my room flung open
"...!"
I jolted at my seat as Boaife and Cervi flinched. It was quiet a minute ago and that hearing a loud sound surprised us.
"Wren! The duchess said we could go out!" Yessenia announced. She was fully dressed to boot.
"..."
I looked at her and turned my back once again. Instead I felt her hand grab my wrist as she dragged away.
"Just what am I going to do with you?" I mumbled, the maids who we passed tried to stop Yessenia and I bet Boaife is too tired to catch her now and just let me be dragged away.
"Cervi... stop her first," I whispered and sigh.
*****
"So what are we doing here?" I asked her, but she looks like she doesn't hear me as her eyes are already roaming around. Sparkling even.
"Yessenia you know what the rules are, right?" she nodded enthusiastically as she ran. The knights with us and even Anna followed her fast.
Goodness, good thing I suggested to wear masks and robes to conceal our identity.
"Should we leave her?"
"No."
certainly, this day we walk and walk around as we landed on an antique shop. Yessenia's eyes sparkled as she looked around with Anna.
she then squeals, an annoying one. For sure there is something that made her excited, she will come running here so---
"BUY THIS!" and there she is, tugging Anna on the counter with some old rusty... hourglass.
"Why?" I asked her and she grinned, saying in an excited voice, "This thing looks like the exact one I had in my dream!" she says and hurried in paying the hourglass.
I sigh, well, this must be the reason why she wants to leave right? Haizz... Even on our way home she hugs it despite the dirt and grime it had.
"I never thought there really is something that looks like it" she said with a tender gaze on it like it was something she treasured the most.
"Let's clean that, Yessenia."
If she liked it that much shouldn't we restore its beauty? She seems to like the idea of it and she personally cleaned it. At least she's being occupied for the day.
"Waaahh! Wren it really looked like the one in my dream!" she says and ran off to her room to display it.