"Iron mine?"
Levon frowned.
'What was she talking about?'
"Please. Or else I'll bathe in the sun."
He looked at his sister lying on the bed.
Earlier, Fay had hurried into his study and told him his sister the duke had carried her to the Paragon Hall and she needed immediate medical care. Levon left immediately, brushing past Mirelle in the corridor as she tried to ask where he was going.
At the entrance of Paragon Hall, a trusted Varyn guard, Bern informed him: the duke wanted a doctor from the Royal Academy instead of Rashet's usual doctors. His Grace would wait at the Crest Cottage in a few hours.
Levon said nothing.
Inside Nyasia's bedroom, Fay handed him a pot with a dead plant and told her what happened. A doctor came shortly after and checked on Nyasia. He concluded that the young lady could have died if she kept consuming it. His final verdict: a poisonous chemical that damaged the stomach, especially the liver.
Now, looking at Nyasia, he frowned.
"Why didn't you tell me all this?"
"I was planning to," she replied. "I've been waiting for your return."
He exhaled heavily.
"We'll talk when you're better. Just rest."
He squeezed Nyasia's hand, then he left. The maids remained by the bedside. But Nyasia wanted only Fay to stay, so the others left.
Meanwhile, Basil stood waiting by the doorway of Levon's study. "Tell Mrs. Reinel to send all the servants to the Precept Hall."
Basil blinked, stunned, but left.
Levon's fist tightened.
His sister had been poisoned.
Under his watch.
Under Father's watch!
.....
WHILE LEVON was gathering the servants at the Precept Hall, Nyasia's hall had become quieter. She breathed. Her latest vision was new—something she hadn't seen in her first dream. But she was sure now: the root of her death was the iron mine.
"Did you bring the book I marked?" she said, turning to Fay.
Earlier, she had ordered Fay to bring the book she'd left at the library. She was still annoyed that Rian had made her sleep.
Did he see signs of poison?
He must have.
He knew warfare. Especially poisons.
Fay quietly handed the book.
It was an updated history of land and property in the Tenusa Empire. Especially about Rashet's iron mine.
For a few minutes, she flipped the pages.
'An agreement existed: Rashet, which owned an iron mine, could use the iron only for construction, household, and agriculture.'
Never weapons.
So the imperial family would take the mine if Rashet produces weapons, she reflected.
Did Rashets violate the agreement?
Although the elders in her vision looked guilty, it wasn't because they had violated the agreement, but because they were hiding something.
Meanwhile, Fay sighed, watching the young lady flip another page while leaning against the headboard.
A knock came at the door.
She opened it to find another maid standing there, telling her Miss Nox was outside.
"Miss Nox is here," Fay said stiffly.
Mirelle? Nyasia thought.
Fay insisted she was still too weak to see anyone. But Nyasia only waved off and told her to let her cousin in.
Moments later, Mirelle was ushered inside the bedroom. She pouted, standing at the foot of the bed.
"Cousin, I heard you got sick again? But why did you go out earlier? Did the sun hurt you?" Her voice was soft, almost too careful.
"Just a headache," Nyasia said.
"And here I thought you'd be able to join the Rashet banquet next week. It would have been great to finally see us together." Mirelle gave a worried look. "But if you're still very sick, of course you'll miss it again."
"Next week?"
"Yes. It's special this year—our two-hundred anniversary. The Third Prince and the Second Princess will attend."
Nyasia's brows furrowed a little.
'The Aurelios would come?'
"Miss Nox, the young lady needs rest. Thank you for coming," Fay said.
Mirelle's smile faltered.
"Of course. Please take care. Mother's out today. But I'll tell her you're very well."
Fay smirked. "Of course, Miss."
Mirelle's hands clutched her dress, then turned away. She never spared a glance at Fay who was still smirking.
"She still hates being called miss," Fay said as soon as the door closed.
Ignoring Fay's remark, Nyasia replied, "Where's Brother?"
"I've heard he'll be in the Precept Hall."
"Send a maid there," Nyasia said. "Find out what's happening."
*