Crest Cottage was a circle of five mahogany cottages inside a small forest at the edge of the Rashet estate. Bern was walking toward the patio of the center cottage and looked at the back of a tall figure standing beside the wooden rail.
It was the duke.
In hia usual, quiet demeanor.
Bern began his report: the poison was a type of a bean. It would cause internal bleeding in the stomach and kill the target in three to five days.
"The young lady was saved only because she stopped drinking it yesterday. Her maid reported everything to Young Master Rashet. It seems Lady Rashet suspected poison."
The duke gave no response.
As if he hadn't heard the report.
"It's the Young Master," Bern added as he saw Levon coming into the patio. Then Bern bowed, greeted, then finally left.
"Efficient as always," Levon said with a hint of bitterness when he reached a few paces along the trail.
Dorian's gaze stayed straight ahead.
"Don't act surprised," he uttered a word finally, but the corner of dark eyes were burning, his mind still on her weak pulse. "You know damn well I warned you I'd interfere."
"For heaven's sake, I've already beaten people up. I'm investigating—"
"Not enough." Dorian's jaw tightened slightly, though his voice remained steady and restrained. "You know why I played along—the title, the border hero, bowing to an emperor who looks like a blobfish."
Levon exhaled. "Well, in case you forget, I'm not the head of our clan. I can't just summon everyone. Especially the elders."
Dorian glanced sideways.
If he hadn't come today...
"I'll talk to Father about this. At the right moment. Assuming it's the person I'm thinking, I don't think they'd be this bold without backing," Levon said.
"I'll lend you the Sinopia."
Levon went still.
His eyes shifted to Dorian.
Sinopia?
"You're lending your intelligence to me?"
Dorian's lips curved stiffly.
"Fix this."
Levon snorted.
For sure, Sinopia would make a difference.But if he accepted this offer, this man would only grow bolder. Closer to Nyasia. Tsk!
"Aren't you still investigating that lost seal?" He asked. "What if the First Prince finds it first?"
"Maybe." Dorian's eyes gave a flash of icy mockery. "But his hands are tied. The emperor is watching him closely."
Suddenly his arm stretched out sideways.
Levon caught it and opened his palm.
Sinopia seal.
"Deal with your own mess first," Dorian said, flat. "Then we'll talk about the Aurelios."
...
LEVON FELT relieved when Dorian finally left Rashet estate. But Levon didn't know where to throw his annoyance when he discovered Dorian had met his sister at the library. Thegall, he gritted his teeth.
"Brother."
He found Nyasia sitting on a rattan chair in her courtyard and watching him enter the Paragon Hall.
"Still here? It's already eight," he asked as soon as he reached the courtyard and took a seat before her.
"I can't sleep." She sighed faintly. "So have you decided? I want you to own the iron mine."
"Nonsense." He frowned. "What is this deal with the mine? Anyway, I want you to tell me everything about this poison."
She shook her head.
"There's not much to tell. I just felt the tea made me worse." A pause. "Brother, our clan owns large lands. I want a large share of our corn and sugarcanes. The mine means nothing to me."
"Why not? The iron mine is everything for our clan. It should matter to you. Most especially."
"But why?"
In her vision, the iron mine brought her death. The Rashets were later accused of producing weapons. But it was the elders' secret that intrigued her.
If her death was tied to the mine, then the secret must have unfolded after she was gone.
Yet why did she matter at all?
He looked at her.
"Sia, our parents had me before they were wed."
Nyasia's lips parted. "You are?"
"I'm illegitimate, Sia. It's complicated."
Levon explained—the Rashets never approved of Father marrying Mother, a baron's daughter. They separated briefly. For three years, Mother raised him alone. The Rashets only accepted the marriage when they found out the child was a boy.
But the elders' acceptance came with a condition. The illegitimate child wouldn't inherit the iron mine—unless the second child reached the age of seventeen.
Her eyes fluttered, her heart racing.
No wonder.
She was the only real heiress.
"Sia, this condition is clearly meant to control Father. But even more so, me. Though the elders' influence has weakened over the years, their will regarding the iron mine remains the same."
She breathed.
Her death was Rashet's fall.
But what secret did the elders have?
"The iron mine should be yours alone. You're the next lord." She looked at Levon. "I must turn seventeen next month. I'll stay alive."
To her surprise, he chuckled.
"Sia, look how worried you are. I must be an incompetent brother. Just months ago, you're my little sister. Now, you're speaking like a royal courtier."
"But you must—"
The hall's entrance burst open.
They turned sharply.
It was Basil rushing in.
"Young Master, the forest is burning!"
*