Chapter 52 Before Her Death Part 1
Esmeralda stood by the window of her chambers, her gaze drifting over the manicured gardens. The wind brushed softly against the hedges, stirring life into something that looked almost... artificial in its perfection.
Beautiful things often were perfect on the surface but rotten beneath.
Her fingers lightly tapped against the windowsill.
Amaria.
The name lingered unpleasantly in her mind.
If Amaria is as the Goddess had said, she was not the innocent heroine the book had described her.
And it would only be a matter of time before she acts recklessly again just like at the Cathedral.
A knock came.
"My Lady, the guest has arrived."
"Who is it, Belle?"
"It's... lady Amaria.. my lady." Belle hesitated.
Esmeralda closed her eyes briefly.
"I'll be there shortly."
---
When Esmeralda arrived, Amaria had already settled in the room. A tea set just beside their table.
Amaria lifted her head and smiled.
Esmeralda stepped inside.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting," she said, her tone even. "I needed a moment to prepare myself."
"It is no problem at all. I did not mind waiting."
Esmeralda took note of everything.
The way Amaria held her hands.
The stillness in her shoulders.
The softness of her voice felt just slightly too perfect to be called natural.
"...Leave us."
The maids hesitated a bit but obeyed.
The moment the door shut, the air shifted.
Esmeralda took her seat.
She did not smile.
"...Let's not waste time," she said plainly. "Why did you really come here?"
She watched closely.
People revealed themselves in the moments between words.
Amaria lowered her gaze.
"...I came to apologize."
Esmeralda said nothing.
Because apologies were cheap and Amaria did not strike her as someone who spent cheaply.
The explanation followed.
Each word placed exactly where it needed to be.
A desperate girl.
A foolish attempt.
A longing for attention.
Esmeralda almost laughed.
Almost.
Instead, she leaned back slightly.
"...And you expect me to believe that?"
"No."
That answer made her pause.
Just for a moment.
Amaria smiled.
"But I hoped... you might consider it."
Her words were like well-placed seeds, waiting to see if it would grow.
Esmeralda's gaze sharpened.
What is she up to?
Esmeralda could not figure out what this girl was doing.
It was definitely acting but what would she gain from it?
"I brought something," Amaria said gently.
Esmeralda's eyes flickered toward the set.
A tea set, completely harmless just like everything else in the room.
She watched as Amaria moved. She poured Esmeralda tea, seemingly harmless.
The scent reached her first.
Esmeralda did not move.
"I see you have doubts," Amaria said.
Then she poured herself tea and drank it without hesitation then placed the cup down.
Esmeralda's gaze lingered on her.
If this were meant to reassure her then it had done the opposite.
Slowly, Esmeralda reached for her own cup.
She lifted it.
The scent confirmed nothing.
The liquid was clear, not even a subtle color nor odor change.
She raised it to her lips.
And paused.
Her gaze sharper towards Amaria who was watching.
But something was strange with the way she looked. It wasn't the look of someone who waited on a review of the taste. Rather, she looked like she was anticipating Esmeralda to drink.
That was when Esmeralda knew.
Something's definitely wrong with this tea set.
Her lips barely brushed the rim.
No more than a whisper of contact.
Then-
She swallowed.
However, she did not swallow the tea. No, it would be suicide for her.
Rather, she swallowed her own saliva.
For a fleeting moment-
Something flickered in Amaria's eyes.
Satisfaction.
Gone just as quickly as it appeared.
"I hope," Amaria said softly, "that we can get along from now on."
Esmeralda set her cup down.
Her fingers relaxed against the porcelain handle of the tea cup.
Her expression, now gentle as if matching Amaria's energy.
"...Of course," she replied politely. "I would like that as well."
She scanned Amaria, every detail needed to be taken note of.
And there she saw, the hems of Amaria's sleeves stained something red.
She knew then, her suspicion was right.
---
After Esmeralda had escorted Amaria back to the carriage, the maid had started cleaning up the space.
"Stop." Esmeralda ran, out of breath back to the room.
"Don't clean that up."
The maid placed down the tea set she was about to clean up.
"Belle, please get me a pen and paper. And prepare my carriage. We are to head South immediately." She said in a firm voice.
"As you wish, my lady." Belle lowered her head, walking out of the room to prepare Esmeralda's depart.
Esmeralda's gaze fixed on the tea set, her brows furrowed with a hint of discomfort.
It did not make any sense. She had watched Amaria's moves earlier.
The water used to brew the tea was one served by her maids.
The tea's aroma was vibrant, much like the tea the Empress usually prepares herself.
The tea set which had been prepared ahead was covered with oil from the scholars that can detect any type of poison did not produce any reaction.
So, what was it?
What was the stain on Amaria's sleeves?
What was Esmeralda missing?
She wanted answers and she wanted them fast.
Amaria has acted again and this time, Esmeralda will do anything it takes to be ahead of her.