Chapter 53 Before Her Death Part 2
The Study Hall of the Southern District-widely known for its independence from the Empire-had always been lenient in accepting commissions from just about anyone.
But today, Esmeralda had not come for a commission.
She had come to plead her case.
To investigate... a seemingly harmless tea set.
"My lady!" A scholar jolted at her sudden appearance.
"Are you here to ask about the progress on the waterways? Or perhaps the upgrades for your bicycle project?"
"It would be nice if that were all I came for, George," Esmeralda replied, lifting a brow. "But today, I'd like to ask a favor."
"Anything for the benefactor of this place!" George said earnestly.
"I brought this with me." Esmeralda gestured as Belle stepped forward, presenting the tea set.
"A... tea set?" George's face twisted in confusion at first glance.
"Yes... and whatever is in it."
"I'd be glad to help, my lady. But... could it be poisoned?"
"I wish it were that simple," Esmeralda furrowed her brows, "I used the oil you gifted me last time to detect any poison and coated the entire set with it.
But there was no reaction at all. I apologize if this sounds like I'm doubting the Scholars' capabilities, but. .. does the oil have any limitations?"
"Hm... That shouldn't be possible, my lady," George said, frowning.
"The oil was designed to detect any form of poison.
This type of oil was commissioned by royalties across the globe due to a high incidence of death by poisoning among nobles.
Because of that, its formulation was based on research gathered from scholars all over the world.
Whether from the Mediterranean or the deserts, any poison should be detected. "
"But there's something wrong with it, George, I just know it."
Esmeralda looked as though she might cry from sheer frustration.
"Then, maybe there is something wrong with it." A familiar voice spoke from behind her.
Aziel.
"My lord..."
"If the lady insists something is amiss," Aziel continued as he stepped forward, "then there must be something worth uncovering in that tea set."
He glanced briefly at her.
"After all, she is someone whose intellect brought forth the idea of bicycles for the public."
"Well... that is true..." George murmured, scratching his chin. "Then we shall investigate it thoroughly, my lady."
"Thank you, George!" Esmeralda beamed.
"When do you think results will be available?"
"Maybe... a couple of months from now?"
"...Months...?"
"We would need to isolate the substance, replicate it, construct a genomic strand, and then translate-"
"Ahem." Aziel cleared his throat, "In English, George."
"Oh.. I'm sorry, my lady." George apologized, scratching his head," I tend to ramble a lot. So, what I'm saying is, it would take months for the process to identify the cause, my lady."
"Is there no faster way?" Esmeralda pleaded.
"Hm... We could test it on living organisms. But that would be highly unethical. Animal testing is prohibited by law-we would face severe consequences."
"I see.." Esmeralda's gaze faltered.
Her eyes wandered aimlessly-until they landed on a book adorned with a flower on its cover.
Then-
"Plants..."
"Pardon?"
"Plants are living organisms..." Esmeralda, "If we do the experiment on them-"
"But plants lack the complexity of human or animal systems, my lady."
"Right..."
George suddenly snapped his fingers.
"But!" he exclaimed. "Bugs! My lady-pests like roaches possess organ systems similar to animals. It wouldn't be exact, but it would be far closer-and still within the law!"
The room seemed to brighten.
"Then!" Esmeralda turned to Belle. "Belle, have the estate gather pests and place them in containers. Send them here immediately."
"Right away, my lady!" Belle replied, rushing out of the hall.
"And I'll prepare the materials for the experiment!" George added excitedly before hurrying out.
Soon, only Esmeralda and Aziel remained.
Silence settled between them.
Then-
"Thank you, my lord."
"Whatever is there to be thankful for?" Aziel smiled.
"You always seem to appear when I'm not my usual composed self that I'm frankly just thankful you don't judge me..well...for being me." Esmeralda looked away.
Aziel let out a soft laugh.
"My lady, you are the most interesting person I have ever met. I should be the one grateful to witness a side of you that few others ever see."
"I don't know if that's a compliment or....?"
Aziel chuckled.
"It's a compliment, my lady."
"Ah- right."
Silence returned, more awkwardly this time.
It had been some time since they have seen each other and talking about the business with the bicycles did not seem to fit in since she was handed the updated reports on the projects just recently.
C'mon Esme, think, what to talk about just to break this tension!!
Ah!!
A thought struck her.
"So... how are things with the married woman you're seeing? Has she divorced her husband yet?"
Aziel froze then burst into laughter.
"My lady..." he managed between breaths, wiping the tears at the corners of his eyes.
"Hm?" Esmeralda tilted her head.
Esmeralda did not seem faltered. Nor did she seem fazed by his presence. He was but another close companion to her.
...And Aziel knew this.
Even when his heart had been moved by the lady in front of him, he could never have done the same to hers.
No.
Not when he knew her heart already belonged somewhere else.
A smile had formed on his lips, gentle and soft.
"I simply wish for her happiness from the bottom of my heart. If it means I should not reveal these insignificant emotions of mine, then I shall hide them so she can live with ease not knowing anything." He said with his hand clenched on his chest.
"Well..." Esmeralda retreated, "the lady is married."
A breeze drifted through the open window, brushing her hair across her face. She tucked it behind her ear.
"Even so," She said softly, "your emotions are not so insignificant if you meant to hide them for her well-being. That's the greatest act of chivalry no man can do but you, my lord." She said with a smile on her face.
Aziel, at that moment, was dumbfounded by her words and beauty.
He realized right then, he had not wasted feeling this way for this person.
Whether it was his title, being the second son or merely her father's business partner, none of them mattered to her.
Because to Esmeralda, he was just Aziel.
And that was worth more than any title or business to him.
---
"Your Highness, a letter has arrived from lady Schuan." A knight said just at the front of Rael's door.
From Esme?
He wondered.
"Come in." he ordered, setting aside the documents in his hands.
The knight entered, placed a neatly sealed envelope on the table before him, then bowed and quietly withdrew.
Rael reached for it without hesitation.
'Dear Rael,'
The letter started. Rael's face flushed instantly.
It did not start with Your Highness, No, she had called him by his nickname.
Such a small difference, yet it stirred something far deeper than it should have.
He continued reading.
'It's still a bit awkward to call your Highness by name. Though, I hope I am doing well so far.'
A faint smile curved his lips.
'Anyway, Rael... I would like to ask for a favor. Recently, Lady Amaria paid me a visit.'
What!?
Rael jolted upright.
Why have I not received reports on this!?
His brows knitted together, unease creeping in. He had never trusted Amaria-not since the incident at the cathedral. The thought of her being anywhere near Esmeralda unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
'Please do not blame anyone if no news reached you of her visit. She must have found a way to leave unnoticed. I can already imagine the frustrated look on your face.'
Rael exhaled sharply.
She knew him too well.
'Still, there is something I must ask of you. Please watch over Amaria's every move from now on. Observe even the smallest details, and if possible, do not allow her to leave until I say otherwise.'
His expression darkened, the earlier warmth fading into something sharper-more focused.
'I am heading south to investigate the tea she offered me during her visit. There is something... wrong with it. Until I return, you must ensure that not a single movement of hers goes unnoticed.
I hope we can get to the bottom of this.
L?o?v?e?
Sincerely,
Esmeralda Schuan.
A quiet chuckle slipped past his lips.
"How adorable..." he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly over the crossed-out word.
But the softness in his expression did not last.
His gaze hardened as he set the letter down.
Amaria was already in motion.
And this time-
He would not stand by and let anything happen.