Chapter 55 Curias Infection
"Dear.."
"So, what are you just gonna let her do that!?"
"Can you guys stop?"
"Esme.."
Esmeralda snapped back to reality. The room she was in had spiraled out of control.
Her mother was weeping in her father’s arms. Selena was desperately trying to stop Marcus from punching Aziel.
Rael, his face a mask of fury, was shaking Esmeralda's shoulders as if trying to physically drag her back into the conversation.
How did this even happen?
Esmeralda had just finished explaining Amaria’s capabilities—the blood she carried, the Goddess's mark, and the ruthless plan to condemn her. The room had erupted; the reactions to her proposal were as fractured as the people within it.
"Esme, tell me you aren't going to do this. There must be another way," Rael said, his grip tightening on her shoulders.
Esmeralda furrowed her brows and looked away, refusing to meet his eyes. Sensing her resolve, Rael finally loosened his grip and stepped back, defeated. He turned toward the door.
"Rael.."
He stopped at Esmeralda's voice.
"please... make sure she sees..."
His eyebrows furrowed. He didn't answer her and stormed out of the room, leaving everyone still in disarray. All Esmeralda could do now was trust he did as she instructed.
"If it's what the lady wants, we should let her be." Aziel said from behind.
"Esmeralda, this is too dangerous. Even if it's curable by the Saintess herself, it's still risky with you being the fragile child that you are." her father spoke.
"Sweetie, please... think it over," her mother sobbed. "I can’t bear to see you in such a horrible state again."
"Kid, you could barely survive three laps on the training ground," Marcus barked. "Do you honestly think you can survive this?"
"If the lady insists she can handle it, then who are we to question her decision?" Aziel countered.
Marcus lunged forward, seizing Aziel by the collar. "You aren't the one catching that damn disease, Arundel. So watch your mouth," Marcus growled.
"Well, do you have better ideas?" Aziel argued.
Marcus released him with a shove and turned to the Duke. "Your Grace, please, tell her to stop this!"
The Duke remained silent. He couldn't speak; he couldn't even gather his thoughts.
He knew Aziel was right. There was no better way to force Amaria to lower her guard and lead them to evidence that could destroy her.
The tea hadn't been enough; the blood cells found within it could have belonged to anyone.
Accusing the "Prophesied Child" without ironclad proof would only lead to a disastrous conflict with the Church.
Esmeralda sighed.
"Calm down, Marc, please," Esmeralda pleaded, "the Saintess had said Curias disease is curable through her divine intervention."
Esmeralda turned to Selena.
"I trust you, Saintess." She smiled at Selena who was already shaking from the tension of the room.
"I will not let you down, my lady!" sheformed a fist with her hand.
"The servants have already whispered about me having the disease. It is only a matter of time before she checks on me." Esmeralda said.
"I have also contacted the media to publish an article about your disease." Aziel supported.
"Fck this." Marcus said, as he walked out the door.
"Wait, Marc-" Esmeralda called out.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I'll be watching Amaria's every move." He looked at her sharply. "You better not die from this, kid." he said before slamming the door shut.
The room fell quiet for a moment.
"Let's proceed." Esmeralda said, "Saintess... the plant.."
"Right!" Selena stood up and walked towards the door, someone handing her a fish bowl with water in it.
She carried the bowl towards the center of the table. Inside the bowl, lay a seemingly harmless plant embedded in grovel and sand.
"This is the Curias plant." Selena started, "Its roots have tiny buds that bloom at night.
They are filled with a unique bacteria that causes the infection.
Once consumed, the lady will fall ill instantly.
She will feel her muscle loss, her skin will turn more pale than it already is, the purple spots will appear, the bacteria will use up the lady's nutrients making her look malnourished.
We need to cure the lady within 24 hours.
If we cure her at a much later time, I don't think I am capable of reversing the infection by then. "
Everyone's gaze sharpened. The Duchess' cry more intense than it already is.
"We have to make sure she visits within 24 hours... Otherwise..." the Duke said, everyone's gaze focused on Esmeralda.
"My lady.." Selena held the bowl tightly. "Are you really sure about this?"
Esmeralda's brows furrowed.
"...Yes." She held the bowl in her hands, looking at the plant that would practically kill her.
---
Meanwhile
Rael had returned to his office at the palace.
The books on his shelf are now scattered at the marble floor.
He had looked and searched for any way he could stop Esmeralda from taking the Curias infection. However, no matter how much he thought, no plan was better than what Esmeralda had laid out.
What if, I just kill her instantly? That way Esme wouldn't have to suffer?
...
He run his hands through his hair, his bloodshot eyes now trembling from anger.
He knew if he killed Amaria right then and there, it wouldn't just end with war against the church. Esmeralda would end up being labeled as the evil witch of society who seduced him and made him decapitate the blessed child everybody loved.
His hands formed into a fist, shaking from the weight of his own powerlessness crushing him. For all his strength as the Crown Prince, he was being forced to sit back and watch the person he cared for most swallow poison for the sake of the empire.
The door to his office slightly opened purposely. Footsteps could be heard approaching. His eyes moved to his side enough to see who it was. The state he was in was all it took for someone to feel excited.
---
That night-
Esmeralda was finally alone with the plant.
The moonlight filtered through the window, casting a silver glow over the water in the bowl. The Curias buds swayed gently, looking almost beautiful, like tiny stars waiting to explode. Esmeralda reached out, her fingers brushing the cold glass.
"Don't worry, Esme," she whispered to her own reflection in the water. "After this, you'll finally achieve the peaceful life you wanted for yourself."
She picked up the small silver spoon resting on the table. With a hand that only shook for a second, she reached into the water, scooped up the first bud, and brought it to her lips.
The taste was bitter, like rusted iron and regret.
As she swallowed, the clock on the wall struck midnight. Each heavy chime marked the beginning of her descent. The trap wasn't just set; it had been sprung.