Miss Erwell looked at me, bewildered. Her eyes slightly widened, and her lips pressed into a thin line. She looked at me skeptically, turning the vase over in her hands.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYtcpN0Rog
“And why are flower toxins an issue?” She inquired, her eyes narrowing at me with an accusatory glare. I lowered my head, a bit worried about the outcome now that I’d witnessed Miss Erwell’s reaction.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPisy2axskc
“Lilies were often presented as an offering in the church I lived in before coming to work for the Virellia estate.” I started, offering to take the porcelain item from her. She reluctantly handed it to me, eyeing my actions warily, as if I’d use the piece to strike her. “When I was younger, a nun put lilies too close to an offering candle at the altar, the flowers subsequently catching fire and burning,” I told her as I dragged my finger along the inside of the vase, drawing out some of the soot stuck to the sides. “The nun wasn’t allowed to move from prayer for any circumstances that day to try and absolve her of the sin of gossip, and she ended up passing away at the altar.”25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimtQ5jFllA
Miss Erwell kept glaring at me, her eyes trying to figure out what the goal of my explanation was.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMwJOVsbPH
“And why did that nun die…” She asked, pausing. I knew she wanted to call me by my name, to address me personally. But with how big the estate was, it was easy to forget the name and face of a lowly laundry maid, especially one as plain as myself.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD9n1MoLkc
“The nun’s body had been autopsied by the local college for practice, and while examining her lungs, they found mucus and soot.”
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Miss Erwell kept staring at me for another moment, the silence dragging on for what felt like an eternity. I expected her to discredit me or order the head maid to give me another wiping.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC68UJoGSAB
“So, she had a lung infection? Like… Like the late prince?” She asked, glancing over to Lady Freya, who was still draped over his cold body.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdq2OjRM9j
“Yes, her cause of death was determined to be from inhaling toxic fumes. While lilies' fumes when burned are not harmful to healthy individuals, they can be most deadly to those afflicted with respiratory issues.” I confessed, my eyes still low to the ground as I held the piece of porcelain tightly in my hands, knowing well enough that if I dropped it, my life would surely be damaged in some way. Miss Erwell bit her lip and inhaled sharply.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclCcfpnxK5
“So, it wasn’t murder then, was it?” She said. I knew her question was rhetorical, however, I needed to confirm it for her.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWUHTqapYr
“Yes, Miss, that is my best guess unless someone intentionally set the vase that close to the candles. Even then, it's hard to say if they even knew lilies were toxic. It’s such a common flower to see, they might not have thought twice about whether it was poisonous or not.” I explained to her. Miss Erwell took back the vase, sniffing the charred remains of the bouquet. Her face recoiled, wrinkling slightly, her nose needing to confirm that it was the remains of lilies and not another type of flora.
“You there,” She commanded, pointing a long, well-taken-care-of finger towards Edith. “Fetch me a piece of parchment and a quill.” Edith perked up, a bit startled by the command.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Psq07P5X
“Oh y–yes, right away, Miss!” She yelped a startled confirmation and scampered out of the late prince’s bedroom, leaving me alone with Miss Erwell, Lady Freya, and the body of Prince Azrail.
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I stood with my head faced down. A nervous pursing of my lips as Miss Erwell tried to examine my body language.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB1VCasHYR
“How did you deduce the cause this quickly?” She questioned, her eyes less accusatory than earlier, but they still held a sense of doubt. I paused for a moment, knowing that Edith could receive punishment for gossiping, but she'd know if I were lying straight to her face.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTYaENkDsB
“I overheard some gossip, and Edith comes here daily for her laundry duties, so I got more information about the placement of vases in the late prince’s room,” I confessed, hoping that was enough information. I prayed that Edith wouldn’t be found to be a part of the gossipers, even though it was obvious to almost everyone that she partook in spreading rumors, false or not. Miss Erwell’s critical stare was like being faced in front of the emperor himself. I shifted where I stood, realizing I was putting too much pressure on my left leg. A dull throbbing reminded me to be more careful as I gifted the weight to my right leg. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6awKwPwbMQ
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Lady Freya sat up in her chair, her hand gripping the sickeningly gray and rigid hand of Prince Azrail. Edith, being perfect at timing, returned swiftly, holding a tray stacked with paper, an ink bottle, and a freshly sharpened quill. Miss Erwell’s attention honing in on her, taking the tray from Edith’s smaller hands and setting the copper sheet onto a table, already scribbling out a letter. Edith fell back into place next to me, keeping her head low to the shiny marble floor. The slightest sound of a dress rustling caught my attention, my gaze drawn back to the lady. My breath caught in my throat as I stared directly at her. There was no pain in her eyes, no sorrow. Just hate. The glare was sickening, I thought I might die on the spot just from receiving such a look. Her eyes were dark and the walls seemed to cave in around us, sucking the air out of my very lungs. A dreadful emotion washed over me. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgZk8rCc4M
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Not. Good. I gulped, my throat running dry. My heart almost leaped out of my chest as Miss Erwell shook my shoulder, tearing me back into reality.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90tDZeMiAd
“Are you listening to me, girl?” She shouted, her face more worried than annoyed.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD1y0DL82v
“Oh, yes, Miss.” I shook, trying my best to shove the memory down. I glanced back at Freya, her eyes now downcast to her late husband’s chest. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthNNTJ3Dlw
It must have been my imagination. I swallowed, returning to meet Miss Erwell’s gaze.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIww46GWVTC
“Good. You take this and head straight towards the great hall, find a man named Alric, he’s documenting the young prince’s interrogation.” She informed me, shoving the letter into my hands. “Well then, go on, get to it, the little prince is being destroyed in there.” She added, practically pushing me towards the doors. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXly7v65C3
“You want me to travel there by myself? But, Miss, they might mistake the letter for forgery!” I insisted, my voice trembling a bit. This was not the plan. Not the plan at all. I was supposed to lead Miss Erwell to the conclusion and have her take the credit for the findings! I was not supposed to be a part of the plan to rescue the poor prince.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOoQWn9z5H
“Hence why I used my seal stamp.” She retorted, shoving me out of the room like a wild animal. “Hurry up, time is not ticking backwards.” She stated before slamming the door shut in my face. I just stared for a few seconds, completely bewildered at how the situation had played out.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMFiY9D0pv
Shiiiiit. I shuddered, putting my thumb to my lips and biting the nail gently. I held the letter in my fingers with an iron grip, hustling towards the grand staircase that led to the great hall.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQQodLSkVV
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The soft click of my heel contacting the sleek and shiny white floor was all I could hear. The only thing keeping me grounded, from spiraling out of control. I took the stairs two at a time, knowing that time was precious in this set of circumstances. The young prince is probably being torn apart by a lawyer as of now. The young boy wasn’t even of age yet, he could hardly be mature enough to stand for himself while being interrogated. I jumped the last five stairs, my skirt fluttering up momentarily, revealing a scandalous inch of my upper calf, a faint white line gracing the left one. I continued to hurry towards the great hall, both of the large oak doors shut tight. I gulped, staring at the intricate work of a once high-standing tree. The colors vivid, painting a picture of the sheer wealth of the commissioner. I pushed my calloused hand forward to the large brass handle. The other side of the door began to open. I jumped back a few paces in surprise, my heart thumping wildly in my chest. A man stared back at me, his bright green eyes catching me off guard.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvCQb89yad
“Oh, hello,” He greeted me, his tone adding a hint of confusion. “Are you here to clean something? The great hall is occupied at the moment.” He explained, his dark hair fluttering delicately, framing his face delightfully. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqxmy5A4Rd
“I, no.” I stumbled, chastising myself for the mistake in front of someone as important as him. I quickly stuck out the letter towards him, my fingers trembling as I waited for him to accept it. “I’m here to explain the cause of the late prince’s passing on orders from Miss Erwell.” My voice wobbled ever so slightly. The man I identified as Alric accepted the letter silently, breezing over its contents. His lip pouted out as he read.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiuFxLxzTl
“I see, then, please come in.” He replied, keeping his voice low and soft. I hesitated, biting my lip, swallowing hard.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrU3RFNtrE
Now is not the time for second thoughts, Mallory. You’ve made your bed; now lie in it.
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Stepping carefully inside, the sheer opulence of the room bombarded me, enveloping my being with sickly sweet perfume, the scent of candle wax, and tension so thick you could swim in it. There were a few rows of benches laid out, a few seats filled with the rumps of a few mid-ranking officials, and some close allies to the Virellia duchy. Duke Lawrence sat disapprovingly in his ornate chair on an elevated floor separate from the rest. His son, Prince Valen, was sat in the middle of it all, his face one of guilt as the lawyer grilled him. Bombarding him with question after question, not letting the prince reply to a single one of them.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX67dQWQbw
“Excuse me, pardon the interruption, lord Sigurd, but this young lady has found the cause of Prince Azrail’s passing!” Alric stated, his voice echoing through the large chamber. I tensed, the eyes of the entire hall landed on me, even Duke Virellia cocked his brow at Alric’s claim. I wanted to die, I wanted to crawl into a hole and die. I swallowed the bile climbing up my throat, a drop of salty sweat trailing down my cheek as I felt the pressure of a very important life now resting on my shoulders alone.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XTAVD1BoJ
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The lawyer looked at me incredulously, his face furrowing into some sort of angered disbelief. But he began to laugh, his fat chin bobbing with each intake of breath, the girth of his chest heaving under his overcoat.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGIWAsYvp2
“Truly, you think this little girl was able to figure out how his highness died? The doctors couldn’t even figure it out, and you put it in the hands of a child who probably can’t even read?” He heaved, his chubby finger wiping away a stray tear.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8azLQassg
“I… I can read, my lord.” I rasped, my hands clenched in front of me. Oh, how I wanted to bash that devilish face in. Sure, it’s rare for a peasant girl to be able to read, but it’s not entirely unheard of. Sigurd paused his laughing, his once loud chuckles fell into a pissed scowl.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eYIM0feVE
“Congratulations, but that still doesn’t make you anywhere near qualified to determine a cause of death. You’re just a little girl trying to get attention from wherever you can get it. Am I right?” Sigurd taunted, yellowed teeth peeking out from hateful, smirking lips. I looked up at him, eyes colliding with his. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIChvRw8tlI
He’s trying to anger me, to get me into a fit of rage and discredit my statement. He was clever but not clever enough to evade detection. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPZ7ExwCZO
“That is partly true, my lord.” I admonished, trying to bite back from saying he was as useless as a mirror to a blind man. “However, I noticed that His Highness’s body hasn’t been autopsied yet. So we can’t be certain if it was even poison in the first place.” I voiced, my chest held high. Sigurd sighed, rolling his eyes at me..
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I stalked towards him, jaw straight as I came up with words to properly convey my theory.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUX4nTuhRz
“My lord, do you know the effects of white lilies?” I questioned, clutching my apron tightly, the cloth still wet from washing linens less than an hour ago. Sigurd studied my expression, scrutinizing every mole on my face, his eyes focusing on the one just below the middle of my right orbit. I could feel how intensely the young prince was staring at me. The poor boy must have been in here for hours, no one even bothering to hear his side of the story. Hell, at seventeen, I could barely hold a conversation with another person, let alone stand being accused of murder for three hours straight.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM0GxpEOIh
“Your point being, girl?” 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglelHlwXlg
“Lilies are toxic. Breathing in their fumes when burned is dangerous to animals and humans.” I explained to him, my eyes downcast. “From my own experiences, and from the rumors I’ve heard floating around, I deduced that the late prince had recently come down with a lung infection and that there were also lilies in his bedroom,” I spoke thoughtfully, Edith wormed her way inside and handed Alric another one of Miss Erwell’s letters, her other hand clutching the vase that once held the flora.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURml5sZRN8
“However, instead of a pretty flower near his candle collection, it was accidentally placed too close to an open flame, causing it to light and burn.” I gently took the porcelain vase from Edith, offering Sigurd to smell it. “Burned lilies smell sweet, floral, and of charcoal. Their toxins are in every part of the plant, from their stigma to their roots.” Sigurd lowered his face to the piece, inhaling softly before his nose wrinkled, and he jerked back, disgusted by the smell. “Those with respiratory issues, like a lung infection, are at risk of a worsening condition, organ failure, and death.”
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Sigurd just stared at me, dumbfounded. I felt a twisting sensation in the pit of my belly, hot and uncomfortable. My throat slickened with saliva and acidic bile as I waited for a response from anyone. This wasn’t how I wanted things to happen, I just wanted to figure it out, give Miss Erwell the information, and then be done with it. Alric took the vase from my hands, stepping carefully onto the archduke's elevated platform. The duke sniffed the vase, recoiled, and motioned for it to be taken from his sight. My lips pressed into a thin line as I watched the world go by anxiously. Time seemed to pass, the clock was ticking on the wall, but no one moved, not a soul made a noise. Even the young prince was looking at me as if I had sprouted three heads. Edith stood a few paces behind me, her eyes trained on her feet. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa8Ztc14v8
“You, girl with the black hair.” I flinched, the voice of the archduke booming in the otherwise silent hall. “What is your gain in all of this?” He questioned, his brow line creased with skepticism. I bit my bottom lip, peeling off some of the dry skin attached to it.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugDVd1h9qY
“Wrongful accusations can lead to death, Your Grace,” I admitted, squeezing my eyes shut as I spoke. “I would be furious towards myself if I ignored a needless killing that could be prevented.” My voice wobbled with suspense. I opened one of my eyes slightly, glancing at the young prince still frozen in place.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnt4gCy0HI
He’s lucky I can’t ignore injustices. I’m sticking my neck out for someone who would probably kill me on a whim.
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The archduke just kept staring at me with a critical eye, examining my posture and body language. It certainly wasn’t the first time I had been stared down like this, I just hoped it would be my last. The uncomfortable leering, the unnecessary and prolonged holding of eye contact that gave me gooseflesh for hours after the predicament. I waited for his ruling uneasily, I had provided all the information I held, though with a few less steps of personal backstory. They didn’t need to know, nor did they want to know about a laundry maid's pitiful upbringing. The archduke’s magnificent chair groaned as he adjusted his weight, sitting tall in front of the gathered nobles, the prince, Edith, and myself. The lawyer, finally coming back from his trance, grinned at me with yellowed teeth, his face one of amusement rather than one of someone bested by a little girl.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNLupbw2Hd
“And how exactly do you know that lilies are toxic when burned?” He asked, now turning his interrogation and prosecution towards me. I frowned, clearly not impressed by his tactics, attacking a girl who slashed through all of your key points like melted butter, a common way to retaliate when proven wrong by people like him. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUcleBXcou
“I worked in a chapel before this. A nun who was rather close to me died from complications of a lung infection after being in an enclosed room with a lit lily.” I stated, trying to sound more confident than I truly was. “Her autopsy report is located in the medical library of Auxbria Medical College in Jorguess.” Sigurd’s eyes lit up, his chin bobbing slightly as he swallowed.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn176dE3nCg
“Well, isn't that convenient?” He crooned with a smug grin plastered to his face. “Tell me, did anyone actually see this supposed nun die?” I looked at him incredulously. Was he truly being serious? 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiacWCDTt5
“Of course, nine others, including myself, watched her collapse on the altar and die. I also was granted permission to sit in on her autopsy.” I informed him, looking at his face directly now. “Are you trying to accuse me of murdering the late prince? The entire theory is prosperous and completely impossible.” I stated, diving my hand into the back pocket of my dress and retrieving a scroll. “I was being treated for a burn last night when the prince passed,” I growled at him, furious that he would even think I was morally capable of killing someone. I threw the scroll at his feet, the parchment bouncing once before slightly unrolling itself. “You know, you seem to be accusing anyone you deem threatening, Lord Sigurd. Have you truly not considered that it was possibly an accident or a natural death? It seems as though you’re trying to set up Prince Valen.” I accused, looking him dead in the eye. Sigurd gulped, stepping back slightly after he encroached on my personal space. His face was fuming, turning a nice shade of purplish red. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvr8kf8CGK
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The great hall was quiet; a slight gasp and a few coughs echoed like explosions in the night. One of the estate’s knights appeared uncomfortable, his eyes casting a shameful look towards Sigurd.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwllzw8OYf
“Now that she mentions it, Lord Sigurd did start accusing the prince first without gathering any evidence.” He stated, his face full of disappointment. Sigurd began to sweat, his collar dampening beneath his neck. 25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL1qSXbVWr
“So, Lord Sigurd, is the only proof you have the possibility of a sibling rivalry turned sour?” He clenched his teeth hard enough to crack the bones between them, his fists curling inward, nails digging into the soft flesh of his palms. His voice caught desperately in his throat, like a fish trying to outmaneuver a bear. The audience started to look disapprovingly at the Baron, disappointed that he would accuse the young prince just because of an incomplete theory. But Sigurd stayed silent.25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSz4K27USy
“Am I anywhere near the mark, Lord Sigurd?"
