Black Ice ✓ | Deathsworn #1

Chapter 39 ∞ Eavesdrop

I didn't realize I fell asleep again until I woke up feeling much better. It was already a bit dark out when I came to. The sun had long since started to retreat, leaving a fresh trail of orange and purple wisps. Kora had left the windows open and it let that really refreshing albeit cold breeze wafting through.

I peered at my hands and found leftover stuff from the thing that Kora had rubbed onto my palms. I ran my hands down my clothes instinctively, but the green tint persisted. Perhaps I would have to wash my hands later.

I shook the covers off of me as I rubbed the crusts out of my eyes. I felt my stomach protest loudly. Ever since this morning, I haven't had anything to eat and, for my always-snacking self, this wasn't a good thing.

The halls were vacant when I left the room so I naturally went around to look for everyone. I reckoned they were in the kitchen having dinner because I could smell the food all the way where I was standing. Yawning, I trudged my way to the kitchen and was about to take the turn to the right corner when I heard voices coming from the other direction.

"Lady Lamia, I'm sorry I came over in a rush," someone said.

I frowned and squinted, trying to pinpoint where I had heard this voice before. Stopping short, I made sure not to make any noise.

"Come to my study. What news do you bring?" my mistress replied. I heard a door open as she spoke and quickly shut close, leaving the hall in still silence once more.

I peeked out from around the corner and curiously made my way over. This was Mistress Lamia's study. The discussion they were probably going to have was most likely very serious. I stood before it and debated whether I should listen in on the conversation or not. A part of me knew it was wrong, but my curiosity ate up all reason and I found myself with my ear flat on the wood. I had already sunk on my knees, trying to find a good spot to eavesdrop. It was no easy feat trying to hear through the door after all, so I gravitated closer to the crack beneath to listen in.

"Although the loophole you found in the system worked in our favor, we can no longer keep using the safehouse and protection card to keep Erenol in your care. They've already brought forward a framed culprit to account for the attempt on the princess's life, which means I will have to return her to the Glass Palace within three days."

"A framed culprit to account for the attempt?" Mistress Lamia replied. "So, you found who it was who ordered it?"

He sighed. "It was quite easy. It's the Concubine Learr. After looking into the matter, it seemed Erenol's mother was poisoned by her as well—gradually, over the years, I reckon. They used an old, exiled concubine as fodder. She's quite cunning."

"I see. Though I do not think that it was that simple, that answer is still within expectations," Lamia said with a pause. "While I have my doubts, I still cannot believe how vile that woman's guts must be for her to have poisoned her own sister."

"I'm quite surprised you know of these affairs so closely—it's as if you're in the palace yourself. It seems you could have found out about this on your own."

"You overestimate me, Leiran. No matter how extensive the ears I have, it will never trump someone whose feet walk in those cold walls every day."

My mind whirred to process the information it just picked up. Basically, Learr, was the sister of Erenol's mother, who was also responsible for the attempt at Erenol's life as well as her mother's death?

Wait. There was such a thing?

"I have no choice. I will have to pull out my other card," Lamia continued. There was a shuffle and movement. Something solid was placed on a table, perhaps, and it was pulled open and shifted in its place. "Use this to shift things in the palace affairs. It should be enough to move around a few pieces. I will keep Erenol a little bit longer under my care to prepare her and have her take the qualifying examinations in the coming opening of the War College very soon. It's all I can do to protect her."