Chapter 35
A few days later.
At the hour just before the two moons crossed, the Karzel household was in an uproar.
“When is the doctor coming? Send for him again!”
The boy pacing restlessly in the Countess of Karzel’s chamber burst out in a loud voice.
The heir of the Karzel family—normally calm and composed beyond his years—was showing anxiety for the very first time.
Everyone was a little surprised, but on second thought, it wasn’t surprising at all.
“Benner, seal all the gates of the estate and gather the servants in one place. We must find the culprit.”
Loil gave the order to the butler, Benner. Benner abandoned his usual solemn composure and nearly ran out of Diana’s bedchamber.
Loil, who had been restlessly pacing without ever managing to sit in the chair nearby, suddenly lifted his head as a thought struck him.
As soon as Benner returned to the chamber, Loil rushed off to his own room.
✿ ✿ ✿
That night, unable to sleep, Ellen had been out on the terrace gazing at the moons. Feeling cold, she went inside to fetch a shawl. Draping it over her shoulders, she instinctively checked the two enchanted pouches.
From the sky-blue box Quintor had given her, there was no message. But from the pouch she shared with Loil…
Elli. Help me. My mother has been poisoned.
The moment Ellen read the note, she flung her door open with a bang and ran straight to Gloria’s study.
“Mother!”
She didn’t bother with careful knocks. Gloria looked up, frowning slightly at her daughter’s noisy entrance.
“Ellen.”
Gloria’s voice was stern, but Ellen ignored it and shoved the note into her hands. Gloria frowned at her daughter’s careless behavior, but the moment she read the note, she sprang to her feet.
“Diana!”
Pulling her own pouch from her robes, Gloria ordered quickly:
“Ellen, call Nesh.”
While Ellen opened the study window to call for Nesh, Gloria already had a small vial in her hand.
“What’s that?”
“An antidote His Majesty entrusted to me. Send it to Loil through the pouch. And send Nesh to the doctor—tell him to go to the Karzel estate at once.”
Gloria pressed the vial into Ellen’s hand and swept out of the study. From outside came her urgent voice:
“Albert! Ready the horses, quickly!”
Ellen couldn’t just sit idle either. She placed the vial into the pouch and scribbled a quick note on the blank paper atop the desk:
I’m on my way. I’ve put in the vial—check it.
She slipped the note in and hastily wrote another:
Doctor, please depart for the Karzel estate immediately. Poisoning attempt.
—Quintor
She tied the message to Nesh’s neck.
“Nesh, you must go to the doctor. It’s urgent. As fast as you can. Doctor—hurry!”
Emphasizing “doctor” and “hurry,” Ellen released Nesh. The little creature shrank rapidly as it sped away, faster than usual.
Leaning out the window to watch, Ellen saw a servant running to the stables.
“Ready Jenny, too!”
She shouted with all her strength.
✿ ✿ ✿
Loil kept one hand inside the pouch, chanting desperately in his mind:
Note. Note. Paper. Paper. Note. Elli. Please, check quickly.
He even opened the window for Nesh, just in case.
Until now, he had thought he had adapted well to this world.
Not at all.
Now that a crisis had come, he realized he had no one to rely on—except Ellen. At least because she was a “possessor,” he dared ask for her help. If she had truly been just Eleanor, a fourteen-year-old girl, could he have asked the same? He wasn’t sure.
At last, his hand brushed paper. He yanked it out, read it quickly, then reached back inside.
The vial.
His hand closed around a small glass bottle. He pulled it out, fumbling with the stopper in his haste.
After spilling a few drops in his panic, he finally managed to pour the antidote into Diana’s mouth.
Please, please swallow it.
But Diana, unconscious, only let it dribble out. Loil grabbed the spoon from the bedside table and carefully fed her the rest.
He managed to get it all in, but there was no immediate change.
In a world with magic and spirits, shouldn’t something like this heal instantly?
His lips were parched with fear.
✿ ✿ ✿
Meanwhile, Gloria and Ellen were galloping toward the Karzel estate, escorted by four Quintor knights.
“Ellen, send Nesh to Loil!”
Gloria shouted over the thunder of hooves.
Having already delivered the message to the doctor, Nesh spotted Ellen and soared above her, then sped ahead toward the Karzel estate.
“Nesh! Go to Loil!”
At her command, Nesh flew faster.
✿ ✿ ✿
Back in Diana’s chamber, Loil noticed Nesh swooping in with a nyang sound. As if sensing the urgency, Nesh brushed Loil’s hand with its paw—something it never usually did.
But there was no note tied to its collar.
“Nesh, where’s the note?”
Instead of answering, Nesh flew to the window, pawing outward.
“Nothing? Is Ellie on her way?”
When Loil asked, Nesh spun in the air as if to say yes.
“Benner. Make sure the people from the Quintor household can come straight through the gates without delay.”
Even though the estate was under lockdown, Loil gave the order so Ellen would not be stopped. Benner bowed deeply without protest at the unusual command to admit outsiders during such a crisis.
“Yes, I’ll see to it immediately.”
✿ ✿ ✿
Not long after, Ellen and Gloria arrived at the Karzel estate.
Barely acknowledging Benner’s greeting, Gloria went straight to Diana’s chamber.
“How is she?”
“Still unconscious. Young Master Loilet has given her medicine,” Benner replied, hurrying alongside.
“And the culprit?”
“Still under investigation.”
“Go and continue, I know the way.”
Sending Benner off, Gloria strode forward, wishing she could ride her horse right through the corridors, so far away did the chamber feel.
She knocked briefly, then entered with Ellen close behind.
“Loil, the doctor?”
“Aunt. Not here yet.”
He bowed slightly, answering.
“Roy.”
“Ellie.”
After the cousins exchanged glances, Benner returned, leading the doctor summoned by the Quintor family.
“Doctor Rieve. Show me the patient.”
He wasted no time with pleasantries. Loil stepped aside immediately, showing Diana.
After a careful examination, the doctor asked:
“Has the poison or container been found?”
Loil looked to Benner.
“Apologies, not yet,” Benner replied, shaking his head.
Doctor Rieve tucked Diana’s hand back under the blanket and said:
“She has clearly received emergency treatment. Without it, she might have lingered in agony for days before dying. Fortunately, the poison is already being neutralized. She should wake soon.”
At last, color returned to Loil’s face. Gloria and Ellen also sighed in relief.
“She was given an antidote,” Loil explained.
“A very good one, it seems. Even without knowing the exact poison, it’s working effectively. She will feel chills—prepare thick blankets and hot water bottles.”
Packing up his bag, the doctor stood to leave, but Loil stopped him.
“No further treatment?”
“No need. That antidote was excellent.”
He paused, then added:
“Many poisons share similar symptoms, so it’s hard to identify which was used. If you discover the remains of the poison or its container, send them to me—I’ll analyze it.”
“You’ve done well. Benner, bring blankets and hot water bags.”
“Thank you.”
“Safe travels.”
As Gloria gave instructions, Loil and Ellen both bowed in thanks. Benner glanced at Loil, who nodded before escorting the doctor out.
“Loil, why didn’t the Karzel estate summon their own doctor?” Gloria asked, noting that the local physician still hadn’t arrived.
“I sent for him earlier, but apparently he’s gravely ill. The servant we sent even had to fetch him porridge before returning to care for him.”
“…”
Yes, doctors were human too—they could fall ill. But today, of all days…
Ellen rubbed the back of her neck, feeling an unpleasant itch of suspicion.
“Loil.”
“Yes, Aunt.”
“I cannot interfere too deeply in Karzel affairs. But I will help however I can. If you face any hardship, tell me. Ellen will also check the pouch more often.”
Ellen nodded firmly.
“Thank you.”
“Ellen, I must return to finish my duties. Will you stay?”
Gloria asked, and Loil looked at Ellen. Meeting his eyes, Ellen answered:
“I’ll stay here with Nesh.”
“Loil, it would be wise to recall Amber, who once served Lady Diana. Benner should know where she lives.”
Gloria patted Ellen’s head, then reminded Loil:
“Keep only those you can trust close. And send word to Ret immediately.”
After stroking Loil’s hair as well, she tucked Diana in carefully and left the chamber.
“Don’t see me out. Stay with Diana until she wakes. Ellen, I’ll leave two knights with you.”
Stopping the children from following, Gloria departed with only Benner to escort her.
From the window, Ellen watched Gloria and two Quintor knights ride away. Then she sat on the sofa.
“Roy, sit down. You’ve been standing since before we arrived. Don’t exhaust yourself with pointless pacing—you have plenty to deal with already.”
At her words, Loil finally sat beside her. Ellen massaged the back of his neck a few times, then, confirming they were alone, whispered:
“The culprit?”
“Benner is leading the investigation.”
Hearing Loil wasn’t leading it himself, Ellen hesitated, then asked:
“Can Benner be trusted?”
“Yes. At least, Father always said so.”
Loil answered without hesitation.
