The next morning, the first rays of dawn barely touched the palace roofs when Seraphina rushed through the corridors like a storm. Her hands clutched the edges of her cloak, heart racing—not from fear, but urgency.
Kael must know.
She first dashed to his office, but it was empty—no guards, no sign of life. A palace maid whispered that it was only six in the morning. Most weren't even awake.
"Where is he?" she muttered, turning on her heel.
Eventually, she reached his private chambers. Without a second thought, she pushed the doors open—just in time to see Kael standing near the window, steam still curling from his damp hair. A towel was loosely wrapped around his waist, water dripping from his chest, clearly fresh from a bath.
Seraphina froze.
Kael looked up, startled.
She gasped like she'd seen a ghost and slammed the door shut behind her, her face going crimson. She stood outside, gripping her chest as if trying to stop her heart from leaping out.
Inside, Kael blinked, still processing what had just happened.
Moments later, he threw on his trousers, pulled on a shirt hastily—buttons half-missed—and stepped out, calling after her, concern overtaking embarrassment.
"Seraphina! What's wrong?"
Still flustered, she turned her face away from him, her voice hurried but serious. "I… I found the cause of the sudden deaths near the market. But let's discuss it in the study… and please, put on your shirt properly."
Realizing he was still half-dressed, Kael coughed and nodded. "Right. Go wait in the study. I'll join you in a minute. Call for Duke Alric and the royal physician too."
She nodded quickly and rushed down the hall, cheeks burning.
---
Later, in the royal study...
Duke Alric, the royal physician, Kael, and Seraphina sat gathered around the long mahogany table. The air was heavy with unspoken tension.
Seraphina took a deep breath and began.
"There's a rare condition known as Moonshade Sickness—triggered when moonblossom is consumed with certain types of water. It causes fatigue, hallucinations, and eventual organ failure. The water from the marketplace well… it smelled faintly of moonblossom. I believe someone is contaminating it intentionally."
Duke Alric raised a brow. "And is there any known cure?"
Seraphina hesitated, her mind flashing back to the night before. The masked man's voice. The torn pages.
"No… not in the book I found," she said carefully. "But I believe I can find a way. I'll need time… and access to the palace archives. Also, assistance from the royal herbalists."
Kael leaned forward, eyes sharp. "We don't have much time. Too many have already died. But we don't have another lead. Start working on it immediately. You'll have full access—and all the help you need."
She nodded. "Thank you."
---
That night...
Back in her chambers, Seraphina stood quietly before her bed.
Her gaze lingered where the masked man had placed her.
"You discovered the cause... yet again…" he had whispered. "Again".
Her brows furrowed.
So he's been watching me for a long time. Was he involved in the last poisoning too?
Her fists clenched.
But if he wants Kael dead… why infect the entire market? What does he gain from this chaos?
She stared out the window into the shadowed night.
The real mastermind was still out there.
Watching. Smiling. Planning his next move.
And she had no idea how deep this web of poison truly ran.