On Morning, its been one week since the prince and seraphina's meeting ,the palace laboratory was filled with the quiet clinks of glassware and the rich scent of dried herbs.
Seraphina stood bent over a bubbling beaker, her sleeves rolled up, fingers stained with powdered extracts. Her expression was razor-focused—her mind mapping the cure with each drop, each calculation.
And finally… the solution turned a soft silver-blue. The final sign.
She exhaled in relief.
"It's done."
Without wasting a second, she packed the vial carefully and made her way to the palace physician's wing. Handing over the sample, she explained everything—the measurements, application method, and required dosage.
Then she turned, her thoughts already racing toward the next move.
The moonblossom herb... it grows only in very specific regions across the kingdom. It dries quickly once plucked, and once dried—its toxic properties vanish completely.
That means… whoever used it must have done so freshly. And to do that… they must be here. In the capital.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, connecting invisible strings in her mind.
If I want to find them, I need to search the areas where moonblossom grows... but access is restricted. Poisonous flora are forbidden to the general public.
She was so lost in thought, she didn't notice the figure ahead of her until—
Thud.
She bumped straight into a broad chest. Solid. Warm. Familiar.
"I—I'm sorry, I didn't—" she looked up, startled, then froze.
Kael.
He was dressed in black, his cloak draped lazily across one shoulder, a smug little smirk tugging at his lips.
He leaned in slowly, lowering his voice near her ear.
"If you wanted me flustered this time, I'm afraid I came prepared—with a shirt." (he chuckles)
Seraphina flushed instantly, narrowing her eyes, but the heat still rose to her cheeks.
"You're insufferable," she muttered, turning her head away.
He simply chuckled. "And you're adorable when you're caught off guard."
Before she could fire back, Kael's expression softened.
"But judging by the look on your face… this isn't just about herbs, is it?"
Seraphina nodded slowly. "No. I have a theory. And I think the real hunt begins now."
Royal Study – Late Morning
Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, painting the study in soft golden hues. Maps, scrolls, and sealed reports cluttered the table between them. Kael leaned forward with his elbows on the wood, his shirt sleeves rolled up, eyes fixed on Seraphina.
She placed a small vial in front of him. Its liquid shimmered faintly, silver-blue under the light.
"The cure for Moonshade Sickness is ready," Seraphina said, voice steady. "The palace physician has it now and will begin treating the infected right away."
Kael's shoulders relaxed, his jaw unclenching. "You've done it again, Seraphina."
But she didn't smile. Her fingers lightly tapped the edge of a rolled parchment beside her.
"There's more," she said. "I think I have a lead on the mastermind behind the poisonings."
Kael straightened, all ease vanishing. "Tell me."
Seraphina's tone turned sharp with logic. "Moonblossom loses its toxic properties rapidly after being picked. Once dried, it's harmless. For it to be used effectively in the well water, it had to be fresh. Which means…"
Kael finished for her, "...the poisoner is here. In the capital."
She nodded. "And since Moonblossom only grows in a few restricted places, if we search around those sites, we might find some trace—movement, harvesting signs, witnesses… something."
Kael stood, pacing slightly. "Then we'll begin right away. I'll have the royal knights sweep every moonblossom zone within the capital borders."
Seraphina took a quiet breath, her eyes determined. "I was thinking of joining the search too."
Kael turned sharply. "You?"
Her brow lifted. "Why not?"
He walked back to her, stopping a step away. "Because the Academy entrance exam is in three days. You've barely slept, and this is dangerous. We don't know who this person is—or what they want next."
Her lips parted to protest, but he raised a hand and kept it on her soulder gently.
"Leave this to me and the royal knights, Lady Seraphina."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Her pride warred with reason—but deep down, she knew he was only trying to protect her.
She looked away with a reluctant nod.
"Just… keep me updated," she murmured.
Kael smiled softly. "Of course. You're the one who lit the path, after all."