86 Baby’s Breath
Selma Payne’s POV:
“Perhaps the Southern Pack has some bad memories that outsiders don’t know about, so Carolyn suggested that she wanted to transfer to the Lycan Pack. I just so happened to want her to take a break, so I agreed. I hope we can find a way to cure her here.”
‘The witch’s target was the Lycan Pack. We must restrain her here and not let her harm others.’
My father was unmoved. “Don’t worry. If there’s anything I can help you with, please let me know. After all, Carolyn is your only daughter and the only heir to the Southern Pack. I don’t want my niece to waste her life because of a rash decision during puberty.”
‘We will do our best to ensure Carolyn’s safety. After this is over, her right to inheritance will not be questioned.’
𝗳𝔯e𝒆𝙬𝘦𝙗𝓷o𝘷el. c૦𝑚
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the southern Duke replied.
‘Thank you, my old friend.’
While exchanging pleasantries, Kara had already prepared black tea and refreshments and handed them to Dorothy, who was guarding the door.
Without a word, Dorothy poured hot black tea for each guest. When she served it to the southern Duke, she specifically asked, “Do you want lemon slices, milk, or sugar cubes?”
‘Everything is ready. Can you accept the curse removal ceremony now?’
The southern Duke smiled and said, “Sugar cubes are enough. Thank you. My daughter doesn’t have any special preference. She likes to drink her tea with baby’s breath. Can you please inform the servant in Her Majesty’s suite?”
‘That witch likes to add baby’s breath when she makes potions. That’s the only abnormality I found on her.’
Dorothy nodded and left silently like a well-trained servant.
In my magic class, I learned that adding all kinds of plant extracts to magic potions was common, but these plants usually have some obvious or special effects.
The baby’s breath was just a common plant. Other than the legend of ‘Moon Goddess and the Valkyrie’, there was nothing special about it. Even its fragrance was very weak, let alone being used in medicine.
This very special abnormality could help us narrow down the scope of our investigation.
My father had realized this as well. Two werewolf Masters disguised as attendants outside the door had left quietly at his behest.
We had tea and chatted for a while. This time, it was an honest chat. We waited for Dorothy to return to the living room silently and nod to my father.
I gave Dorothy a look, then turned to the southern Duke and said, “Do you still remember the day of the Moonlight Festival? It seems that Carolyn wants to go to the float parade, but she didn’t manage to. It just so happens that the school will hold a small parade at the graduation ball. Do you think Carolyn will like it? The Student Union wants to send her an invitation, and she might be very surprised.”
‘If the spell on your body can be broken, we will set a trap at the graduation ball and arrest the witch.’
“Oh, of course!” The southern Duke said in surprise, “Carolyn is a sensitive child. She likes to be praised by others. I think the parade is a good idea. May I know the details?”
‘I agree, this witch likes to show off, and it’s easy to expose her flaws when she’s too smug. Can I hear your plan?’
I started, “The school hopes to use the legend of ‘the Moon Goddess and the Valkyrie’ as a reference. The Moon Goddess, the Valkyrie, and the witch will each have a float. Perhaps Carolyn will like the character of the witch? I think she’s a girl very interested in taking difficult characters. The members of the drama club are very satisfied with her talent.”
‘Perhaps the role of the legendary witch would make it easier for the fake to let her guard down.’
“Of course, Carolyn is very talented in acting. As long as she wants to, she can deceive everyone, be it parents or classmates.”
‘I agree, but this witch is very cunning. Be careful not to hurt the students.’
“The school has arranged many scenes of witches and Valkyries fighting against each other. Carolyn will like it when she hears it.”
‘My father will arrange for guards to sneak into the convoy to stop the witches, so please rest assured.’
As we were talking, Dorothy came in with freshly baked black tea biscuits.
“The black tea biscuits sent by Her Majesty the Queen are fresh out of the oven. Please enjoy.”
‘The Queen said that Carolyn is starting to get agitated. There’s not much time left. When do we start?’
“Thank you. I was thinking of having some desserts,” the southern Duke said.
‘You can do it now.’
Dorothy nodded. She took out some magic tools wrapped in silk with the pattern of the moon and began to draw the spell on the southern Duke’s body.
At that moment, Dorothy seemed to have disappeared. Everyone in the living room turned a blind eye to her actions, talking and laughing as if nothing had happened.
Cold sweat started to form on my forehead without me realizing it. I tried to calm myself down. ‘Selma, don’t look at Dorothy. Don’t think about her. Make her presence as low as possible. Only then can I ensure her safety.’
As time passed, Dorothy had already finished half of the incantation. Then, Kara suddenly knocked on the door and loudly said, “Your Majesty, my Lords, Miss Carolyn suddenly felt a stomach ache. Her Highness the Queen would like to invite you to take a look.”
