Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Sybil Park

I suddenly remembered that Maze will leave my side one day for the trial. I was nervous for her because I might never see her smiles again. I want her to be safe so that we can live peacefully together after the journey. It's completely fine if she's not the chosen Death Judge. I just want her to come home safely after the journey.

“I will show you your rooms later after this. I'm sure you'll like it. ” The general smiled. "You will stay here temporarily while your little palace is still under construction."

After we finished eating, Cladius toured us inside his palace. It was beautiful, luxurious, and well made, hands up to the engineer who did this. It’s not impossible for a nobleman like Cladius to live in a palace like this.

"Sybil, here is your room." He opened the door and I saw a lot of equipment I needed and wanted inside the room. There were embroidery, cooking utensils, neat clothes, and a bed. The room he presented was presentable.

"Let's go. I will show you your daughter's room, Sybil,” he said and immediately walked to the other room. "I hope you enjoy my little gifts, Maze." He opened the door for us.

My daughter immediately stepped inside and was amazed at what she saw. There were heaps of books and study equipment. That includes pens, paper, and so on.

There were clothes in her closet. There’s also a large bed with soft pillows and thick but comfortable blankets. Beside the bed were fluffy toys. On the corner, there were shoes. Most of it was made of leather and fur. Cladius also provided a heater and a cooler in the room.

HOURS HAD PASSED. I found peace in Cladius’ palace. I feel safe, I feel protected.

“Sybil! Maze! Let's eat! ” General called us so we hurried down and went to the dining room table. I am thankful and we will be able to eat again, but this time, we were no longer in the hands of the Baron. Is the dish here delicious?

The general coughed. "Apologies. Sit down. ”

“General, are you all right? ” I said to the general

“Yes. M-my throat is a little itchy, Sybil. ”

“Mother, it looks like the general is ill. We need to call a doctor,”my daughter suggested. I looked at her.

“'Wait, Maze. It's not bad yet. I said my throat is itchy, no need to worry.” Then Cladius ordered his maids to change his drink.

“General Cladius! You’re coughing and we shouldn’t ignore it. Sometimes, if small things are ignored, it might be a bigger problem in the future. Try drinking Nalopha. It will help you to cure your tussis.'' One of his servants came in. There was sarcasm in his tone of voice. I couldn’t help but worry about what would happen. The treyhovia's voice scared me or maybe that's just how he spoke.

"Hebeias vashda, Leonardo." Thegeneral grinned.

I could not take my eyes off his servant. I can see how Leonardo smiled. A big smile accompanied by sarcasm. It was as if he was pleased that the general would drink the Nalopha he had given him.

“General! Don't drink that!” Suddenly a guard appeared in our sight. “General, t-that's not Nalopha! That's poison! Don't drink that!”the guard shouted.

The general dropped the bowl of Nalopha Leonardo gave. He glared at him. "Is this true, Leonardo?!" Cladius thundered.

“N-no general! Why would I do that to you?!”

I looked at my daughter. She continued eating and didn't seem to care about what was going on. She was enjoying her meal.

“Don't believe that servant, General! He is giving you poison to drink!” he warned. He was breathless and trembling.

"How can you say that? You are just a mere guard. You know it is in our law that one shall not accuse him of a sin he never committed! How brave you are to tell a false truth in front of the general!” Leonardo pointed at the guard and glared at him.

“I am brave because I know I am right!” He gazed at Cladius. “General! Don't believe him!”

"Stop!" Let an expert tell if it’s a poison or Nalopha! Guards! Please call the doctor!” Cladius roared.

I glanced at Leonardo and saw how frustrated he is. His hands and arms were shaking. His lips quivered. He was sweating and staring at nowhere.

The expert came and approached the dining room table. The expert sat down. "Where's the bowl?" A servant handed the bowl of Nalopha. The expert sipped a bit.

"This is . . .” He stopped for a moment. “. . . Nalopha.” The guard was surprised by what the expert said.

"What?! It’s a poison I swear!” the guard insisted.

“It’s Nalopha, you foolish meddler. You humiliated me in front of the general and his relatives. So you deserve to be punished!” The servant's sarcastic smile and tone returned. He immediately arrested the guard and threw him out of the palace.

I glanced at Cladius. He was lowering his gaze. “You can leave now, Doctor. Leonardo . . .” He sighed. “. . . take a break.”

"If that's what you want, General." Leonardo left the place as soon as Cladius ordered him to do so.

“Nalopha . . . Nalopha can be used to cure tussin because it contains potassium, calcium, fiber and other vitamins . . . but on the other hand, Nalopha also contains toxin especially when the plant is still young ”Cladius and I were stunned by what my daughter said. How did he know that?

“What do you mean, Maze? You’re thinking that the Nalopha Leonardo gave earlier might be poisonous.” The general looked at Maximaze. My eyes widened at what he said.

“Yes, General. The Nalopha the servant gave earlier may have been poisonous, but who knows? ” She rubbed her nape and continued eating. She stopped and spoke, ”young Nalopha leaves are poisonous, but the old Nalopha leaves are not. ”

"Then why didn't the expert know that?" the general asked.

“As far as I know, General. The young leaves and the old leaves of Nalopha taste the same. Then you will know when it is too late. ”

"What will happen if I drink it?"

“You will just vomit, General. It's not deadly, but you can weaken or vice versa, you can become stronger. ”

"Daughter, how did you know that?" I asked.

“I was reading earlier. I read about medicine because I could not yet speak nor read the Normesian language to read the little content of the law. ” He looked at me.

“I was lucky and I had a child like you. Smart and hardworking! ” I praise.

She was stunned by what I said. She lifted the tips of his lips slightly and averted her gaze.

To be continued . . .