Chapter 86: The Enigma of Baby’s Breath
**Thelma Zane’s Perspective**
“Perhaps the Southern Pack has experienced events that remain unknown to outsiders,” Benard began, his voice steady but tinged with a subtle hint of unease. “Carolyn expressed a desire to transfer to the Lycan Pack. She claimed it might help her heal from her troubles. I, too, thought it might be a good idea for her to take a break, so I agreed. I hope this place will offer her the solace she seeks.”
The underlying meaning was unmistakable. The witch masquerading as Carolyn had set her sights on the Lycan Pack, and Benard’s words carried a plea. *Keep her contained here; do not let her chaos spill beyond these walls.*
My father’s response was calm but resolute. “Don’t worry, my friend. If there’s anything I can do to help, consider it done. Carolyn is your only daughter and the sole heir to the Southern Pack. We must ensure her well–being. The impulsive actions of youth should never compromise her future.”
The message beneath his words was equally clear: *We will do everything in our power to keep Carolyn safe. Once this ordeal is over, her place as the rightful heir will remain secure.*
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Benard replied, his gratitude apparent despite the weight of their mutual understanding.
As the two men exchanged pleasantries, Kara quietly entered the room, a tray of refreshments. balanced gracefully in her hands. Dorothy, ever vigilant at her post by the door, took over and began serving tea with practiced precision.
Dorothy approached the southern Duke, offering the tea with a polite question. “Would you prefer lemon slices, milk, or sugar cubes?”
Her tone was formal, yet the unspoken question hung in the air: *Are you ready to proceed with the curse removal ritual?
The Duke offered a faint smile. “Sugar cubes will do, thank you. My daughter doesn’t have any particular preference, except for one oddity–she enjoys her tea infused with baby’s breath. If it’s not too much trouble, could you inform the staff in Her Majesty’s suite?”
His words carried a subtle clue, one that did not escape my attention. *The witch has a peculiar penchant for baby’s breath, a detail worth investigating.*
Dorothy inclined her head in acknowledgment before leaving the room as silently as she had
come.
The mention of baby’s breath intrigued me. My lessons in magical botany had taught me that many plants were used in potion–making for their distinct properties. However, baby’s breath was an unremarkable flower, more commonly associated with floral arrangements than any
Chacrac The Enigma of Babys Breath
known magical applications. Beyond its association with the legend of the Moon Goddess and the Valkyrie, it seemed to hold little significance.
Yet, this very peculiarity made it a valuable lead. My father appeared to have reached a similar conclusion, for I noticed two of the werewolf masters stationed outside quietly slipping away.
The conversation shifted to lighter topics as we sipped our tea and nibbled on the delicate pastries Kara had prepared. However, the atmosphere remained tense beneath the surface. When Dorothy returned, she gave my father a subtle nod–a signal that all preparations were in place.
Turning to the southern Duke, I ventured cautiously, “Do you remember last year’s Moonlight Festival? Carolyn seemed eager to attend the float parade but missed the chance. Coincidentally, her school plans to host a small parade during the graduation ball. Do you think she would enjoy it? The Student Union intends to extend her a special invitation, and I believe she would be pleasantly surprised.”
The Duke’s expression softened slightly, though the tension in his eyes remained. “Oh, certainly! Carolyn has always been a sensitive child, one who thrives on admiration and recognition. I think the parade would be a wonderful gesture. Could you share more details?”
His
was a veiled agreement: *The witch’s vanity will make her susceptible. Proceed response with your plans.*
I explained, “The school has drawn inspiration from the legend of the Moon Goddess and the Valkyrie. The parade will feature floats representing the Moon Goddess, the Valkyrie, and the witch. Carolyn might enjoy playing the witch, given her knack for challenging roles. The drama club has been particularly impressed by her talent.”
This was a calculated suggestion. By assigning the witch’s role to Carolyn, we hoped to exploit her arrogance, encouraging her to lower her guard.
The Duke nodded thoughtfully. “Indeed, Carolyn has always had a flair for performance. She’s capable of deceiving even the most discerning eye, whether it’s her parents or her peers.”
ing Be cautious
His acknowledgment carried a The witch’s cunning should not be underestimated.*
I pressed on. “The parade will include scenes depicting battles between witches and Valkyries. I imagine Carolyn would find such theatrics quite appealing.
My father added, “The school has arranged for discreet security measures, including undercover guards within the parade. We aim to ensure the safety of all participants.”
As we spoke, Dorothy re–entered the room, this time carrying a tray of freshly baked biscuits. “These black tea biscuits are freshly prepared by Her Majesty. Please enjoy,”
Her words carried an unspoken urgency: *The Queen has reported that Carolyn is becoming restless. Time is running out. When shall we begin?
Charge The Earns of Pally Hinate
The Duke picked up a biscuit, his tone casual but his words laden with hidden meaning ” Thank you. I was just thinking that something sweet would pair nicely with the tea.”
His unspoken response was clear: *Proceed now.
Dorothy moved with purpose. From the folds of her gown, she retrieved a set of intricately designed magical tools wrapped in silk adorned with the emblem of the moon. With practiced ease, she began to inscribe a spell on the southern Duke’s body, her movements precise and
deliberate.
It was as though she had vanished into thin air. The rest of us continued our conversation as if nothing unusual was happening, maintaining the illusion of normalcy.
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I forced myself to remain calm. “Thelma, don’t look at Dorothy. Don’t even think about her. The less attention you draw to her, the safer she will be.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as Dorothy worked in silence. Just as s the ritual’s completion, a sudden knock shattered the quiet.
she neared
Kara’s voice rang out from beyond the door, loud enough to be heard by everyone. “Your Majesty, my Lords, Miss Carolyn is experiencing a severe stomachache. Her Highness the Queen requests your presence immediately.”
The sudden interruption sent a jolt through me. The carefully laid plans were unraveling, and the stakes had never been higher.
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