Silent Witch

Book 14: Chapter 13: Soup to Demonstrate Loyalty

Book 14: Chapter 13: Soup to Demonstrate Loyalty

Emanuel Darwin, one of the Seven Sages known as the Jeweled Magician, was trying his best to maintain composure before the person seated in front of himthe Duke of Crockford, Darius Knightley.

Felix had ordered Emanuel to poison the Duke of Crockford, and several days had already passed.

Emanuel had been agonizing over when and how to do it. When he was suddenly invited to a dinner party at the Duke of Crockford's residence.

It was not really a dinner party per se, but more of a private meeting between just the Duke and Emanuel to discuss recent developments.

This was a chance. But when should he poison the food? He had to time it perfectly so he wouldn't be suspected. If caught, it would mean his end, which is also his ruin.

After much thought, Emanuel decided to poison both his and the Duke's meals. He would then pretend to take a bite, act like he noticed something odd, and spit it out.

If only the Duke's meal was poisoned, Emanuel might be suspected, but if they were both poisoned at the same time, suspicion would be less likely to fall on him.Alll latest novels at novelhall.com

Thus, Emanuel had already snuck into the kitchen beforehand and laced both their meat dishes with poison.

All he had to do was put the meat in his mouth at the same time as the Duke, chew it without swallowing, and when the Duke showed signs of being poisoned, Emanuel would pretend the poison was affecting him too and spit out the meat in his mouth. A perfect plan.

Emanuel put on a polite smile and brought the soup to his lips.

"Well, well, this pea soup is so smooth! The cooks at the Duke's residence are truly skilled."

"Have you found a new apprentice yet?"

Ignoring Emanuel's flattery, the Duke bluntly asked his question. Knowing the Duke disliked wasting time, Emanuel dropped the pleasantries and answered the topic the Duke had raised.

"An apprentice well, no, I haven't found a suitable craftsman yet"

Previously, an apprentice working for Emanuel had quit the workshop after losing faith in him. This caused delays in fulfilling orders at Emanuel's company.

More importantly, the Duke of Crockford had invested a large sum into Emanuel's company.

"I will surely find one by the end of this month"

"That's fine."

"I'm so sorry! I was instigated by Prince Felix!!"

There was no point in pretending anymore. This terrifying Duke had seen through everything.

He knew Emanuel had poisoned the food. He knew who had ordered him to do it.

Emanuel had witnessed time and time again the merciless, cruel Duke purge traitors as a harsh example. So throwing away all shame and dignity, Emanuel pleaded for his life.

"It was a momentary lapse in judgment! My loyalty is solely for you! Please, have mercyeh?"

The last word trailed off unnaturally because his tongue had started tingling.

It wasn't just his tongue tingling. His fingertips, toes, the extremities all over his body were tingling and prickling.

Gradually, his pulse became erratic. As if his heart had been punched, it started pounding unnaturally, leaving him breathless.

"A, awha? An, why?"

These were symptoms of poisoning.

But Emanuel hadn't eaten any of the meat yet.

"D-Did youput the poisonin the soupfrom the start"

"Did you think I would allow a bat that doesn't know the meaning of loyalty to remain by my side?"

As Emanuel foamed at the mouth, clutching his throat as he begged the Duke for help, for mercy, the Duke no longer even looked at him. The Duke turned his gaze towards the direction of Serendia Academy and muttered softly, "So he did betray me after all."

There was no need to specify who "he" referred to.

The Duke of Crockford had foreseen the Second Prince's betrayal.

"Then you shall be of use in cleaning up that mess."

When the Duke turned his eyes back towards Emanuel, he had already died in agony with an anguished expression on his face.