15 Venom

My mother's death was heartbreaking.

Nobody could believe it. She's indeed sick, but the doctors said she's getting healthier. The doctors have proof of that.

It was poison. Someone poisoned my mother.

The funeral was held yesterday. I couldn't come because after finding out my mother was gone, I fainted because of the shock. Raphael and Christopher; they're speechless. Going home under any circumstances is forbidden for nobles who are attending school. They couldn't send letters because their pain couldn't be contained just by ink and paper.

The twins are devastated. Of course, they are, they're only seven. My other brothers here are very depressed. But we need to be strong. I feel Sylvester is the one who felt burdened. He's currently the eldest, and he needs to comfort all of his younger brothers.

And no one to comfort him.

Today is the day where Sylvester will question each and one of everyone who worked in the house to determine which one is the culprit.

It's in the hall.

I'm not supposed to be here, but I need to know who did it. I have to.

I sneakily walked to the double doors where I walked through with my father during my birthday party two days ago. I peeked through the sidelines, seeing all of the servants are kneeling on the ground with Sylvester and father standing in front of all of them.

"Ezra,"

I startled when I heard a voice behind me. I turned around with wide eyes.

It's Juno.

His eyes are swollen. I never see him cry, but I guess he's crying when no one is looking. I only stared at him and looked back through the doors.

"..." I stayed quiet. Same as Juno.

Father ordered him to look after me and make sure I'm staying in my room. I think Juno understood that I'm inquisitive. Juno also stayed quiet and decided to sit beside me. I looked at him from the corner of my eyes. He's just staring into nothing with a blank expression.

My eyebrows are furrowed. I looked back to the sidelines and waited.

"Yesterday, before my wife was buried, the doctors had carried out an autopsy process. It's positive that she's poisoned,"

Father started. His voice is stern. But lifeless. There's just pure agony in his tone of voice.

"My son Sylvester could detect lies just by your expression, body gestures, or even the way you breathe. You're trapped here. And there'll be no mercy," Father finished.

The hall is quiet. But it's forbidden for the servants to hung their heads down. Innocent or not, hanging their heads down or looking suspicious will be an instant kill.

Father could kill anyone.

I gulped. The atmosphere is hefty. But I do wish to witness the culprit getting tortured by father.

The servants are staring at Sylvester in the eyes. And so do I. He looked a lot like Juno. His face looked exhausted. He hasn't appropriately grieved for his mother. But he needed to do this.

"..." Sylvester paused for a moment. Then he sauntered.

The hall was only filled with the noise of his footsteps. The air is getting heavier and heavier. I could see a lot of servants are sweating profusely. Their eyes are shaking and trying not to avoid Sylvester's eyes.

There's a lot of servants in this house, so he's been walking around for almost five minutes.

Until...

"..."

Sylvester suddenly crouched in front of a maid.

It's Rosemary.

Rosemary was stunned. The servants around him are also shocked. They're all trembling like crazy.

Was my intuition right? Rosemary did it? But why?

I scratched the door frame with my tiny fingernails. Juno grabbed my wrist. He looked at me then shook his head. My eyes are watery. I looked back at Sylvester.

"Who did it?"

Huh? Sylvester asked Rosemary? It's not Rosemary, who did it?

"Y-Your guess i-is as good as m-mine, Young Master Sylvester,"

"... Who are the other maids that are with you during the party?"

Rosemary nervously glanced to the left. Sylvester's eyes averted to the left as well.

Two maids are kneeling beside Rosemary. The two of them trembled. Sylvester is staring at them intently.

Silence.

I could feel the tension even from here. Juno leaned over as well, joining me to spy on the situation.

"... You did it,"

"!"

Sylvester pointed at the ginger-haired maid. She has freckles, and her green eyes are bright. Not even Edgar would've guessed that it was her. She looked innocent and sweet. I know her. She's Ava.

She's always around Rosemary. She even gave me candy before. Her smile is sweet, and her tone is genuine.

How? and why?

"P-Please! No! Spare me!"

Instead of deflecting it, she immediately wanted to beg for forgiveness. Sylvester stood up from the ground; he looked over to father.

Father nodded.

"Seize her,"