A Special Request

(A few minutes ago)

A pristine white carriage without much adornment and merely relying on its exquisite workmanship scuttled down the central market while on its way towards the grand duke Chestarrow's estate. Inside, sat a priest in the same garment as the previous Gilbert Reis who had visited Lady Alice.

However, unlike Gilbert, this particular priest had on an austere expression on her face while holding a rather worn-out bible. From the condition of the bible itself, one could already discern how much faith she had as the servant of God. Even now, as she was on her way to see Lady Ophelia as instructed by the archbishop himself, Sister Astrid couldn't help reading several verses to kill time.

While she was reading, Astrid was suddenly reminded of the archbishop's words. Though her expression didn't change, her hand had stopped flipping the page.

"Sister Astrid, I don't know if you've heard about Lady Ophelia's condition. But apparently, the second prince's personal attendant, Leonard Angwin, has requested the church's assistance to examine Lady Ophelia. I would have asked Gilbert to go but since he's unwell, I can only ask you to help. I hope sister is okay with that."

Astrid had, of course, heard of Gilbert falling sick right after he checked on Lady Alice. The sisters had wondered if the lady wasn't poisoned but was actually contracted with a contagious illness and Gilbert was unfortunately infected. In fact, Father Jurih said Gilbert's condition was rather concerning.

So, Astrid couldn't help but question the archbishop, "Your Excellency, by any chance, did Sir Angwin tell you what kind of sickness does Lady Ophelia have? Is it the same as Lady Alice?"

The archbishop immediately knew what Sister Astrid was referring to and he looked displeased. "I don't know what you've heard but Gilbert is fine. He's just been a little under the weather since he exerted his holy power a bit when healing Lady Alice. So, don't worry, Sister."

With that, Sister Astrid understood it was the limit and she had to stop speaking. Thus, she swiftly complied with the archbishop's order. However, just before she left the room, the archbishop's voice sounded again.

"While you're examining Lady Ophelia, do you mind checking on Lady Alice as well, Sister? I wish to know how she's faring after Gilbert has healed her," The archbishop voiced out his request as he smiled kindly at Astrid.

Thinking that she was going to the duke's estate regardless and checked on her sister, Astrid felt that it would not make any difference if she were to check on Lady Alice or not. So, she curtsied and answered with pleasure, "Of course, Your Excellency, I will make sure to visit Lady Alice as well."

However, the archbishop immediately corrected Sister Astrid, "Sister, not just a visit, I wish for you to examine Lady Alice with mana."

That was when Sister Astrid looked up with a slight change in her eyes. She was deep down surprised by the archbishop's specific request. But, the archbishop merely smiled and spoke again.

"Since she was poisoned, we could not be sure by just looking at the surface, right? You need to check if the poison has been completely eradicated to its root."

His explanation did erase any doubt Sister Astrid held and sent her to the door once again to carry out his order. But, at the last minute when the door of his study was opened, the archbishop especially reminded Sister Astrid once again.

"Do not forget, Sister. With your mana and to its root."

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(Back to the present)

Astrid's train of thoughts was interrupted when the carriage suddenly pulled to a stop right in front of the gate mansion. Astrid glanced at the window for a second to see the guards exchanging words with the coachman before the carriage moved again.

As she laid her eyes on the approaching mansion, her mind only had but one thought.

'Not Lady Ophelia but, Lady Alice'.

Astrid wondered what could be the reason for His Excellency's special attention on Lady Alice. After all, she had only heard of Lady Ophelia sterling reputation in the society and not Lady Alice.

However, soon her attention was shifted to the sound of someone opening the carriage door. Afterwards, the coachman stood on the side as he bowed respectfully, "Sister, please."

Astrid got off from the carriage gracefully and was immediately greeted by Butler Elliard, "Sister, this humble servant welcomes you to the duke's residence."

"Thank you, Sir," Astrid nodded then, declared, "I'm here as requested by Sir Angwin to check on Lady Ophelia."

"So, I've been told. Please, follow me, Sister. I shall lead you to Lady Ophelia's room."

It took them a while to arrive at the east wing where Ophelia's bedroom is located at. And they hadn't even gotten near when Astrid heard a loud scream of distress coming from afar. It surprised her for a bit as her feet went to a halt.

"My apologies, Sister. But, it has been like this since this morning. We're very concerned since Lady Ophelia has yet to drink nor drink. If you please, Sister," Butler Elliard gestured his hand at Ophelia's bedroom where they could see two knights stationed at the door and maids going in and out of the room in panic.

"We shall hurry," Sister Astrid said as a frown formed on her face. She quickly moved past the butler and entered the bedroom. The knights who had been informed by the duke of a priest visiting didn't obstruct her at all.

As soon as Astrid stepped inside, she was greeted by the chaotic situation of Ophelia cowering in the corner and the duchess persuading her niece from a far with a tear-stricken face. Meanwhile, the others were also looking distraught and helpless while staring at Ophelia.

Hence, Sister Astrid did not beat around the bush and announced her presence herself, "Excuse me, Your Grace."

In that instance, the duchess turned around and her eyes lit up at Astrid as if she was looking at an angel. In her moment of distress, the duchess disregarded her image and immediately grabbed Astrid to beg her.

"Sister, you're finally here! Please help my niece. We don't know what wrong with her! She keeps screaming whenever we try to approach her and---"

"Please calm down, Your Grace," Sister Astrid tried to reassure the duchess before asking Julian to bring her aside. After that, Astrid turned to look at the still shivering Ophelia.

From the gap between her hair that covered her face, a gaze filled with terror shot at Astrid. And upon encountering a stranger, Ophelia tried to back up even more. Her delicate body pressed on hardly against the wall.

Sister Astrid pursed her lips and slowly approached Ophelia. However, she only got close to twenty steps away from her before Ophelia's scream thundered once again. Though her voice had gone hoarse, she still cried in fear.

Sister Astrid immediately stopped moving to avoid edging the patient even more. She had no choice but to assess the lady's condition from a far.

Meanwhile, Argan who had successfully slipped into the room unnoticed a while ago paid a special attention at the new priest's movement from the moment she entered the room. Hidden within the shadow cast by the sunlight, Argan watched as Astrid squinted her eyes, observing Ophelia in silence.

The corner of his lips lifted insidiously as he thought to himself, 'Let's see if you can figure this out.'

After making sure that there was nothing physically wrong with Ophelia and there was no symptoms of poisoning from eye examination, Sister Astrid decided to use mana for further inspection.

Thus, she slowly started releasing her mana that was imbued with holy power towards Ophelia. However, suddenly she stopped in the middle.

In that very moment, a wide grin came to Argan's face who laid in the shadow. His pair of violet eyes shone in bloodthirsty excitement. 'Oh?'