Chapter 36: Ch 36. Eldoria Drugs
"As for the specifics of the case, I can’t guarantee whether it’s true or not, but I’ve heard that a family member of a high-ranking member of the Fox Clan injured the Old Fox Queen—or the mother of the current Fox King—to the point that she slowly died.
"We weren’t told the reason for the Old Fox Queen’s death either, but I used to be close with a fox servant and was friends with her for quite some time before she was sent to the border—I got that information from her," said Vee, causing Selena to sigh and nod in agreement.
This means it’s either a family feud within the royal family and the palace elite, or an attempt to seize power through threats—even going so far as to kill the Old Fox Queen.
There are many possibilities that Selena doesn’t yet fully understand. Perhaps everything will gradually come to light on its own; Selena just needs to wait until that happens.
"As for the death penalty, I don’t know if it’s that easy to impose. But as far as I know, as long as the evidence supports it, the court won’t reject a person’s charges. Especially when the one bringing the charges is the King of a clan," Vee explained again, causing Selena to nod in understanding.
She went back to working on the medicine she was preparing and then said, "In that case, this might be connected to the massacre of that high-ranking official’s family. But we don’t know for sure yet because there isn’t much evidence. Whether Briella is connected to the family of the high-ranking Fox Clan official who was killed or not is still uncertain. Don’t spread this information carelessly without my permission," Selena said firmly.
"I understand, Your Majesty. I’m just telling you what I know. If you ever discuss this with the Fox King, please don’t mention my name—it’s their secret. If the Fox King finds out I’ve told you this, he won’t be happy," Vee pleaded with a pleading look.
"I know. Go get that box," Selena said, pointing to an empty box on the shelf.
Vee stood up, immediately retrieved what Selena had asked for, and handed it to her. "What are you making, Your Majesty? It looks like medicinal powder," Vee asked curiously.
"That’s right. I want to create several types of medicine and antidotes that might serve as treatment options. This will be useful until I understand the poison or the effects of the powder Briella used and can create a suitable antidote," Selena said as she ground up some of the dried leaves.
Vee nodded in understanding, watching what Selena was doing until the sound of a knock on the door was heard again.
"Come in."
The fox servant who had usually attended to Selena before Vee’s arrival emerged from behind the door, carrying a tray filled with various types of herbs.
"Your Majesty, I have delivered the note you gave me last night to the Eldoria House of Healing. Young Master Xoruc Dee provided these plants and herbs," the servant said politely as she set the tray on the table.
Selena looked at the contents of the tray for a moment, then picked up one of the herbs—a dried, pink flower. To her eyes as a healer of extinction, that medium-sized dried flower was a toxic substance whose effects would be quite potent if mixed with a certain type of vine that was also present there.
Selena smiled slightly. "Excellent—everything is exactly as I wanted. You may rest," Selena said, then went back to preparing the medicine according to her healer’s intuition.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to serve you as well." The fox servant actually knelt down, pleading with Selena, who immediately looked at her in surprise. "You can ask me to do anything; I’ll make sure you feel safe and comfortable. Don’t send me away so quickly just because you’ve gotten a new servant."
Selena knew this servant was quite afraid of losing her status because, as far as she remembered, serving a Queen elevated a servant’s rank higher than that of others.
It was just that Selena didn’t really need two servants, especially since she also knew this servant had deliberately followed her so that Selena would take better care of their fox king.
"No need—I don’t want anyone coming near me. Don’t worry; I’ll heal your King properly so he won’t need to monopolize me," Selena replied casually, causing the fox servant to let out a heavy sigh.
"Anything, Your Majesty. You can ask me to do anything; I won’t complain. At least as your servant, I’ll be loyal," the fox servant said again, pleadingly.
Selena took a breath, knowing this servant would be very stubborn. "All right, then be my personal courier. I remember you have a verification card that grants you access anywhere once you show it. Since I don’t need a servant and I’m sometimes too lazy to travel, you’ll handle that part on my behalf. That way, I can also test your loyalty," Selena replied, making the fox servant smile.
"Of course, I’m willing, Your Majesty. Thank you for this opportunity; I’ll do my best."
"Get up—it’s still early. Go deliver this letter and package to Young Master Hawksen," Selena said as she packed the herbal powder she’d just made and tied it securely. "Tell him this is from me. I’d also like to meet with him tomorrow afternoon. He can choose the location, and if he’s unwilling to arrange a meeting place, ask him to come here."
The fox servant stood up, accepted the items and letter Selena handed her in a single, secure bundle, then nodded. After she left, Selena didn’t stop and went back to preparing more remedies from the available herbal ingredients.
Meanwhile, Vee asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, do you trust that servant 100 percent?"
"No, but if she betrays me, her hand will burn. When she accidentally touched me earlier, I happened to implant a small effect that will activate if someone strays from my orders," Selena said casually, causing Vee to swallow hard.
"Your Majesty, are you serious?"
Selena smiled at her, but said nothing—and that was confirmation enough of Vee’s question.
Frozen in place, Vee could only watch as Selena prepared several potions, occasionally sniffing the herbal powders she had previously ground with a stone mortar.
Selena finished preparing several antidotes and picked up a box that had been seized from Briella’s house. She sprinkled some of the white powder she’d just made onto her hand, then carefully opened the box emitting a black glow.
Selena inhaled a small amount of the powder from a safe distance, then nodded slowly. "This powder is an Eldorian narcotic, and that black light is the effect of magic learned with malicious intent. This Eldorian narcotic powder makes a person addicted, while the black light surrounding it has an effect that can subdue anyone. No wonder the Old Fox King hates me so much and was also influenced by Briella," Selena muttered, beginning to understand the answer.
"So is the Old Fox King really evil, Your Majesty?"