Chapter 336
“A banquet at the palace?” asked Eliza.
“Yes, Your Grace. His Majesty has specifically requested your presence tomorrow to celebrate with the noble families, James said with a
cheerful smile.
“Alright. Thank you for coming all this way,” said Eliza.
She glanced behind her and called, “Rence?
Renee quickly retrieved a pouch filled with money from Eliza’s room and handed it over respectfully. “This is a small token of appreciation from our Holy Lady. Please accept it. We hope you won’t refuse.”
James’s face lit up as he accepted money. “Thank you, Your Grace, for your generosity!”
After James left. Eliza turned around and saw someone.
“Mary?” she asked, a hint of surprise in her tone.
and gently smoothed it back.
Mary walked over, noticing a stray strand of hair near Eliza’s ear. She reached out a
“Tomorrow, it’ll just be you and Tina attending. Be careful and make sure to bring the medicines I’ve prepared for you. They might come in handy if anything unexpected happens, said Mary.
Eliza raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing as she said, “Mary, hearing what you said, why do I feel like you’re certain something bad will happen at the banquet?”
Mary sighed, her expression turning serious. “I can’t say for sure, but palace banquets are never simple. If trouble does arise, it’s the kind that can leave you shakeri.
“But don’t stress too much. Just keep those medicines close and stick near Prince Nolan. With him around, nothing will happen to you.”
Then Mary’s page lingered on Eliza, carrying a subtle but unmistakable meaning that Eliza didn’t catch.
Unaware of Mary’s deeper implication, Eliza chuckled and joked, “Well, since I’m friends with Prince Nolan, if something unexpected does happen, I doubt he’d just stand by and let harm come to his friend, right?”
“Slap!”
Mary, who had been gentle just a moment ago, suddenly flicked Eliza’s forehead with a motion.
“Men are about as reliable as pigs can fly,” Mary declared sternly.
Fixing Eliza with a serious look, Mary added, “Remember this, and don’t forget it.
Eliza said, “Got it”
“Wow, Reverend Mary, you sure change your tune fast, Eliza thought.
“Alright, Mary said, her tone softening. Besides reminding you about this, there’s something else I need your help with.”
“What is it, Mary Eliza asked, curious.
“I have an old friend who fell all in his youth. He needs a rare herb called the Snow Lotus for treatment. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly hard to find. I’ve searched for years without success, but recently, I heard some news.”
“Is it related to the palace banquet? Eliza immediately connected the dots.
After all, Mary had never mentioned it to her before.
Bringing it up now clearly meant it was tied to the banquet. Mary nodded. “Yes I heard someone would present a Snow Lotus to His Majesty during the banquet. If you can, could you help me get the Snow Lotus?
“Of course,” Eliza replied with a warin unile.
It was rare for Mary to ask for her help, so Eliza naturally wouldn’t refuse
Chapter 336
could just take a Snow Lotus out from my pocket farm now, but how would I explain that? Eliza thought.
After all, the Snow Lotuses grow on high mountains. If she suddenly pulled out a fresh one, how would she explain it?
What would she say? She owned
nountain, too?
So, Eliza decided not to take out the Snow Lotus from her pocket farm just yet.
She decided to check out the palace hanquet first. If she could get the Snow Lotus there, no explanations needed.
If she couldn’t, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Eliza could process the Snow Lotus from her pocket farm later and then give it to Mary.
“Don’t worry, Mary. I
I’ll make sure to remember this tomorrow,” Eliza said confidently.
Mary gave her a reassuring nod and added, “Don’t force it if the situation doesn’t allow it. Let it go. There will always be another chance to hnd a Snow Lotus later,”
Eliza nodded in agreement, reassuring Mary.
Mary, about that corpse I handed over earlier. Did you find anything unusual?”
Eliza remembered how, right after New Year’s Eve, the guards from Prince Nolan’s estate had quickly delivered the assassin’s body,
The assassin’s face had been destroyed.
Clearly, whoever was behind them was just as cautious,
Mary’s expression turned serious as she heard that. “Before I say anything, tell me where the body came from.”
Eliza paused before replying. “It was the assassin who tried to kill Prince Nolan and me. He was captured by Prince Nolan, who crippled his limbs and then sent the body to me.”
Mary carefully studied Eliza’s expression. Seeing that she wasn’t particularly frightened, Mary let out a small sigh of relief.
She had underestimated Eliza’s courage and composure.
“Eliza, have you ever heard of something like raising parasites?” asked Mary.
“Kusing parasites?”
Eliza’s eyes widened in surprise.
She had read extensively from the poison mumual and was familiar with the term
However, she had always assumed it was just a myth and hadn’t delved deeper into it.
She hadn’t expected Mary to bring it up now.
“Raising parasites is a sinister practice. Poisonous parasites are raised separately, then thrown into a cage to fight each other to death. The last our standing becomes the King Parasite, the strongest of them all
“Do you know why that corpse burst apart from the inside?”
Eliza’s mind raced. She said. “Because the assassins bodies were already infested with parasites. They used their bodies as a breeding ground for raising parasites
“Parasites control their host’s body, while the King Parasite commands the parasites. But the real question is, who controls the King Parasite
Eliza narrowed her eyes slightly
Mary issued another warning. “King Parasite and whoever is behind it are not to be underestimated. That could well be Sophie’s Last, most dangerous move”
“Remember what I’ve told you, be extremely cautious Parasites are not easy to deal with
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Chapter 236
ant it, Mary. Please don’t worry about met“
Early the next morning Eliza, fully prepared, climbed into a carriage and set off for the Imperial Palace in Hasen City.
When Eliza arrived in Hasen City, she entered the palace without a hitch. A palace maid guided her to her designated seat, and everything went smoothly.
However, just as she was about to sit down, something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She froze, stopping mid–motion
“Your Grace
The palace maid leading Eliza showed a look of confusion when she saw Eliza suddenly stop.
“Why is there a bug at the palace banquet?” asked Eliza.
Eliza’s voice was calm as her gaze landed on the tiny black bug perched on the chair. Her tone was measured, neither too light nor too heavy
