Chapter 79: The cooking extract
Mireya’s heart skipped a bit when she heard Matilda’s statement and her expression turned slightly unnatural and unsightly.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” She spoke in a chilled tone and Matilda gave a soft, mocking laugh.
“Of course, you do.” Matilda replied, then suddenly took a step forward towards Mireya. Matilda was slightly taller, and as someone with experience, her aura outmatched someone like Mireya who was still young.
She glanced down at Mireya with a cold smile and began, “You might think that nobody knows what you’ve done, but do you think that’s possible? Do you really think you can do this and nobody will take you for it? Do you think you are in your pack where you can push your weight around?”
Mireya pressed her lips together, unable to reply.
“Let me tell you, even if the Alpha gives up in the investigation of this case, I will still make sure I find evidence against you, expose you and send you out of our land. Mark my words, you won’t remain here for long.”
Matilda gave Mireya one last look before turning to leave in another direction.
Mireya glared at her receding figure while gnashing her teeth. She couldn’t believe that a mere slave would dare to threaten her.
Does she think she was some pushover?
…
“Killian, I need you to check if there’s any one who receives packages from the south or someone who has access to southern trade routes and what the person normally purchases.”
That was when Albert spoke up again, “Only nobles trade directly with the south. The south is known for its rare botanicals. Exotic cosmetics, perfumes, liquors, medicinal extracts and certain toxins that are not commonly circulated within other areas are found in theirs. These products come through their official channels, so common guards won’t have access to them.”
“Our eastern lands are not in good terms with the southerners, so our people wouldn’t trade with them and they won’t do the same with our people, unless one of us does it secretly, but the probability of that happening is low.” Killian spoke up.
Initially, Damien only decided to investigate this matter because he wanted to give Hazel an explanation. But now, one of his warriors had died in the process, so it was no longer a matter of giving anybody an explanation.
A life, though not innocent, had been lost to this matter, so Damien was even more determined to find out who the culprit was and they were close.
However, he already had someone in mind, but he didn’t want to jump into conclusions yet.
Killian spoke again, “I’ve not seen any messenger from the south at all, so there is a higher chance that the culprit already has the poison.”
Damien thought about it calmly.
If Killian has never seen a southern messenger, then that means the poison wasn’t delivered to the pack.
It’s either the culprit went somewhere else to collect it or that the culprit was not a member of the pack.
Which of the two was it?
But the latter has a higher probability.
“Another thing, Alpha.” Albert spoke again and Damien turned to him. “Killian was able to get me a drop of the drink Sir Roman took, so I was able to do something. That kind of aphrodisiac is also from the south, it is a rare type in our lands and even in the west. The best producer of aphrodisiacs of that type is the south. And that kind of aphrodisiac if not taken immediately after purchase, it needs to be preserved in or with a cooling extract also found in the south. The aphrodisiac sample I have already has the addition of the cooling extract, which means the culprit had the aphrodisiac with him for a while.”
Hazel gave a subtle nod, “So, the person probably has the toxin with him too.”
“So how do we know who this person is?” Roman, who was getting fed up with their back and forth, couldn't help but ask.
He just wanted the culprit caught and his name cleared, that’s all.
What does southern cosmetics and oils have to do with him? That wasn’t his business at all and he was not interested.
“What I’m trying to say is that this cooking extract can also be in the form of a perfume. So, we can use that as a link,” Albert rolled his eyes at Roman as he added.
“For now, let’s wait for Matilda to bring those maids and find out the one who served Roman. Afterwards, we will proceed in finding the person who has the southern rare perfume used to preserve the aphrodisiac.” Damien explained and no one had an objection.
“I already took a drop of blood from the guard, so I will investigate and get back to you soon.” Albert informed Damien who merely nodded.
“Is your master back?” Damien asked again.
“He sent a letter that there was some delay on the way, so he would have to extend his arrival till two or three days after. I have a feeling that he must have found some rare exotic herb and got delayed in the process of examining it.” Albert replied with a shake of his head.
That old man was never reliable, his words couldn’t be trusted especially when it comes to herbs and medicines.
Damien seemed to remember something and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.
“Very well, have him visit whenever he arrives.”
“Yes Alpha. I shall take my leave now, please excuse me.”
After Albert left, Roman didn’t stay and soon left together with Killian, leaving just Hazel and Damien in the hall.
“Alright, you can speak now. Who do you suspect?” Damien suddenly asked and Hazel turned to face him in surprise. “You didn’t look so surprised as though you already knew about these things, so tell me, what is in that little head of yours?”