Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 184: Interrogated!

Chapter 184: Interrogated!

"Do you think she is dangerous?" he asked, voice low.

"I think she is unpredictable," Elric said. "And those with knowledge they keep to themselves, they are always the first to tip the scales of power."

The king stopped in front of him. "Then perhaps it’s time we learn exactly how much she knows."

He turned to the messenger. "Send word back. Keep an eye on her. Everything she makes, everything she says—I want it documented."

"And the duke?" the messenger asked carefully.

King William’s eyes narrowed. "If he’s let a woman become his shield, his negotiator, and his cure... then perhaps he’s more attached than we thought. That, too, is worth watching. Bring me the three arms of the empire." Edward’s eyes changed as he heard his father’s command.

"Father... I do not think she is dangerous. Olivia is too kind to harm someone." WIlliam looked at his son like he was a fool.

"And yet she played with you, used you to gain power and then discarded you like a broken tool. Do you feel no shame in protecting her? Or are you hiding something, Edward? I might have offered you a fair chance to win the crown from Elio. but I would never accept treason against me." The voice had a threat Edward could not ignore.

He lowered his head at once and did not continue. William finally looked away, his gaze dark and full of danger.

The next morning, three men rode out under the royal banner—Sir Merek, a seasoned knight with sharp eyes and a silent tongue; Brother Alden, a soft-spoken cleric with knowledge of herbs and poisons; and Tomas, a scribe too young to be harmless, too observant to be ignored.

Officially, they were to oversee the final stages of the treaty’s documentation and assist in the duke’s efforts to stabilize the region’s health. Unofficially, they were the king’s eyes. They were sent to peel back the layers of Lady Olivia’s mystery, to measure her influence over the duke and the manor. And see if she holds a possible threat.

King William watched them disappear into the morning mist from the high tower. "Let’s see what she does when surrounded by those trained to listen."

Elric stood behind him, arms crossed. "And if she proves more than clever?"

The king’s expression didn’t change. "Then we decide if she’s worth keeping alive."

"Your majesty.." Elric hesitated but his eyes had slyness. "Do you remember the rumors around the baroness when she got married." William;s eyes narrowed.

"You believe in witch blood!"

"I remember baron witherland only got successful after she entered the house. Do you not find it strange that lady Olivia witheralnd had never treated a single patient ever. Yet, recently, she had the ability to sign a treaty due to her medical abilities!

William;s eyes narrowed at once.

"If she had the blood of a witch, she must meet the same end. Call Duke Thistle for me."

—---

The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting golden light across the nursery. Olivia was gently combing Abi’s hair, listening with a soft smile as Leo animatedly recounted a tale of his horse riding. Her mind slowly wandered to the dreams she was recently having. There was something wrong with her.

"And then, it galloped so high, I was able to touch the apples of the highest stem. I would have plucked one but Merthyr was too fast. It jumped again and again and I had to hold the reins tightly. Next time you must come with me to witness it." Leo frowned. "It has been three days since I last saw you. Where have you been?"

Olivia paused. She could not explain to the child that she was having intimate moments with his brother and then she was threatened. Then came the knock. Olivia looked away and Leo frowned harder.

"What is it? It is our rest time." he grumbled. The maid nodded slowly before looking at Olivia.

She spoke, bowing. "My lady, the Duke, requests your presence in the meeting room."

Olivia’s heart fluttered, just once. They had just been together in the early morning and now. She calms her racing heart. She exchanged a look with Abi, smoothed the girl’s hair down, and rose. "Stay with Leo," she whispered before turning to leave.

"Wait.. are you not going to ask why he is calling you?" Leo followed her with a frown when Olivia sighed.

"I am signing a deal to protect our future, Leo. if everything goes well, we will secure our position." Leo looked worried but she patted his head. "Stay here, I will tell you everything once I return."

Then she followed the maid closely. When she entered the meeting room, she immediately sensed the tension.

Damon was seated at the head of the long table, posture too rigid, smile too tight. His eyes flicked to hers—and she caught it. The anger simmered just beneath the surface. Standing across from him were three men bearing the king’s crest, and beside them, representatives from two vassal houses, here to witness the completion of the treaty contract.

Damon gestured to the seat beside him. "Lady Olivia. The king’s guardians have asked to inspect the medicines you’ve prepared so far."

She inclined her head, masking her unease with practiced grace. "Of course."

A servant brought in a tray, and Olivia personally set out the vials, salves, and tinctures she had crafted—each labeled in her careful hand. The guardians approached, examining her work with gloved hands and polite, precise detachment. One uncorked a vial and sniffed; another rubbed a bit of salve between his fingers.

Sir Merek was the first to look at her coldly.

"Some of these herbs—like wolfsbane and monkshood—are known for their toxicity. What precautions do you take to prevent overdosing?"

The youngest of the three, a scribe, diligently noted every word she said. Before she could reply, he scoffed.

"Are any of these remedies safe for children or the elderly, or are they all intended for general adult use? I am sure you know the difference and the effects of your mistake."

"I know what I am doing. This is.." she heard a laugh behind her and the other one named Brother Alden started, "You’ve used feverfew and white willow bark together here. Are you not concerned about the risk of thinning the blood? And This salve carries the scent of crushed marigold and nettle. What ratios did you use, and how did you temper the sting of the nettle?"

He was throwing one bottle after the other opened on the table. A few liquid spilled and left a stain on the white cloth.

She looked at Damon for help, but he looked away, making her frown.

"What inspired your choice to blend sweet root with nightshade extract in this one? It’s not a common pairing." he threw another bottle as if it was only garbage.

"What testing process did you follow before administering these to the manor’s patients?"

Even Tomas, the scribe paused his nib and looked at her. "You’ve recorded the preparation instructions in this ledger. Is this your personal system, or something you learned elsewhere?"

He watched other sniffing a bottle and asked

"Who taught you how to prepare tinctures this precisely? You measure like a trained apothecary."

The first one taken a step closer and asked,

"Have any of these failed during testing? If so, what did you change in the next version?"