The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 56: Mr Irwin’s Deteriorating Condition

Chapter 56: Mr Irwin’s Deteriorating Condition

For the love of all things caffeinated and drenched in chocolate, how is it possible that there are more than a hundred ways to greet people from every corner of the realm, and she’s expected to master them all?

Is she a magician?

"This shouldn’t be too difficult for you, considering your noble upbringing." Said her instructor, who appeared to be a woman in her fifties, with her light brown hair neatly tied in a bun, but from the way she carried herself and graceful manner of speaking, it was hard to tell. "Surely, you’re already familiar with some of these, having likely encountered other royals from different realms."

Her instructor remarked with a firm yet calm tone. "Interacting with supernatural beings can indeed be quite challenging, but if there’s one thing they cherish, it’s being greeted in a manner that is customary to them." She explained, and Esme suppressed a wide smile as she nodded, lest her innocent cheeks betray her amusement.

She had never encountered other supernaturals before. Esme had always been sheltered, kept away from the complexities of the world outside her once privileged life. Until now, interacting with people beyond her small circle was not something she ever had to do. But, if she wanted to make a mark, to truly impress, she had to immerse herself in the vast knowledge of the kingdoms. This meant learning more than a hundred different languages, memorizing the flag of each realm, and understanding the symbols they bore.

Beyond that, she would need to perfect her dance step and improve her calligraphy skills.

In truth, this was a royal punishment.

"Let us begin," the lady instructed, unfurling a map cluttered with emblems. The names of the realms associated with those emblems were conspicuously absent.

"You’ll need to familiarize yourself with these first. Once you can correctly match each emblem to its kingdoms, we’ll move on to their method of greetings."

With that said, Esme dutifully set to work. Her plans for poison-making had to be set aside, sadly. Meanwhile, Dahmer observed from the shadows, a bitter scowl twisting his features as he leaned heavily on one of his crutches. The sight of the smile playing on Esme’s lips as she spoke with the instructor, was like a venomous draught to him—one he wouldn’t hesitate to swallow, even if it meant his own demise.

He seethed with fury as he watched her, the woman who had taken everything from him. How dare she smile so brazenly? His anger churned, barely contained, and his eyes flashed with unmasked hostility.

"She is a curse herself," he spat bitterly, convinced that it was her very presence that had brought the Therondia pack to ruin in a single night.

"I will make you suffer, Esmeray Montague," Dahmer vowed under his breath, his voice low and venomous. "Just you wait." His burning gaze lingered on her form, filled with cold determination before he finally turned away. As he moved down the corridor, he was jolted from his thoughts when he nearly collided with Leonardo.

The young man’s presence was met with utter indifference as Dahmer barely spared him a glance before walking away.

Leonardo scoffed and equally moved on. He was currently carrying a tray of medicinal soup to his father’s room. He knocked on the door and stepped in. His father, Irwin, was presently sitting upright on the bed with his back against the headboard, coughing violently, and beside him was Clandestine, who stayed close by in case he might need anything.

Leonardo dropped the tray on the night stand and said, "This is what happens when you don’t listen to me." He made sure his father knew he was addressing him. "I didn’t trust anyone to deliver the medicine, so I brought it over myself. I can only leave the rest to Mother, so please ensure father takes his medicine on time. I need to return to the king and go over the final preparations for the wedding."

"Leo," his father called him out before he could leave, his tone painstakingly gentle as he reassured his son. "I’ll be fine."

Leonardo’s response caught both him and his wife off guard. "The reports I saw, the ones you hid away concerning your health, said a different thing, and it strongly disagrees." Without waiting for their response, refusing to be lied to again, he stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. Clandestine watched him go with a worried look. She opened her mouth to call him back, but Irwin stopped her before she had the time to say anything.

"Let him go, you know how he gets when he’s like that." His voice was hoarse, yet filled with understanding. "It’s better to give him some space. He said he found my reports which means..." the realization hit Irwin, and he sighed. "I hate that we had to keep this from him, but we both knew how he’d react–" A fit of coughing interrupted him, and he pressed a handkerchief to his lips. When he pulled the handkerchief back, it was stained with blood.

"Please, take your medicine," Clandestine tone was warm as she urged her husband to take his medicine. The sadness in her eyes was momentarily concealed behind a mask of reassurance, though it never truly left.

"My dear."

Irwin held her hand in his, to Clandestine unexpected surprise, and he smiled softly at her. His eyes sparkled with a hint of frailty and warmth as he said, "Thank you for bringing me here when I requested it. I know that with you around to take care of the children, I’ll finally be able to rest in peace. I hope Leo won’t stay mad at me till I’m no more. However, there is someone I’d like to see again."

"Who?" Clandestine asked. She was more than ready to fulfill her husband’s wishes if that would make him happy.

"Donovan," he replied, and her eyes widened at the mention of the demon.

As night fell, Esme made her way back to the tower, her thoughts fixated on the poisons she had been mulling over for days. Stepping into the tower brought back memories of what she did here with a certain demon, and she gave herself a mental shake, reminding herself that she was here for a good reason.

"Get your act straight! Stop thinking about him!" She scolded herself, wanting to clear her mind from everything that has to do with that man.

She then closed the door.

What she didn’t realize was that Dahmer had been shadowing her from the moment she left her chamber. With stealthy steps, he followed her to the tower, staying cautious to avoid being caught. When she reached the tower and closed the door, he quietly positioned himself at the door, peering through the crack to watch her.

Inside, Esme sat in deep contemplation. Her fingers lightly drummed on the armrest of her chair, and the events of the day weighed on her mind, particularly the passing mention of Mr. Irwin’s declining health.

She had overheard a tense exchange between Mr. Irwin and Leonardo when she passed by after her etiquette lesson was over. Leonardo had voiced his frustration over being deceived about the severity of his father’s condition, but they didn’t state what his illness was.

"If Mr. Irwin’s health continues to worsen, will they allow me to examine him?" Esme mused aloud. She knew she wasn’t the most powerful healer in Illyria, but the idea of examining Mr. Irwin to know his condition wouldn’t hurt.

Right?