The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 107

"I remember!" Poppy gasped.

"Speak, quickly!" Lady Forrester urged, frantic with tension.

"After my lady bought the straw trinkets, the old woman handed her a small sachet. She claimed her granddaughter made it, and inside was a Talisman of Warding blessed by a priest at the local abbey. Seeing my lady's kind heart, she offered it as a gift, wishing her a safe journey. Unlike the crude straw trinkets, the sachet was beautifully crafted. My lady took a liking to it and kept it on her person ever since."

Poppy looked at Lucia in horror. "My lady tried to offer her silver for it, but the old woman refused. She said her poor granddaughter had been deathly ill, and seeing how vibrant and lively my lady was, she only wished her granddaughter could recover. She asked my lady, 'If my granddaughter could be just like you, would you be willing?'"

Even if they had no experience with the dark arts, seeing Eleonora's horrific deterioration and hearing Lucia's grim questioning was enough. Lord Roderick and Lady Forrester felt a cold dread seize their hearts.

"And my lady said she was willing," Poppy whispered, trembling as she looked at Lucia. "Lady Lucia, was... was she not supposed to say yes?"

Watching her mistress wither away had terrified the young maid for weeks.

"Where is the sachet?" Lucia ignored the question, cutting straight to the immediate threat.

"We took it off her after we returned to the Royal Capital and she collapsed in a fit of sickness. It's right here."

Poppy hurried to a fine cosmetic chest nearby, retrieving a small cloth pouch and handing it to Lucia.

The sachet was crimson, embroidered with a brilliantly colored flower. The stitching was masterfully done; it was no wonder Eleonora had grown fond of it.

"Lady Lucia, is there something wrong with this sachet?"

The pouch was sewn shut. Lucia asked Poppy for a pair of shears and sliced it open without hesitation.

She pulled out a piece of parchment folded into a tight triangle.

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