The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 69

"Lady Lucia, what exactly happened to Corin? His grandfather is supposed to be a master physician, yet he couldn't diagnose a thing!" Matron Finch shot her husband a glare.

Physician Finch hadn't expected his wife to insult his medical skills. But he had no idea how to explain the situation, so he simply shook his head in defeat.

Silas and Yvette looked at Lucia, equally desperate for answers.

"My father abruptly removed a root carving from Corin's room earlier..." Silas began.

"The cursed root carving was indeed the source of the trouble," Lucia said, pointing to the dark object wrapped in cloth on the floor. "If I am not mistaken, that carving is actually a grave good."

The revelation drained the color from the family's faces.

"What?!" They stared in horror at the cloth-wrapped bundle, taking several steps back.

"Furthermore, the owner of the tomb most likely died of a wretched disease," Lucia added casually, plunging another invisible dagger into their hearts.

Matron Finch swayed on her feet, looking pale as a sheet.

"But... Corin said he found it in the creek..." Silas stammered, his voice trembling.

"You should send your men to investigate the river upstream. I suspect recent rains have washed out an old grave," Lucia replied.

"Should... should we return it?" Yvette's imagination ran wild, her hands turning ice-cold. "Is this the dead man's vengeance? If we don't put it back, will his spirit refuse to rest?"

As she spoke, she terrified herself even more. Did this mean Corin was still in danger?

Lucia motioned for them to stand back while she remained next to the brazier. The Finch family watched with bated breath, worried she might be in danger.

Lucia stepped closer and swiped a finger across her thumb. A single drop of crimson blood fell into the coals.

Instantly, the fire roared to life, shooting flames waist-high and engulfing the cursed object. The black smoke billowed thicker, but Lucia raised her hand and drew a swift line in the air. The toxic smoke shot straight up toward the ceiling instead of spreading through the room, vanishing entirely before it hit the rafters.

The onlookers watched from afar, their jaws dropping in awe.

"How in the world does she do that?" Yvette whispered in shock.

"That is Lady Lucia's gift," Matron Finch said sternly. "And none of you are to breathe a word of this to anyone outside this house."