Why Is This Novel Turning Into A Circus?!

How odd.

'Welcome back, Your grace. Uhm...'

'What's wrong?'

'Lady Raina has asked permission to meet you.'

'What? That girl did?'

After what she said five years ago. She wants us to meet? Really? Is it something important that she'll lower her pride and meet me?

"Archen~" An annoying voice called out. I felt his hand poke my forehead. "What are you thinking so hard about?"

I slapped his hand. "Another disaster has struck Miyerko… It's concerning. First, it was the drought in Drieha… then an earthquake in Miyerko."

"Is that it?"

I stared at him. He talks as if what I just said were mere concerns. "Sorin, I am serious. There's been whispers targeting the church and with their desperation, I'm sure they'll do something to put the blame on Azriel somehow."

"Archen…" He smiled at me, that warm and kind smile.

"Alright. Raina asked to meet me."

"Oh. That's it?"

I felt the vein on my forehead pop. I glared.

Sorin's head tilted. "Maybe she wants to make up?"

"That's easy for you to say. You get along really well with your sister. Besides, us getting along will never happen."

A loud thud was made when Sorin slammed his palms on the desk, his face eerily close to mine, "Archen, did you know, my sister once told me that people can change when they encounter death. Maybe, after a month of paralyzation, she regrets everything and want to apologize."

"Change? Died? Paralyzation? What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Eh?"

"Sorin, What are you talking about?!"

"You didn't know?"

"Would I ask if I knew?"

"Well..." Sorin avoided eye contact, scratching his chin awkwardly he said, "Raina ingested a lethal amount of Nimen plant and was unconscious for a whole month."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

It was frustrating. What? Were they planning to keep me in the dark if she died?

"The old hag told me that you already knew about it."

"Nanny did...? Perhaps I forgot, I've been quite busy as of late."

"Did you forget or did she not tell you?"

"Archen, I keep telling you not to trust that old hag too much."

"Stop calling her old hag."

Sorin rolled his eyes. "Yes. Ye- Oh shit! It's already 9! The commander will kill me!" Sorin grabbed his sword and started running.

"Goodbye." I lazily waved.

He peered through the crack of the door. "Oh, and Archen, make sure to listen to what your sister has to say first, alright?!"

"I told you, she's not my sister."

"Stop being a tsundere! I'll get going now." He said and closed the door.

"Chundere...?" He says such strange words.

I leaned my back on the chair while looking up at the ceiling. After that annoying thing finally left, I tried to gather my thoughts. But before I could figure out what to do, I heard a knock on the door.

"Your Grace. Lady Raina Atara has arrived." It was Jero, the butler, announcing the arrival of the girl I'd been avoiding.

"Greetings Your grace, The right hand of His Majesty, Duke Archen Richter von Aillard." The girl greeted.

When she entered, I sensed something odd. There was a gold shine on my ring.

For me, working in the imperial palace bound to amass enemies, Sorin's younger sister gifted me a ring. A ring that would shine when it detects black magic.

I was planning on listening to her as Sorin advised, but perhaps I shouldn't.

Filthy black magic.

I confronted the girl. She was a good actor. If it weren't for the fact that remnants of black magic lingered in her body, I would've believed it.

Using a holy artifact to ensure the verity of her words.

"...Truthfully, I'm not from this world." The girl, Sienna Argerich confessed.

Staring at the handcuff, I anticipated a reaction, but it didn't. The girl wasn't lying.

I inwardly sighed. Before I could process the unbelievable information I received, the girl said another thing, "I'll be straightforward, It's likely she already died. It's probably of suicide too."

My stomach churned and cannot help but wonder why I feel this way. After all, the relationship between us was not something that warranted affection.

She told me everything she knew and not once triggering the artifact. I stayed in my office after the girl left. The sick feeling somehow never dissipated despite drowning myself in work.

I regained my senses when it was already sunset. Usually, I would have a break and continue until midnight, but my current condition isn't the best.

My office, positioned on the second floor, makes it easier to see the ground floor.

Looking at it now, it takes me back to when I first met Raina.

Ten years ago.

I was 11 years old. It hasn't been a year since mother died, yet father has already brought a new woman in to be the Marchioness.

Maeve Ellinor, An illegitimate daughter of a baron and the ex-wife of Count Oswin. An infamous figure in society for her arrogant and devious nature.

"She will be your new mother, get along with her and her daughter."

"Yes..."

My first impression of her was dull. Far from her mother, dressed in lavish clothing and accessories, Raina had simple clothing and tightly hugged her book as if it was her treasure.

Death in the Greenhouse...? What kind of kid reads such a grim book?

She greeted me when we came across one another, but that was it. She liked to keep to herself, and so did I. There was no animosity between us, so I didn't understand why she would do that.

"Nanny! Look what I got from his highne– nanny...?" Excited after a visit to the palace, I eagerly went to my room and saw her lying on the floor, listless and ashen. "Nanny!"

...

"What's wrong with nanny...?" I asked the physician.

"It seems that she was poisoned with Oroue flowers. Don't worry, young master, luckily she was found in time and given the antidote. She'll be fine in a few days."

When the physician left, I noticed a maid who couldn't keep her composure, fidgeting and sweating.

"What is it?"

The maid dropped to her knees, and while biting her nails, she said, "Actually... young master, the young lady invited the head maid for tea earlier..."

"Oroue... Oroue..." Another maid murmured, then as if finally figuring it out her eyes widened, "That's right! The young lady has many poisonous plants she herself cultivated! I think Oroue flowers are one of them!"

"What...?" My hands tightly gripped the bedcover.

Raina could do such a thing? I knew there was something amiss about her. I should've listened to the nanny! Raina is not a good person!

I was furious. I immediately ran to where Raina most likely was, the greenhouse.

Sure enough, as the maid said, Raina grew Oroue flowers. There was no way I could be mistaken. Six mahogany-colored round petals, black disc florets with a rhomboid leaf.

"Raina!"

"Huh? Brot–"

"How could you do such a thing!" I grabbed her shoulders.

Her eyes were wide and trembling, "What are you talking about...?"

"Don't deny it! You poisoned nanny!"

Raina lowered her head, hair covering her eyes, then she scoffed, "annoying," she looked into my eyes, "how did you find out?"

I let go of my grip, her eyes made me shiver, it resembled a beast's gaze.

"What did I do to you?! To be so cruel to my nanny!"

"Well... Is being the evil lady's daughter enough reason?" She smiled brightly.

My right hand supported my head. I feel horrible. His majesty better be obedient tomorrow.

"You look like you're having a existential crisis."

I flinched and almost fell, luckily, Sorin was able to catch me.

Hold on, luckily? I wouldn't have slipped if he didn't surprise me.

I slapped his hand.

"Your grace, are you sick? That slap is weak. Weaker than it normally is."

"Are you insulting me?"

He snickered. "Joking aside, are you alright? Should I call the physician?"

I hummed, thinking of Raina–no, Sienna Argerich's bad state. "Send one to Raina."

Sorin's eyes brightened. "Sure!"

To be continued.