obsession chapter 13

“Lady Raven, I need some sunrise herb and whisperbloom.” 

“That’ll be 70 pennies. I’m moving my shop to Parma’s Pharmacy in Upper Willow Hill the day after tomorrow.” 

“Why? Where are you going?” 

“Oh, I’m going to jail. My witchy secret’s out.” 

“Aha! I knew it…!” 

Knew what? What did she take him for? For the next two days, Shariette was busier than a one-armed paperhanger in a windstorm. 

“Be careful! Those can’t be mixed!” 

“They look the same to me.” 

“If your eyes are that bad, how did you even manage the background check?” 

Which is why she employed two extra sets of eyes—those belonging to men far stronger and sturdier than herself. Joseph separated the nearly identical herbs into two boxes. 

She holds a grudge, doesn’t she?

As if seeking revenge for the earlier test, the Raven not only worked him like a rented mule but also pecked at him every chance she got. It was petty, trivial, and yet… persistent. 

“‘Article 3, Section 2. Party A shall provide for all necessities pertaining to Party B’s duties and general welfare. This includes material and non-material support.’” She recited the entire contract, which he hadn’t even bothered to read, then pointed at him as an example of “non-material support.” 

“You’re not just clever, are you? I guess I don’t have to worry about being swindled.” Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, Noxian had been amused by the loaning out of his subordinate. Until it became his turn. 

“I seem to be confused about who employs whom, Apothecary.” 

Noxian’s voice was low as he dropped a sack filled with what looked suspiciously like poisonous weeds. Shariette’s eyes widened at the sheer efficiency of this free labor. It would have taken her ten trips to Shadow Forest and back! This man had managed it in one, seemingly effortless, journey. She considered how else she might exploit this unexpected boon. 

“All of this will be used in your medicine.” 

“And you want me to gather it myself?” 

“Well, I did give you a week.” 

Joseph, who had been listening in, choked back a laugh. Lady Raven, seemingly confident that the signed contract left no room for argument, gave as good as she got. Noxian arched a brow. “Why do you speak formally to him, but so casually to me?” Shariette’s eyes darted around, feigning innocence. 

Is it because of old habits?

Somehow, she felt she could get away with this much. As long as her identity remained hidden, he was the one at a disadvantage, desperate for his sleeping draught. Or perhaps— “Maybe because you’re annoying.” Silence. Then— “Pwahaha!” Joseph lost the battle against his laughter, collapsing to the floor in a fit of giggles. She called Noxian Rubelot annoying! 

This Lady is even more entertaining than I thought!

His amusement was short-lived. Someone burst through the door. BANG! “Hey! We need help! We found them in Shadow Forest…!” Several villagers carried in two collapsed figures. Shariette rushed forward to examine them. A net-like rash spread across their bodies. One was still conscious, but the other… 

This one’s gone.

No pulse. No breath. No pupillary response. She looked away from the body, rigor mortis already setting in. 

“It’s rictura poison. There are warning signs posted everywhere.” 

Maylily, by virtue of being the apothecary and the location of her shop, also served as an unofficial information point for Shadow Forest. One of the villagers spoke up. “But rictura horns are worth a fortune on the black market. They say you can make a killing.”