This book goes only up to 87 + an epilogue. You can read up to 30 chapters advance to the next book on mylovelywriter.com.

Mistress Kora was quite surprised we showed up in the way we did. I mean, who wouldn't? We carried with us a limp body that was burning with fever, dripping in his own sweat. If it weren't for the ragged and stuttered breathing coming from Viron, it would be easy to mistake him for a dead body.

Despite such a shocking sight on the doorstep, Mistress Kora did not ask questions and beckoned for us to come in. He motioned for us to take Viron to the room where I usually stayed—as was fair, probably, considering he was brought in by me.

After Elion and I settled him on the bed, I went to Mistress Kora's side to inquire whether he needed my assistance or not. But before I could open my mouth to speak, he pointed to a drawer full of medicinal herbs and told me to pick out the ones that helped with fevers.

"Was your friend injured?" he asked as he pulled out his kit that contained surgical tools.

"He looked like he was being beaten up and mistreated," I said.

"Then something for bruises or hemorrhage. Since you know his condition, pick out the ones that we might need."

"Yes, mistress."

After gathering the ones I anticipated we would be needing, I followed Mistress Kora back to the room where Viron and Elion were. When I came back, Mistress Veronika was already present, face full of inquiry as we busily went around her to get to work.

"Does anybody care to tell me what's happening?" she asked.

"Elion, dear, would you please wait outside?" Mistress Kora motioned kindly to Elion.

"Yes, of course. I'll leave you to work." Elion shyly vacated the room and went to sit in the living room.

"I'm also full of questions," Mistress Kora said, answering Mistress Veronika's earlier inquiry. "You can feel free to ask Elion, though, while we work. I'll need Evy here first to help me out...since this girl seems to have an odd habit of picking up injured patients for me to treat."

"I'm sorry, mistress."

"No need to be, dear. I know you aren't. And I'm not angry either way."

I clipped my tongue and conscientiously went to assist. I first retreated to wash my hands thoroughly while he prepared for treatment. Along the way, I went to the kitchen to prepare some warm water and disinfectants, just in case. When I came back with a full basin and some towels, the mistress had already cut through Viron's shirt.

The sight under his clothes wasn't pretty. All the shades of black, blue, and green littered across his abdomen downwards. I was guessing we would have to cut through his pants soon. Although I was a little flustered seeing someone without their clothes on, this wasn't an occasion I could entertain my embarrassment.

I settled down beside Mistress Kora as he had me help with wiping down his body. In the time I was gone, my mistress had diagnosed him with fever. He was fatigued, obviously overworked and underfed. It was no wonder why he would fall sick.

Mistress Kora felt around his ribs and found one broken. "Boy, this one had it tough. What have they done to him?"

"He signed a contract of service for fifty years for only five thousand gold. Clearly, they were trying to get the most out of their money...in a really inhumane manner."

"Well, his body wasn't being treated kindly. Of course it would protest in this manner. It's a good thing you brought him over in time. Otherwise, his fever might've cooked his brain."

"That hot?"

"Getting there, at least," he said. "You can go out for now. I'll have to check some in places not appropriate for a girl."

"Ah...okay, then."

I gladly left the room and closed the door to allow some privacy. Elion was talking with Mistress Veronika. And I would suppose that, within the duration where I was inside that room with Mistress Kora, much of the situation had been explained.

"Then, make yourself comfortable here, Elion," she said, standing up.

I stood outside the door, looking on to their exchange as I wiped my hands clean with a warm and damp towel. The scent of herbs was still quite thick on my fingers.

"Evy, why not come with me to my room? I need to talk to you."

"Alright..." I said. "Let me just throw this in the kitchen."

I hang the rag by the washbasin and went up the stairs to Mistress Veronika's bedroom. I landed three quick knocks on the door and came in only when I was bidden to.

Before I could ask what she wanted to talk to me about, she placed a stack of papers before me. I was confused at first, but not for long. Once I started going through the contents and skimming through the information it contained, I immediately knew what this was about.

"A syndicate?"

"To be precise, the one that your other mistresses and I are after," she said, switching to Veneryali instead of Lovardi.

It had been a while since I spoke in the tongue I'd gotten used to for more than a decade. It was a bit comforting.

"This is where the paths converge once more, Evy. I expected they would cross at some point. I just didn't expect it would be this soon, so I'm letting you know ahead—just to make sure you're informed about what you're getting into by helping this boy."

"This information..."

"It's about the abduction of the refugees who arrived at the seaside ports around Erindal. Some could not even seek shelter. They were immediately taken the moment their boats were anchored at the shores," she said.

"How is this related to the boy outside?"

"It takes five thousand gold to redeem a slave from the black market auction. It's exactly the price that your friend had been so desperate to get that he signed a contract that rendered him in service for fifty years."

"Can't it be a coincidence?" I asked. "How are you so sure this is the case with him?"

"I should know...I've been keeping track of things in the underworld. I've made sure to stay informed of the reports related to the slave-trading of Vertvaldenians. In particular, these people are the hardest ones to keep a lookout for. They are not documented, which makes it virtually impossible to get a trace, and they also did not speak the local tongue."

"Have you been...involved with this the entire time?"

"The connection is quite tangled, Evy," she replied.

"Tell me then," I said.

Mistress Veronika sighed. "These are the same people who caused the death of your mother."

I clenched my fist.

"I'm just warning you in advance if this is indeed the case. Although we still lack confirmation at the moment, the chances are high that I am right."

"Then what are they using these people for?"

"Not very good things. But the empress had their help in seizing the throne. They've put the other countries in a rather tense position. Even Lovarda is on high alert."

"But they're literally taking people off their coasts," I said. "They should have been able to come and go as they please. Is that really tense?"

"Calm yourself down, Evy. Political matters are very delicate. Any small reason is a reason for war. Venerya may be having trouble with stability, but they have help of a major power in the underworld. Things will get messy if they were to take action recklessly."

I pursed my lips. "Can I continue investigating?"

"You may, but you must do so by me. You cannot go by yourself and do whatever. Do you understand?"

"I understand, mistress."

"Alright. You must leave the boy to us for the time being. You can go on back to the Temple. Make sure to return early."

"I know, mistress."

I stood up and bowed deeply to Mistress Veronika and saw myself out of the bedroom. I went downstairs to find that Elion was eating a strawberry cake.

I was surprised to see Erenol.

Although it took some effort getting used to this appearance, it wasn't hard on the eyes.

"You're back?"

"You're here?" she replied.

"I had...business..." I said, looking over to the bedroom where Viron was being treated.

"Didn't you have class?" I asked.

"I just finished. I was supposed to stay in the dorms today...but guys are just so..." She looked away.

"I thought they already agreed that you can stay outside the academy."

"They did, but sometimes it's too troublesome to go back, so I sleep there once in a while when I have no choice."

"Didn't you get a private one instead?"

"My background does not match. Isn't it like a huge plot hole if I rented an expensive room when I'm supposed to be a poor country bumpkin?"

Elion watched our interaction as he continued going through the strawberry cake silently.

"Oh, yes...I brought back some cake!" she said, gesturing for the round cake sitting on the table. A clean slice had been pulled off and served for Elion, but it remained very tantalizing in terms of appearance.

"I guess I'll have a bite before we go. I'd like to hear about your day," I said. "I haven't talked to you in so long. I actually missed hearing you so noisy."

Although Mistress Veronika told us to go back early and safely, it shouldn't be too much to stay for an hour or so. Anyway, I wouldn't be going back alone.

Erenol beamed, but curbed her excitement and tentatively asked, "Won't it be too late? What about your curfew?"

"We can leave twenty minutes before curfew. It's just a few minutes' walk."

Erenol was very delighted. She had me sit down and fetched one more plate to put a slice of strawberry cake on. "I planned on sending some with you, but since it's like this, let's just eat together! Mistress Kora and Veronika too!"

"Did anything happen today? You look particularly happy, and you're even willing to share your cake."

"Eh...hehehe..." She carefully placed one slice and handed it over.

I sat down and began eating, gazing at her inquiringly.

"There was a small selection that went on class. They're going to hold a competition in the coming days and I've been chosen to represent our class!"

"Isn't that too soon? How long has it been since you started?"

"Evy, it's been a few months!" she exclaimed. "We're already well on our midyear. It's about time for some events!"

"Then, will your events be hosted and allowed visitors?"

"I think so? I'll give you tickets if there are! I'm just a little worried..."

"About?"

"Well...what if I lose again?"

"You don't have to be so hung up about winning or losing. If you keep on worrying like that, you might jinx yourself," I said. "Have a little more faith. If not, I'll come and spar with you once in a while."

"Really, you swear?"

"Of course."

The door to the bedroom opened, and Mistress Kora came out wiping his hands. "I thought I smelled something sweet, and then I realized it was a little noisy out here. I thought Evy had left already, but I was a little mistaken. No wonder! I should've known our little Erenol has returned. What do we have here?"

"Eren just qualified for a school competition," I said.

"You did, really?" Mistress Kora went around the table, and Erenol got a plate for him. This time, though, she took two—perhaps anticipating Mistress Veronika's arrival.

Which they didn't have to wait long for.

"Oh my, what a sight. Now, only Maun is missing, and the group is complete," Mistress Veronika said as she went down the stairs, looking over our gathering with a smile.

"The other mistresses too," I quipped.

"Ah...we'll have to wait awhile," Mistress Veronika replied. "So, what about it? Can I come be a part of this congregation?"

We all smiled and beckoned her to come in. Elion was a little flustered. I imagine he must feel out of place. However, Mistress Kora, being ever so affable, was able to make him feel welcome in an instant.