TTPD 13

Chapter 13

Poisoning Plan (3)

Edith felt suffocated by the fact that even a short trip to the library was being watched, but she quickly shook the thought off.

‘Just endure a little longer.’

Life in the Myers ducal house would not be entirely peaceful either, but at least no one there would be actively plotting to kill her.

Edith decided to place her hope on that.

‘If I intentionally avoid drinking the wine at the wedding, the marquis will think I know something. If that happens, even after I become the duchess, he’ll find another way to kill me.’

So she had to find a way to keep Wyatt unable to act for a while—only then could she escape the poisoning.

A reckless report or any attempt to flee would only provoke him.

‘I need a way to keep myself safe until I have enough power. And I need a way to make him hesitate too.’

She handed her certificate to the attendant standing at the library entrance.

It bore her name, Edith Reynolds, Wyatt’s signature, and the family seal.

The attendant stared at her blankly for a moment, as if he had heard rumors of her and was trying to find traces of ‘madness’ in her face.

“Is the marquis’ certificate not sufficient for entry?”

Only after Edith pointed it out did the man flinch, clear his throat, and open the door.

There was no time to be impressed by the vast sea of books inside.

She went straight to the librarian at the reading room entrance and asked where the herbology section was located.

There were countless books on herbs — it was impossible to read everything in a single day.

‘If I can find even one sentence about Plarin poison, that will be enough.’

The shelves full of books were overwhelming, but she pulled out one volume, then another, flipping through pages in search of the word Plarin.

She had no idea how much time had passed.

“Are you interested in herbalism?”

A voice suddenly came from very close by.

Startled, Edith let out a small gasp and dropped the book.

The man—standing right beside her without her noticing—leaned down and picked it up.

“Sorry. Did I scare you? You looked so absorbed in the book that I got curious.”

He handed the book back to Edith with a bright smile.

Edith tried to steady her startled heart as she studied his face.

He had black hair, silver-rimmed glasses, and a neat, gentle impression.

His double eyelids were deep, his eyes were large, and the violet irises made him look kind.

‘Who is he?’

She had never seen him before.

Judging by the white coat he wore, he must be someone affiliated with the academy.

“Are you looking for a specific herb?”

He asked casually, without even introducing himself.

Edith didn’t take the book he offered and simply shook her head.

He flipped through the book she had been reading and said,

“This one isn’t very good. No interesting herbs in here. The real fun is in this one.”

He pushed the book back onto the shelf and pulled out a different one, opening it with enthusiasm.

“They’re terrifying if you don’t know them, but the more you learn, the more fascinating they get. Potentana Endish, Luana, Evergreen, and things like Plarin.”

“Oh.”

The name she’d been searching for finally appeared, and Edith reacted before she could stop herself.

He smiled brightly at her.

“Interested?”

What should she do?

Was it safe to say yes?

She didn’t know who this man was.

What if he was connected to the Reynolds household?

What if he knew Mateo or Frederick?

“Professor Forte.”

While Edith hesitated, the librarian approached.

She frowned deeply and glared at Professor Forte.

“You’re supposed to be quiet in the library. Didn’t you know?”

“Ah, sorry, sorry. It’s been so long since I met someone interested in herbs.”

When he smiled apologetically, the librarian shook her head.

“Talk outside. You know the rules.”

“Yes, yes.”

As soon as the librarian left—after giving Edith a brief glance—he lowered his voice.

“Would you like to talk outside? About plants that may seem frightening but become fascinating once you understand them.”

Edith hesitated. Should she?

There were far too many books on herbs. It would take ages to find the information she wanted.

Talking to Professor Forte, who clearly knew a lot, might be more efficient.

But what if he was connected to the marquis?

Her silence stretched, and he let his eyebrows droop as he spoke again.

“You don’t want to? I could even treat you to a cup of medicinal tea—bitter, but good for your body. I brew it using some of the plants mentioned here.”

The title of the book in his hand caught her eye.

The Most Dangerous Poisonous Plants in the World.

He brews tea using plants from that book?

Her answer became clear.

Edith nodded, and he beamed.

He smiled like sunlight.

***

“These days, no one is interested in herbs. Since many herbalists are gypsies, herbalism became an unpopular field. People even say that if you want to rise in status, you should become a doctor, not an apothecary.”

As soon as they left the library and the librarian’s watchful eyes disappeared, Professor Forte didn’t stop talking.

“Look there. Do you know what you can make from that tree root? A remedy that soothes your stomach if you get indigestion. But students here don’t know that. Plants are the foundation of all knowledge, you know.”

If this continued, she would never get the information she needed.

He would simply vent endlessly.

So Edith took advantage of the brief moment when he paused to breathe and cautiously interrupted.

“Um, Professor…?”

“Ah, I’m Edward. Call me Ed.”

He wanted her to use his nickname on their first meeting.

Feeling awkward, she forced a small smile and asked,

“Professor, are you a professor of herbalism?”

“No? Oh, no, I’m a professor of chemistry. My research focuses mainly on petroleum.”

“…Ah, I see.”

“Come to think of it, I didn’t even ask for your name. What should I call you?”

Edith hesitated.

Should I tell him my real name?

What if this conversation somehow reaches the marquis?

What if rumors spread that Edith Reynolds showed interest in poison?

‘But if I use a fake name, he’ll eventually find out who I am. That would seem even more suspicious.’

Using her real name was safer.

“Edith.”

But before Edith could open her mouth, a low voice spoke from behind her.

“Her name is Edith Reynolds, Edward.”

The familiar weight of that voice startled her.

Edith spun around, eyes wide.

Edward, too, stared past her with round eyes behind his glasses.

Grayson smiled at the two of them, who were both staring at him with almost identical expressions.

“She’ll soon be my wife.”

***

Grayson had seen Edith enter the library, but he had no intention of going in to meet her.

Their meeting wasn’t scheduled for today.

So even though he was curious about why she visited the library, he planned to save the question for their next date.

At least, that was the plan until he saw a man and woman talking far too closely in front of the library.

The moment he saw Edith sweeping back her red hair and smiling shyly, his feet moved on their own.

When those amber eyes widened in surprise at the sight of him, he smiled gently.

“She’ll soon be my wife.”

At Grayson’s words, Edward’s mouth went stiff.

It seemed the professor, who spent most of his life buried in labs and books, had not learned what the rumored madwoman actually looked like.

“Y-you… she’s going to be your wife? Then this lady is that woman with the… with the—”

Edward shut his mouth just in time.

Yes, calling her “the mad one” in front of her would be tactless.

Grayson rewarded his friend’s restraint with a faint approving smile before turning his attention to Edith.

She was still staring up at him in shock.

A strand of red hair clung messily to her pale forehead, bothering him more than it should have.

Grayson used his fingertip to gently sweep the hair aside.

His touch brushed lightly across her skin.

Edith blinked, startled, and quickly rubbed her forehead with her palm.

“Why are you here, Your Grace?”

“I had business.”

“Oh.”

“And you, Miss Edith?”

“Yes?”

“What brings you here?”

“Ah… well…”

The unexpected encounter, the unexpected touch, and the unexpected way he had spoken her name all sent her heart racing.

She couldn’t find a quick answer.

Thankfully, Edward stepped in.