Bound By Heartstrings

Hope Amidst the Storm

After the heavy downpour had completely stopped, the sound of the horses' whinnies could be heard from afar as the group searching for the rare herbs returned. Fortunately, they managed to overcome the difficulties of the storm and returned earlier than Thompson had anticipated.

“Mr. Thompson, they are back!”

“Are you sure, Miss? That’s wonderful.”

The tense expression on Lady Victoria's face gradually eased when she saw everyone bringing the herbs back early. Her eyes lit up with hope. A noble lady was rejoicing for a servant girl who had just arrived at the palace to serve her for one day.

“Poor thing...” Victoria sat down by the bed, gently stroking Emily's hair, feeling a deep pity for the unfortunate servant girl before her.

“Miss Victoria, Mr. Thompson. We have brought the herbs back.”

“Good, thank you. I will reward you generously.”

Thompson quickly directed his men to bring the herbs into the room. He signaled for them to place the herb bundle on the table and immediately began processing it in Lady Victoria’s palace to avoid the attention of any lurking evildoers. The tension was still evident on his face, but there was a glimmer of hope as he looked at the precious herbs.

Lady Victoria sat by the bed, watching Thompson with worried eyes. She held Emily’s weak hands, feeling her faint breath.

“Miss, please trust Mr. Thompson's skills.” another servant, ordered to assist, gently reassured.

Victoria nodded slightly, her gaze full of hope, never leaving Emily. It wasn’t just about saving a life but also hoping to find clues to uncover who had switched the jade vial on her desk.

“I only hope all these efforts are not in vain.” she whispered.

Meanwhile, Thompson quickly prepared the herbs. He carefully mixed the various plants, each motion reflecting his meticulousness and deep understanding of medicine. Once finished, he poured the herbal mixture into a small vial and slowly approached Emily’s bed.

“Lady Victoria, please step aside a bit.” he said gently.

Victoria stood up, giving way to Thompson. He brought the herbal mixture to Emily's lips and gently poured in drops. Emily groaned softly but managed to drink. Afterward, Thompson placed the vial back on the table and turned to Victoria.

“Now we must wait for a miracle. If we are lucky, these herbs will give Emily a chance to survive.” he said, his voice deep and hopeful but tinged with anxiety.

Victoria sat beside Emily, pondering for a moment. Suddenly, she needed to ask Oliver a few things, but when she turned to look around, he had left the palace unnoticed. Thompson and the others also quietly exited, leaving the room tranquil for the Lady and the servant girl.

Time passed, each minute feeling eternal. Victoria never took her eyes off Emily and the poison-tainted fragments in the tray, anxiously watching every expression on her face. Suddenly, Emily stirred. Victoria held her breath and immediately inquired about her condition.

“Emily? Can you hear me?” Victoria asked, her voice trembling.

Emily slowly opened her eyes, looking around the room in a daze. When her eyes met Victoria’s, she weakly smiled with pale, bluish lips.

“Lady... Victoria?” she whispered, her voice faint but clear.

Victoria burst into tears, unable to contain her emotions. “Emily! You’ve woken up! You were in a deep coma as if you had no breath left.”

Victoria was eager; she wanted to know the cause of Emily’s poisoning the most. During the time Thompson was preparing the medicine, she couldn’t stop thinking about the chaos unfolding mysteriously within her palace. Many had become suspects in her mind, especially Oliver, whose confusion was hard to understand!

“Emily, I hoped you would survive. But beyond that, you are the only clue I need.”

“... I don’t understand.” Emily struggled to sit up, bewildered by Victoria's determined question.

“Perhaps while you were unconscious, you didn’t hear everyone talking about the vial. You were poisoned by my jade vial, the object you broke.”

Emily looked up at the ceiling, pondering for a moment.

“When I was cleaning, Butler Oliver reminded me to prepare new clothes for you... But ever since I arrived here, I had already seen that vial.”

“It has always been on my desk. I think someone dared to sneak in here.”

With that, Victoria had an idea. She stood up and walked straight out. The luxurious, spacious room was left with only Emily, the first servant to be specially cared for on a noble's high bed. Typically, the life of a servant was to sacrifice oneself to the landowner until death or die at the hands of the rich and powerful. Emily glanced after Victoria in confusion and then slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.