Everyone stood silent watching it all happen.
Ezra confirmed her death and dropped her body without a change in expression.
But his gaze had turned much colder.
While others were unable to hear, he had heard her last words clearly.
'Empresses…'
Honestly, it was a deduction he would've made sooner or later.
No one stood to gain from his mom's death other than those three witches.
It could only be one of them.
Narrowing his search, Ezra removed the first wife.
She wasn't someone to do things like this.
Furthermore, she hadn't deemed him as much of a threat as the others.
That left the second and third wife.
Ezra left the matter there. He would find the culprit sooner or later. Even if he did find the culprit right now, he had no evidence, and therefore, no justification against them.
Of course, that didn't mean he would ever forgive Julie's actions, for she had done it on her own accord, and it wasn't like she killed herself because she felt guilty.
"Guards, clean this place up"
They nodded and got to work.
Ezra got to his mother, who stood in a daze, and pulled her out of the room.
Along the way, Ezra started conversing.
"You said she was personally sent by the Count, didn't you?"
"Yes" his mother replied.
'Hmm…' this got Ezra thinking.
Count Baxter Keaton. He was virtually his mom's only supporter.
It was because of his high status that Ezra's mom got to enjoy any of her basic privileges.
Ezra had seen him once before. When he was one year old, the man came to visit.
Ezra had his mom go to her room and wait for him there.
'A letter of complaint must be sent. I don't know how someone he recommended could be bought over so easily. Or was she part of another faction from the start?'
He planned his next few moves in his head as he walked to the Emperor's quarters to find Bolton.
Without knocking, Ezra entered and spoke…
"Sir Bolton, I need a healing potion. High quality would be preferred"
Bolton, whose eyes were glued to the papers he was reading, raised his gaze and immediately replied…
"I'm afraid that I won't be able to accompany you at the moment. As you might not be aware, war has already begun between the Empire and the neighboring kingdoms. I'll have a guard escort you instead"
Ezra's eyes sparkled, his result had been achieved. Once Fredrick arrived, he would hide away from the rest of the world.
And because of the war, very few would pay attention to him.
That being said, Ezra realized that he had a few loose ends to tie up.
"Might I ask what exactly you need it for" Bolton inquired.
"For an experiment I'm conducting on alchemy. I find it rather fascinating"
Ezra lied through his teeth with a light smile.
Bolton raised a brow, but inquired no further, leaving only a sigh.
Soon after, the guard appointed by Bolton approached a wooden door closest to the wall on the floor containing the alchemist's lairs with Ezra behind him.
With a push, the man entered, and came out a few moments later with a beaker of yellow liquid.
Ezra snatches it with amazing reflexes, said a "thank you", and ran off.
Quickly, he went to his mother's room, where she was lying on her bed.
"Mother, sit up"
She does as he says. He then gives her the potion, which she drinks without complaint.
Once done, Kiara spoke.
"Now that that's over. Ezra, please tell me what exactly is going on"
"Huh…" Ezra took a deep breath and nodded.
"The instructor was going to have you crippled, but slowly"
Kiara's heart skipped a beat.
"What do you mean by that?"
"She had you doing body training meant for men instead of women. That fundamental difference would break your bones, as they would be unable to endure a man's training. Of course, to make sure nobody caught notice of it too quickly, she must've mixed both types of training together. This meant your body would be chipped at a slow pace, but the damage would be much worse. Like water and oil, alone, they have uses, but combined, they're almost useless. The pain at your hips was just the start. Eventually, your bones would ache at any movement, your ligaments would feel heavy, your innards would be disarrayed, and your meridians would be useless for the most part"
At the end of his explanation, Kiara blanked out.
Then something happened.
The atmosphere turned chilly and the books at the side began accumulating frostbite at their tips.
She spoke, her tone slow and devoid of emotion with her eyes unflinching.
"Who was it?"
Ezra was surprised. He didn't feel the change in temperature because he had ice affinity, but satisfaction filled his heart when he saw his mom like this.
If anything, she had changed, and it was a good change.
Her current demeanor demanded respect as her visage was utterly cold.
"You already know" he replied softly.
The chilly atmosphere began dissipating as her gaze became one of clarity, her voice as clear as ever.
"I see…thinking deeper, I should've expected it-"
She stared at her son with caring eyes.
"-instead of causing you so much trouble"
Ezra hugged her in return.
"Don't ever say that. I don't know where I would be without you"
"Is that so?" Kiara was touched and rubbed his hair all over.
Silence pervaded for a full minute, before Kiara spoke once more…
"What about the plans you told me of?"
Ezra smiled.
"Things should be ready within five years"
Kiara was surprised.
"That short?"
Don't forget, this was a five year old kid talking.
Kiara thought he'd be at least twenty years old before it could come into fruition.
She raised her brow, wondering what her son had been up to this whole while.
Unlike what she thought, he must have been very busy when she thought all he did was train.
"Don't worry mom. You can count on me."
Ezra's words of reassurance had Kiara swelling up with pity.
Such a young boy carrying such burdens…it wasn't fair!
But as she knew, the world had never been fair.
Such thoughts had her letting out a deep sigh, but also rekindled her resolve.
This incident wouldn't stop her from training as a Knight! Nothing would!
Ezra had a thought and asked…
"Where is Isabelle? Why haven't I seen her around?"
"Oh, it seems the head maid had a job for her"
Ezra perked up his brows-
"Oh? So they're keeping her busy?"
-his gaze turned cold right after.
"Mom, I suggest we do something about this. Such nonsense can no longer be tolerated"
"What do you suggest we do?"
"We? No. I can't have you conversing with mere maids, it'll lower your prestige.
"Just wait here while I cause a bit of drama. As a child, what can they do to me?"
Kiara laughed and touched Ezra's nose.
"You're such a mischievous child"
"Thank you. I shall be taking my leave. Make sure to stay away from any strenuous activity for the next seve-, no, ten days"
"Ok my boy. Be well"
With that, Ezra exited the room and made way for the castle's kitchen.
But on his way there, he stumbled upon a familiar figure.
"Fredrick?"
