The sweet venom Chapter 16: 15

Read chapter 16 of The sweet venom by aspa201 on NovelPedia.

The day after she had sent the results to the Prince, Helia was urgently summoned to the imperial palace, accompanied by her father and brother, who were completely unaware of the reason for this summons. However, the marquis and Lucian suspected that this meeting had to be related to Helia's involvement in the venom research. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Emperor to have demanded her presence. They assumed that she must have brought new information to the case. After all, she had spent the week fully absorbed in her experiments, to the point of repeatedly asking the butler to bring her various materials, which had become almost alarming. In the carriage, a luxurious yet narrow space, each turn of the wheel echoed like an impending threat. The silence was broken by Lucian, who incessantly questioned his sister. He had tried to interrogate her throughout the entire journey, but Helia stubbornly remained silent, strictly following the order of silence imposed by the Prince. If her father and brother were to learn of the results of her research, they would do so soon enough, and she preferred it to be through him. "But why won't you speak? What are you hiding from us exactly?" Lucian continued, repeating the same question since the receipt of the summons, shocked that his sister had been directly called upon. "Lucian, we're only about ten minutes from the imperial palace. Can you show some patience?" She replied, exasperated by her brother's insistence. "It's not a question of patience, it's about trust! We are your family, why are you saying nothing?" "For the thousandth time, I have nothing to tell you!" Helia exclaimed, exasperated. "You're going to make me believe you don't know why the Emperor called for you? Even I've never been directly summoned by him! Usually, only father's name is called upon!" "So what? Don't tell me you're jealous? You, who spent your time mocking my research, do you mind now that it's useful?" "HA! So, you admit it has something to do with your research? What exactly have you been doing this week?" "You are truly stupid! What else could it be about? Do you think the Emperor wants to appoint me Minister of Finance, maybe?" "No, but maybe he'll take you as a jester for his own amusement. After all, you are a walking spectacle!" She rolled her eyes, but the marquis, exasperated by this sibling quarrel, intervened. He struck the window of the carriage with a sharp knock, drawing the attention of his children. "Both of you! Enough! Are you ever going to behave like adults? I hope you don't intend to embarrass me in front of the Emperor!" "But father, it's her who…" Lucian tried to protest, but the marquis cut him off with an imperious gesture. "There is no 'but,' Lucian! Try to behave with dignity, even with your own sister! You are the future marquis, how many times do I have to remind you? We will arrive at the palace in a moment. Until then, I don't want to hear another word!" Seeing that the marquis was in a foul mood, Helia and Lucian fell silent. The atmosphere in the carriage became tense. Helia was anxious about the outcome of the meeting, Lucian was angry about his sister's secrets, and the marquis feared that a new dangerous mission would be entrusted to his daughter. He didn't know if he could bear it a second time. Upon their arrival at the palace, they were escorted to a spacious meeting room, adorned with rich tapestries and sparkling chandeliers. A large round table stood at the center of the room, while a raised platform held the Emperor's throne. By his side was the Prince, elegantly dressed. Helia couldn't help but notice his refined appearance, which contrasted with their last encounter during the expedition when he had spent the week in armor. Several high-ranking advisers and nobles, including Lord Bracken, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, an elderly man with stern features, and Sir Suannel, the commander of the imperial army, were also present. All disp