Chapter 18 The Magnolia Hairpin
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Once the courtyard was empty, Brielle pulled out her astrolabe and approached the well. A dark, malevolent force surged from it like a broken dam, spreading unchecked.
She frowned, suspicion rising. She secured the existing rope to a pillar and lowered herself into the well. Gripping the rope, she descended slowly.
She needed to see what lay beneath.
The well was shallower than she’d expected. Holding her breath, she swam to the bottom and discovered an octagonal plate etched with strange symbols. It was impossibly heavy-far too heavy to carry out. The dark energy radiated from it. Ropes bound its corners, connected to the corpses surrounding it. Once the bodies were removed, the plate had shifted, unleashing the malevolence.
This was definitely a malevolent energy-gathering array from Persandria.
When sealed, the dark energy remained undetectable. But once the array had amassed enough power, opening it would spread the energy throughout the formation. Anyone living within it would have their vitality drained away within six months, dropping dead without warning.
Such an array required expertise. The orchestrator wasnt just from Persandria-they were a master of their craft. If Donna hadn’t disposed of a body in the well, and if those retrieving the corpses hadn’t accidentally broken the seal, Brielle might never have noticed it.
She had assumed she was the only Persandrian in Veridia. But it seemed even within the Clarke family, there were hidden schemers.
Using her astrolabe, she temporarily sealed the malevolence within the plate. Though she was a High Priestess and resistant to such forces, she was now in Brielle’s body-poisoned and burdened with excess weight. If the dark energy seeped into her, recovery would be even harder.
“Lady Brielle! Lady Brielle!” Violet’s frantic voice echoed from above. She sounded terrified, as if she believed Brielle had perished in the well.
Brielle was about to ascend when a glint in the corner caught her eye. Surprised, she swam back, retrieving a magnolia hairpin from the debris. Then she hurriedly climbed up.
“Brielle! Why did you go down there? I’ll fetch help!” Violet was in a panic.
“No need. I’ll manage.”
Gripping the rope, Brielle hauled herself up with effort. Struggling but determined, she finally pulled herself over the rim.
Violet rushed to assist her, her face etched with worry. “Brielle, why risk your life? If you needed something, you could’ve ordered the servants!”
“I’m fine. Just… I need to change.”
Back in her room, Brielle dried off and examined the harpin. It was Donna’s-she’d seen her wearing it just days ago.
Clutching it, she stormed to Daniel’s study.
Daniel sat at his desk. Without waiting for permission, Brielle entered and slammed the hairpin down
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Chapter 18 The Magnolia Hairpin
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“I found this in the well. You know who it belongs to.” Her voice was sharp, her cheek still stinging from his slap, the cut from his ring throbbing after being submerged.
Daniel glanced at the hairpin indifferently, then met her gaze with cold detachment. “And?”
“And?” Brielle was incredulous. “You think you can just strike me without cause? I’m not some animal you can beat and curse at whenever you please.”
He’d ignored the wear marks on Donna’s cuffs. Was he pretending to be blind now, too? The evidence proved Donna had killed Sarah-yet Daniel still blamed Brielle. He didn’t have to love her. He could despise her. But she was human. She bled. She felt pain.
Daniel let out a scornful laugh, his voice laced with anger. “You want an apology? You came here as a substitute bride, ruined everything, and now you claim righteousness?”
“The substitution wasn’t my choice!” Brielle snapped. His cold eyes locked onto hers. “Fine. I’ll find the proof myself.”
She turned to leave.
Daniel’s voice stopped her. “Hold on.
“About the hairpin-keep quiet.
“And don’t dig into Donna’s affairs. If you cause trouble again, I won’t be lenient.”
His tone dripped with lethal intent, sending a chill down her spine.
Brielle paused, then walked away.
Fury burned in her, but survival came first. She knew Daniel’s ruthlessness all too well. In her weakened state, she couldn’t afford to cross him.
But if he wouldn’t be fair, she owed him no loyalty. She wouldn’t mention the malevolent array-not without a price.
The well’s dampness had taken its toll, weakening her further. Realization struck-this body, though large in stature, was frail beneath the surface. How much poison had accumulated? Purging it would take time.
After drinking the medicine Violet prepared, Brielle wrapped herself in blankets and slept through the day.
By evening, she took another dose, skipping dinner, and returned to bed. Her mind remained foggy, sleep fleeting. She was utterly drained.
At dawn, Violet shook Brielle awake. “Lady Brielle! Today’s your return visit to your family home. The carriage awaits.”
Brielle stirred reluctantly. Though unwell, custom dictated she go. The household already despised her; refusing would only invite more scorn.
Forcing herself up, she dressed and stepped outside.
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Only one carriage waited. She’d intended to bring Violet but inside sat Donna with her three maids-taking up every seat. Violet had no place.
Brielle dropped heavily onto the bench, squeezing Clara aside. Clara glared, yanking her sleeve back with a sneer. “Lady Brielle’s backside takes up two people’s space.”
Donna, lounging nearby, covered her mouth and smirked.
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Fate Binds Me to Lord Clarke
