Heena trembled slightly, her mind spiraling into the worst-case scenario.
What if this poison was being secretly fed to a member of the Imperial Family? If a prince, a consort, or even the Emperor himself fell ill and this specific herb was found in their tea, Heena could go ahead and kiss her head goodbye. Not only hers, but Grandpa Marcuset, Grandma, and everyone even remotely associated with the Vanguard.
If the charge was imperial assassination, not even her grandparents' untouchable military status or Grandma's hidden merchant fleets could save them from the Emperor's wrath.
Heena took a slow, deep breath, forcing the panic down. When she looked back up at Samuel, her fox-like eyes had turned completely, ruthlessly cold.
