Melody of Strength novel

After the case was reported to Salvador, he appointed Patrick as a special investigator to investigate the matter in Brightmoor District. Ivy accompanied him.

The fact that the investigation was being conducted by a special investigator personally appointed by the king, and one who was the head of the Ministry of Justice no less, would manage to stir some doubt among the enraged populace.

Kyle, too, made a rare public statement regarding the case, outlining its ambiguities. Previously, the scholars who had condemned the situation had done so fueled by the public’s anger. Their passionate outcry was driven by a wish for justice for the deceased, and to protect traditional family roles and

authority.

But now that Kyle had spoken up about the case’s doubts, the scholars also changed their tune. They no longer asserted anything with certainty, but expressed hope that the investigation by the special investigator would bring about the truth so that the dead may rest in peace.

Yuvan had not anticipated such a result.

They believed that either the review would be rejected or the case would be sent back for reexamination. Regardless of the outcome, Rafael’s reputation would be irreparably tarnished, and he might even lose his position as the head of the Supreme Court.

Yet, they had sent a special investigator to investigate instead.

“I underestimated Rafael,” Yuvan said coldly.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. No matter who investigates, they won’t uncover that the woman has a threadworm in her brain.”

Yuvan said, “In that case, Rafael will be cleared of any involvement. Whether or not the guilty woman is sentenced to death, it’s the special investigator who will determine her fate. Do you know who this envoy is? It’s Mr. Lloyd from the Ministry of Justice. Once he makes a ruling, there’s no need to report it to the Supreme Court. He has the authority to execute her without further review. Even if the poisoning is revealed later, Rafael will remain unaffected.”

Moreover, Yuvan didn’t want to oppose the Lloyd family, especially with Sylvia within the palace. The Lloyd family had a history in public service, and if the investigation were to dig deep, it could easily lead back to him.

One must take things step by step. Having waited so many years, Yuvan couldn’t afford any mistakes with this matter.

He suppressed his dissatisfaction, and said slowly, “If the threadworm remains undiscovered, at least it won’t implicate the governor of Brightmoor District.”

The governor of Brightmoor District was a connection he had carefully cultivated for years. It was not something he could afford to jeopardize.

11

“Rest assured, Your Highness. No one will be able to trace the threadworm, I am the one controlling them,

Wayne said with confidence.

+25

The special investigator arrived in Brightmoor District at the end of April.

The case had attracted widespread attention, prompting Patrick to launch a swift investigation as soon as he arrived. He even allowed the public to observe the investigation, aiming to provide transparency and reassurance. After all, the deceased’s family had been known for their virtue and charity, earning the deep respect of the community.

Naturally, not just anyone could attend. Only select respected elders and scholars from the local community, along with a few ordinary citizens, were allowed to observe.

The decision was made on Rafael’s advice. Since a thorough reinvestigation was necessary, it had to be transparent, allowing the public to witness the truth for themselves.

So, when Ivy lit a specific type of herb in front of the accused, Lola, everyone watched as a tiny, nearly invisible threadworm wriggled out of her nose. The threadworm was thinner than a strand of hair, white, and nearly transparent. It was almost invisible unless seen up close.

Since Lola had been eating with her family, it was clear that the threadworm must have been introduced into her medicine. Patrick ordered the arrest of James, the physician who had been treating Lola.

There was no need for an interrogation. Seeing the spectacle, James was so frightened that he Immediately knelt and confessed.

He revealed that six months ago, someone had approached him. The man had given him a gold ingot and instructed him to add a powder to Lola’s medicine. The man claimed it was not poison, and James had witnessed him taking the medicine himself.

The man said he knew Lola had been ill for a long time, and that her family had been virtuous and kind. He couldn’t bear to see her suffering, so he provided what he claimed to be good medicine.

Although James suspected it was a lie, the allure of the gold and seeing the man take the medicine himself led him to agree.