Elaine knew she would need to find the perpetrator soon, or the number of bodies would continue to increase. But for now, she temporarily pushed the poisoning matter aside to prioritize the upcoming joint expedition. The Insidious Forest lay on Étoile's far western border, while the Geris Dukedom was on the east. Therefore, a journey through standard methods would require at least a month. However, the Duke did not have the time or patience for a long trip, resulting in Elaine's carriage heading to the terrifying portal again.

After thirty minutes, the entourage arrived at Orion. Elaine's hands gripped the seat cushion, attempting to calm her nerve. She peeked at the young maid sitting across from her, looking outside the window with eyes of wonder. The trip was the first time Elaine had someone sitting in the carriage with her while crossing the portal. Would Mariam see the same vision? What would the creatures show her this time? She tried asking Herbert once about them but returned disappointed. Even Croix's archives' extensive records yield little result about the mysterious portal inhabitants.

"Lady Estella, please accept your crystal." A magician came and knocked on the carriage's window.

"Mariam, bring it to me," Elaine ordered.

"Yes, milady." The young maid opened the window and collected the magician's crystal. She then offered it to her mistress.

Elaine clutched the object tightly in her palm. If no one else could see what she saw, then this crystal could be her only lifeline if the creatures succeeded in luring her. Elaine preferred not to become another unfortunate wandering soul inside the portal world. "Thank you." She nodded at the magician.

"It is my duty, milady." The magician smiled under his cloak and then signaled his companions. "Everyone, please prepare. We are going to open the portal."

The other magicians nodded and performed the ritual, cranking the prismatic key into thin air. The skies fractured into thousands of pieces and dropped to the ground, revealing the colossal mirror-like structure with multi-colored fog seeping out. "It is ready, Your Grace." One of them informed Gerard.

"Good." The Duke then tapped on his carriage door. "Let's depart." The coachman nodded and steered the horses toward the misty opening, followed by Elaine's carriage and the entourage of knights and soldiers.

"We wish you all a safe journey." The magicians bowed and returned to their tower.

Once again, Elaine returned to the uncomfortable silence inside the portal. Though surrounded by people, she could see or hear nothing outside but the many dark floating silhouettes covered by the mysterious fog. Elaine held down her fidgeting hands while paranoia plagued her mind waiting for the creatures to appear. The previous trips only lasted a few minutes, yet she already could not endure the horrid illusions and vivid imageries. Now, because of the longer distance, the magician informed her that the current journey would take almost three hours. The thought of suffering through three hours of the creatures' constant harassment sent shivers up her spine.

"Milady, what are those dazzling fogs? I can't see anything outside." Mariam's sudden question reminded Elaine that she was not alone. According to the Duke, the joint expedition duration could extend to a couple of weeks, and he suggested she bring along a few servants. However, Elaine did not want too many followers to bog her down. Thus, she only chose Mariam to accompany her. Elaine observed the innocent young maid. Maybe I can use her as a distraction.

Elaine did not answer Mariam's question and returned with one of her own. "Have you heard any new gossip lately?" She would allow Mariam to babble about the most recent gossip during her boredom. It was entertainment and another method for Elaine to obtain information about the estate's politics. Within all the ridiculous stories were the schemes and struggles between the mistresses and their servants, Estella's mother included.

"Of course, milady!" The young maid's eyes sparkled. It seemed she enjoyed gossiping more than Elaine previously thought. "I heard Miss Alicia had a tea party two days ago with a few other mistresses. However, during the party, Miss Alicia's three year old daughter choked on a piece of candy. Luckily, Miss Leila was there to save her. Miss Alicia got furious and ordered the execution of the servants serving the sweets. Fortunately, Miss Leila pleaded for their forgiveness, stating that it was an unintentional accident. The servants all praised Miss Leila's kindness." Admiration exuded in Mariam's voice.

"I see. She is very kind indeed." The young maid's story seemed unremarkable, yet it raised several suspicions within Elaine. Alicia had tea parties throughout the year. How convenient for her daughter to choke when Leila got invited. Though Leila received the most favor from the Duke, the fact remained of her low-born status. If she could not gain support from others, then her son's chances of competing with Armes would be minimal. With this incident, she left a good impression on Alicia and the servants, killing two birds with one stone.

Elaine perused Estella's knowledge of Alicia. The mistress would be the perfect candidate for the role of Leila's supporter. Born the youngest daughter of a Count and his legal wife, everyone knew Alicia for her quick temper and straightforward personality. And since she only had a daughter, they would not have a conflict of interest, for now at least. Elaine was uncertain about the accuracy of her deduction, but living in the book world taught her to be wary of everyone, and she refused to believe the event Mariam described was pure coincidence. Though one question lingered, how did Leila know the child would choke? Who was her accomplice?