Seraphina rose from her vanity, her movements graceful and deliberate. She approached Thaddeus, her eyes studying him with a calculating gaze. “Indeed, Thaddeus,” she replied, her voice a silken thread. “I have a task for you, a delicate matter that requires your… expertise.”
Thaddeus nodded, his eyes flickering with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. He had served the court for decades, his knowledge of herbs and poisons a valuable asset to those who sought power and influence. He knew that Seraphina’s request would not be a simple one.
Seraphina leaned in, her breath ghosting across Thaddeus’s cheek. “I need you to procure a certain ingredient for me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “A rare herb known for its… transformative properties.”
Thaddeus’s eyes widened. He knew the herb she spoke of, a potent hallucinogen that could induce visions and distort reality. It was a dangerous substance, one that could easily be used for nefarious purposes.
“But Mistress Seraphina,” he stammered, “such an herb is… forbidden. Its use is strictly regulated by the royal decree.”
Seraphina’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “I am well aware of the risks, Thaddeus,” she purred. “But I trust that your loyalty to me outweighs your fear of the king’s wrath.”
She reached into a hidden compartment within her vanity and withdrew a small pouch, its contents clinking softly. She placed it in Thaddeus’s trembling hand. “This should be ample compensation for your… discretion,” she whispered, her voice laced with temptation.
Thaddeus’s eyes gleamed as he weighed the pouch in his hand. The promise of wealth and power outweighed his hesitation. He nodded slowly, his voice a mere croak. “Consider it done, Mistress Seraphina.”