CHAPTER 110: CH 110: PIN THE BLAME - PART 2

The next morning came with an odd heaviness in the air.

Kana woke with a strange unease sitting deep in her chest, a persistent weight she couldn’t explain.

Her instincts whispered at her relentlessly — don’t go to work today.

For some reason, every part of her was telling her that stepping outside might be a mistake.

But Kana... was Kana. She was diligent to a fault, the kind of person who would drag herself through a storm rather than leave her responsibilities unattended.

"It’s probably nothing."

She muttered under her breath, tying the ribbon around her hair as she prepared to leave.

Lysera, still lingering by the door, didn’t look convinced.

"I can walk you there today."

She offered softly, her gaze searching Kana’s face.

Kana forced a small smile and shook her head.

"It’s fine, Lysera. I’ll be okay on my own. You should rest."

Lysera hesitated for a long moment but eventually relented.

"...Be careful."

She said, her tone quiet but serious.

By the time Kana arrived at the shop, she was earlier than usual. Penelope was still fumbling with the keys, muttering something under her breath as she unlocked the door.

"You’re early today."

Penelope remarked, glancing over her shoulder.

Kana offered a sheepish smile.

"I couldn’t sleep well. Thought I’d come help."

Penelope didn’t argue, and together they began setting up the shop, arranging plants and watering the smaller seedlings that lined the shelves.

It was peaceful for a while — until Penelope suddenly spoke up, her voice carrying a weight Kana rarely heard from her.

"...Kana, did anything... unusual happen yesterday while I wasn’t here? Anything at all that could’ve been considered... weird?"

Penelope began slowly.

Kana blinked, caught off guard. She thought back, trying to recall every detail of the previous day.

Weird...? Nothing stood out except for... that one strange customer.

"There was a person. They were covered from head to toe in white. Even their face was hidden. But aside from that... no, nothing else happened."

Kana admitted finally, tapping her finger against the counter.

Penelope stared at her for a long moment, unreadable. Then, as if forcing herself, she sighed and nodded.

"I see. If you’re saying nothing happened, then... I’ll believe you."

Kana frowned slightly.

"...Why are you asking?"

Penelope’s lips pressed into a thin line.

"Don’t worry about it. I just needed to make sure of something, that’s all."

She said shortly.

Kana could tell she wasn’t being told the whole truth.

The way Penelope’s gaze drifted, the way her fingers fidgeted — Penelope knew something. But Kana didn’t press her. Asking would mean facing an answer she wasn’t ready for.

"...Alright."

Kana murmured, forcing a small smile before returning to work.

Four quiet hours passed. The shop grew lively as the sun climbed, and just as normal townsfolk were starting to wake, the door creaked open.

Kana looked up, ready with her usual greeting.

"Welcome—"

The words stuck in her throat.

The man who stepped in wore the familiar silver-and-white armor of the temple guards. His expression was grim, his movements sharp and purposeful.

"Are you Kana?"

He asked coldly, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

Kana’s throat tightened.

"...Yes?"

The man’s hand rested on his belt as his gaze locked onto hers.

"Did you sell someone dressed in pure white — covered head to toe — a certain plant yesterday? A poisonous one."

Kana’s heart stopped.

Her first instinct screamed lie. Say no. Deny everything. Pretend you don’t know what he’s talking about.

But one look at his face, at those sharp, unwavering eyes, and she knew — he already knew the answer.

"...Yes. I sold that plant. But I didn’t know—"

Kana whispered finally, her voice quiet but steady.

The guard exhaled slowly, as if confirming his suspicions.

"Kana of Penelope’s Herbal Shop, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of a temple authority."

The words hit her like a physical blow. For a moment, her brain went completely blank.

’...Under arrest? Attempted... murder?’

By the time the meaning settled in, the guard was already stepping forward, reaching for the cuffs at his side.

But before his hand could touch her wrist — the plants stirred.

All around them, leaves trembled and vines shot forward like living serpents, lashing out at the man’s arm with a violent hiss.

The guard stumbled back, blocking his face as the smaller plants on the shelves swayed and writhed, responding instinctively to Kana’s panic.

She stared at them in shock, breath shallow, her heart pounding so loud it drowned everything else out.

The shop was no longer silent.

It was alive.

The guard gritted his teeth as the vines coiled tighter around his arms, digging into the gaps of his armor.

"Pull them off! Call them back, or you’ll be charged with assaulting a temple officer on top of attempted murder!"

He barked, his voice sharp with both anger and panic.

Kana’s breath caught, her hands trembling at her sides.

"I—I can’t! I don’t know how to stop them!"

She stammered, her voice cracking.

Her panic only seemed to make things worse. The plants tightened further, their leaves curling like claws as they dragged the guard’s arm back, forcing him to drop the cuffs he was holding.

His jaw clenched as he tried to rip the vines away, but each time he freed one, two more wrapped around him.

"Damn it!"

He hissed, jerking violently to break free — but the vines refused to relent.

The loud thud of his boots scuffing against the wooden floor echoed through the shop, drawing attention from outside.

Within moments, heavy footsteps approached, and the door swung open.

Two more temple guards stepped in, their expressions tense as they took in the sight before them.

"What’s going on—"

One began, but his words were cut short when several vines lashed toward him without warning.

"Watch out!"

The second guard shouted, trying to block the attack with his spear — but the plants were relentless.

Within seconds, both newcomers were caught in the same twisting mess of vines, struggling against the unnatural strength of the greenery.

The shelves rattled violently as more potted plants tipped over, roots stretching unnaturally as if the entire shop had come alive to defend Kana.

Kana stood frozen, her chest heaving, watching chaos spiral around her — and realizing she had completely lost control.