141: The Letter That Shatters Everything
While Cobra and Ross enjoyed a relaxed chat in the palace halls, Igaram had already reached the temporary morgue. He collapsed over Terracotta's body, his sobs echoing through the cold silence.
"Terracotta, why you? You're so kind and gentle—who could be cruel enough to do this to someone as fragile as you? I'll make them pay!"
Igaram's face twisted in raw grief. He and Terracotta had shared a deep bond, and her brutal death in the palace was something he couldn't wrap his head around.
"Lord Igaram, my condolences," a doctor in a white coat murmured from beside the body. He eyed Igaram's devastated expression, then stole a glance at Terracotta—whose arms were thicker than his own legs. It didn't match the delicate wife Igaram described. If not for the white sheet draped over her, he'd swear Igaram was mourning the wrong corpse.
"Theodore, what really happened?" Igaram demanded, fists clenched, eyes blazing as he turned to the doctor.
Theodore was the palace's top physician and had already conducted the autopsy.
"Chef Terracotta died from sudden cardiac arrest—classic sudden death," he explained with a frown.
Igaram had insisted foul play from the start, but the results pointed to a tragic accident.
"Who did this?" Igaram growled.
"No suspects," Theodore replied curtly. "You're Alabasta's strongest fighter. Any ideas on stopping a heart cold?"
"Conqueror's Haki!" Igaram shot back.
Theodore nearly snorted. "Sure, that's a possibility. But you think some powerhouse with a conqueror's Haki sneaks into the Alabasta Palace just to take out a head chef?"
He was convinced it was an accident. No one in the palace had the motive or strength, and Terracotta's skills were solid for a civilian—enough to put up a fight if attacked. Yet there were no signs of struggle.
"No, wait—Devil Fruit user!" Igaram pressed on, refusing to buy the accident story.
That morning, Terracotta had slipped him a letter. If Theodore couldn't provide answers, he'd tear it open the second he got home.
"A Devil Fruit power fits, but the royal guards found no intruders," Theodore said, shaking his head.
"Could be an inside job," Igaram countered.
"Unlikely. Everyone has an alibi. In the window between her disappearance and the body turning up, only Queen Titi lacked one. You're gonna accuse the queen?" Theodore scoffed.
As if Queen Titi would stoop to murder. And the power gap? She'd never overpower Terracotta.
"Not the queen, obviously. But what about other angles? Guards teaming up?"
"Forget it. No external wounds, no fight traces. No one in Alabasta packs that punch," Theodore shut it down.
From her perch on the roof beam, Gion eavesdropped on the exchange below. Per Ross's plan, it was ideal if no one pegged Terracotta's death as suspicious—better yet, if she just vanished. Gion stayed patient, blending into the shadows.
Igaram and Theodore parted without agreement. Igaram scooped up Terracotta's body and stormed off. Theodore didn't interfere; it was family business. He'd report to the palace: all banquet guests and food cleared, no threats to the royals. Case closed—an unlucky mishap.
What Igaram did next? Not his problem.
"That letter... the letter!"
Muttering under his breath, Igaram hurried home with Terracotta in his arms.
"Letter?" Gion perked up from her trailing position. This could tie into Queen Titi's secret. No loose ends.
Igaram reached his home swiftly. He laid Terracotta gently on the bed, then yanked open a drawer for the letter she'd left.
Her familiar script hit him like a gut punch. Tears streamed as he read aloud, voice breaking:
"Dear Igaram, by the time you see this, I'll be gone from Alabasta.
I know you're full of questions—I'm right there with you.
If someone has to act, why not me?
I've reached out to Drum Island. I'm heading there today with the samples. Wait for a word from me.
If Queen Titi's child isn't Alabasta's true heir... it'll be a disaster."
Queen Titi!?
Igaram's blood ran cold, a shiver racing from scalp to toes like he'd plunged into icy waters.
Theodore's words echoed: Queen Titi as the sole alibi-free person in the palace. He'd dismissed it outright. But Terracotta's letter laid it bare.
The murder likely happened in Queen Titi's chambers.
"Queen Titi... why?" Igaram whispered, body trembling, face pale with shock.
Memories flooded back to Drum Island. Ross had seemed harmless after leaving the drawing room that day. Queen Titi showed no signs of coercion.
Unless it was all a setup from the start...
Dread coiled in Igaram's gut, an unspeakable terror that left him frozen, spine prickling with icy fear.
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