“The smell will be noticeable, of course. So give the head chef a hint. Tell him to make a dish using spices. Then there won’t be any problem. Even the princess has been eating quite well lately, hasn’t she?”

Jocelyn’s tone, saying ‘eating quite well,’ was laced with contempt.

In her educated mind, it was ingrained that nobility should eat with elegance and grace, just enough not to die. Until Ariante was five, her meal portions were pitifully small, even considering her young age…

“If you can’t understand even after I’ve said this much, then leave the bottle and get out of my sight. Your stench is making me dizzy.”

Grete’s face flushed again. Jocelyn treated her like a rat. For a moment, Grete thought about smashing the medicine bottle on the floor.

Then Jocelyn would have to go there herself. Or she could run to Sedilroy and spill every order Jocelyn had given her.

But she couldn’t. A whispering voice inside Grete said. Do you think you can trap Jocelyn? What about your future? Are you planning to mop floors all your life while that insolent little girl towers over you?

“I can’t let that happen.”

Grete clenched the bottle in her hand. No, she couldn’t. She needed to fulfill her role as bait perfectly.

After Jocelyn got what she truly wanted, she would let her go. Or perhaps a merciful rain would come and break the spiderweb…

“I will do it.”
Jocelyn’s head slowly turned to look at Grete.

“You’ll do it, you said.”

Gripping the bottle of medicine even tighter, Grete nodded.

“Yes, Master. I will… do it. You have to keep your promise with me.”

“Of course, my child. I have the power to do that much. The Count trusts me, after all.”

Chills ran down Grete’s spine due to the sudden softening in Jocelyn’s tone.

He was not only capable of laughing out loud but also of speaking in such a voice, which was a first for her to know. It was an experience she never wanted to repeat.

Jocelyn gestured for her to leave. Grete hurriedly hid the medicine bottle back in her pocket and flung the door open to leave. She felt anxious as she walked down the corridor, as if everyone knew what she was hiding and planning…

“Grete! My God, I thought you had run away. Where have you been?”

Startled, Grete finally realized the person across from her was her roommate, Bridget. As she sighed in relief, Bridget sniffed conspicuously.

“What is that smell? Did you fall into a mud puddle or something? No, that can’t be the smell from a mud puddle… What happened? Was there an incident?”

“No, nothing happened. Just like you said, I fell into a mud puddle… I need to go take a shower. I’ve been meaning to go to the princess but couldn’t all morning…”

“Yes, you really should wash up thoroughly.”

Bridget walked past her, chuckling dismissively. Grete walked even faster, keeping her eyes on the ground. She didn’t want to meet anyone anymore.

After passing Grete, Bridget rubbed her nose with her finger as if to remove the lingering smell. She was puzzled but she wasn’t the type to dwell on problems for long.

So, when she turned the corner of the corridor, she had almost completely forgotten about Grete.

“Bridget.”

At the sound of her name, Bridget turned her confused face. But no one was in sight.

“Bridget, over here.”

A hand suddenly appeared from behind an ornately carved column. Startled, Bridget stumbled a bit, and then Mayana popped her head out to look at her.

“Mayana? What are you doing there?”

“I have something to ask you. Come closer for a moment.”