Grete reflexively lowered her head before Meiana even finished speaking. Realizing Meiana was looking at her strangely, she hesitated to find an excuse.

“I have to… go to the laundry room soon. The princess’s clothes should be almost done. I need to sort that out, and you’re always with the princess, so I have to clean too…”

“So?”

Meiana’s reaction was the opposite of what Grete had feared. She’d thought Meiana would seize any opportunity to send her away…

Meiana said, “Well, it can’t be helped then. I’ll talk to Vainty when he comes back. You go ahead to the laundry room. I need to go get a shawl to present to the princess. Want to go down together?”

Wouldn’t Meiana suspect her if she refused this as well? Grete nodded and reluctantly walked alongside Meiana through the corridor. All the while, her attention was focused on the glass bottle in her apron pocket.

“Tonight,” Butler Joslyn had said as he passed Grete earlier. It was just one word, but it felt like a dagger.

It had to be tonight… Sedilroy left this morning; she needed to finish everything before his return.

How much should she use? If Ariante collapsed suddenly, everyone would definitely suspect something.

Especially Meiana, she wouldn’t let it slide. But what if she suffered a little before dying, if it looked like a simple stomachache that worsened…?

Sedilroy would not simply overlook Ariante’s death. But above all, Meiana would be the first to face harsh scrutiny. She was the one closest to Ariante; it would be Meiana’s negligence.

Ariante was hiding some gift for Sedilroy and Meiana—words prompted by Meiana to Vainty—but Grete, already unable to make a proper judgment, couldn’t ponder the truth of this statement.

But it wasn’t just that. Grete was completely captivated by a mistaken conviction that the relationship between Meiana and Sedilroy had become much closer than before.

They had some kind of secret, a hidden thing they shared…

“It’s not possible. It can’t be. I can never forgive this. It’s just not an option!”

Of all the servants in this house, including even Butler Joslyn, she had the highest lineage. Her luck might be bad, ending up in this situation, but her bloodline was certainly noble. If Sedilroy were to take someone to his bed, it had to be her!

Meiana, Vainty, or any other maids were merely suitable as pawns, but not her. She could have been a duchess. At least, Grete thought she had more than enough qualification.

To achieve that, Meiana had to be eliminated. And naturally, Ariante had to be eliminated as well.

Gritting her teeth, Grete readjusted her apron.

“Grete, you’ve been acting strange since earlier.”

“Eh? Me…?”

Meiana’s eyes briefly shifted downward.

“Do you have something weird in your pocket? You’ve been holding onto it.”

Grete felt as if the blood drained from her entire body, her frame trembling. She unintentionally let go of the apron she’d been clutching.

“There’s nothing… I was just tense because of earlier.”

“I’ve already apologized. The princess won’t question you any further.”

Question? Grete scoffed inwardly. She wanted to scream at Meiana. How dare you question me? When you’re not even a legitimate line of the duke, when you’re just a half-blood, who are you to question me, born of a pure lineage?
But getting angry now would be futile, Grete thought. Losing my composure here would ruin everything. Head Butler Joslyn would never help me… as long as I don’t get rid of Ariante.

“Yes… I know that. But you know how it keeps bothering me…”

“There’s no need for that, Grete.”

Meiana lightly tapped Grete’s shoulder. It was as if she was encouraging her.

“Do as you wish, as long as it doesn’t harm the princess. No need to shrink back. No need to cower.”

Grete replied,

“Thank you, Meiana. You’re… amazing. You’re really kind.”

“Well, I’m not really a kind person. You’re the kind one. You never raise your voice at others. Sometimes I wondered what you were thinking.”

Meiana cheerfully said and looked back at Grete as she turned the corner towards the kitchen.

“See you later.”

Grete nodded her head.

“Yes… See you later.”

‘And I hope to never see you again.’

As Meiana disappeared from view, Grete clenched her previously raised hand tightly.

Upon arriving in the capital, Sedilroy went straight to the royal palace to pay his respects to the king.

King Elmert, now fully into his middle age, still maintained the vitality of a young man. Beside him sat his son-in-law, Duke Baldebe, who greeted Sedilroy with a faint smile as always.

King Elmert spoke in a gentle voice,

“I apologize for calling you so hastily.”

Sedilroy replied,

“No need to apologize, Your Majesty. If you call, I will come immediately.”

The King continued,