If Grethe had really put something in Arianthe’s food, something that should not be eaten, the first suspect to consider was her.
Spices were perfect for hiding something suspicious while enhancing a unique flavor. Since both taste and smell were covered, it would be challenging to detect.
Arianthe, looking down at the plate, looked up at Maiana.
“Is this it?”
Maiana smiled and nodded.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“The smell is strange.”
“It’s because of the spices. But it will be very delicious.”
“Hmm…”
Arianthe withdrew her body as if disliking it, crossing her legs and pouting. While Maiana, who had been watching Grethe’s expression change rapidly, spoke.
“Shall we let someone else taste it first? If it’s not good, we’ll clean it up immediately. What do you think, Lady?”
In the past, it would have been impossible. However, Arianthe recently obediently listened to whatever Maiana said, and her habit of extreme pickiness was gradually improving.
Maiana knew this change in Arianthe better than anyone else. When Arianthe lowered her small head, Grethe, who had been standing aside, suddenly stepped forward with her hands clasped silently.
“Maiana, what are you saying… It’s the Lady’s food; you can’t let anyone else touch it first. Isn’t that right, Veinti? Or not?”
However, Veinti didn’t even look at Grethe. Maiana, without taking her eyes off the pale-faced Grethe, called the young servant who was guarding the entrance.
“Would you please fetch the chef? Tell him there’s something to discuss. Make sure to mention it’s my request, not the Lady’s.”
The servant nodded and quickly ran to the kitchen. Grethe said, her face visibly pale.
“Maiana, this is a big offense! The chef will be angry, and so will the Lady…”
A sardonic smile played on Maiana’s lips.
“Grethe, why worry so much? It’s nothing serious. The Lady has never tasted such a dish before. And the foods served to the King often raise eyebrows. To check if there’s anything strange or if it hasn’t spoiled… You know that, right? Or do you have a reason why the chef shouldn’t taste it?”
Grethe’s shoulders began to tremble.
At that moment, the chef entered the dining room with an angry expression. Maiana was infuriated to be ordered around by a mere maid, especially since Arianthe had called her.
“Who are you to command me?”
“Watch your words, chef. Can’t you see the Lady is present?”
The movements of the grumbling chef abruptly stopped. Arianthe’s azure eyes, those eyes that seemed far from human, stared directly at him today, making him more uncomfortable.
The thorn that had been bothering him for a long time seemed to be growing larger now, piercing through his body.
“Please taste this dish. The Lady is unfamiliar with it since it’s her first encounter with such cuisine.”
As soon as Maiana’s words fell, Arianthe pushed the plate in front of her slightly. Such an event had never happened before, so the chef was also extremely bewildered.
“Why should I taste the Lady’s meal?”
“Just to check the taste. I want you to explain what it tastes like to the Lady.”
The chef muttered curses. Grethe’s eyes were almost bulging, and her toes seemed to waver.
“Lady, this is the scent of spices from another country. You will know if you taste it, but it has an excellent flavor. You need to gradually get used to things like this.”
Arianthe frowned at Maiana’s condescending or freezing tone. The chef, lifting a spoon, scooped up the dish on the plate and pushed it into his mouth without hesitation.
“No, no!”
Grethe screamed, and the food went down the chef’s throat almost simultaneously. Everyone turned to look at Grethe with puzzled expressions. As she was about to run away with her head in her hands, Veinti instinctively grabbed Grethe’s arm.
“Let go!”
Grethe, with a devilish expression, tried to shake off Veinti. Until then, the chef had been stupidly watching the chaotic scene as if he didn’t understand anything.
“No, what’s going on? What are you all doing…”
The chef’s body suddenly leaned forward.
With a thud sound, the moment Maiana quickly embraced Arianthe to shield her from seeing anything, Veinti held Arianthe tightly, then firmly grabbed Grethe’s arm.
“Take Lady to her room immediately and make sure she doesn’t come out. And call people here, quickly!”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
