As Vainty had said, they were undoubtedly up to something. But what could they be planning? Knowing where Grete had been would make things a little easier, but she would never be forthright about it.

Meiana suddenly remembered what Sediloi had said. He was going back to the capital tomorrow! He said he would be staying in the capital for about two weeks.

In his absence, it would be the perfect environment for Joslyn and Grete to act. Therefore, she had to find out what kind of scheme the two were up to and where Grete had been by tonight.

“Vainty, watch over the princess while she’s sleeping.”

“What? What if she wakes up!”

Meiana looked at Vainty with contemptuous eyes.

“Is the princess going to eat you alive as soon as she opens her eyes? Get your act together. You are now a maid assigned to the East Wing. All the maids of the East Wing should act with the princess as their top priority. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Commanding me like you’re above me! I’ve been working in this mansion much longer than you have! Do you even know that?”

Vainty shouted in frustration, but it meant nothing to Meiana. It seemed like Vainty herself knew that as well.

Meiana continued, ignoring Vainty’s frustration.

“I’ll go find out. Where Grete has been, what Butler Joslyn is up to. If he’s sick in bed, someone must be attending to him. Anyway, he’s the one who oversees all the employees in this huge mansion.”

Vainty retorted sarcastically.

“How are you going to find out? You don’t even have a friend.”

“Are you my friend? Did you tell me bits and pieces about Grete?”

Vainty’s face turned beet red. Meiana glanced towards the bedroom and turned her back on Vainty. The look was meant to tell her to keep an eye on Ariante.

Grete entered Joslyn’s room, managing to avoid the gaze of others, but she did not receive a warm welcome from him. Rather, Joslyn wrinkled his face as soon as Grete closed the door.

“Did you just roll around in a garbage dump or what? This smell.”

Grete’s cheeks flushed red. She felt the urge to strangle Joslyn, who was lying on the bed. All this trouble was for him! Because of what he said!

But she decided to keep her composure. The medicine bottle in her pocket felt heavier the closer she got to the count’s residence, as if trying to assert its own presence.

Thanks to that, Grete was able to bring the bottle back without breaking or losing it, despite her distraught state.

“This, this… As Butler Joslyn said, I got it without asking any questions.”

Joslyn turned his cold face to look at what Grete was offering. His falcon-like eyes seemed to twinkle for a moment.

He extended his hand. Grete carefully placed the medicine bottle on Joslyn’s palm, which looked like it was made of only bones and wrinkles, and stepped back.

Joslyn spoke.

“Did that fellow say anything to you?”

Grete stared blankly at Joslyn for a moment before hastily responding.

“Th-this… this will be more expensive than the last one…”

“Hmph.”

With a snort, Joslyn opened a drawer next to his bed and put the bottle in it. However, the next moment, for some reason, he took the bottle back out and gave it to Grete.

“You’d better keep it. Right? You have to take care of the princess, after all.”
Grete, holding the medicine bottle hastily, felt a foreboding sense that slithered around her like a snake. As if seeing right through her, Jocelyn suddenly began to laugh in a low chuckle.

Grete had never heard her laugh before, but she didn’t want to hear it ever again. The laugh was so revolting, a mix of curses and malice she’d never heard before.

“What do you think you have to do?” Jocelyn asked.

Looking down at the medicine bottle in her hand, Grete looked up at Jocelyn with pitiable eyes. It was the expression a child would show when a strict teacher swung a cane, asking if they knew the answer to a problem.

“Housekeeper, I…”

“Add a few drops to the princess’s lunch tomorrow.”

Grete’s eyes widened dramatically. As she began to tremble, Jocelyn sneered, curling her lips.

“Why so surprised? Did you really think I sent you there just to get some cough medicine?”

“No, that’s not it. But how? The princess’s meals are all prepared by Meiana lately…”

“Then be quicker than that wench Meiana and get to the kitchen. Before that insolent girl even thinks of coming.”

An icy silence fell. Grete felt as if her destiny was getting twisted by unfortunate coincidences and someone’s malice. It wasn’t her fault… She was just caught in a web. A web skillfully woven by Jocelyn.

But if she tried to break free, the spider would swiftly swoop in, kill her, and devour her.

If she pretended to be caught, the spider would keep her alive, luring in even more appetizing prey. Essentially, Grete was now the bait. And bait is guaranteed life until it fulfills its role…

“So, where should I put this? The place smelled so bitter… If it smells like that, not just the princess but others will notice too.”