She couldnât even use a carriage with a family crest on it. She headed for the Count of Otis in a carriage that the maid had rushed to catch.
It was midnight, but the countâs butler quickly brought Emilia into the house. It worked that Count Otis had an urgent business.
âLady Hasler, whatâs wrong?â
Maryen came out to the drawing room a little late to get dressed. Emilia was uneasy about showing her face to some of the maidservants as well as to the butler of Count Otis.
Remembering their faces, Emilia gave Maryen a sharp look.
âDidnât the Lady send me a letter?â
âWhat do you mean, letâs calm down first.â
Her calm face didnât even tell whether she was lying or not. But Emilia thought not to be fooled. Maryen was a cute yet scary woman who gave birth to a child, killed it and acted as if nothing had happened.
As recommended, while Emilia sat down, the maid served tea. It was a tea with a unique scent.
âLetâs drink.â
Maryen recommended tea and drank the tea in front of her first. Emilia didnât forget that Count Otis distributed drugs.
It was natural that Louisâ sleeping pills were through Count Otis.
âWhy donât you drink?â
Maryen, who put down the teacup, asked in an elegant voice. Emilia narrowed her eyes.
ââŚIâm not in the mood for tea right now.â
âI see. I put sleeping pills in the tea thatâs popular these days, so itâs a shame.â
âWhat?â
It was too late when Emilia raised her voice and tried to get out of her seat. The escort knight she brought to the drawing room was stabbed and killed by a knight disguised as a servant.
The maids pressed Emiliaâs shoulders and let her head tilt.
âW-what are you⌠Ugh!!â
The maids who brought the teapot poured hot tea into Emiliaâs throat. Maryen drank the antidote in advance, so there was no problem with the tea, but Emilia would have been different.
âCough, cough!â
âIâm the only one who got pushed into the pit and you wouldnât get a drop of blood on yourself, would you?â
No way. Maryen laughed coldly.
âThereâs nothing to worry about. I canât jump off the ship you set sail from, so Iâm just trying to give you a ride. If Young-ae doesnât betray me, nothing will happen to us.â
It was 11 p.m. when the threatening letter flew to the Marquis of Hasler.
Many of Kernanâs men were hiding in the Otis. However, not all of them knew Emilia. Time was running out to contact Kernan and look at the Count of Otis.
At the same time, Emilia judged that Maryen could respond no matter what she did, as many of her people were hiding in the Count of Otis.
âI didnât expect to do such a crazy thing.â
âMaryen, thisâŚâ
Without even bringing up the word crazy, Emilia fell asleep covered in tea. Now only the bodies of Emilia and her entourage were left in the drawing room.
They were one maid, one attendant, and two escort knights.
Since tomorrow was the final day, both the Count and Countess Otis were on their way to the countryside. So Emilia made this day a happy day.
âWe donât know whatâs going to happen tomorrow, so put the bodies in a bag and take them to the basement. The lady can be moved to that room.â
The room was next door to the bedroom they asked to vacate tomorrow.
The bedroom was soundproof, but soundproofing was not complete unless magic was used. If she screamed in it, it was delivered to the room right next to her.
âWhen you wake up, youâll be a perfect accomplice, Lady.â
Maryen laughed bitterly and put down the cup.
* * *
There was no reason to dress up splendidly because it was only a tea party for young ladies. Rowena climbed into the carriage in a blue outdoor dress. She had a lot of worries.
âAre you sure you donât mind if I donât follow you?â
âItâs all right.â
Rowena patted Pina on the back of her hand and climbed into the carriage.
It was impossible to take Pina to such a dangerous place today. Pina was aware of the fact and couldnât coax Rowena to accompany her.
Two other maids who replaced Pina followed Rowena into the carriage. Edith proudly took the seat next to Rowena. There were eight escorts.
Iâd like to send a troop!
As soon as she sent her precious lady to a place that seemed obvious to be a trap, she felt a burning fire welling up in her bleeding heart.
Cecil didnât make it here. People would think it strange if even the crown prince came out to see her off at a tea party.
The carriage departed with Pinaâs hot eyes. Her gaze, trying to keep on Rowenaâs figure, ran into Lancelotâs.
Lancelot, who winked slightly, sent a blood-filled look of concern.
If my young lady were hurt, I would never forgive them!
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