Cecil sat alone at the dinner table, the empty chairs a familiar sight. His family rarely gathered without the Duke, and tonight was no exception. The Duke was away, fighting monsters alongside the other nobles. As Cecil was about to take his first bite, a sudden thought crossed his mind. His stepmother's spy was probably lurking around every corner, waiting to report back to her. And what if... what if the spy had already tampered with his food?
Cecil's eyes narrowed, his hand hovering over the utensils. He knew his stepmother's true nature from the novel - ruthless, cunning, and willing to do whatever it took to achieve her goals. The thought of poisoned food sent a chill down his spine.
Despite his reservations, Cecil decided to eat a small portion of the food. He didn't want to arouse suspicion, and refusing to eat might tip off the spy that he suspected something. With a calculated risk, Cecil took a few bites, his senses on high alert for any signs of poisoning.
Cecil's eyes narrowed as he forced down a few more bites. He knew his stepmother's capabilities, and it was entirely possible that she had chosen a poison with one that wouldn't be immediately noticeable. The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He might be too weak to even detect the poison's presence.
After finishing a small portion of the meal, Cecil pushed the plate away and stood up. He made his way to his room, trying not to show any signs of distress or suspicion. Once he was safely inside, he locked the door behind him and leaned against it.
Cecil rushed to the bathroom, his hand covering his mouth. He leaned over the toilet, his stomach rebelling against the potentially poisoned food. With a mixture of fear and desperation, he forced himself to vomit, hoping to expel the poison from his system. The sound of retching echoed through the bathroom, and Cecil's body trembled with the effort.
As he stood there, his eyes watering from the strain, Cecil couldn't shake off the feeling of vulnerability. Had he gotten rid of enough?The uncertainty hung over him like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over his already fraught existence. He thought about his stepmother's calculating gaze and shuddered at the thought of her ruthless ambition.
Cecil's hands shook as he turned on the faucet, rinsing his mouth and face with cold water. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, and for a moment, he barely recognized himself. The fear and desperation in his eyes were a stark reminder of the danger that lurked in every corner of his life. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but his mind was racing with worst-case scenarios.
With a sense of trepidation, Cecil left the bathroom, his eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. He knew he couldn't trust anyone, not even his own staff. The thought sent a chill down his spine, and he wondered if he would ever be able to escape the web of deceit that had ensnared him.
Cecil sat on his bed, feeling a pang of hunger after having vomited up the potentially poisoned food. He picked up the bell on his nightstand and rang it impatiently, the sound echoing through the room. A few moments later, Maria, his loyal maid, knocked on the door.
"Master Cecil, is everything alright? You rang?" Maria asked, concern etched on her face.
Cecil looked up at her, his expression cold and unyielding. "Food, Maria," he said curtly. "I want bread and cheese. And make sure it's not from the dinner I had earlier. I don't want any of that... questionable food. Do you understand?"
Maria nodded quickly, used to Cecil's demanding nature. "Yes, Master Cecil. I'll bring it right up. From the kitchen's stores, correct?"
"Obviously," Cecil snapped, his patience wearing thin. "Don't bother me with unnecessary questions. Just bring the food. And make sure it's fresh. I don't want any stale bread or moldy cheese."
Maria curtsied slightly. "Of course, Master Cecil. I'll bring it immediately."
"See that you do," Cecil said, his voice dripping with entitlement. "I don't have all night to wait for my hunger to be satisfied. And don't think about skimping on the quality. I expect the best, and I'll settle for nothing less."
Maria nodded again, her expression neutral, and hurried off to fetch the food. Cecil watched her go, his eyes narrowing slightly as he wondered if he had done enough to keep up the act. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment.