Suddenly, Lady Rosabelle Everin asked in a worried voice, "Your Ladyship, I heard that you were poisoned a few days ago?"
Murmurs spread instantly.
"What?! Poisoned?"
"But who could have poisoned her?"
"Could it have been Miss Alicia?"
"No! She's so kind—of course not!"
"Yes, I agree!"
Celestira smirked inwardly.
So you've heard about the poisoning, Lady Everin Rosabelle. You can't even hide your smile.
She spoke in a soft tone, half self-doubt and half sympathy.
"I was poisoned a few days ago... while having tea with Alicia."
Celestira paused, letting the silence hang before continuing.
"After that, a fire broke out in Alicia's room. I nearly died—but someone saved me. I don't know who it was."
She lowered her gaze, putting on a shy expression, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Ah, noble ladies love gossip. Especially the romantic kind.
"But I'm fine now," she added gently. "Those incidents taught me how precious life is. I've decided... I'll never treat anyone horribly again."
"Oh my! Miss Celestira has changed so much!"
"She looks so pure, like a fairy."
"But then... did Miss Alicia really poison Miss Celestira?"
A voice from the crowd cut through the whispers.
"What poison was used?"
Celestira's lips curved upward. Checkmate.
"It was Nightshade Lotus."
Gasps filled the hall.
"My word—that's a poison only found in the black market!"
"And the person who manages the black market is—"
All eyes turned toward Lady Varalle Drayden.
Their gazes said it all. A criminal.
---
The political stage was now split into two sides.
House Rosabelle—Lady Everin's family—and House Drayden stood opposed.
House Merisol, Celestira's maternal family, remained neutral for now.
Both Rosebelle and Drayden supported the Crown Prince... yet they were at odds.
Why? Because both wanted their daughters to become the future Empress.
The daughter who took the throne could reshape the empire entirely.
House Everin's marchioness had died from a rare herb found only in the black market. Ever since, they had vowed to destroy it at any cost.
The Emperor shared that goal—but many corrupt nobles depended on the market's illegal goods. They would do anything to ensure that Lady Varalle Drayden, daughter of the black market's hidden mistress, became the next Empress.
---
Celestira smiled sweetly as she delivered her final blow.
"I heard some maids whisper about ashes found near the fire... of some kind of herb. I'm not sure if it's the poisonous kind, but—"
The hall erupted with whispers.
That herb could only be obtained through the black market.
With this, Celestira thought, I've framed Alicia for poisoning me—with Lady Varalle's help, one of Alicia's precious little allies.
Suddenly, a commanding voice rang through the air, silencing the room.
"What's going on here?"
Celestira turned gracefully, smirking as she rose to curtsy.
"Perfect timing," she whispered.
To be continued...