Chapter 13 Part 1

“A party for VIP customers?”

“Yes. We’ve prepared a special event, and most of the VIP customers have indicated they will attend.”

“Hm…”

Daisy Queenie was one of the key figures in high society. Most people connected to her were influential figures in the empire, and she herself had worked tirelessly—building networks and refining her appearance—to become one of them.

She understood her own worth. She was one of only two imperial ladies in Rohan, and since Roxana, the other one with a status comparable to hers, never cared much for social gatherings, it was only natural that Daisy didn’t take long to gain control of high society. On the stage that was spread out for her, she seized power effortlessly.

Normally, she used her frail health as an excuse to attend only the parties she fancied. So if this were any other time, even if a marquis was hosting the party, she wouldn’t pay it much attention. But this was the first opportunity that had come after she’d asked Locus to make the poison. It felt more like a chance meant just for her.

“Good news.”

“Since the poison is complete, this seems like a perfect opportunity.”

Locus, standing beside her, added his opinion. Since he wasn’t one for empty words, she trusted him.

“I should have received an invitation too, right? Bring it, Roland.”

When Roland, who had been serving tea, stepped away, Locus took two steps forward and placed a transparent bottle on the table. With a single glance, she recognized it as the poison.

“This poison takes effect with just three drops, immediately causing the skin to melt away. Six drops would be enough to kill a person. It’s colorless and odorless, so one wouldn’t even realize they’ve been poisoned.”

Inside the transparent bottle was a colorless liquid, so clear that one might mistake it for plain water. She examined it with a look of interest.

“By the way, how do you plan on making someone ingest it?”

“I’ll call for that maid who took the emerald earrings last time. Once someone gets a taste for money, it’s hard to escape.”

It’s only difficult the first time—after that, everything becomes easier. Especially if the payment is money. The guilt of betraying one’s master is fleeting, and the comfort money brings will eventually dull even that guilt.

Daisy Queenie smiled with satisfaction, as if her goal were already within reach. Having seen countless examples of human nature up to this point, she remained entirely unaware of the fatal flaw in her reasoning.

 As Locus cast a sidelong glance at her profile, he unconsciously found himself comparing her to Rose Knight.

Without needing to hand over anything, Rose Knight naturally attracted people’s affection. By comparison, how wretched and pitiful was she.

If anyone had just heard what she said, they would instantly realize how miserable Daisy Queenie’s life had been. She still had not grasped how shallow those flimsy relationships, which can be settled with money, truly were.

“My lady, I’ve brought the invitation.”

“Put it down over there, and bring me my jewelry box. The one I use most often.”

She tore open the luxurious envelope as though she were ripping it and took out the invitation. The text, written in ink dusted with gold powder, contained unexpected words.

“Emerald… earrings?”

The content requested guests bring along the emerald earrings she had once sent as gifts to VIP customers. Reading the letter multiple times in disbelief did nothing to change the written words. She had already handed those earrings over when she bribed that maid from the Knight household—how was she supposed to get them back now? They were surely sold off in desperation for money.

“If you mean the emerald earrings, those from the other day…”

“Yes, the ones I gave to that maid back then. What should I do, Locus?”

“In any case, my lady, you plan on using the poison that day, don’t you? If the host is poisoned, what use is an earring?”

“Hm… Right, indeed. While her face is melting, what does an earring matter?”

As Daisy Queenie pictured Rose Knight writhing in agony and showing a hideous sight, a smile spread across her lips. Observing her expression, Locus also gave a faint smile, as though everything was proceeding according to plan.

Daisy Queenie might not realize there is someone orchestrating all these circumstances from above, as if holding them in the palm of their hand. She would likely never know until the very end. Locus hoped that once Daisy Queenie learned the entire truth in her final moments, she would be consumed by despair.

“I’m glad if it helped. May I return to my laboratory now?”

“Sure, go on back. I’ll call you if anything comes up.”

As Daisy Queenie gazed at the mana residue Locus had left behind, pondering which jewel to give her maid, Roland—who had gone to retrieve her jewelry box—returned.

“Open it.”

The glossy jewelry box opened its lid, revealing its contents. She used to own enough jewels to fill three entire boxes, but after recruiting maids to serve as her hands and feet in Remia Queenie’s domain and supporting Locus’s research costs, she had sold them off one by one.

Currently, she was only maintaining enough to appear in high society, so each remaining jewel was of the highest quality. She closely inspected them, as if checking for scratches, but felt a pang of regret no matter which one she looked at.

“Anything I give feels like a waste….”

As Daisy Queenie rummaged through the jewelry box in search of something suitable, Roland—who had been watching for any sign—emptied the cold teacup and offered a new one. She had learned from experience that staying too long near her moody mistress would only bring trouble upon herself. But in her haste, she bumped into the jewelry box beside the teacup, causing it to fall.

“What are you doing?”

“I-I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up right away…!”

Already in a bad mood at the thought of having to part with even one piece of jewelry, Daisy Queenie’s temper sank further.

Of all things, it happened to be the box containing her most frequently worn jewels. What if it got scratched from falling off the tea table? She couldn’t afford to buy new ones, so she’d have to attend social events wearing something damaged! She jumped up and stomped on Roland’s hand just as Roland hurriedly tried to pick up the jewels.

“Kyahhh!”

“How dare you touch it with those filthy hands?”

The sight of Roland struggling to pull her hand away from underfoot looked just like a flailing insect, causing Daisy Queenie to frown. Judging by Roland’s pitiful screams, she seemed to be hoping someone would come in and stop Daisy.

However, for a cast-off illegitimate child in this place, having a knight protect her was a luxury. It meant that no matter how loudly Roland screamed, there would be no one to care.

“Even if you scream like that, no one will come here.”

She was only ever treated like a tool in this household, used solely for her convenience. Although she already knew this, the realization only flared her annoyance again. She briefly lifted her foot, then stomped down even harder.

Not only her hand, but various parts of her body were struck by the high heel, and it seemed her anger subsided slightly afterward. Walking past Roland, who was sprawled on the floor sobbing and gasping, she spoke haughtily:

“I’m in a foul mood now, so I’ll go take a walk in the garden. You, wipe clean every jewel your filthy hands touched with a handkerchief. Who knows what dirt you might have gotten on them.”

With that, Daisy Queenie clicked her tongue and left the room, thinking she should open the jewelry box again later and pick the one in the worst condition.

***

“The maid has arrived.”

“Really? Bring her here, Roland, just like before.”

“Y-yes… Understood.”

As Roland disappeared to fetch the maid, Locus—who until now had not spoken a word beyond what was necessary—finally opened his mouth.

“It seems the maid is quite nervous.”

“Hmph, after I scolded her for overturning the jewelry box last time, she’s been like that ever since.”

“I was already displeased with her, but seeing her so anxious and apprehensive annoys me even more. If she’s that scared, she should be doing her job better, yet she’s making mistakes she never made before.”

As she furrowed her brow in complaint, Locus watched her. It was only a moment that Daisy Queenie didn’t notice, but in his gaze there was unmistakable disgust and contempt.

“How much does that maid know about this matter?”

“She knows everything. She’s the only maid in this mansion I can freely use.”

“I see.”

“…But why are you asking that?”