Chapter 42: The Viper’s Arrival

A sound night’s sleep felt like an impossible luxury for someone as new as I was.

Even though the previous day’s harrowing events had drained my energy, years of ingrained habit still roused me awake in the early morning.

There was no other reason; servants who dared to oversleep would be whipped awake.

Yet, even after waking, my mind remained hazy and my eyelids heavy, just like those overworked salarymen in modern times. The discomfort was profound.

“Why didn’t I just sleep myself to death?”

I muttered to myself, half in jest, yet immediately felt such a thought was irresponsible.

Death was certainly simple and quick, but how could it be anything but a coward’s choice?

Besides, I was already here…

“Eh? What’s this?”

Suddenly, I noticed a strange note resting beside my bed.

I distinctly remembered not having placed anything there the previous day.

Upon opening it, a line of unfamiliar handwriting was starkly visible.

[Tonight, midway through the banquet, seize the opportunity to put the item from the third drawer into Rodd’s wine. Failure is not an option.]

Most of my sleepiness instantly vanished, for I realized that the handwriting on this note was remarkably similar to the one that had appeared in my bowl yesterday.

Clearly, sometime last night, another spy lurking in this place had visited my room, leaving this note by my side.

And I had been completely oblivious to their presence!

Amidst my shock, a chill of fear crept in, as I discovered that I truly couldn’t escape that man’s gaze.

Not even from a thousand miles away!

In my terror, I didn’t even stop to put on my shoes. I frantically rushed to the cabinet and rummaged through it, indeed finding a small leather pouch in the third drawer, with another crumpled note beside it.

I hastily unfolded the note, which contained only a very simple description.

[A powder that makes one fall into infatuation, bringing pleasure unto death.]

“What the hell?”

Cautiously opening the leather pouch, I examined it for a moment before taking a slight whiff. I detected a sweet scent, like honey.

Even though the item appeared utterly unremarkable, I didn’t doubt the note’s description for a second.

After all, this was something Lord Axas had procured. If it promised pleasure, it would certainly deliver pleasure; if it promised death, it would undoubtedly lead to death.

“Something that brings pleasure unto death? What a simple and crude method…”

As a man in my former life, it was impossible for me not to understand the purpose of this item. In fact, it was like a brilliant student solving a problem; the solution instantly came to mind.

Moreover, my mind had already conjured images of myself being pressed beneath a strong body, thoroughly dominated, a vision I found difficult to suppress…

“Hey!”

A voice suddenly rang out behind me, and in that instant, my heart nearly leaped from my chest.

“Wh-what is it?”

I clumsily hid the pouch behind my back, trying to appear as if nothing was amiss as I turned to respond.

Sister Fina stood sternly in the doorway, entering the room.

“Tonight, Lord Rodd is hosting a banquet to welcome an esteemed guest. The guest is said to be a noble young lady from Coldwind Territory. Since you’re from there, you should know her preferences, shouldn’t you?”

“I… I do.”

Truthfully, no one here understood her better than I did.

“Good then. Didn’t you say yesterday that you were interested in cooking? Go help in the kitchen first. You should be able to handle that much work.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Hmm…”

Having said this, Sister Fina glanced around the room again, her brow furrowing.

“Speaking of which, this room has been empty for a long time. It’s too dirty. Clean it yourself when you have time; living in a place like this will make you sick sooner or later.”

“Yes, yes.”

I nodded in eager agreement, inwardly urging her to leave quickly.

But the older woman seemed to have no intention of leaving immediately. Instead, she stared at me for a moment, then walked directly towards me.

‘Damn it, have I been found out!?’

I couldn’t help but clutch the item behind my back, contemplating whether to run away while she wasn’t paying attention and then explain myself later.

However, she merely handed me a small yellow cloth pouch, explaining:

“These are herbs I got from Young Master Allen. They can help regulate your body. Remember to brew a bowl and drink it today.”

I took the pouch, somewhat stunned, and watched as she hurried away once more.

‘She was worried about me, then?’

It took me a while to realize this. While touched, I also felt a profound sense of relief, like someone who had narrowly escaped disaster.

My other hand, hidden behind my back, was still trembling as it clutched the leather pouch.

‘That was close…’

To nobles, a banquet was far more than mere feasting and revelry; it carried profound social and political significance.

Coldwind Territory and Moon Island were two formidable powers, historically at odds, with frequent conflicts and casualties on both sides.

However, earlier this year, an unexpected rumor quietly circulated:

The Lord of Coldwind intended to forge an alliance with Moon Island, willing to send his beloved eldest daughter, Cassina, to Moon Island. Their sacred marriage would serve as the unbreakable and indissoluble bond of this alliance.

Lady Cassina was in the prime of her youth, pure and beautiful, captivatingly charming.

Coldwind Territory, with its control over trade routes, boasted abundant tax revenues, making it a truly prosperous land.

Faced with such an enticing proposal, Rodd, the Lord of Moon Island, naturally dared not be remiss. Tonight’s grand banquet was precisely to welcome Lady Cassina.

Although Moon Island was not wealthy, they had spared no effort for this banquet.

Thus, even as night had fallen, the castle’s banquet hall was as bright as day.

Golden candlelight danced on the crystal chandeliers, and throughout the spacious hall, expensive candles burned continuously, casting a magnificent glow.

The banquet tables were laden with an array of delectable dishes, their aromas wafting through the air. Game, fresh fish, and various fruit platters were arranged artfully, all proclaiming the unique affluence and extravagance of the nobility.

Behind the seating, professional musicians elegantly performed pieces, their harmonious melodies enhancing the delightful atmosphere.

This ceremony was not only a feast of food and music but also a testament to the political marriage between two great powers.

As a maid, I donned a new, fitted, and dignified dress. I wove through the guests, tray in hand, distributing dishes while meticulously observing each arriving guest.

Drawing upon my past experience as a steward, I could keenly discern the factions represented by each newcomer, judging by the crests and patterns on their attire.

The more I looked, the more astonished I became.

“Riverbend Valley, Molten Gold Territory, Lionheart Territory, Northern Reaches… Ah, even envoys from the Empire are here?”

Beyond these official powers, there were also wealthy merchants. Clearly, this banquet was not only important to my current master, but other factions were also very interested.

If Coldwind Territory and Moon Island truly formed an alliance, it could become a significant variable in the chaotic Eastern Continent.

Just as I was silently pondering, a loud voice suddenly boomed from the doorway:

“Lady Cassina, the Viper, has arrived!”