Chapter 43: The Viper’s Venom

Cassina, the Viper.

For the esteemed guests present, this name symbolized power and wealth.

For me, however, it represented arrogance and oppression.

I silently slipped into an inconspicuous corner, my wary gaze fixed on the noble young woman who was slowly approaching from the grand entrance.

Amidst the expectant glances of the crowd, the Lord of Coldwind’s daughter gracefully entered the resplendent hall, her steps light and elegant.

Her gown tonight was a departure from yesterday’s; she had chosen a more understated yet equally enchanting style that perfectly accentuated her feminine curves and allure.

‘It seems she has accurately gauged Rodd’s preferences.’

After a moment’s thought, I arrived at this conclusion.

With her appearance, the conversations in the banquet hall gradually subsided. All eyes were involuntarily drawn to her, and many distinguished guests were already eager to approach, hoping to make her acquaintance.

Those gazes of admiration and longing seemed to be precisely what Miss Cassina craved. I saw a very pleased smile play on her lips.

Good opportunity!

Seizing the moment while everyone’s attention was captivated by Miss Cassina, I held my breath and quickly walked to the Lord’s main seat. Using my body as a shield, I stealthily poured the pre-prepared powder into his silver goblet.

The powder was pink, dissolving instantly into the wine upon contact, leaving not a trace.

‘Hoo—’

My heart pounded, and my hands trembled slightly. After all, discovery would mean certain death.

Just as I tucked the leather pouch back into my bosom, a familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind me:

“Hey, you, maid. Turn around and let me see you.”

Oh no, it was Cassina’s voice!

Shouldn’t she be conversing with the other guests? Why would she seek me out?

Being singled out by her could never be a good thing. With no room for evasion, I suppressed the tension in my heart, slowly turned my head, and spoke with a humble tone:

“Young Miss…”

“Oh? It truly is you.”

Miss Cassina’s eyes seemed to brighten, and she lightly fanned herself, a sneer gracing her lips. “I thought Lord Rodd took you from me because he fancied your body, intending to keep you as a concubine. Yet, in the end… you’re still doing the same work as before?”

Her opening remarks were utterly impolite, offering no kind words for me in front of everyone.

My heart instantly grew cold. Only a short while ago, I had excused her mistakes, yet she remained as cruel as ever.

It seemed that in the eyes of these powerful individuals, the dignity and sacrifices of people like me were utterly worthless.

She was like this, her father was like this, and her family was like this…

A leopard cannot change its spots, as the saying goes.

A surge of suppressed anger slowly accumulated within me. I turned my head, my voice shifting from its initial humility to a hint of indifference:

“Young Miss, tonight’s banquet is busy. If you have no need for me, I shall go assist elsewhere.”

With that, I was eager to leave.

However, her movement was swift and decisive. A slender hand gripped my arm like a chain, firmly blocking my path.

“Heh… your wings have grown strong, haven’t they? Do you think that just because you’ve become Rodd’s person, you can easily escape my control?”

Her tone was laced with mockery, as if scoffing at a bird that foolishly dreamed of escaping its gilded cage.

“Do you truly believe he can protect you forever? Do you truly believe he would abandon an engagement to a noble daughter, and the opportunity to ally with a powerful force, for a woman as insignificant as you?”

“Don’t be foolish, Lilian. His actions yesterday were nothing more than a carefully orchestrated play, a mere hero-saves-the-beauty trope. You didn’t actually take it seriously, did you?”

She continued to taunt, as if she could already foresee the day I would be cast aside. “You should discard those unrealistic fantasies, Lilian. I am quite eager to see how you will beg and grovel before me when he abandons you, leaving you with nothing, heheheh…”

Cassina’s voice carried undisguised contempt, and her smile revealed a hint of coldness.

Yet, deep within her eyes, I keenly detected a flicker of unease.

She was, after all, merely a girl who had just entered the adult world, not yet possessing the cunning of seasoned schemers.

Even with her exceptional intelligence, perfectly concealing her intentions at this age was an impossible feat.

As the governess who had watched her grow from a tender age, I knew her character inside and out.

Her words were not just a provocation and a warning to me, but also a declaration of her own status.

In her eyes, I had once been nothing more than a plaything in her grasp, to be manipulated as she pleased.

Now, however, my very existence had inadvertently touched a sensitive nerve within her.

Even the most elegant wife would not wish her husband to spare another woman a second glance, let alone intervene on her behalf.

I imagined that even if nothing had transpired between Rodd and me, given this young miss’s personality, she must have been absolutely furious last night.

Precisely because of this, she was so eager to avoid conversation with the surrounding guests, turning instead to launch this barrage of verbal attacks at me.

Understanding this, I felt much less pressure. After meeting her gaze with a look that was neither servile nor defiant, I decisively pulled my arm free from her grasp.

“You—”

Cassina’s face revealed a rare shock. She clearly couldn’t believe that a subordinate like me, whom she had once treated like a dog, would dare to give her such a cold shoulder now.

‘What audacity!’

I guessed this was what she was thinking, as her expression was unmistakably clear.

However, I didn’t give her another chance to show off, brushing past her directly. Moments later, the surrounding guests also began to approach her, blocking her path as she attempted to pursue me.

After escaping Miss Cassina’s entanglement, I quickly returned to a small room beside the banquet hall, a place where the maids could briefly rest.

“What a brainless woman! It’s only because the Lord of Coldwind has my weaknesses in his grasp that I’ve endured until now. If it were any other servant, they would have probably taken her down with them long ago!”

I unceremoniously critiqued the young miss while brewing the herbal tea Fina had brought me.

I must say, this herbal blend prepared by Young Master Allen was indeed effective. Upon drinking it, a cool, refreshing sensation spread, seemingly possessing a calming effect.

Perhaps it was the satisfaction of successfully defying the young miss, or perhaps the efficacy of the herbs, but I felt my mood had significantly improved.

After resting for a moment, I suddenly heard the clamor from the banquet hall grow louder.

‘Has Lord Rodd arrived?’

I quickly rose and headed towards the banquet hall. But as soon as I opened the door, I unexpectedly saw a familiar back.

Aisha!