Chapter 45: A Dangerous Gambit

I couldn’t fathom what prompted Aisha to utter those words to me.

Only recently, she had indeed spoken of drawing close to Rodd, of rising to the highest echelons by becoming his woman.

Yet, her current, almost bewitched state sent a shiver down my spine.

We were neither kin nor did I owe her a life debt, so why would she go to such lengths for me?

Had she lost her mind?

Or perhaps…

Just as I attempted to untangle my thoughts, Aisha spoke again.

“Rodd seems to be retiring for a rest. It appears that ‘thing’ has taken effect.”

My heart lurched in an instant. I quickly turned my head, glancing toward the guest platform.

Indeed, Aisha’s words proved true. Rodd appeared peculiar; despite having drunk little, a distinct flush colored his face, and his eyes were glazed, hinting at an unsteady gait.

Allen, standing beside him, wore a look of anxiety, seemingly wanting to offer support, but Rodd shook his head in refusal.

Thus, he continued to entertain the guests below, sipping wine from his glass.

Unbeknownst to him, that very wine was the cause of his current discomposure.

“What ‘thing’ are you referring to?”

A sinister premonition surfaced in my mind. I couldn’t help but lower my voice, asking Aisha with a curious whisper.

Aisha’s face registered a flicker of vigilance. She took a deep breath, scanning left and right, and only after confirming no one was paying attention did she lean in close to my ear.

“Miss Cassina revealed to me that she had already contacted an informant ambushed within the Moon Isle Manor. That person was tasked with finding a way to slip an aphrodisiac powder into Lord Rodd’s wine glass. Once it takes effect, she will feign assisting Lord Rodd to his bedroom for rest…”

“Th-then what?”

My voice trembled, for I realized the mastermind behind that command was none other than Miss Cassina herself!

A chill ran down my spine. I seemed to glimpse a terrifying conspiracy silently unfolding in the darkness.

I desperately craved more details!

“Then…”

Aisha continued in a hushed whisper, as if fearing being overheard.

“I will take advantage of Rodd’s drunkenness and unconscious state to climb into his bed, replacing Miss Cassina to be with that man.”

Finishing her words, Aisha offered me a ‘don’t worry’ expression, reaching out to pat my head.

“Don’t overthink it. I’m quite skilled, and Rodd won’t last long. Once tonight is over, everything will undoubtedly be different.”

At the same moment, the guests’ celebratory toasts echoed from the platform in the grand hall.

“May sacred marriage bestow eternal and unwavering fidelity upon this pair of lovers!”

I couldn’t help but glance at Rodd on the guest platform. He seemed to have noticed me as well.

I watched as he slowly took a few steps in my direction, only to suddenly sway and collapse to one side, caught by Cassina.

“Lord Rodd has had too much to drink. I shall assist him back to his room first.”

Miss Cassina elegantly declared to the surrounding guests.

“Thank you all for your blessings. Lord Rodd and I will certainly be very loving.”

Loving?

How utterly ironic…

Listening to Cassina’s words, I felt nothing but disgust.

I turned my head to look at Aisha again, only to find her already walking towards the top floor.

Her steps were firm and resolute, devoid of any hesitation, clearly indicating her resolve.

Her slender back appeared like a moth poised to fall into a flame.

I watched her figure disappear around the corner, yet found myself utterly speechless.

Aisha, are you truly going to do this?

Is this genuinely the right choice for you?

Perhaps… it is?

I attempted to numb myself with some false comfort, but as each second ticked by, the unease in my heart surged like a tide, making it impossible to pretend nothing was happening.

“Tch—”

I could no longer remain silent, no longer stay indifferent!

Ignoring the guests along the way, I hurried towards Rodd’s bedroom on the top floor.

I knew I had to find Aisha, had to tell her about my predicament, and prevent her from taking such a risk for my freedom.

While continuing the bloodline might earn her the lord’s favor, before that, she could very well be killed by Cassina, who would undoubtedly learn the truth.

Cassina was as ruthless as Lord Axas; she would never care about Aisha’s life or death, not even if it meant two lives were lost!

I could not let her take this risk!

Just as I ascended the stairs and reached a certain turn, a faint argument suddenly reached my ears from not far ahead.

“Young Miss, what exactly are you thinking? How can you let that woman replace you in uniting with the Lord of Moon Isle?”

Young Miss?

This familiar address caused my steps to involuntarily slow. I quietly approached, hiding in an inconspicuous corner, listening intently.

“Why not? As long as Rodd believes it was me who spent the night with him, isn’t it the same? I’ve arranged everything…”

Cassina’s voice drifted through the air, carrying a hint of triumphant sneer, as if she had woven an invisible web, firmly grasping everyone’s destiny.

“When I helped Rodd back to his room just now, I saw that fellow was completely unconscious, except for *that* particular area. After she and my maid are done, I’ll return to his room and leave my clothes behind. That way, when he wakes up tomorrow, he’ll surely think it was me he was with yesterday. The entire plan is flawless, isn’t it wonderful!”

I felt that her words revealed a meticulously planned conspiracy, each syllable like a calculated chess piece placed upon the board of fate.

Another voice, laced with urgency and helplessness, tried to appeal to Cassina’s reason.

“My Young Miss, have you still not understood the purpose of Madam’s plan? Madam went to great lengths to find the aphrodisiac powder, to great lengths to have me, ‘Gosling,’ who has been lurking for years, create this opportune moment for you. All of this is for you to conceive Rodd’s heir, to ensure our Viper family has an indisputable claim to Moon Isle!”

“What? Make me pregnant now?”

Cassina’s voice suddenly rose an octave, imbued with a maiden’s characteristic panic and resistance.

“I… I just came of age, you know! I don’t want to get fat and ugly so quickly! That kind of thing can wait; I still want to enjoy my youth!”

“Young Miss, there is absolutely no time for delay!”

That voice became even more urgent, seemingly emphasizing a crucial secret.

“Lord Rodd has already made preparations. You must conceive that man’s heir as soon as possible. This is the key to our family’s rise, only then can we, when Rodd dies…”

The words abruptly ceased, as if touching upon a forbidden topic.

A sense of ominous foreboding welled up within me.

When Rodd dies?

This thought made me yearn to hear more, to understand more clearly.

However, just as I shifted my body, attempting to move closer, my clumsy form accidentally brushed against a nearby armored statue.

“Clang…”

This usually insignificant sound, at that moment, resonated like a death knell, instantly triggering their alarm.

The next second, a flurry of hurried footsteps rushed towards my hiding place!