Chapter 60
The next day, a reply to the letter Alicia had sent arrived—along with two small packages.
One was an ordinary parcel containing a glass vase, meant as a gift for Diana.
The other, however, was far more important.
With trembling hands, she untied the string. Inside the parchment wrapping was a small box.
“…Haa.”
Alicia let out a long breath as she stared at the item inside.
It was a crystal vial, radiating a sinister aura at just a glance.
Next to it was a round object wrapped in parchment.
Carefully, using two fingers, she picked up the vial.
Inside swirled a dark green liquid.
Her own tense reflection was visible in the clear fluid.
Even her slow, measured breathing carried a tremble.
If only Diana’s eyesight hadn’t returned, she wouldn’t have resorted to such extremes.
Originally, Diana’s fate was supposed to end in a miserable death in a shabby cabin, with all the mansion’s staff replaced and manipulated by Alicia under Calypso’s support.
But things had gone off course.
Catherine was furious with her, and Calypso had grown cold.
No one was on Alicia’s side now.
She had to kill Diana. No matter what it took—on her own.
“…I can do this.”
In the still silence, Alicia murmured quietly to herself.
She gathered the contents of the package and the glass vase meant for Diana’s gift.
After preparing roses to place in the vase, she set her eyes with grim determination and headed to the kitchen.
“Oh—Doctor?”
The maids, busy preparing food, looked up in surprise.
It wasn’t yet mealtime, so only a few steamed potatoes and sweet potatoes for the maids were laid out.
The maids exchanged awkward glances and asked:
“Are you hungry? Should we prepare a snack for you?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Alicia trailed off, and the maids waited silently for her to finish.
Then she spoke again.
“I’d like to cook something for Her Grace, the Grand Duchess.”
“Pardon? You, Doctor?”
“Yes. I… made a mistake recently. May I borrow the kitchen?”
“Ah… yes, of course.”
Though they exchanged puzzled glances, the maids stepped aside.
Alicia pulled out the strange green liquid and other ingredients and began making a sauce.
Back at the estate in Jasakjeo, she had cooked as a hobby, so handling ingredients wasn’t hard for her.
She prepared a seafood dish using the sauce she made. The centerpiece was a vibrant red crab—especially eye-catching.
Looking at the finished meal, Alicia nodded with satisfaction. She then carefully poured the sauce into a small bowl.
Along with the main dish, she prepared a few side items and arranged everything neatly on a tray.
Her steps slowly took her toward Diana’s room.
Each footfall was heavy, like someone being dragged to the gallows. Her stiff expression betrayed her anxiety.
And yet, her cheeks were faintly flushed with excitement.
If this worked—if this succeeded—she would become the Grand Duchess.
That hope made her grip the tray tighter.
She soon stood at Diana’s door. Swallowing hard, she knocked.
“Your Grace, it’s Alicia.”
Inside, Diana slowly moved her eyes.
She had already been informed by the kitchen maids that Alicia had entered the kitchen to prepare something.
And she also knew that Alicia had caused a scene in Calypso’s office the day before.
It wasn’t unexpected. Calypso was a man obsessed with appearances. After being humiliated like that, it was natural he wouldn’t want to see her.
Catherine was obviously angry, so Alicia couldn’t go to her either.
Which meant… Alicia had no one to turn to in this mansion but Diana.
Whether she was here to beg for forgiveness or to turn the situation around by taking Diana out—Diana was prepared for both.
She unfolded her arms and granted permission.
“Come in.”
Alicia entered cautiously, eyeing Diana the whole time.
“Your Grace…”
As soon as she stepped inside, large tears began rolling down Alicia’s cheeks.
“You’re still upset with me, aren’t you…?”
She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief she’d brought in advance and continued:
“I only wanted what was best for Lady Catherine…”
Even as she cried so pitifully, Diana only blinked slowly and listened in silence.
Alicia interpreted the silence as a willingness to hear her out—and wept more bitterly, pouring out her frustration.
“She’s your daughter, after all. I just wanted the daughter of my dearest friend to get what she wanted…”
How cunning.
Her message was clear: Forgive me—I did it all for you, and for your daughter.
“Why won’t you say anything, Your Grace? I’m trying so hard to apologize…”
Her apology was all wrong.
Even after causing such a disaster, Alicia acted like she was still above Diana.
And now she was trying to force forgiveness? Diana almost laughed out loud.
“An apology…”
“…Pardon?”
“That’s not how you do it, Alicia.”
Diana’s uncharacteristically firm tone made Alicia visibly flustered.
She thought that after all this crying, Diana would take her hand and comfort her.
But instead, Diana was as cold as Calypso had been.
“Your apology is full of excuses.”
“I—That’s—!”
“Do you even feel sorry?”
“Of course! I felt so awful I even cooked this myself!”
Alicia quickly wiped her tears and gestured toward the tray of food.
But Diana only stared at her with an icy gaze.
“Shouldn’t you have started with ‘I’m sorry’?”
“Of course I’m sorry, Your Grace…! I was so ashamed I couldn’t even say the words.”
Trying her best to appear pitiful, Alicia made a mournful expression. But her plan wasn’t going as expected. No matter what, she had to make Diana eat the food.
Clenching her jaw, Alicia suddenly dropped to her knees.
“I truly regret what I did! I’ll never act so selfishly again. Please, forgive me!”
It was a shocking scene.
Diana blinked rapidly, stunned.
Alicia had never seen her as a true friend—just a gullible woman she could use.
In her mind, Diana had been worth less than a maid.
And now… she was kneeling?
Alicia must truly be desperate.
Well, let’s see what you’ve brought me.
Diana slowly approached and helped Alicia up by the shoulders.
“I understand your feelings now.”
“Your Grace…!”
“Don’t let it happen again. Catherine is very upset, you know.”
“…Of course. Yes, absolutely.”
Alicia, pretending her legs were asleep, exaggeratedly massaged them.
When Diana didn’t react, Alicia sheepishly pulled out one of the morning’s deliveries.
“What’s this?”
“A glass vase. I picked roses I thought Your Grace would like.”
She placed the vase and dishes on the table.
“I made this seafood dish just for you. I even made the sauce myself.”
“Oh? It looks delicious.”
It did look good. Whatever trick she’d pulled, the food appeared genuine.
“Please, try it!”
Alicia’s eyes sparkled as she offered the dish.
Diana leisurely picked up her fork.
“Let me get the crab meat for you.”
Normally, this was something a maid would do.
Yet Alicia was willingly doing it herself—something she’d never done before.
She smiled sweetly and placed the crab meat on Diana’s plate.
“Go on, try it. It’s very sweet and tender.”
“You made it, so you eat first.”
Diana smiled brightly and gestured for her to go ahead.
“Huh? No, this is for you…”
“You’ve been through a lot lately. Maybe I was too harsh. If you eat first, I’ll follow.”
Alicia hesitated but finally put a bite of the crab meat into her mouth.
“Maybe it’s the ingredients, but it’s quite delicious—even though I made it myself.”
She chewed and swallowed, then smiled confidently.
Diana tilted her head slightly but kept smiling.
Then, she picked up the second bite of crab meat Alicia had prepared—and ate it.
It tasted nutty and sweet. Nothing seemed wrong.
Was she really just here to apologize?
Diana studied Alicia suspiciously as she prepared more crab.
“Now try it with my special sauce.”
Alicia dipped a generous piece in the sauce and offered it.
Diana took it without suspicion and placed it in her mouth.
Then—
“…Ugh.”
“Y-Your Grace?!”
This can’t be happening…!
Her chest tightened. Her vision blurred.
This was impossible. Diana had anticipated this.
When she heard Alicia was in the kitchen, she had taken an antidote in advance—a strong one, capable of neutralizing most poisons.
Yet her body was reacting violently.
“Ugh… A-Alicia…!”
“Your Grace, stay with me!”
At Alicia’s cry, Belinda and Shane—who had been waiting outside—burst into the room, faces pale.
Diana collapsed to the side, unable to keep herself upright.
The faces of those looking down at her faded from view.
And in that final moment, she saw it—Alicia’s faint, satisfied smile.
“Ali…cia…”
Diana tried to hang on, but the searing pain in her chest dragged her under.
