Before long, the sound of the horn echoed once again, long and loud.
Starting with the Emperor, the horses carrying royalty and nobility simultaneously charged toward the Mona Forest.
Soon, the sound of galloping hooves faded, and in front of the annex’s central tent, only noblewomen, their attendants, and a few knights remained to guard them.
Empress Victoria slowly stood up and spoke while looking around.
“While the barbaric men immerse themselves in hunting, we ladies shall gracefully nurture our friendships. My ladies-in-waiting have prepared confections as sweet as an angel’s song and the finest black tea to whet your appetite.”
At the table the Empress pointed to, teacups, teapots, and beautifully sweet pastries—brought by the palace maids—were already neatly arranged.
The noblewomen stood with elegant postures, each picking up her share of tea and sweets, then moved toward acquaintances. Soon, natural groups began to form.
Daniela rose slowly. As expected, no one approached her first.
Given Daniela’s notorious reputation before possession—and the less-than-favorable rumors surrounding her husband Ashid—this was hardly surprising.
‘Well, I can just chat with Mela.’
Thinking that, she approached the table. The moment she picked up a teacup, a young noble lady who had been stealing glances at her suddenly spoke up.
“Um… Duchess Alverick. I’m sorry, but may I ask you something?”
“Yes? What is it?”
“The hairpin you gifted Her Highness the Princess—may I ask which merchant house you ordered it from? We commissioned a similar one from our family’s exclusive craftsman, but the result was disappointing…”
At that, other noble ladies who had been eavesdropping eagerly joined in.
“Oh, I’m curious too!”
“Please tell us, Duchess!”
A brief moment of surprise flashed across Daniela’s face, then her expression brightened. Trying not to look too pleased, she composed herself and answered.
“I ordered it from the ‘Baroness Jane Purple’ trading company.”
“Oh my, I’ve never heard of that name before.”
“Where should we send our orders? Do you know the merchant house’s address?”
The noble ladies’ eyes sparkled with excitement at the prospect of obtaining the sought-after accessory. It looked like they’d be placing orders as soon as the party ended.
As the secretly-true Baroness Jane Purple and owner of the trading company, Daniela kindly answered their questions one by one.
Soon, even other ladies who had been having separate conversations began to gather around with interest. Naturally, Daniela found herself engaged in continuous conversation while sipping tea.
“Oh dear, the Duchess’s cup is empty.”
One noble lady pointed to Daniela’s now-empty teacup.
“Indeed. Seems like you need more tea,” another agreed.
Parched from the extended conversation and slightly tired, Daniela replied without hesitation. A young maid quickly rushed to her side.
“D-Duchess! I’ll pour for you!”
Assigned to assist Daniela today, the maid was so small that her head barely reached Daniela’s waist.
As a former Korean who grew up in a culture where adults instinctively looked after children, Daniela smiled and shook her head.
“It’s okay. I can pour it myself.”
“N-No, please let me! I’ll get scolded by the head maid if I don’t!”
“…Is that so? Then go ahead.”
Faced with the girl’s insistence, Daniela reluctantly stepped aside. The young maid, trembling slightly, reached for the teapot on the table. But it was too heavy—she lost her grip, and the pot toppled to the ground, spilling its contents.
Tea splashed onto both the maid’s and Daniela’s dress hems, staining them with dirt.
The young maid looked as if she were about to burst into tears as she apologized frantically.
“I-I’m so sorry! I’ll bring a new teapot right away!”
Before Daniela could even ask if she was okay, the maid dashed off and quickly returned with a fresh teapot from another table. Her hands still trembling, she began pouring tea into Daniela’s cup.
Daniela helped support the pot and asked gently,
“Are you alright? That tea looked hot earlier—it splashed on your leg, didn’t it? Are you hurt?”
“I-I’m fine, Duchess… P-Please try it.”
The girl replied bashfully. Daniela smiled warmly and took a sip of the newly poured tea. Whether it had special sugar or not, the tea was delightfully sweet and fragrant.
Having emptied her cup again before she realized it, Daniela turned to the maid.
“Thank you. That was—”
At that very moment, Daniela felt as if her heart dropped.
Her mind went blank, and her vision blurred.
She couldn’t think, couldn’t feel anything. It was like falling into a deep sleep while still standing.
‘What’s happening? Why is my body like this?’
She had no idea what was going on or why—but one thing was clear: something was very wrong.
As Daniela reeled in confusion—
[That little brat is the one who did this to you.]
A strange voice rang inside her head. Clear and sharp, it spoke with commanding force:
[So yell at that brat! Just like you always did—insult her, corner her! Then slap her!]
[Punish that wretched girl who did this to you with your own hand!]
‘Ah, I see. It was her… she did this to me.’
Daniela nodded internally, wholly accepting the voice. Her expression blank, she muttered sharply,
“What do you think you’re doing? How dare you serve me tea like this?”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“Sorry? That’s it?”
Daniela’s face twisted in anger. She raised her hand high—about to slap the young maid.
‘No!’
Suddenly, another voice shouted inside her head. It was Daniela’s own voice—yelling at herself.
‘Don’t hit her! She didn’t do anything wrong!’
[Wrong! She did! Don’t you remember? She spilled tea on you, and now she gave you something suspicious to drink!]
‘Even if that’s true, it’s no reason to strike a child!’
[Silence! Hit her now! Strike her with that hand!]
‘No! Stop!’
[Hit her!]
‘I said no!’
Two voices screamed at each other endlessly. A splitting headache tore through Daniela’s skull. Her breathing became ragged. All eyes were now on her. Daniela’s raised hand trembled.
Mela ran to her, shouting,
“Madam!”
And then—
Daniela’s raised hand slapped her own cheek.
“…!”
The sharp sound was like flesh tearing. Gasps erupted from the watching crowd. Daniela’s right cheek reddened and swelled rapidly.
Still dazed, she muttered to herself,
“What… was that…?”
‘It feels like someone is controlling my body.’
But who?
Just as clarity began to return to her eyes, the unfamiliar voice came again.
[Damn it! Stubborn wench! How dare you defy me?]
[There’s no choice now. Go to the Mona Forest. Hurry!]
[Reflect on your shameful behavior—go dwell on your disgrace in solitude!]
Hearing that, Daniela’s face turned crimson. A powerful wave of shame and humiliation engulfed her.
Covering her face with both hands, she fled from the tent.
And just as the voice commanded—she ran straight toward the Mona Forest.
Toward the trap prepared for her.
“Madam!”
Mela rushed out of the tent, pale as a ghost, chasing after Daniela.
But Daniela ran too fast—Mela couldn’t catch up. Her breath caught in her throat, and tears welled in her eyes.
“What’s going on?!”
At that moment, Wellard appeared, running toward her with the other maids. He had been guarding the tent with the other knights but rushed over upon hearing the report.
Mela grabbed his arm and sobbed,
“Please… follow Madam… Please…!”
“Where did the Duchess go?”
“…That way! Toward the forest!
