SWMD 85

Chapter 85

“Poisoned Tea”

A few days passed since Alicia stole the mining license and the diamonds.

Since then, rumors spread among the mansion staff that Alicia had stolen from her master, and she became completely isolated.

No one tried to talk to her.

They were afraid that speaking with Alicia might bring suspicion on themselves.

Even the maids who used to serve her food now looked at her with disgust because of her theft.

With cold, hostile expressions, they delivered her food that clearly lacked any care or effort.

Today was the same. A watery soup with no real ingredients, a wilted salad made from mushy vegetables, a cold, tough steak, and mashed potatoes with a hardened crust.

Alicia lifted a spoonful of soup. It was so watery it just slipped off the spoon.

Irritated, she slammed the spoon down.

“How dare they serve this to someone who will soon become the duchess!”

Her eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. Suddenly, she felt nauseated.

“Ugh!”

She covered her mouth. The awful reality of her situation made her feel like vomiting.

Then someone knocked on her door.

“Who is it?”

“…You have a package.”

A maid came in and handed her a small package. Her expression clearly showed that she didn’t want to even deliver Alicia’s belongings.

Alicia snatched it from the maid.

“I got it. Leave.”

Once the maid left, Alicia hurriedly opened the package.

Finally—it had arrived. She looked at the small, bead-like object with satisfaction.

Then, she turned her eyes toward the potion she had prepared days ago.

“Today… I’ll begin.”

Her eyes glowed blood red.

She gave up eating and began digging through her herb cabinet. It didn’t only hold herbs—it also contained various types of tea leaves.

She laid out clean paper and blended the tea leaves that Calypso liked.

After enhancing the scent, she gently swept the leaves into a small glass jar.

“Done.”

She placed a teapot, cups, and the jar of tea leaves on a tray. Then she carefully coated the rim of one teacup with her potion.

“When his lips touch this cup, the potion will enter his body.”

Her lips curled into a cruel smile.

Tray in hand, she headed to Calypso’s office. On the way, she whispered something to a maid she passed in the hallway.

The maid didn’t want to follow her orders—but in the end, Alicia was a noble and she was just a servant.

The maid reluctantly headed to Diana’s room as instructed.

“Once I become Duchess, I’ll cut off their heads first.”

Alicia watched the maid’s back with a hardened face and gritted her teeth. Then she headed upstairs.

Her eyes darted around to make sure no one was watching.

Once she confirmed the hallway was empty, she entered a room and hid the bead from earlier in a secret spot.

She took a deep breath and returned to the first floor, walking to Calypso’s office.

At the door, she knocked lightly. Without waiting for a response, she entered.

Calypso looked up, annoyed at the sound. When he saw it was her, his face darkened.

He didn’t even want to speak to her. He still hadn’t decided what punishment she deserved.

He ignored her completely and returned his focus to the papers.

His new business had started, and every minute counted.

He had handed the diamonds to Duke Friedrich—recommended by Diana for his rich southern lands. In return, the duke had happily lent him a large plot of fertile land.

He had already hired commoners to plant the bulbs, and once he presented the laurel vendor’s effects to the academic society and started taking pre-orders, it would be done.

He’d soon be rolling in money.

Still ignoring Alicia, he smiled to himself, thinking of all the gold he’d earn.

But Alicia didn’t give up easily.

She set the tray on the table and began preparing tea.

Calypso raised an eyebrow in disgust.

“What do you think you’re doing? Get out.”

He scowled at her coldly. But Alicia only poured the tea as if she hadn’t heard.

She handed him the cup—the one laced with the potion.

“I came because I have something to say.”

“If this is more nonsense—”

“It’s about money.”

“Money?”

At the word, Calypso’s expression completely changed.

Just as she expected. Money was his favorite topic.

“I was too rash last time,”

She said, eyes still fixed on the steaming tea.

“I thought Diana knew everything and acted to protect Catherine. I meant no harm.”

Calypso hooked a finger around the teacup handle.

“Just get to the money.”

Alicia’s eyes sparkled.

He raised the cup to his lips. As they touched the rim, Alicia smiled cruelly.

“Before my father passed away, he left me a small piece of land.”

“Land?”

His eyes gleamed. Any land could help expand his business.

“Yes. If it could help, I’ll give it to you.”

“How big is it?”

“About 98 marks…”

“Hah, are you joking?”

It was a pitiful size. He laughed in her face.

“You think that would help? Don’t make me laugh.”

Alicia didn’t expect him to be satisfied, but it still hurt.

“Still, I just wanted to help…”

“Why not plant flowers on it or something?”

He sneered, but Alicia stayed silent. He had already drunk from the teacup. Her plan’s first step was done.

“…Fine.”

She turned to leave, then paused and casually added,

“Oh, on the way here, I ran into Diana.”

Calypso didn’t even look up.

Alicia kept talking.

“She asked if you could meet her in the small room on the second floor.”

“Second floor?”

He looked at her, puzzled. That room was only used for guests and barely had any furniture.

Why that room?

As he hesitated, Alicia quickly added:

“She said it’s about the Marquis. Anyway, I’ll go now.”

She left the office.

If everything went as planned, Calypso would believe her.

She returned to her room, her steps light and confident.

* * *

“Why that room?”

“She just asked me to pass along the message.”

“Alright.”

What is she planning now?

Diana tilted her head suspiciously as she stood.

As Calypso and Alicia’s relationship crumbled, she had deliberately leaked hints that she knew about their affair.

She made sure she looked like the one helping Calypso, while Alicia looked untrustworthy.

And just as she hoped, Alicia, cornered, had stolen the mining rights and diamonds.

Of course that destroyed their relationship.

But now, Alicia had sent her a message, asking to meet in the small room on the second floor.

Why that room? Not her room, not Diana’s—why there?

It might be another trap.

Still, Diana wasn’t afraid. She now had enough power to crush Alicia.

She slowly made her way to the second floor, where maids bustled back and forth.

She sat in the room and waited for Alicia to arrive.

After a short while, the door creaked open.

But it wasn’t Alicia.

“Calypso? Why are you here…?”

She asked, confused.

But Calypso looked even more baffled.

“I was told you wanted to meet me.”

“Me? Who said that?”

“…Alicia.”

None of this made sense. Why had Alicia arranged this meeting in an empty room?

Calypso shook his head. Another one of her strange tricks.

“I’m sorry, but…”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think Alicia can stay in this mansion any longer.”

She had gone too far. Even though they had Catherine, that relationship wasn’t strong either.

“…But she’s my friend.”

Diana fluttered her lashes and pretended to take Alicia’s side.

She couldn’t let her be thrown out yet. There was still a punishment waiting.

“She stole from me and now pulls tricks like this. I can’t take it.”

“Please, for my sake. I have a plan.”

“…Fine. But don’t make me wait too long. Let’s go—”

Calypso turned to the door.

But it was locked tight from the outside.

“…What?”

“The door…”

Diana stood and walked over. She tried opening it.

It really wouldn’t budge.

Why would someone do this?

She banged on the door.

“Open up!”

There were people in the hallway. They could hear her knocking and shouting.

But even though she heard footsteps… no one opened the door.

“What is this…?”

She stopped knocking and turned to Calypso.

And then, her eyes widened in shock.

“Calypso…?”

His lips were red, and his breathing sounded strange.

“Haah…”

“As if I had taken an aphrodisiac, even if just a mild one.”