Chapter 40: I Predicted Your Prediction
In a secluded garden within the Xiya Royal Palace, Vivian and Hilna enjoyed afternoon tea. However, the atmosphere between them was far from harmonious.
“Are you really sending me to that place? You know what Lodis’s banquets are like. You’re throwing me into a den of vipers.”
Hilna took a sip of tea and said calmly, “I’m not throwing you into danger. Those who attend his banquets are deviants. They won’t be interested in someone as pure and… underdeveloped as you. Besides, they all know you’re my person. Harming you would be suicide. And you have Kailun to protect you. He may be incompetent, but he won’t let you get hurt.”
She tried to reassure Vivian, downplaying her concerns.
To add weight to her words, she dropped a bombshell. “Did you know Lodis has hired many women for the banquet?”
“Yes, that’s normal, isn’t it?” Vivian sliced a piece of cake and shoved it into her mouth.
Hilna smiled confidently. “They’ve all been recruited by my people.”
Vivian: “？！!”
She froze, her fork hovering in midair. Her sharp mind instantly grasped the implications.
She looked up at Hilna, seeking confirmation.
“That’s right. I’ll have them make their move. As for how, I’ll let you guess.” Hilna challenged her with a smirk.
“Poison?”
Vivian’s first instinct was poison. It was the only logical option for those weak women.
With careful planning, they could easily slip it into food or drinks.
Hilna raised an eyebrow, realizing she had underestimated her sister. “Yes, poison. But not ordinary poison. I’ve given them a colorless and odorless ointment to apply to various parts of their bodies. Their lips, their chests, even… certain areas that might come into contact during intimate moments. Once they complete their mission, I’ll give them the antidote. Without it, Lodis and the others will be completely under our control.”
She didn’t mention that this was the best-case scenario. After all, Lodis had the Divine Church backing him. Even if they couldn’t fully neutralize the poison, they could delay its effects and buy themselves time.
This was a bold gamble. Success meant eliminating Lodis and his faction. Failure meant plausible deniability.
Vivian blushed. Such a shameless method of poisoning! Even those areas…
She suddenly imagined using this tactic against Kailun, picturing herself kissing him passionately, transferring the poison from her lips to his.
If she succeeded, she could use him to control the Grand Duke, turning them against Hilna.
The Duke’s family was incredibly powerful. Even Hilna might not be able to defeat them. This meant she had a chance to become Queen!
Her ambition ignited, burning like a wildfire.
She would become Queen, adorned in luxurious robes and high heels, crushing her future pet dog, Kailun, beneath her feet!
To hell with that devil! He could be her dog!
Hilna: “？？?”
She didn’t understand Vivian’s sudden excitement. She simply offered a gentle reminder. “If possible, encourage Kailun to indulge with those women. It will make our future plans much easier.”
“Yes, yes, I understand.” Vivian replied absentmindedly.
She wouldn’t let Kailun touch those vulgar women. She had her own plans for him!
…
The Loya Ballroom, the Royal City’s most infamous pleasure den.
It was a chain establishment with branches across the world, its true reach shrouded in mystery.
Today, the Loya Ballroom’s madam welcomed a special guest: Princess Hilna’s deputy.
In a small, fragrant room, the deputy, concealed beneath a long robe, placed a large bottle of ointment on the table.
“This is what you’ll need for the banquet tonight. Make the necessary arrangements.” The deputy’s voice was hoarse.
The madam, an elderly woman, accepted the black bottle and nodded. “Understood. We’ll carry out Her Highness’s instructions meticulously.”
“Good.”
The deputy, a woman of few words, glanced around and then vanished through the window.
“Princess Hilna’s people are so strange. Not only do they conceal themselves so thoroughly, but they also refuse to use the front door. Come to think of it, her voice sounded different today. Did she catch a cold?”
The madam frowned, noticing the subtle change in the deputy’s voice.
Unable to find an answer, she dismissed the thought.
The Loya Ballroom usually avoided involvement in royal affairs. However, two nights ago, she had received instructions from headquarters to closely monitor all activities in the Xiya Kingdom and to participate if necessary.
Apparently, an unforeseen event had disrupted the world’s future, and even the most skilled diviners had died trying to uncover its cause.
They had only managed to pinpoint a general location, and the Xiya Kingdom was within that area.
She had been told that someone important would be taking over her establishment soon. She wondered who it would be.
As the madam pondered, the deputy had already reached a dark alley.
Another figure, cloaked in black, lay unconscious in a corner, discarded like trash.
“Whoosh!”
The deputy shed the robe, revealing an elderly face. Anyone who knew him would recognize him as Roden, the Kate family’s butler.
“Take her to the manor’s dungeon. Keep her locked up until the young master’s plan succeeds.”
He instructed the female assistant accompanying him.
He then examined another bottle, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He had simply swapped one poison for another.
If these female assistants were taller, they would be the ones impersonating Hilna’s deputy.
…
At 7:30 PM, Kailun arrived at the palace gates in his carriage.
“My dear princess, your escort has arrived.”
He hopped out of the carriage and gallantly offered his hand to Vivian, who was dressed in a red princess gown.
“Hmm~”
Vivian took his hand, a strange feeling stirring within her.
Kailun, dressed in a black suit and a gentle smile, didn’t seem so bad.
[Vivian’s favorability towards you has increased by 10 due to your gentlemanly behavior. Current favorability: -35.]
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