~Chapter 12~
This time, Dane received the sisters at a tea table set up in the garden, rather than the reception room. Nina’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the beautiful teacups, scones, and cookies arranged on the table.
“It is an honor to meet you, Young Duke!” Nina curtsied like a lady as she spoke to Dane, then glanced quickly at Camilla. Camilla chuckled and nodded, assuring her that she had performed well.
Camilla thought of the Baroness. The Baroness had been overjoyed when she heard Dane had requested Nina’s presence as well.
“Excellent! I will dismiss Madam Milliam and entrust Nina’s instruction to you for the time being.”
The grip the Baroness had on Camilla’s shoulder at the time was so strong that Camilla had to suppress a cry of pain.
You must do your absolute best to ensure Nina makes a favorable impression on the Young Duke! Do you understand?!
‘No special effort seems required,’ Camilla mused.
“Yes, welcome.“
In stark contrast to his boorish behavior toward Camilla, Dane was genuinely kind to Nina. Was this indeed the heroine’s effect from the original story?
“Oh! The scones are absolutely delicious!“
Nina’s excitement was evident as she bounced her feet; regardless of her slightly clumsy etiquette, she was simply adorable. Camilla took a handkerchief and gently wiped away the scone crumbs from Nina’s mouth. In the original story, even though she claimed she would remain quiet, he gradually became enamored with Nina’s vivacious nature. Although the original encounter happened later in their youth, Nina’s charm was certainly consistent.
“The garden is far more beautiful than the one at our house!“
“Indeed. Feel free to explore it up close.“
“Really?! Then I’ll go take a look around!“
True to form, Dane remained courteous to the lively Nina. Nina leaped up and fluttered away toward the flowerbeds. Dane watched her retreating figure.
He was so prickly with me, but it seems he is already utterly captivated by the charm of Nina, the original heroine.
In that case, modifying her strategy would be best. Instead of trying to forge a direct relationship, she would foster the connection between Nina and Dane, thereby securing her own favorable standing. Then he will be amicable toward me as well. After all, her goal was merely to become friendly enough to assist with his cure and receive aid for her eventual escape.
When they were left alone at the table, Dane fixed his gaze on Camilla.
“Your sister truly bears no resemblance to you.“
“…That is because Nina is endearing.”
“What?“
And she, herself, was decidedly not endearing. Camilla scoffed internally. I was too rash; after all, establishing a close relationship requires appealing to someone’s heart.
So, her course of action now was clear.
“Though she is still young, if you keep Nina by your side, Young Duke, you will not regret it. She is a very gentle child.“
She was subtly appealing to him, suggesting Nina would make a suitable companion. Yet, Dane wore a look of distinct displeasure.
“…Is that all you have to say?“
Camilla was puzzled. Dane was scowling now and rising to his feet.
“Young Duke, I knew a flower too! A forget-me-not!“
“You may take it if you wish.“
“Truly?!“
Dane waved his hand dismissively toward Nina, then began to glare at Camilla. What is this? For some reason, he had suddenly become less engaging with Nina, too.
“I asked if that was the full extent of your conversation.“
“…Yes, it is.“
Dane frowned and then declared curtly, “Our meeting ends here today.“
The encounter was excessively brief. And as she was leaving, the prickling sensation of Dane’s gaze on the back of her head made Camilla realize something had gone terribly wrong.
Despite the apparent failure to establish a connection, Dane invited Camilla and Nina back to the estate the following day, and the day after that. They were not formally made playmates, but they were the only noble peers Dane consistently summoned. The Baroness even began to excitedly anticipate that Nina might be Dane’s dance partner at the upcoming ball.
She then cast a chilling sidelong glance at Camilla and whispered, “Why does he keep summoning you?“
Indeed, why?
Perhaps it was a small mercy. Dane always invited Camilla and Nina together. They mostly enjoyed tea time in the garden, and he remained kind to Nina. Once, Nina accidentally dropped a flower petal into his tea; instead of expressing displeasure over the breach of etiquette, he called it pretty and sipped his tea. Afterward, he would carefully watch Camilla, as if gauging her reaction.
Nina did well to find the edible flower I told her about.
Camilla was focused on this thought until she noticed Dane’s expression distorting, prompting her to cautiously observe him. Dane’s attitude remained peculiar. While he only showed kindness to Nina, it was Camilla’s expression he constantly scrutinized. The moment Camilla praised Nina or subtly suggested he make Nina his companion, the tea party would abruptly conclude.
After several days of this pattern, Dane finally whispered,
“…It is enough. Neither you nor your sister need to visit the estate again.”
“Young Duke?”
Nina was playing, picking flowers near the Dahlia flowerbed, leaving Camilla to face Dane alone.
“Your habit of always keeping a step back from your younger sister suggests that my companionship is not something you genuinely desire.”
What? Had he been testing her all this time? Was it not that he was merely drawn to Nina’s youthful spirit? Did he, perhaps, want me to show some jealousy toward Nina, or constantly seek his approval?
If so, Camilla had been making a tremendous blunder.
“Look at this! The Young Duke said I could pick them, so I brought them!”
At that moment, Nina approached, her skirt filled with small white flowers.
“This is the flower Sister said was wonderful for making flower tea!”
Camilla’s heart plummeted.
Tiny, white, bell-shaped flowers. Wait. Those are not the ones I mentioned. She had spoken of the Rudinham, a similar-looking but non-toxic flower.
However, the flowers Nina had gathered were Lily of the Valley. The sap of the Lily of the Valley, even in small amounts, was highly poisonous. Furthermore, when steeped in hot water, the toxin would disperse completely in a matter of seconds.
Nina smiled brightly and scattered the petals over the tea in both Dane’s and Camilla’s cups. Dane watched Nina, then silently raised his cup to drink. The petals softly spread across the surface of the tea.
“Your Highness, wait a moment!”
Camilla swiftly seized the Young Duke’s wrist as he was about to drink from the teacup.
Clatter!
“Sister?!”
“Ugh!”
The teacup slipped from Dane’s grasp and spilled entirely over Camilla’s hand. As the tea, now mixed with the Lily of the Valley sap, touched the skin on her hand, red blisters immediately began to form. A small rash, accompanied by a sharp stinging pain. This was not merely a scald from the hot water but a reaction to the toxin from the flowers.
“You!” Dane’s eyes widened.
Camilla’s mind raced, threatening to burst. If this is handled poorly, it could be construed as an attempted assassination of the Young Duke. Though it was an accident caused by young Nina’s mistake, the world would not judge it so simply. Not only was Nina in danger, but the very existence of their family was at risk.
Camilla immediately dropped to her knees.
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
“S-Sister?”
Dane had already declared the meeting over. An incident like this would not be viewed favorably.
“Nina, those are Lily of the Valley. I told you to be careful because they resemble Rudinham but are poisonous.”
“Oh, right!”
The red spots were spreading. Camilla clenched her teeth and spoke.
“I am responsible for misidentifying a similar-looking flower. I beg your forgiveness…”
“Tsk!”
Dane took out a handkerchief and approached Camilla, gently wiping the tea from her hand.
“Relax your body.”
“…?!”
Camilla felt her body abruptly lift. Startled by the way he had effortlessly scooped her up, her eyes were wide.
“How much do you care for your sister?!”
For some reason, Dane seemed angry. He looked at her as if she had committed an act of utter foolishness. Dane immediately ran toward the mansion.
“I showed favor to your sister, wondering if you were sincere about staying by my side, and you showed no reaction whatsoever!”
Ah, so that was truly the reason. Although her hand was throbbing, Camilla was filled with a strange sensation.
“Summon the physician!”
Servants scurried to follow his command, and a bespectacled man arrived running. The physician nodded knowingly at Dane’s gesture and immediately examined Camilla’s hand.
“Ugh…!” Camilla winced at the sharp pain.
The physician clucked his tongue and retrieved medicine. “Tsk, tsk, this will be over soon, my Lady. You may cry if it hurts.”
“No, I am fine.”
Cry? This was not a situation for tears. Moreover, she could not afford to look weak in the Young Duke’s residence, the man whose alliance she needed.
At that moment, the Young Duke’s hand covered her eyes.
“Tsk, just close your eyes. Either cry as the doctor suggests, or perhaps just sleep, like you did before.”
‘As if I could sleep,’ Camilla thought.
