Chapter 56
Family Council
The Elder Council.
Held every quarter, it was a major assembly within the Aviche family, where achievements of the past quarter and plans for the next were discussed.
Internal issues of the family were also resolved in this setting.
It was nearing the end of this quarter’s Elder Council.
“The final item on the agenda.”
Someone spoke up.
“Speak, Viscount Hoar.”
Viscount Hoar—he was a vassal planted by Berta.
“There’s one more issue I’d like to raise.”
“What is it?”
“It concerns Lady Katrina.”
Katrina Aviche.
At the mention of her name, several vassals furrowed their brows.
It was not a name they welcomed.
“I heard that she purchased illegal herbs.”
A vassal glanced at Duke Aviche, clearly hesitant, trying to subtly stop Viscount Hoar from speaking. But the man continued, undeterred.
“…Explain in detail.”
Despite the duke’s disapproval, the matter had to be formally addressed.
“On my way here today, I encountered a maid.”
Viscount Hoar began confidently.
“Bring her in.”
Soon, the maid Betty entered and made a shocking confession.
“Lady Katrina has been using dangerous herbs to concoct potions!”
Viscount Hoar shouted and laughed, as though the outcome was already guaranteed.
After all, with Damian Aviche also backing Berta, the council’s decision was as good as made.
All Berta needed was someone to present the accusation.
“If you bring it up first, I’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”
Viscount Hoar was doing his best to corner Katrina.
“To think she’s been creating such dangerous perfumes…!”
The hall stirred.
Everyone present understood the gravity of the situation.
“Moreover, there are signs she has already given the potion to someone else.”
“Viscount Hoar, are you certain?”
“I am. This issue demands thorough investigation!”
Murmurs filled the room.
Katrina Aviche—once again—was causing trouble.
Something beyond imagination might be unfolding.
“Bring Katrina in.”
Duke Aviche ordered.
Moments later, Katrina entered.
“Stand there until I speak to you.”
The duke commanded her.
Betty looked visibly nervous.
“Katrina, is there anything you wish to confess?”
“No.”
Katrina shook her head.
“Then let’s hear what this girl has to say. Speak.”
Betty trembled but finally opened her mouth.
“L-Lady Katrina asked me to procure ingredients for a potion!”
“…”
“But the merchant I spoke to said the herbs would become poisonous when combined.”
“My lord, I brought the merchant in to verify this matter.”
Viscount Hoar interjected again.
The duke turned to the maid once more.
“So, did you buy it?”
“I only followed Lady Katrina’s orders…”
“Then it must be in her room. Search it.”
A servant left the room to investigate.
Shortly after, he returned—carrying the potion and accompanied by the merchant.
“Verify it.”
The duke ordered.
The merchant inspected the bottle carefully.
“Yes, this was purchased from our shop.”
“Do you recognize this maid?”
“Yes… I do. I warned her that mixing those herbs would be dangerous.”
Everything was now clear.
The perfume Katrina had made was indeed dangerous.
“My lord, Lady Katrina must be excommunicated.”
Viscount Hoar pushed further.
“She has had issues in the past! And this incident is far from minor!”
Duke Aviche glared furiously at Katrina.
“Have you nothing to say for yourself, Katrina?”
Katrina visibly flinched.
“Answer me, Katrina Aviche!”
“I don’t understand what’s happening right now.”
“You don’t? This is not something you can dismiss so easily!”
“No, that’s not it.”
Katrina shook her head urgently.
“I never asked that maid to buy anything.”
“What?”
“I never told her to buy any potion ingredients.”
What is she saying?
Everyone in the hall was left puzzled.
“What nonsense are you spouting, Lady Katrina! What about the potion found in your room?”
Viscount Hoar shouted.
He had to push through and ensure Katrina was excommunicated.
Foolish girl.
The game was already set.
Whether she tried to reason or cry and beg, the outcome wouldn’t change.
“I don’t know why something like that was in my room…”
“Katrina Aviche! How shameless can you be!”
Even the duke could no longer hold back his fury. His voice boiled like fire.
“Please believe me, Father! I swear I never did such a thing!”
“Silence!”
Even under the duke’s scolding, Katrina pressed on.
“Father, if I had to give instructions, I’d have given them to any other servant, not her.”
“You dare babble such nonsense!”
It was over.
Viscount Hoar smirked.
Burying one young lady in a council meeting was nothing.
Even the duke wouldn’t hold back any longer.
This was not a matter to be taken lightly.
“It’s not nonsense.”
At that moment, Katrina’s black eyes settled, calm and firm.
“It’s only natural that I never give that maid any instructions.”
Katrina raised her hand and pointed at Betty.
“Because she’s a spy.”
The room erupted again.
“She’s a spy?”
“A spy? What are you talking about?”
“Lady Katrina, please explain yourself!”
The vassals shouted in disbelief.
What is she saying?
Even Betty was shocked.
How does she know that?
Her heart pounded wildly.
“No! My lady is falsely accusing me!”
She had to deny it immediately.
If her identity as a spy was exposed here, she would suffer a dreadful fate.
“Lady Katrina, what kind of joke is this?”
Viscount Hoar shouted in anger.
A sudden accusation that the maid was a spy?
Whether it was true or not didn’t matter—he had to stop the flow from turning against him and steer the topic back to Katrina’s excommunication.
“I saw the resume you submitted when you joined the Aviche household.”
Katrina calmly began to explain.
“Your hometown is listed as Vout, right?”
“…”
“Is that correct?”
“Yes, it is.”
It wasn’t.
She wasn’t born in Vout. In fact, she had never even been there.
Betty was born in the capital and raised under the sponsorship of the temple.
