Chapter 85
The Bait (2)
‘Same kind.’
Just a gaze full of curiosity.
Eyes trembling with excitement.
Her lips curled slightly, as if expecting something more.
Zenoir grinned and spoke.
“Wanna join me?”
“For what?”
“An experiment.”
“Wow—sounds really interesting. But… is that okay? You know, you’re from a noble family. Your parents would freak out if they found out.”
“This is the Sestain Grand Ducal House. Every step here is likely to have a hidden magical trap. If you die outside the party hall, no one’s responsible. And that includes you too.”
“Hmm, kind of scary…”
“Heh heh. Saying that with a smile like that—who’d believe you? So, what will it be? Are you in or not?”
Zenoir then shook the girl’s arm he was holding.
“So, what exactly are you experimenting on?”
“A poison I just developed.”
“Hmm? Poison? You’re studying poisons, not magic?”
“…Yeah.”
Camilla, sensing his sudden gloom, pretended not to notice and asked,
“And what’s the name of this poison?”
Zenoir’s expression brightened slightly, as if pleased that she was interested in his creation.
“It’s called Blessing of Ecstasy. It makes the victim sink into the illusion of their deepest desire until they breathe their last. Want me to give you some too?”
“Uh… this?”
Camilla tilted her head, staring at the dark-red poison Zenoir handed her.
“I don’t really have a use for it.”
“If you start using it gradually now, you’ll build immunity. Promise to keep my secret, and I’ll give it to you as a special gift.”
“Really? Great!”
Camilla smiled brightly as she took it. Her smile, however, twisted in a strangely chilling way for someone her age.
“Thanks for the gift. My name is Camilla Lu Eragost. And you are?”
“I’m Zenoir Rune Sestain, heir to the Sestain Grand Ducal House.”
Shaking off her previous thoughts, Camilla gently lifted the corners of her mouth.
“So, did you bring the ‘Blessing of Ecstasy’ I asked for?”
“I wanted to—but…”
Zenoir brushed his dry lips and spoke.
“I’m not quite ready. You know? The ingredients aren’t just ‘that.’”
“Hah. I thought you’d say that.”
The ‘that’ Zenoir mentioned referred to the poisonous herb that was the main ingredient for the Blessing of Ecstasy. It looked like a dark-red flower, but technically, it was a magical herb created by his own hands.
And to complete the Blessing of Ecstasy, rare herbs were also required.
“Do you need anything else?”
“Not for now.”
“Huh?”
Camilla looked at him, puzzled. Zenoir chuckled, then suddenly his eyes hardened.
“There’s something I need to do first. I’ll save your help for later.”
“Are you sure that’s okay?”
“If you help me, I might give you a little token of gratitude.”
Camilla frowned slightly.
“So, you want me to help if I need the Blessing of Ecstasy?”
“You just need to give me updates about that guy from time to time. As a friend.”
“Hah. You’re really amusing, Zeno. And lucky too.”
Zenoir’s tone sank unpleasantly at her words.
“Lucky? What do you mean by that?”
“Something quite amusing happened recently. The reclusive Grand Duke of Sestain suddenly showed up at a party he wasn’t even invited to.”
“That bastard showed up at a party?”
“Heh heh. Yeah. My party.”
Camilla’s gentle smile twisted in a chilling way.
Watching that, Zenoir smirked and offered her a drink.
“I’m curious about that. Care to tell me more, Camilla?”
‘Astor not only circled her like a predator, but even threatened her not to be tormented.’
Zenoir snorted dismissively. That guy… how could he dare give his heart to someone?
Astor was a reptilian, heartless being. If he circled a woman, it was for his own gain, not out of any desire to protect her, as Camilla had suggested.
“We’ve arrived.”
Shaking off his thoughts, Zenoir adjusted his posture at the coachman’s words. The person he was about to meet was not someone to meet lightly.
The carriage door opened, and a butler greeted him.
“Long time no see, Your Grace of Sestain. The Count is waiting.”
“Good to see you. Lead the way.”
Following the butler, Zenoir was guided to a glass garden deep within the Eragost estate, where he soon came face to face with the Count.
“Two years, huh, Grand Duke.”
“How have you been, Count Eragost?”
“I heard you met my daughter earlier today. I hope you didn’t upset her with any unnecessary words.”
“Don’t worry about Camilla. She hasn’t gotten what she truly wants yet.”
Zenoir smirked and pulled out the Blessing of Ecstasy from his pocket, placing it before Count Eragost.
“This rightfully belongs to you, Count. Giving it to her is, after all, your decision.”
The Count nodded slowly at the black glass vial on the table.
“More importantly—I’d like to check if my flowers are doing well.”
“As you wish.”
With the Count’s permission, Zenoir began examining the dark-red magical flowers filling the glass garden.
Magical herbs soaked in blood, blooming dark-red.
The poisonous plants Camilla held 14 years ago had flourished, spreading as if the Sestain estate’s garden had been transplanted here.
“The humidity seems a bit low,” Zenoir said, seated across from Count Eragost, who nodded again.
“I’ll handle it.”
“Also, I’d like the supply of poisonous herbs to the temple reduced for now.”
The Count, gazing into Zenoir’s eyes, glanced at the black vial and answered,
“You’re certain?”
“Well, if I don’t act now, it’ll be difficult to reclaim the lost position later.”
“I see. What do you need me to do?”
For a moment, Zenoir almost blurted out his wish, but he swallowed it and kept a composed expression.
“Just continue as you are.”
He stared at the magical flowers, conveying that he wanted a fair, controlled relationship: providing the herbs, partnering with Count Eragost to profit from the temple, and nothing more.
“Anything beyond that is pointless. The moment I reveal more, the Count would discard me.”
Zenoir still didn’t know why the Count allied with him.
“No need to know either.”
Holding each other’s weaknesses in check made further explanation unnecessary.
Zenoir stood and said,
“Count, may I have a ring? I’d like to test the magical devices in the glass garden.”
“Certainly.”
The Count handed him a black ring crafted by the late Grand Duke Heinrich Sestain, an artifact activating the protective wards of the glass garden.
Zenoir added a few functions to it.
“Leave it to me, Count.”
Grinning, he headed toward the entrance of the glass garden.
A few days after Zenoir’s visit, another guest arrived for Camilla.
“Miss Camilla, I-I beg you, please forgive me just this once! I’ll never speak to Sir Noel again!”
Eileen prostrated herself on the floor, trembling.
Camilla leisurely lifted her teacup and looked down at her.
She had been wondering how to handle the culprit who had offended her, and here, perfectly timed, a bait fell right into her hands.
Her elegant fingers traced Eileen’s delicate chin.
“Anyone can say that, Miss England.”
“I-I mean it. Please believe me. Tell me what I must do to earn your trust. I’ll do anything you ask, I swear! I-I can do it!”
“Hmm, really?”
Taking a sip of tea, Camilla’s smile deepened.
“Y-Yes, yes. I’ll do anything. I will.”
Eileen buried her head and shivered uncontrollably.
Months ago, to prepare for the upcoming New Year’s ball, she had hosted a party at her family’s estate—a common event for daughters of noble families.
A routine party, as natural as drinking water after waking up.
But the famous Noel appeared at her party—the same who barely showed at the New Year’s ball and vanished. Here he was, at the England estate.
Greed overtook her. Wanting to keep him nearby a little longer, she chased him blindly.
Yet, her intentions were harmless. To Eileen, Noel was merely an object of admiration. She had no desire to take him from Camilla.
But somehow, she was misunderstood, and Eileen was practically banished from society.
Not only was she barred from parties, but even when invited, she endured endless humiliation.
Tripping in her dress was routine. She was shoved intentionally, had food thrown at her—every indignity imaginable.
Worse than all that, she was shunned by her friends due to cruel rumors too vile to speak of.
Eventually, she couldn’t even leave her house.
Then, she received a shocking ultimatum from her father.
