Chapter 133
“That’s poison!”
Sophia cried out in alarm as Ian snatched the tea away. Seeing her brother like that, she was certain—there was no mistaking it. That thing really was poison.
“If I explain, it’ll take too long. But I was deceived by Grandmother too.”
“……”
“We need to take this to a physician right away. You and I have both been drinking it for quite some time, so immediately—”
“Poison…?”
Any ordinary person would have flung the pouch away the moment they heard that word. But Ian was far from ordinary at this point.
He hadn’t slept properly in days. His routine was destructive—standing before the grave from dawn until sunset, then drowning himself in alcohol until morning. Add to that the crushing guilt he bore toward Aisha and his loathing for himself—his mind had been driven into a corner.
Ian tore open the pouch and poured the tea into his other palm. A good amount piled up in his large hand—withered, violet-hued blossoms that glowed ominously under the light. Crumbling a few between his fingers, Ian muttered:
“So it really is poison…”
“Ian, what are you doing? What are you trying to—Ahh!”
Before Sophia could stop him, Ian lifted the tea straight from his palm to his mouth, inhaling its alluring fragrance, and swallowed.
“No! Are you insane? I told you it’s poison! What are you—? Someone! Is no one out there? Fetch a physician! Hurry!”
The bitter taste burned his tongue and throat, but only for a moment. Soon, Ian felt his vision spin and his mind blur. He staggered, clutching his head. Though Sophia’s voice screamed somewhere beyond him, the sound grew faint.
His body gave way.
Thud.
Ian collapsed heavily to the floor. Yet lying there, he looked almost peaceful—as if running away into the dark, refusing to face his sins.
…So it unravels at the very end. Then again, I knew this would never be easy.
Diane’s plan had been simple—use Sophia to make Ian drink the poisoned tea, slowly killing him. The poison clouded reason and led its victim to death. For a cunning man like Ian, it had been the perfect weapon.
“Why did you do it?”
“……”
“Tell me! Why? Why would you do such a thing?”
But her final, carefully woven scheme was on the verge of collapse. Looking at Sophia yelling at her, Diane clicked her tongue inwardly.
Still… it’s not over yet.
After all, it wasn’t Ian who had caught on, but Sophia. And Ian was already hovering between life and death. That gave Diane hope.
She swept her gaze over the weeping Sophia and then donned her mask. With a calm, sorrowful voice, she said:
“…So you’ve found out.”
“……”
“I’m sorry. I have no excuses, Sophia.”
Her easy admission left Sophia speechless. She stared at Diane, her mouth open, breath caught. Diane lowered her head slightly, even squeezing out a tear.
“But I… I had no choice.”
“……”
“…I have grandchildren in the Kingdom of Todome. Like you, they carry my blood.”
Arthur’s words had already shaken Sophia, but this confession stunned her even further. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
“They are different from you. Their father was Cliff—your father’s half-brother.”
Reading the confusion on Sophia’s face, Diane softened her tone into something pitiful, weaving truths and lies together.
“Since your grandfather and I parted ways, I met someone else. He was my true love, but society never accepted us. Our child, and then his children, were born without name or status. Imagine—though I am of royal blood, my son and my grandchildren were not even considered nobility.”
“……”
“They had nothing—no wealth, no title. Do you know what that means in this cruel world? You cannot possibly understand.”
“……”
“When my son lived, it was bearable—he was clever enough to earn work in the royal palace. But when he died young, my grandchildren’s lives turned unbearable. I wanted to help, but with no land or wealth from your grandfather, I was just a powerless old woman in Todome. I couldn’t even place a single coin in their hands.”
“……”
“So I had to do something. Before I die, I had to leave something for those poor children who would otherwise starve.”
“……”
“It was then that I heard of you two—living so comfortably, so richly. At first, I was furious. The same blood as mine, yet so different in fate…”
“……”
“To be honest, Sophia, the grandchildren I raised for over ten years were more precious to me. That is why I approached you and Ian—with a purpose.”
That “purpose” was nothing less than murder and theft, though she cloaked it in gentler words.
Sophia trembled with betrayal, glaring at her. Diane pressed on quickly:
“But Sophia… it’s different now. You changed my heart. Unlike Ian, you were kind to me. You treated me so well. You were such a good child. I couldn’t bear to harm you.”
“……”
“You’ll see for yourself when the physician examines you—you aren’t nearly poisoned like Ian is. Because I gave you the antidote.”
That much was true. Diane had slipped Sophia the antidote. But her reason was twisted. She had intended for Ian to die quietly, leaving Sophia—the sole surviving Lloyd heir—grieving and vulnerable. Then Diane would use her to siphon off the estate. Naïve and desperate for affection, Sophia had been easy prey.
“Sophia, I was honest with you. I truly love you. At first, it was a lie, but now… I love you as much as I love my kingdom’s children. As your grandmother, I only wish to give you everything. Please, believe me.”
And indeed, Sophia’s shoulders flinched at the word love. Diane noticed it clearly. Rising from her seat, she went to Sophia, taking her hand and rubbing it tenderly.
“Ian… after what he’s taken, there’s no hope for him.”
“……”
“When he dies, and you expose me, you’ll be utterly alone. No family left. Such a lonely life…”
“……”
“I’ll stay by your side, begging forgiveness forever.”
“……”
“Besides, Ian never cared for you. You know this better than anyone. He’s cold, without a shred of familial affection. But I am different. I cherish you. I love you. And I always will.”
“……”
“So, Sophia, my dear child… listen to me…”
Tears welled in Sophia’s eyes, and Diane smiled inwardly. As expected. Foolish girl. To fall so easily for words like these.
But Sophia suddenly lashed her arm aside, voice sharp.
“I’m not a fool!”
Her heart was breaking. Yes, she had begged her grandmother for love. Yes, she had basked in the affection Diane offered. But she wasn’t blind—she had eyes, and she could think.
“How stupid do you think I am?!”
She wasn’t some five-year-old child. How could she trust the words of someone who had tried to kill her? Diane’s syrupy lies sickened her. Worse, the fact that her grandmother thought she’d fall for them cut her deeply.
“You will pay for your crimes. And as for your pathetic commoner grandchildren—they’ll die miserably in this kingdom. Pitiful? No, they’ll get exactly what they deserve.”
“You—!”
Diane’s eyes bulged in rage. Sophia’s scorn toward her grandchildren struck her most sensitive wound—that royal blood of hers could be reduced to commoners.
“Wretched girl! How dare you!”
“……”
“Do not insult them! They are not children you can speak of that way!”
“……”
“They are far nobler and more precious than you or Ian—descendants of your grandfather’s blood! It’s only misfortune… no, it’s because your grandfather and father stole from me, passing everything to you, that my grandchildren suffer so!”
“……”
“They deserve to live far wealthier than you! Everything you enjoy now was meant to be theirs!”
So… there really was never any love for me at all.
The louder Diane shouted, the clearer it became. All her love had been a lie. Sophia tried to keep her face steady, but inside, a terrible loneliness clawed at her. One name surfaced in her mind.
Arthur… I want to see you.
Her brother was dying from poison. Her grandmother’s love was false. In that moment, the only person she longed for was Arthur. But after what happened days ago, would he even face her?
Sophia clenched her trembling hands and forced back her tears. Then she spoke coldly:
“Do whatever you want. But don’t try any tricks. Because one of those precious grandchildren of yours… is right here, isn’t she? Disguised as my maid. How admirable of you.”
