The garden pavilion was painfully peaceful.
Roses bloomed in scandalous reds and bashful pinks, trellises heavy with ivy shaded the gleaming marble table set for tea. Silver spoons, porcelain cups. Poisoned pastries, if memory served.
And seated at the center of it all, in a dress too sweet for her sour soul, was her.
"Lady Arabelle Whitmore," Seraphina purred, stepping into the sunlight like a curse. "How lovely to see you alive."
Arabelle jolted. She had not yet mastered her faux-innocent gasp, so it came out like a hiccup. "S-Seraphina? I—I did not expect you to join us today."
"Oh, I insist. I would not miss it."
[Subquest Triggered: Stop the Poisoned Tea Incident]
[Time Limit: 30 minutes. Reward: Memory Fragment + Reputation Shift]
Arabelle stood, clasping her hands like some tragic little angel. "I was just telling the Countess how much you have matured lately. You seem... different."
Seraphina smiled. "Execution tends to change a girl."
"What?"
"I said education. I have been reading more."
She smiled and took her seat slowly, ignoring the Countess of Lynden's curious gaze. Three years from now, this woman would fall unconscious mid-sip, her tea laced with belladonna. Arabelle would scream, Seraphina would be blamed, and the slow descent into ruin would begin.
Not today.
Today, Seraphina played a different game.
"You simply must try the strawberry tarts," Arabelle chirped, gesturing to the delicate tray. "They are fresh from Bellmont Patisserie. I had them specially ordered."
[Warning: Tarts laced with slow-release toxin. Harmless to Arabelle. Fatal to the Countess.]
[Option 1: Cause a scene.]
[Option 2: Subtle switch.]
[Option 3: Use system skill — Intuition Boost Lv.1]
"I am allergic," Seraphina lied smoothly, dabbing her lips with a napkin. "But I know how much you love sweets, Arabelle. Why don't you take the first bite?"
Arabelle hesitated. Too long. Her mask cracked for half a second before she laughed.
"Oh, I had one earlier!" She lied. "I'm quite full."
"Really?" Seraphina's tone was like honey left too long in the sun. "Then allow me."
Before Arabelle could stop her, Seraphina reached for the plate and lifted a tart.
The Countess leaned in. "It smells lovely, doesn't it?"
Seraphina held the pastry up, watching Arabelle squirm. "Actually," she said, standing, "I believe there's been a mistake."
She turned—and dropped the tart onto the stone floor with dramatic flair.
Gasps echoed. The Countess blinked. Arabelle got paled.
"Oh dear," Seraphina said, clutching her throat. "I thought I smelled—belladonna."
[System scan activated: Toxin confirmed. Source: Left tier of pastries. Plate handled by Arabelle Whitmore.]
"W-what are you implying?" Arabelle said sharply, standing too fast. "That I—?"
"I imply nothing." Seraphina smiled at the shocked Countess. "But perhaps... your food taster might weigh in?"
The Countess narrowed her eyes.
Moments later, a servant was summoned. He took a bite of tart—and promptly collapsed.
Gasps turned to screams. Guards rushed forward. Arabelle stammered, pale and shaking.
"I—I didn't— It wasn't—"
Seraphina leaned in close, voice barely audible.
"Smile pretty for the scandal sheets, Arabelle."
That night, chaos bloomed through the court like wildfire.
Rumors spun. The Countess of Lynden left the estate early, praising Seraphina's "quick instincts" and "noble vigilance." Arabelle was questioned by the palace guards. No charges—yet. But the shine on her halo? Gone.
Seraphina sat in her candlelit study, swirling wine she wasn't supposed to drink at seventeen.
[Mission Complete: Subquest Success]
[Reward: Memory Fragment Unlocked — "The Ring Switch"]
[New Clue: Kael gave Arabelle the tracking ring. He knew it was missing.]
"Kael..." she murmured. "You knew."
Her hand tightened around the goblet. Her gaze was calm, cold.
This was not just Arabelle's betrayal.
The prince was involved. Maybe from the start.
[Updated Goal: Uncover Kael's Motives]
[Optional Side Quest Added: Break the Engagement Before He Does]
Seraphina stood, walking to the window.
The moon hung high. The chessboard was resetting.
And she? She was done playing the pawn.