Poisoned

After that episode,

Adela gave Francis a sidelong glance before turning to Camilla. She reasoned it would be best to leave them alone. In Adela's memory, Camilla was too timid to approach him, so Adela stayed with her like glue. However, this time, she wouldn't do the same. She decided to let Camilla be alone with Francis this time.

Adela took a deep breath with a smile and spoke haughtily.

"I should have said that I had a ton of plans for tonight. You guys can carry on."

"Adela."

"Adela."

Francis and Camilla both said her name at the same time. Adela raised an eyebrow and peered at them.

"What?"

Camilla mumbled, "Don't leave me. I mean, don't leave us."

"Camilla, you-."

Adela was about to speak when she abruptly heard Elise's voice. Elise appeared out of nowhere and rushed them.

Elise shrieked, "My lady, my lady."

Adela sighed and said, "Ah, this girl."

Elise had just run up to them, gasping, when they turned to look at her.

"Elise, what is it?"

As Elise came to a stop in front of Adela, she gasped and said, "Lord, Lord is looking for you. He is waiting for you in your chamber."

Adela murmured, "Father."

"Yes, he seemed angry," Elise responded.

Adela glared before turning to face Camilia and Francis, saying, "OK then, have a pleasant talk." My father has just summoned me."

After saying this, Adela just kind of ran away from there. Camilla attempted to call Adela, but could not. After Adela had gone, Camilla turned to look at Francis. Francis was still wearing the armor. He really came from battle to meet Adela.

Camilla was too shy to look at Francis or ask him anything, but she had a lot of things to ask him.

"Are you okay, Camilla?" Francis asked.

**

Adela was muttering to herself as she made her way to her room.

"I miss hearing them talk. I just wanted to listen in on their conversation."

Elise was excited and stated to Adela, "If you want to know, my lady, I can do it."

"Eavesdropping is a bad habit," Adela said with a tight-lipped smile.

"But my lady, we did a lot, right?" Elise said with a pout on her face.

Adela heaved a sigh and pondered how hard she had been working on changing herself. Yet she could not restrain herself. She wanted to do some eavesdropping; if it wasn't her father, then she had been there and overheard their talk.

Adela arched her eyebrows and gave a favorable response.

"Sometimes, eavesdropping is good. But you shouldn't feel obligated to do this all the time, okay?"

Elise nodded her head to express her complete agreement. She turned 11 recently. Adela was 8 years older than Elise. After the death of Elise's mother, Victoria hired Elise to stay with Adela.

Veronica chose Elise because she was too young to do household duties. Adela liked Elise too when she first met her.

[The scene changes to Adela's chamber]

Alfred was waiting for his daughter in her chamber. He knew about poisons. He was fond of toxicology and, as well as Adela, she loved reading toxin-related books, just like her father. She spent a lot of time in their library with her father.

Alfred reached for his daughter's bed. He wore gloves and touched the pillow. He approached her makeup and other belongings slowly.

What the doctor had told him seemed reasonable. He came to learn the truth.

After checking the entire space of Adela's chamber, Alfred summoned a maid.

"My grace."

Alfred cast a sidelong glance her way before responding quietly.

"Change everything to something new. I want everything done here before we return from the banquet."

The maid bowed, "Yes, my grace," and left the room.

Alfred approached the window and peered outside.

[Flash back]

On the night when Adela was knocked unconscious by a fever, the emergency physician arrived to check on the patient. Alfred, who was calmly posing, appeared anxious.

"My Lord, I believe Lady Adela is being poisoned."

"What are you saying?"

Although Alfred was shocked to hear the physician, he felt tenser. He couldn't believe that his daughter's life was at risk or that someone would dare to do anything like that to her.

"Considering that her lips are a faint violet color and the symptoms are unique," the physician said.

to be continued...