novelraw Chapter 202: Last Supper!
Chapter 202: Last Supper!
The evening fell over the Vortellion estate like a warm blanket. The lamps hanging in the hallway flickered with a gentle glow.
Rin stretched his arms with a dramatic sigh and looked toward Winter, who was already seated at the small wooden table in their room. Dinner was simple compared to what the estate usually offered, but Rin liked it that way.
He pulled out his chair. "Let’s eat fast before it gets cold."
Winter nodded eagerly. "Yes, brother."
Rin picked up a piece of bread when a sharp knock echoed through the corridor. All three of them stiffened. Sasha exchanged looks with Rin, then Winter, then the door.
Rin slowly put the bread down. "Are we... expecting someone?"
Sasha gave a quick, dry laugh. "My lord, this is the Vortellion estate. We know absolutely no one here."
Rin snapped his fingers. "Oh, right. I forgot."
Winter blinked. "Brother... you forgot..."
Rin waved it off. "Haha! I guess I’m used to being here. It’s a slip."
Another knock came, louder this time.
Rin flicked his hand in Sasha’s direction. "Go check."
"Yes, sir." Sasha straightened and walked toward the door.
He only cracked it open... and a woman’s voice chirped, "Move aside!"
Sasha didn’t even have time to react before Lady Mirielle shoved him aside with surprising strength and strutted in with the brightest, fakest smile Rin had ever seen.
It was so bright it almost hurt his eyes.
Rin stared at her, confused.
"...Why is Lady Mirielle here?"
This morning, she had glared at him like she was ready to boil him alive in a pot. Her expression then could’ve curdled milk. But now? She looked like a saint who wanted to adopt him.
Her smile was too sweet and of course, he could sense how dangerous it was. Rin plastered on his polite face. He stood to greet her, but she lifted her hand quickly.
"No, no, no. Don’t bother bowing. I came to apologise!"
She clasped her hands to her chest as if she had rehearsed it. Her lashes fluttered dramatically. "I behaved terribly earlier. Truly, it weighed heavily on my heart."
Rin felt like her whole performance was weighing heavily on his stomach. Before he could respond, she reached out and grabbed his hand with both of hers.
Her hands were cold as she pressed too hard.
"Please," she continued sweetly, "let me make it up to you. Allow me to treat you to dinner tonight."
Rin blinked at her. Once. Twice. Slowly.
She was way too eager and too desperate.
Something was wrong.
He didn’t even need to scan her memories with his powers. Her actions were loud enough to fill in the blanks.
He slipped his hand out of hers. "Of course. I’ll join you."
Mirielle’s bright smile returned instantly. "Wonderful. I’ll be expecting you."
She spun around, skirt flaring, and marched out with her maids following.
The moment the door shut behind her, Sasha rushed forward. "Rin, do not go. I’m certain she’s plotting something."
Rin flopped back onto his chair. "Obviously, she is. Even a child would notice."
Winter giggled quietly.
"Brother, you’re going to eat dinner with her?"
Rin shook his head immediately.
"I already promised to eat with you. I’ll eat with you before going to her."
Winter smiled warmly. "I’m glad."
Rin reached over and ruffled his brother’s hair. They ate for a few minutes... just long enough for Rin to enjoy the calm.
When he finished chewing a slice of meat, he stood up.
Winter pouted. "You’re going already?"
Rin nodded. "I can’t keep the lady and her mischievous plan waiting. I’d feel bad making her stew in her own impatience."
Sasha stepped forward. "Rin..."
Rin placed a hand on Sasha’s shoulder. "Listen carefully. Keep an eye on Winter. No matter what happens tonight, you two must return to the brothel tomorrow morning."
Winter froze, fork halfway to his mouth. Sasha’s eyes widened.
"My lord..."
"No matter what," Rin said firmly, "...you both must leave. Even if I don’t return."
Sasha opened his mouth again, wanting to argue, but Rin raised a hand.
"That’s an order. You must follow it."
Sasha swallowed hard, then nodded. "Yes, my lord."
Rin gave Winter a small smile, then turned and walked out.
As he stepped into the hallway, he pressed a hand to his stomach. He had eaten enough. Enough to test if anything here had been tampered with.
He burped loudly.
’Good. Nothing was poisoned. At least none of the meal was.’
He headed toward the Vortellion dining hall. It was a large, elegant room lined with paintings and glowing chandelier lights. The long table stretched across almost the entire room, filled with dishes of all colours and smells.
Lavender-scented candles flickered softly.
Mirielle sat on the far end, her posture overly graceful. And... as expected... Evan was nowhere in sight.
She must have intentionally hidden this entire thing from him. Rin kept his face pleasantly blank as he walked in.
"Lady Mirielle," he greeted.
She lifted her chin proudly.
"Rin. Come, have a seat."
He sat on the opposite end of the long table, which made it feel like two enemies sitting across a battlefield.
Countless beautifully plated dishes lined the table... roasted chicken, glazed vegetables, buttered bread, soups, and fancy desserts. Rin narrowed his eyes.
This was not a normal dinner. He needed to put on a show.
He widened his eyes in awe.
"Woooow... Look at all these meals... They look so good..."
He let a little drool slip out intentionally. "I’ve never eaten food like this before!"
Mirielle’s smile twitched upward.
"Of course you haven’t. That’s why I prepared them for you. Make sure to eat until you are full."
Rin sat and picked up a drumstick... with his hands, not the fork. He ignored the polished silverware.
Then he took a bite.
Immediately, his tongue detected it.
It wasn’t poisonous. But a heavy-sleeping agent. He could sense how strong and potent it is.
He chewed slowly, mind racing.
’Why knock me out instead of killing me? What was she planning to do with my unconscious body? This sure isn’t an assassination. It was...’
He licked his fingers messily and moaned loudly like the food was the best thing in the world.
"Mmmm... sooo delicious... Lady Mirielle, this is amazing..."
She sipped her red wine elegantly.
"I’m glad you enjoy it. Go on... keep eating."
Her eyes stayed glued to him the whole time. Watching and waiting for him.
Rin took another bite, keeping his expression dizzy and innocent. He let the drool drip again. He made small happy noises while his brain stayed sharp.
Mirielle leaned back smugly, legs crossed, swirling her wine.
After several bites, Rin suddenly swayed slightly. He touched his forehead dramatically.
"Ugh... my head... feels heavy..."
He reached for the water on the table... but made sure it was too far. He stretched, struggled, then his arm went limp.
His body slumped off the chair.
He grabbed the edge of the tablecloth on the way down, pulling it slightly and rattling the plates. He made his voice small and weak.
"L-Lady... M-Mirielle... what... what did you do... to me?"
Mirielle stood and leisurely walked over to him. She crouched down, grinning while holding her wine glass. She tilted the glass as the red wine splashed over Rin’s hair and cheek.
"Oh dear," she sang sweetly, "looks like the medicine worked perfectly."
She poked his cheek with one long nail.
"So obedient~ Look at you."
She stood proudly and lifted her chin.
"You’ll be unconscious until I get you to Hertford House. I can’t believe I get to finish this before forty-eight hours. Isn’t this... luck?"
She let out a sharp laugh, her voice echoing through the hall.
"Once Lady Jane and Audrey get rid of you, Evan will finally look at me!"
She laughed harder, placing a hand on her stomach. Then she turned and walked away, leaving Rin lying there on the cold floor.
When her footsteps faded, Rin slowly opened one eye. His thoughts were deadpan.
’Who the hell is Hertford? Who is Audrey? Who is Jane?’
He sighed heavily. "Why do strangers want to get rid of me? I literally don’t know these people."
He closed his eyes again, letting the medicine drag him deeper.
He would find answers once he got there.