As I start portioning the dishes and plates out on the table, the Mademoiselle raises her hands up and kindly says:
"Please do not start eating yet... before this... we must test for poison,"
I freeze. Mademoiselle and poison? Who dares to poison our Mademoiselle? This didn't happen in our estate until twenty years ago when the Grandemere of Mademoiselle was poisoned with food poisoning. After that, we selectively chose out our cooks and servants.
"P-poison? My dear?" The Count said.
"It's nothing to worry about- there are some rats lurking out to poison the Castano household sometimes. We change our cooks every week, nothing to worry about," she said with a dimpled smile.
I could see Monsieur Schein and Madame Schein freeze when Mademoiselle said that. Was this part of her plan? What was Mademoiselle thinking? I did not understand anything. I wish life was understanding for an old man like me. Hopefully, Mademoiselle doesn't expect me to start playing with this. I am not that smart.
"Mr. Butler, please bring out Carythylena, our food tester," Mademoiselle said with an indifferent expression.
Ah... Mademoiselle was going to scare the Count! Brilliant! That's the Monsieur's daughter...
But how can that work? I do not understand where this is going yet. Though it's true that the Castano households would be filled with people trying to destroy us.
...
I bring out one of the staff members who walked up to Mademoiselle hesitatingly. Her fingers were fiddling. I squinted and took note of her behavior.
Caraythylena was a young maid who had served young Mademoiselle for seven years. Caraythylena slowly picks up the spoon from Mademoiselle and puts it to her mouth and eats it. My eyes widen when I see this.
After she finishes eating she smiles and says: "Young Lady, it's fine... no poison on your food,"
"Caraythylena now test for Uncle Dean's and Aunt Mary's food..." Mademoiselle orders.
Caraythylena walks towards Monsieur Schein and Madame Schein. She politely takes the spoon from them and put the spoon onto the dish.
After she puts it on her mouth, she quickly throws it away.
*Cough* *Cough* she starts choking on herself. Soon the entire mansion got wild. There was poison!?!
While all of this was happening, Count Schein and Countess Schein quickly stood up abruptly with confusion on their eyes. Mademoiselle quietly sat down and looked indifferently.
"Don't worry Uncle and Aunt. This happens at least once and a while. It's nothing. The least we both can hope for is unconsciousness for a week or so." Mademoiselle says.
"Poi-son?" Count Schein said with a small quiver in his voice. "T-there is poison?"
"Un-unconscious for a week??" Countess Schein asked.
"It's not much of a matter- we'll just fire the cook and that's all," Mademoiselle said. My jaws dropped. Fire?! The Castano household respects every servant and we never had to fire anyone until five years ago.
What is Mademoiselle saying?!
"Mr. Butler, please tell the Cook to come to my sitting-room once this is all over. And clean this mess up-" she said pointing at Caraythylena who still coughing wildly. I know Mademoiselle was acting... but this all too extreme.
By following her orders I quickly went forward and grabbed Caraythylene and took her to the Infirmary.
...
...
"Mr. Butler, tell the servants to prepare the guest bedrooms so that Aunt and Uncle sleep," Mademoiselle said as she walked away after dinner. Count and Countess Schein exchanged glances and asked her:
"Dear~ is everything going to alright with us staying here?"
Mademoiselle sweetly smiled again and reassured them: "Aunt, Uncle, don't worry- these things happen once in a while. You'll get used to people slaughtering us quietly. The least it can get is food poisoning."
"Ah~ about the security?" Count Schein asked as he rubbed his hands together.
"Don't worry Uncle, I may assure that the mansion is perfectly safe from any physical harm such as assault and assassins," Mademoiselle said as she walked away. "Goodnight, sweet dreams,"
I frowned even more. Ever since Monsieur's death- Mademoiselle has been acting weirdly! Is this... what happens to every child after they lose their precious ones?
I prie for Mademoiselle's safety and well being.
...