"I found a way to poison."
Tifian Viscount was momentarily puzzled by the sudden words of the spy. Firstly, it was because the Viscount was exhausted from being on edge about everything around him, and secondly, for days of continuous investigation within the castle, he had only heard that "the security is too thorough."
However, soon his heart was filled with malicious joy. Finally! Yes, no matter how monstrous these northern things may seem, there couldn't be a single gap.
The spy waited silently as the Viscount chuckled with excitement. And when the Viscount slowly stopped laughing, the spy finally spoke.
"Due to the low number of servants here, the original staff handles everything to the end. It's not a structure where a stranger can intercept food or items and poison them. But it's different when hosting guests."
With multiple guests, it wasn't feasible for one person who usually moved dishes to serve each guest individually. Naturally, others who were not the original staff had to work together, leading to potential gaps.
Especially, the spy had carefully observed the high pride of those who disliked appearing weak to the "southern things" over the past few days. The expression vanished from the Viscount's face upon hearing such evidence.
"So, should I wait for that guy to serve me before using poison?"
If Cladwin Maindulante were to wait for a banquet for the Tifian Viscount, he would have to endure twelve more winters here. Wasn't that guy acting as if there were no guests in the castle right now?
The spy shook their head.
"No need to wait. It seems a dinner is planned for tonight."
"A dinner? Who is c-coming? They won't be hosting us."
"I haven't figured it out yet, but it shouldn't matter who it is, right?"
"Yes, the important thing is that he's e-eating poison... Hehehe."
The Viscount chuckled dangerously. His eyes sparkled strangely.
"Oh, it would be nice to send one more in this opportunity. No, let's decide the order. The easier one first."
It was the last visit of Nerys Trued, who had been so cooperative until then. A disrespectful attitude as if this Huddis Tifian was already dead and not worth caring about.
"Unfortunate?"
How dare they. The Viscount absentmindedly caressed the emerald ring. After chuckling for a while, he finally composed himself and looked at the spy.
"Take the opportunity tonight to put what's in this into Nerys Trued's dish."
He now felt clear-headed. He never trusted a spy sent from another family. Moreover, if there was a risk of leaking the Viscount's secret, it was even worse.
If that woman didn't act in line with the alliance's name, it was fine to get rid of her. Wouldn't it be better without the influence of the Elandria family? So, if that damn grandson-in-law went crazy like a son-in-law, it would be perfect.
Who would know if this Tifian Viscount swallowed up this land all by himself when the time came?
***
As expected, Nerys was impressed once again by the well-maintained risk management at the White Swan Castle. If you were a member of this castle, you only consumed food that had been thoroughly inspected from start to finish multiple times.
Even in the royal palace, such inspections were conducted. No matter how respected the Vistah Royal Family was, there were always dissenting opinions in the world. However, compared to the system at the White Swan Castle, the royal inspection system was somewhat lax.
Nerys confirmed that there was no way for Tifian Viscount to harm Cladwin now, especially not through poison. No matter how hard the Viscount tried, it would only make sense if there was a way to poison 'somewhere'.
Cladwin did not neglect anything he ate, wore, or did, and the people in the castle were loyal. Nerys had no doubt that Talfryn would obsessively monitor Cladwin's food.
It meant that relatively less attention was paid to Nerys' food. It wasn't because the White Swan Castle people were foolish; it was just common sense. Especially those who knew that the Viscount had trusted Nerys on his side knew.
So the Viscount would target Nerys. Especially considering that she had brought medicine last time.
Like he killed his daughter for not obeying his orders.
Nerys was not afraid. Instead, she would be grateful if they provided an opportunity to catch evidence first.
However, having a 'relatively' low guard did not mean there were many opportunities for the Viscount to poison Nerys. Everything Nerys put in her mouth was also under strict surveillance.
Moreover... it would be quite troublesome if she died without a chance to poison her.
'Even a cornered mouse will bite the cat.'
He needed to create just one perfect opportunity that the Viscount would consider a golden chance. A battlefield she could fully control.
So, to Nerys who came looking for him, Cladwin casually opened the conversation.
"How about dinner time tonight?"
It was a question that seemed to peek into her mind. Nerys nodded with raised eyebrows.
"It's fine. Shall we eat together?"
"As you wish. You can invite guests."
"I want to invite the Viscount and Adrian. Is that okay? It might be difficult to prepare a formal dinner at such short notice, right?"
"No, dinner is ready."
"If dinner is ready, why did you ask me?"
"I prepared it, but if you both want to eat, you can. I prefer that."
Nerys burst into a light laughter unknowingly. The tension in her body eased. It was a tension she didn't even realize she had.
He really knew everything.
At least as much as she thought he should know.
She opened her mouth with a twinkle in her eye.
"Cladwin."
Since becoming an adult, Nerys rarely called Cladwin by his name. When referring to him to others, it was 'Your Highness,' and in conversation with him, it was 'you.'
Seeing her say his name after a long time, Cladwin smiled charmingly as if in a good mood. Watching him like that, Nerys spoke steadily.
"I will never let those who harm you go unpunished."
"I know. That's the luckiest thing in my life."
Since reconciling in winter, Cladwin often spoke like that. Words she didn't know how to respond to. So sometimes Nerys would forget what she originally wanted to say to him.
But not this time.
"Trust me."
Cladwin's expression became peculiar. There was a strangely profound resonance in her voice.
However, he didn't think she had a reason to speak so profoundly. He had a rough idea of what she was planning, and he could make it even more perfect.
There was nothing to worry about. Thinking so, he raised the corner of his eye.
"I trust you."
***
After being treated as a non-entity since his arrival, the sudden dinner invitation from the grandson-in-law made the Viscount initially nervous. However, upon further thought, this was an opportunity. If missed this time, who knew when the next chance would come.
'The more people attending the dinner, the more chaotic it will be, and that would make it easier to poison.'
So the Viscount descended to the banquet hall. He deliberately adorned himself with other rings studded with large jewels to divert attention from the absence of the emerald ring.
At the dining table were the Grand Duke, advisors, and besides Adrian, a few others. Among them was Lord Senut, a subordinate noble known to hold a fairly high position in the Grand Duchy.
Maindulante's steward pulled out the chair designated for the Viscount. Adrian, who arrived earlier, casually struck up a conversation.
"Impressive, Viscount. Being late for a meal with the higher-ups. Was it difficult to walk due to old age?"
'Higher-ups'? Strictly speaking, in this setting, the only person higher than the Viscount was Cladwin alone. Adrian's legal status was not higher than the Viscount's.
In a moment of tension on the Viscount's face, Cladwin spoke briefly.
"One guest is still missing, but since the rest are all here, bring the food."
Certainly, one seat was empty. Everyone assumed that one of the subordinate lords was running late. Since there was no need for everyone to wait for someone of such a low status, the attendants promptly moved.
Warm soup was served. The Viscount glanced at Nerys seated diagonally next to Cladwin. Her face looked particularly displeased and upset today.
Even if she ingested poison now, she would die in a few days. Therefore, there was no way suspicion would return to her. The Viscount trusted the secretive poison passed down through generations in his family.
If ingested, it is an extremely lethal poison that causes death within 72 hours. The most remarkable aspect of this item is that it cannot be detected as poison.
Therefore, even if he were to kill the woman he favored right in front of the Grand Duke, he would be able to escape. Unless there is a priest with extraordinary divine power, the fact that poison was used cannot be revealed.
And doesn't everyone know that Maindulante lacks a proper priest?
Nerys's hand gripped the silver spoon. The Viscount's heart raced with a cruel sense of accomplishment. He tried not to flinch at her touch, but it was too difficult.
He had instructed the steward to use his hand in the soup. While one could refuse to eat other courses for reasons like feeling unwell, anyone attending the dinner would eat the soup... There was no worry that the plan would be disrupted.
Slowly, her spoon moved towards the soup. Gulp. The Viscount swallowed his saliva.
That was the moment.
Knock, knock.
Surprisingly, someone knocked on the door at that exact moment.
Nerys set down her spoon. She also didn't know who the owner of the empty seat was. Who could it be? All eyes turned towards the door. If they were late, they would enter quietly, so why knock...
The door opened slowly.
A young man in a white priest's robe with thick pink lips and a warm smile entered. The steward who escorted him saw the room but showed no change in expression.
"Thank you for the guidance."
Even his greeting to the steward was filled with warmth. The refreshing voice seemed like a model of a clergyman. Nerys's eyes widened as she recognized the young man's face.
Cladwin spoke to the young man in a monotone voice.
"You're late."
"I apologize, Your Highness. I saw a family in need of help due to an accident on my way here. I believe there is nothing more important than assisting the children loved by the servant of God, so I dared to make Your Highness wait."
The young man explained the situation humbly and smiled kindly. With confident steps, he approached Cladwin.
The Viscount's eyes flickered. The pink hair, the priest's robe adorned with golden threads... He had heard of him. In just a few years, he had risen in the ranks at an unbelievable speed and become a high-ranking clergyman even at his young age.
"Fayel."
Adrian murmured as if amused.
Ren Fayel.
He was the young man on the verge of being appointed as the youngest vicar.