After the Marchioness left, Gardenia proceeded to clean herself with the help of the servants. Unlike her relatives, the maids seemed to care for her. They spoke amongst themselves, grateful for Lady Gardenia's intervention.
When Gardenia exited the bathing chamber, she found a warm bowl of stew waiting for her. The maids busied themselves tidying up the room, all except one who anxiously waited for Lady Gardenia to take the first spoonful of stew.
Gardenia had already observed the maids and found a few oddities when her parents interrogated the staff. One maid did not kneel or beg, so she held her head high. Now, she looked as if she could tell what every ingredient in the stew was and did not agree with it.
Lady Gardenia brought a spoonful of stew toward her but did not eat it; instead, she used her free hand to wave the scent toward herself, "Bring me a silver needle." Something bitter was in the stew. Was it poison or simply ingredients gone bad?
The needle was procured by the only maid who stood out. The moment the needle pierced the meat, maggots crawled out, and the needle turned black. It seemed rotten beef had been used to mask the smell of poison. So, Gardenia's initial intuition was correct. Even the staff pretended to care for Lady Gardenia when, in reality, they were all against her.
The maids finally dropped the façade. One went as far as to yank Gardenia's head back, ready to pry her mouth open and feed her the rotten meal. Only the moment she touched her a scream escaped her. The maid's hand felt like it had been struck with a burning hammer. The pain radiated up her arm and into her heart. She clutched her arm and curled into a ball on the ground.
"Sarah," someone whispered, but no one moved forward. They all looked at Sarah with fear.
Isa returned in time to watch the spectacle unfold and quickly rushed everyone out, rolling Sarah out the door. The only other maid that remained was the one who procured the silver needle.
Lady Gardenia whipped her hands against her skirt, a bored look on her lovely face, "Isa, find me something to eat, preferably something that isn't rotten or filled with poison."
Isa inclined her head and did as she was told. It became evident that no one else could see the remaining maid as Isa walked past her, as if she was not even there.
"Who are you?" A masculine chuckle escaped the maid as the disguise was dropped, revealing an iridescent face that would make anyone lose all sanity.
When he spoke, his voice had a rich, deepness that made you want to be held by him, "Greetings, my Lady; I am the High Mage and have come to make you an offer."
Gardenia searched her mind but could not think of any instance where she had ever interacted with the High Mage, not as Astra Cross or Gardenia Honeysuckle. The High Mage was rumored to be highly secretive, and only a rare few knew what he really looked like.
The High Mage did not like wasting time, so he got straight to the point: "I was reading the stars a few nights ago and found a change would soon befall you. As such, I would like to make you one of my pupils. There is great potential in you, and I would like to be the one to help you harness it."
"Why should I believe the words of a stranger?" Gardenia stood ready to run if the need arose, "How do I know you are truly the High Mage?"
"My Lady is wise to distrust, but let me remind you," the High Mage moved behind her without sound, "that just because you are not you does not mean that I am not me."
Something cold was clasped around her wrist, "when you are ready to talk, just add a drop of blood, and I will come to you."
If Gardenia had to guess, the one who stole the last Obsidian Crown was the High Mage. Now the question remained: was he someone she could trust at least enough to enact her revenge?
Isa returned just as the High Mage whispered his goodbye. She placed a plate of hard cheese, bread, honey, and berries on the now-clean table, along with a water pitcher.
"Leave me and do not return until tomorrow," Gardenia instructed as she cut into the cheese. What a headache the Honeysuckle manor had caused her if only she had some wine.
Halfway through her second piece of honeyed bread, Gardenia realized something that may become problematic. It seemed the High Mage was aware she was not the original owner of the body she inhabited. If they had never interacted before, how did he know? Was this something he could tell based on his standing as a High Mage?
Gardenia's dreams were plagued with images of her past life and that of her current vessel. At times, it was hard to distinguish which memories belonged to who.
In the end, she spent a significant part of the night awake, drafting a mental plan for how she would take down House Gerard and the Ninth Prince, along with all who had hurt Gardenia. It seemed only just that she avenged them both.
With thoughts of revenge and the handsome High Mage, Gardenia did not fall asleep until the first rays of sunlight peaked over the horizon. Her first night in the Honeysuckle manor had been anything but desirable.