Elaine sat at the dining table, watching the poison tester sampling her breakfast. The poison tester today was a middle age woman with brunette hair and freckles. This morning was the third time Elaine had seen her, and by some stroke of luck, the woman always completed her duties unscattered the two previous times. Elaine thought about the other unfortunate souls. What made them different from others? What was their linkage?

Before she could continue her reasoning, a choking sound came from the woman's throat. Elaine glanced up and saw the woman's hands holding her neck, coughing uncontrollably, trying to expel the contaminated food from her body. The attending servants pulled the woman away from Elaine and left her on the ground. Then, they retreated and watched as she suffered through the last minutes of her life.

The woman's entire body twitched while her face changed into a dark shade of violet. One of her hands remained on her neck, and the other reached out, begging for help. "Pl, please…help me…I don't want to die."

Her pleading fell on deaf ears. Those surrounding her stayed motionless, observing with cold eyes, waiting for the woman to take her last breath. Eventually, the dark color spread to her body, and a mixture of foam and blood poured from her mouth. The cough finally stopped, and the woman died with her eyes wide open—irises turning muddy. Her extended hand fell to the marble floor, making a slight thudding sound upon impact.

"Clean it up. Don't let her filthy blood taint the floor." The head maid instructed the servants. "My apologies, milady. I will replace the food right away." She then bowed to Elaine.

"Take it all away. I will not eat breakfast today." Elaine ordered. No matter how many times she had seen it. Each gruesome death still stabbed at her, extinguishing her appetite for the rest of the day.

"But milady," the head maid tried dissuading her.

"I do not tolerate insubordination." Elaine's voice turned frosty.

"Y, yes, milady. Please forgive my overstep."

The servants started sanitizing the room with familiar efficiency. First, they rolled the body onto a sheet and carried it out of sight. Then, they scrubbed the floor, removing the blood stains and human saliva. When the servants finished, no traces of the middle age woman's existence remained, only a sparkling marble floor and a freshly scented room.

"Everyone leaves, and unless it is an important matter, do not disturb me."

"As you wish, milady."

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Elaine waited until she was alone, then closed her eyes and clasped her hands under the table. Sometimes, she could no longer distinguish between herself and the cold-blooded inhabitants of this world. Elaine gazed at the spot the woman died. She did not learn her name, nor was she required to, since everyone concluded that the woman would soon meet her demise. Elaine had just witnessed another human being's death, yet it did not stir any noticeable emotions within her. Did she become numb to death and suffering? Or was cruelty now part of her nature? Elaine did not have an answer. But the more bodies she saw, the less the scene incited an intense reaction from her.

"Milady, the Duke summons you."

"I understand." Elaine reopened her eyes and rose from the table. "Prepare the carriage." She did not wish to walk and be captured by her thoughts for too long.

The ride was brief, and Mariam's nonsensical rambling kept her occupied. When they arrived at the main manor, Cecil opened the carriage door and assisted Elaine. "Thank you, Sir Ascania." She gave him an appreciative nod.

"Welcome back, Lady Estella. His Grace is waiting for you in the study." Yusef greeted her at the entrance. His face donned an eternally amiable visage.

"Do you know the reason behind today's summoning?" she inquired.

"His Grace received an invitation from the Palace."

"An invitation?"

"Unfortunately, I do not know the details, but I deduce his Grace will fill you in, milady."

"I see." Elaine lowered her gaze. An invitation from the Palace. What could it be? A royal ball? But Gerard would not summon her for such a trivial matter.

While following Yusef to the Duke's study, she thought of other possibilities but could not find a plausible explanation. Finally, they reached the imposing double door. "Your Grace, Lady Estella has arrived," he announced.

"Let her in."

The double door swung open, revealing the magnificent study and its intimidating owner. "Please proceed inside, milady." Yusef stepped aside and bowed.

"Thank you, Yusef." She then turned around. "You both wait here."

"As you wish, milady." Cecil and Mariam inclined their bodies.

Elaine nodded and walked inside.

"Greetings, honorable father." She curtsied.

"I assumed you already heard about the invitation from Yusef." Gerard sat behind his oak desk, scribbling on some documents. He did not look up when Elaine arrived.

"Yes, father. Though I do not know its contents."

He stopped his work and strode toward the elegant furniture arranged in the center of the room. Gerard then settled on the sofas and picked up a cup of tea, taking a small sip. "You may sit."

"Thank you, father." Elaine planted in an armchair.

"Our Empire has many enemies, but we also have allies. Thus, to strengthen our alliance, we would conduct a friendly expedition every few years with one of our strongest allies, the Léonas Empire. This year, the Emperor designated the d'Amboise and us to participate. Of course, there are other houses, but we will be Co-Commanders."

What does this have to do with me?

As if reading her mind, the Duke continued. "I want your knight in training to participate in the upcoming expedition."

Elaine's hands trembled, placing her tea back on the table. "The Croix has many skilled knights. Why must you choose an inexperienced knight in training?"

"Though we called it a 'friendly' expedition, the event's real purpose is to measure each Empire's military might." Gerard also set down his cup. "And for us to have a fair game, both our Empires limited the age of the participants, allowing only our most promising youths to join."