Mariya had no maid with her, because Madam Lao hadn't provided one. So she took a deep breath, staring out at the distant scenery. She had no choice but to go to the cottage.
Without delay, she strode out under the afternoon heat, following the pathway toward the cottage. When she reached the bushes, she could glimpse the mountain scenery through the leaves. Slowly, she began to feel dizzy and her visions became blurry. And the narrow pathways confused her.
Her hands shook.
What's wrong with me?
Each turn was sharp. Her feet stumbled. Her head spun so badly she thought she might vomit.
On the veranda, Lin approached Nyasia and whispered, "Miss Lao has gone to the overlooking cottage."
Lin explained why.
"That's strange," Nyasia said. "Practicing painting in that cottage."
The cottage sat atop an extension of rocks and large trees. But in truth, it was perched at the edge of the cliff. It was very windy there. Dangerous, even with moderate breezes. Not ideal for leisure. Much less for painting.
Is Miss Arceo trying to eliminate Miss Lao from the competition? But why send her all the way to that cottage?
Then she stopped.
She finally understood.
"Follow Miss Lao. Hurry," Nyasia said, her voice calm but her eyes sharp.
Lin nodded once and strode away.
Meanwhile, Nyasia looked at Lilli, who was still brushing strokes onto her painting at the desk.
This woman is very vicious.
If she was Elder Chem's puppet, she'd be a very dangerous woman in the manor.
...
LIN CAUGHT MARIYA just in time—the moment her body stumbled at the sharp turn of the pathway. Lin ran faster, grabbed Mariya's arm, and pulled her back onto the path. She glanced to the right side of the pathway and saw the cliff hidden behind the bushes.
Mariya had fainted.
A few minutes later, she was brought in on a stretcher. Everyone on the veranda paused to look at the scene.
"But that's Miss Lao," Mrs. Reniel said. She turned to a guard who had just arrived. "She was found on that path—the one leading to the overlooking cottage. She almost fell off the cliff."
"Almost—? That cottage?" Mrs. Reniel's eyes widened. "But why? In this heat, and in the middle of the selection? Too impulsive!"
Lilli rose hurriedly.
"I borrowed Miss Lao's brushes. I sent my maid to check on them, but she said they were gone. I didn't know that she—she went there."
Lin arrived with the box of brushes and placed it on the table in front of Nyasia.
"Your maid didn't find it?" Nyasia arched a brow. "This box is big enough for two eyes to see. And that cottage isn't that large."
Nyasia's words made Lilli grip her dress tighter, as if to steady her simmering, seething anger.
Lilli's maid immediately knelt.
"I truly didn't see it, my lady!"
"The box was placed on the ceiling," Lin said. "On a flat row of bamboo."
"No wonder it couldn't be seen right away," Mrs. Reniel said. "But Miss Arceo, if you truly forgot them, wouldn't it be more natural to leave them on a cottage chair rather than on the ceiling?"
Nyasia's lips curved. Lilli seemed to forget she's in Rashet Manor, not the Arceo household where petty tricks like this might work.
"Lady Rashet, the wind is very strong there," Lilli explained. "I was afraid the box might be carried away, especially since it's at the edge of the cliff."
"Isn't this not your first time going there, Miss Arceo?" Mrs. Reniel gave her a reprimanding gaze. "Common sense should tell you that place isn't suitable for such leisure. Young girls today are very impulsive."
Lilli's cheeks turned red. How dare a servant speak to her like this! She couldn't believe she was being humiliated like this. But she couldn't say all this out loud, because Mrs. Reinel was a respected manager of the Rashet Manor.
"Didn't your maid go with you to the cottage?" It was Nyasia who spoke this time.
"No. I sent her on an errand."
"And you didn't tell her you had placed the box on the ceiling when you sent her to get it? Why?"
Lilli clenched her fists.
Why so many questions?
"I—I've completely forgotten."
"In other words, you wanted Miss Lao to go there and retrieve them herself. After all, Miss Lao is very skilled at painting. If she misses much of the time..."
Nyasia didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear. And everyone understood it.
"My lady, I cannot accept such an accusation. This is merely—"
"Incompetence," Mrs. Reniel cut her off. "And a lack of concern for a situation you created yourself."
"But I—I didn't cause her dizziness! That was an accident," Lilli gritted.
Nyasia smiled, amused. "Not really. You suggested the chamomile tea. The kind that easily makes someone drowsy. Exposed to this heat, it only worsens. So I wouldn't be surprised."
The servants who listened looked at Miss Arceo in a different light. A future marchioness should not be this vicious. They wouldn't serve such a vile woman! Lilli's face turned pale, realizing her plan had failed.
...
LEVON HAD ARRIVED at the manor when Basil rushed to inform him that the marriage selection was taking place at the backyard veranda. At first, he didn't want to go. But when he learned Nyasia was there, he immediately changed his mind.
"What's going on here?" he asked, spotting a familiar branch daughter sobbing at the front.
The servants greeted him.
Mrs. Reniel explained everything.
He looked at Nyasia, who remained silent. He frowned, then walked up to her. How could she stay still here in all this heat?
"Why is the painting session happening here? There's a large hall and courtyard back at the manor," he said coldly.
"Part of the session is to view the scenic landscape for painting, young master," Mrs. Reniel replied politely.
He glanced at the branch daughters, who lowered their heads, still in curtsy. He ordered the guards to escort Miss Arceo back to the Arceo House. When she tried to explain, he ignored her.
"Young master, please, this is just a huge misunderstanding—"
But the guards mercilessly took her away. And the rest of the people who witnessed this already understood: Miss Arceo was out of the competition.
"No matter the outcome of these contests," he said, "I have different criteria for the next marchioness." He turned to Miss Ochia. "You."
"Yes, young master," Nona said, her hand gripping her dress as she bowed solemnly.
"The only way to survive in the main house is to know your limits," he said coldly.
"Yes."
"And do not touch Paragon Hall," he said. "Do not compete against my sister."
"I will cherish Second Lady Rashet."
"We'll see," Levon said with cold sniff. Then he turned to Mrs. Reniel. "Give her the token."
Mrs. Reniel blinked.
The young master had just chosen Miss Ochia. But it didn't feel like a victory. It felt like he'd picked her because there was no one else left—and the whole thing had turned into a mess.
*