"She still hasn't arrived. The Duke's daughter really is something else."
"I heard she's F-rank and wasted three years of her life doing nothing. "She didnt even qualify for the academy"
"The Duke should have expelled her then. Elowen fits the title more. I hope today proves Raven is unfit."
I heard all the murmurs from behind the door, yet I showed no emotions. I was to busy thinking of every little detail, trying to puzzle how Raven died during this banquet.
"Master, didn't you hear what they said… they call you a unfit, unworthy of ruling," Azrael said, and my lips curved into a smirk. I turned to him.
"What do you think?" I asked, watching as his smile widened.
"Depends," he said and chuckled, clearly mocking me.
"Azrael, you do know who is in charge, right?" I asked, staring straight forward, my eyes getting cold, and the others tensed up.
"Are you going to punish us again?" Veyra asked and stepped closer, looking to intimidate me. I could feel my soul tremble, but I kept a straight face.
"I wouldn't do that. I'll protect you, I already said so!" I muttered and looked away, frowning darkly. Gosh, I felt tired already…
"Looks like sister wouldn't be coming Mum, you can just disqualify her!" Elowen said to the Duke, her eyes laced with malice and a smile curved on her lips.
"Sister has always been rebellious. Even at such an important event, she dares not show up. It's disheartening," she said and paused, staring as all eyes were on her.
"Oops, did I say that too loud?" she muttered, seeming careless.
"What a beautiful way to praise me, cousin," I said, and the whole hall went silent. I could feel their heads snapping toward me.
"Is she the one?"
"I heard she was ugly, she seems presentable."
"Presentable my foot. She's twenty-three and yet to be admitted into the academy. I hope she disgraces herself today!"
"Who are those behind her, are they her beast consorts?"
I could hear every word of the crowd and watched as the Duke's eyes brightened a bit. She was happy I made it in time, not like she cared for me, but her reputation, she couldn't lose that.
"You came late!" she said coldly.
My lips parted. "Sorry for that, Duke. An important matter had to be attended to," I said and bowed subtly. My beast consorts just stared at me.
"Hmm, have your seat!" she said, and I walked to my seat, leading my beast-men to sit beside me.
"Looks like everyone hates you," Azrael said, and a small chuckle escaped my lips.
"The feeling is mutual," I replied, scanning the room.
From what I read, the original villainess was poisoned through a cup of tea, and it was served by Darian. Then came the tournament, her beast-men wouldn't listen to her, and eventually she lost ownership of them and her title… then her beast-men and Darian finished her off.
Knowing that, I had to survive the tea first.
That second, I watched Darian holding a tray with tea cups on it. He was serving around, but this time I caught the subtle glance he and Elowen exchanged.
"Tsk. Amateurs," I thought. Really, how was the villainess foolish enough not to notice all this?
"Veyra, I need you to do something for me now," I said.
He snapped his head to me, his brow raised, and a low chuckle escaped his lips. "Must you disgrace me again?" he said and reached to stand up, but my hand caught his wrist. He froze, gazing straight into my eyes.
"I need you to create an illusion," I said, and the others snapped.
"Haven't you had enough play? You want to disgrace him right in front of everyone?" Ryker snapped, and I shook my head.
"I just need him to create—"
Veyra shoved my hand away, glaring at me. "I refuse. You can as well beat me up!" he said.
My lashes fluttered, and I bit down on my lips. I needed him to do so for my plan to work.
"I'll give you anything you want!" I said.
Veyra's eyes turned deadly cold. He laughed and nodded. "Okay. Sever my contract with you," he said flatly, and my tummy churned.
"Okay!" I said, but did he really believe i would do that? There was no way I was breaking off this contract. Since I arrived in this world, I'm going to make sure I fvcking enjoy my beast-men.
"Really? Too easy. Don't trust her, Veyra, she's lying," Ryker said, and I rolled my eyes.
"Create an illusion that I'm still seated here," I said.
They all froze, calculating, gazing intensely to catch any subtle hint, but my eyes revealed nothing.
"Oh… okay," he said, and his eyes shone red.
I turned to stare at Darian. God, my revenge is about to be deadly.
"I can only keep it for te—"
I had already stood up, hiding the hem of my dress and walking toward Darian.
To everyone, I was still seated, staring, and Darian was slipping the poison into my tea. I could feel my beast-men's gaze, they were about to kill me, feeling betrayed. I must feel pathetic to them. But the moment he turned his back I made my move.
They all went still as my hand reached for the tea cups. I carried my poisoned tea and slipped it into Elowen's tray and left mine with the fresh one.
"What is she doing?" Ryker asked.
"I'm confused too," Veyra muttered. Only Azrael stared blankly.
I rushed back to my seat, and the illusion cleared that second. I kept panting, forgetting the hem of my dress was tight, my chest rising with every breath. I could feel my beast-men's gaze, but I cared less.
"What did you d—"
"Shh," I said, placing my finger on Veyra's lips. His ears reddened subtly, and he nodded.
Darian walked over smiling and placed the tea cup on the table. I gave him the cold shoulder and reached to drink my tea, sipping softly. I could feel his satisfied gaze, but my eyes trailed as he handed the tea to Elowen.
An evil smirk curved on my lips.
Of course, Azrael noticed and smiled in mischief.
I watched as she laughed and took the tea. It touched her lips and just as she was about to sip...
A maid bumped into her and the cup fell and shattered.
My eyes darkened. Great. Of course, the plot armor wouldn't let her get hurt.
"Are you okay?" Darian asked, holding her hands, blowing on the burn.
I rolled my eyes and reached for a biscuit, taking a bite. I turned to Veyra and shoved it into his mouth. He stiffened for a second but ate it.
I smiled, but my gaze dropped to his lips.
I could imagine pinning him to the bed and trailing kisses down his neck...I swallowed hard and turned away, no way I'm ever giving you up.
Wait. I have to focus.
The deadly seduction stuff comes later.
With that five dancers came to the stage, ready to entertain the guests, but Elowen's voice stopped them.
"Sister, I heard you are an expert at the veil dance, why don't you grace us with your steps?" she said.
I remained silent. Really… what are you planning, Elowen? Humiliation? Insults? Belittling?
"Of course," I said, letting my legs show as I cat-walked to the stage.
That dance… the steps of a prostitute. It's said to seduce and entice beast-men…Elowen, good job. You want me to be slandered as a seductive F-rank female who turns the heads of beast-men…
But really? This would be fun.
....I want to turn their heads too.