Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Betrayal IV
"My lord, p- please. I am only a mere servant of her highness."
Seeing her frightened appearance, Herbert still saw a subtle hint of disgust and rebellious fighting spirit in her eyes. He couldn't help but marvel at how much her two-faced self had still not yet learned who was truly in charge.
"Lady Elena, I wouldn't want to make things hard for you too. So, let's make things simple. How about this, I will give you two choices and you only have to choose one. Simple, right?"
Lady Elena nodded her head, although she was still a bit cautious about what Herbert intended to do, she couldn't help but follow his words for now. However, once she got herself and Princess Amelia to safety, she didn't think that Herbert could continue his overbearing attitude.
"It's good that you understand."
Herbert praised her courage and patted her face. He then took out two different things from his pocket and swung them in front of Lady Elena.
"I have here two things. The first thing is something that you guys so desperately wanted that you decided to make the foolish decision of leaving the Capital. This is the reason that you decided to enter the far-off north and even join this stupid expedition to the Wildlands, right?"
Herbert then took the second item and placed it in front of Lady Elena.
"This second item, it's something that isn't good for you."
Seeing the two items being waved in front of her, Lady Elena made an audible gulp. Herbert had finally opened up to her and had brought the Awakening Crystal into their conversation. This was something that could change her life if she used it. It was such a magical item that even the Ninth Princess, who she had served since she was young, was also looking forward to it.
"Do you know what's inside this?"
"No, my lord. Can you please enlighten me?"
Herbert smiled gently before slowly whispering into her ears so that she could hear his next words.
"This bottle here contains poison."
"Poison, my lord?"
"Yes. Poison. It's a slow-acting poison that slowly kills whoever ingests it. It's tasteless and odorless, but it's very lethal. Trust me, you wouldn't want this anywhere near you."
Lady Elena widened her eyes. If the fear that she had felt before was because of her guesses at what Herbert intended to make her do, this time the terror that she felt was all because one of her guesses was just about to come true.
"But don't worry. I also have the antidote for this poison."
Unknowingly, Lady Elena had already breathed a sigh of relief. Herbert shouldn't go so far. He was still a member of the kingdom's nobility. With the strict hierarchy of the kingdom, he would never dare to do something that could be taken as lese majesty. If he ever did anything to the Princess then it would not only be him who would be in danger. His whole family would also become implicated. With this in mind, Lady Elena found the courage to continue her conversation with Herbert.
"What do you want me to do, my lord?"
"Just as I've said earlier. I will give you a choice. The first thing is for you to prove your loyalty to your master. Drink this poison and I will give Princess Amelia this Awakening Crystal."
In an instant, Lady Elena's expression soured. She had made a mistake; she had still considered Herbert a human. He was no human, just his actions alone made him a devil in human skin.
"What is the other choice, my lord?"
"Well, there's also the other option of having you make the Ninth Princess ingest this poison. If you do this, I will also naturally reward you by gifting this Awakening Crystal to you."
Lady Elena felt the seriousness in Herbert's words. He was excitedly waiting for her to choose.
"I- I select the-"
Before she was able to say her choice, she was suddenly disturbed by Princess Amelia who suddenly groaned out loud. Her voice had jolted her and prevented her from making a quick and hasty decision.
"Elena, no!"
Seeing Lady Elena's reaction to Princess Amelia's sleep talk was quite amusing.
"I wonder, what is she dreaming of? Even in her nightmare she still thinks of you. How touching."
Herbert's words made Lady Elena ashamed. She was just about to do something that she could have regretted for the rest of her life. She finally realized that Herbert was just about to trick her. He had never shown her the antidote, if she had been a little more selfish then she would have ruined the life of the Ninth Princess.
"My lord, are you sure that you have the antidote?"
"Why of course. It's right here."
Herbert then took out another bottle and presented it to Lady Elena. Since he gave it away so easily, Lady Elena couldn't help but have a look of doubt.
"Do you not trust me?"
"No, my lord. It's just that, I don't understand why you are making me do this."
"Oh? It seems that you still don't understand."
Herbert whose face sported his gentle smile suddenly contorted into a furious countenance. He then used his empty hand to hold Lady Elena's throat. The force that he applied was enough to strangle her to death.
"You don't have the right to question me."
After saying those words, he let go of Lady Elena's slender neck just before she entered the brink of death.
"I- cough. I apologize, my lord. Cough."
As she held her neck, Lady Elena felt that she had finally set a proper glance at Herbert's true appearance. He was no gentleman, he was a real madman, it was no wonder that Princess Amelia had never come to have any sort of affection for him.
Just as she had decided to protect Princess Amelia by choosing to ingest the poison, she was once again disturbed by a familiar voice.
"Elena, you bitch! You betrayer! Traitor!"
She was surprised. No, it wasn't only her that had been surprised by Princess Amelia's sudden outburst. Even Herbert who was waiting for Lady Elena's answer was also pleasantly surprised. He never thought that Princess Amelia's words would come at the right time.
Originally, he just intended to make Lady Elena turn into a spy by poisoning her. Eventually, she would also slowly turn to his side and become loyal to the Ravenmoon since he had already planted a trace of doubt in Princess Amelia's heart.
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