Chapter 267
It was awkward for me, too, when they started bringing up their mothers in front of me.
Especially since everyone knew my mother was a commoner.
But Rosaria hadn’t said it with any ill intent.
She didn’t know I was the daughter of the Second Countdom, so of course she wouldn’t know I didn’t have a mother.
She was just a kind girl, trying to return a compliment she’d received.
Rumelisa’s face hardened, her eyes saying, What a fool.
I quickly spoke up.
“There’s a saying, because God cannot always be with us, He created mothers.”
“……”
“A mother’s love is never an easy thing, right? That’s why it’s so great and wonderful!”
“Ah…”
“Children raised with that kind of love can’t help but be lovable. Just like all of you!”
I spoke brightly, and Marchioness Paanté softly pressed her lips together in surprise.
The noblewomen gazed at me with faces full of sympathy and admiration.
Any mother with children would feel their heart tug at such words.
“Milady, have you eaten? Would you like some refreshments?”
“Heavens, who tied your hair so beautifully?”
The noblewomen began to fuss over me kindly.
As the mood warmed, Rumelisa’s expression softened too.
Rosaria was promptly pulled aside by her mother, likely for an urgent explanation.
I caught glimpses of Rosaria gasping, “I-I didn’t know…!” flustered and apologetic.
Her mother, Countess Bovocca, looked deeply grateful toward me.
After all, it was her daughter’s slip that nearly chilled the atmosphere, and I’d smoothed it over neatly.
Just then.
“These cookies look absolutely delicious.”
A smiling noblewoman slid a plate of cookies toward me.
‘Perfect.’
Thanks to her, I could now identify who Anatoli’s plant was.
‘So it’s you.’
Of course Anatoli wasn’t stupid enough to simply slip just one drugged cookie into the party and leave it unattended.
What if another girl ate it?
Naturally, she would have planted someone to make sure the ‘special’ cookie reached me directly.
I smiled sweetly and picked up a cookie.
Not a chocolate one, of course. Just a plain butter cookie.
Then I popped it into my mouth in one bite.
Marchioness Paanté—Rumelisa’s mother—chuckled softly.
“They were specially ordered from Amillan Confectionery. Our Rumelisa adores them. I do wonder if they suit your taste, Milady.”
I chewed the cookie thoroughly and swallowed, then nodded.
“It’s really deli… delici…ous…”
My words slowed and slurred.
Those watching me closely tilted their heads in concern.
“Milady?”
“Deli…cious… but… ah…”
I pressed my forehead as if dizzy.
Then.
BAM!
I collapsed across the table.
“Kyaa—!”
“Wh, What’s happening?! Milady! Milady!”
The banquet hall erupted into chaos instantly.
And there, the noblewoman who’d pushed the cookie plate toward me went ghost-pale.
‘Of course she’s panicking. The d**g shouldn’t act that fast, and I ate a butter cookie, not chocolate.’
But the Marchioness would certainly have every cookie examined.
And when it’s discovered the chocolate ones were laced…
’Anatoli is done for.’
I forced down the smirk tugging at my lips and closed my eyes.
Truly, in my former life as Yoo Hyemin, I should have become an actress.
I’m this good at playing a part.
* * *
The hall was thrown into pandemonium.
Marchioness Paanté shouted,
“Physician! Quickly, fetch a physician—!”
Maids scrambled out in panic.
Soon healers and trackers flooded into the hall.
The noblewomen and young ladies stood pale-faced, watching the uproar.
While the physician examined me, someone blessed with the Blessing of Detection shouted,
“It’s a d**g!”
“What?”
“These cookies, they’re reacting to a compound!”
Marchioness Paanté turned ashen.
A d**g?
She’d personally inspected the party setup that morning. There had been nothing of the sort.
As a cautious hostess, the Marchioness always hired trackers to check the food and surroundings before any party, just in case.
There’d been no trace of toxins then.
That meant the drugged cookies were brought in after the party began.
The Marchioness whipped her head toward Countess Giklos.
“You.”
“Y-Yes?”
“You were the one who handed Lady Erylotte Astra the cookies, weren’t you?”
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