Chapter 6 Poisoned

As Isolde stepped into the hall, her father's furious voice rang out, accompanied by Matilda's stammering attempts at defense. A cold smile curled on her lips. Back when her father was granted the title of Duke, his prestige had indeed reached its peak. But after her mother's death, he had never recovered. No longer leading armies into battle, he resigned himself to a bureaucratic post, letting the family's once-proud reputation crumble into a hollow facade. Though he secretly hoped to curry favor with Milton Blackwell, Eleanor's father, this was a matter he kept strictly to himself. No one dared to mention it aloud. Revealing two truths—that Eleanor was carrying William's child and that her father sought Milton's alliance—would be enough to throw the Velvet Wing into chaos tonight. And by tomorrow, she was sure, the Pearl Tower's meals would be restored. As expected, the next morning, Helena walked in with a bright smile. "My lady, breakfast is ready!" Mary had personally ordered the meal served. Once the servants had left, she spoke coldly. "My lady, you've grown bold—running off to complain to the Duke! But don't forget, Duke Langley has more important matters to attend to. The affairs of the household are, after all, managed by Lady Matilda." She had planned to report being struck to Matilda herself, only to find Isolde had beaten her to it. Furious, she was seething with resentment. Fine. If you want food, go ahead. Eat yourself to death. Isolde picked up her forks but paused at Mary's words. She waved her over. "Come here." Mary hesitated, her eyes narrowing. "What now? Do you intend to strike me again, my lady?" "I won't hit you," Isolde said calmly, placing a few pieces of meat into a smaller bowl. "Take this to Leonis. Later, we'll talk about what to do with Eleanor." Thinking she had the upper hand, Mary smirked and took the bowl. "Now, this is better, my lady. Anything can be discussed. If Eleanor can't become William's official wife, she can at least be a concubine treated equally." "Indeed, you're absolutely right," Isolde replied with a faint smile. Satisfied, Mary left the room. As soon as the door closed, Isolde turned to Helena. "Shut the door!" Helena quickly obeyed, smiling as she said, "My lady, you're so clever. Otherwise, we wouldn't even get to eat this meal." Isolde, however, had no appetite. "You eat. I'm not hungry." Helena glanced at the table, swallowing hard. "No, it's fine. I'll eat later." "You didn't eat last night. Eat now!" Isolde insisted, standing up. Suddenly, a loud banging came from the door. Mary's voice followed, shrill and furious. "Lady Isolde, open the door!" Ignoring her entirely, Isolde gestured for Helena to eat. Only when Helena had finished did she unlock the door. Mary stormed in, her eyes blazing. "What is the meaning of this?" "Meaning?" Isolde leaned back in her chair, utterly unfazed. "What? Can't I close her door to enjoy her breakfast in peace? Or do the servants dictate the rules now?" Mary's expression darkened, her gaze drifting toward the half-eaten dishes on the table. A sly, malicious smile crept across her face. Noticing the change, Isolde's eyes followed hers, settling on the food. Suddenly, Helena clutched her stomach, doubling over with a sharp cry. Her face turned deathly pale. "Helena! What's wrong?" Isolde rushed to her side, steadying her trembling frame. "I... I don't know..." Helena's voice was faint as she clung to Isolde's arm, her face contorted with pain. Tears welled in her eyes. "Lady Isolde... my stomach... it hurts so much..." From outside came a series of frantic, pained barks. Isolde let go of Helena and hurried to the courtyard, where Leonis lay writhing on the ground, howling in agony. She froze, her thoughts racing. Her mind flashed back to the look in Mary's eyes moments ago. Slowly, she turned back to the table. The realization hit her like a blow. The food was poisoned. This never happened in her time travel. And why would it have? Back then, she'd been meek, obedient, and compliant with every whim of Matilda and Mary. They'd did not need such measures to control her. Mary smirked, her tone dripping with mock concern. "Why are you looking at me like that, my lady? Perhaps the girl ate something she shouldn't have, and now her stomach's upset." "What poison was put in the food?" Isolde demanded, her voice sharp and unyielding. Mary raised her voice defensively, "Lady Isolde, please don't speak such slander! Poisoning a master is a crime punishable by death. I would never! I've served this household loyally for years!" Isolde's glare could pierce stone, but her lips curled into an icy smile. "Loyalty, is it? Such dedication deserves a reward." Without warning, she grabbed Mary by her hair and yanked her forward, delivering a sharp slap. She shoved Mary's face toward the table, pressing her down with force. "Here, have some of this leftover food. A reward fit for someone as faithful as you." Mary screeched like a cornered animal, "Help! Lady Isolde is trying to kill me!" The commotion brought Imogen, the maid stationed near the door, running into the room. Isolde, still gripping Mary's hair, shot Imogen a steely look. "Fetch a doctor. Now!" Imogen hesitated, instinctively thinking to report the incident to Matilda. But Isolde's low, menacing tone stopped her in her tracks. "If the doctor isn't here within half an hour, Mary's fate will be yours. Do not test me." With that, Isolde picked up a plate from the table and smashed it over Mary's head. Mary slumped to the floor with a groan, her strength gone. Pale and trembling, Imogen nodded frantically and fled to carry out the order. Isolde's fury simmered beneath the surface. I am the heiress of this house, yet a servant dares to poison me? If I let this pass, it will happen again. She grabbed Mary by the hair once more and dragged her outside, tying her to a stone pillar in the corridor. "Lady Isolde, I was sent here by Lady Matilda!" Mary shouted, her voice shaking with outrage. "If you treat me like this, she won't forgive you!" Isolde's expression turned colder still. She bent down, removed one of her shoes, and raised it with deliberate calm. The blows came fast and hard, left and right until Mary's cries were reduced to weak whimpers. Tossing the shoe onto Mary's face, Isolde sneered, "I'll deal with you properly later." She turned on her heel and headed back inside. Helena was on the floor, writhing in pain, her face slick with sweat. "My lady... I can't... I can't serve you anymore..." she gasped. "Don't speak," Isolde said firmly, kneeling to press her fingers to Helena's pressure points. "You'll be fine. They wouldn't dare kill me outright. This is just a warning." She eased Helena's pain and helped her sit up. Helena clung to her hand, her voice weak. "My lady... don't report this to the Duke. If you complain too often... he'll grow tired of it." For a moment, Isolde's harsh gaze softened. This girl... always thinking of me. "Quiet now," she murmured. After settling Helena, Isolde stepped outside and retrieved Leonis, the dog. The poison had already passed through its resilient body, just as she had expected. In my past, I knew Leonis could withstand most poisons. But that didn't stop him from meeting his end at Margaret's hands. Carrying the dog, she approached Mary, who was still tied to the pillar, her head drooping. Isolde's voice was as cold as ice. "Look at her. Acknowledge her. It's she who poisoned you!"