Chapter 135
"What is it that you have on them?" Elise asked the moment she sat down, her tone sharp and demanding.
Fiona responded by calmly setting her teacup down, her expression unreadable. She let out a soft sigh, as though Elise's question was of little consequence. Why was this woman so stupid? Fiona wondered inwardly. Seeing Fiona's indifference, Elise's frustration deepened. "Why do they want to see you?" she pressed.
"How would I know that?" Fiona replied, her tone light. "I haven't even spoken to them yet."
Elise pursed her lips, refusing to accept Fiona's nonchalant answer. It didn't make sense. Fiona must have something important, something that had drawn their attention so persistently. But what could it be?
Fiona had only recently awakened her ability, and while it was impressive, it wasn't unique. Elise herself could heal and with greater mastery, she was sure of it. She had spent years honing her abilities, studying the art of healing since her own awakening. By all accounts, she should outshine Fiona.
Yet, they still wanted to see her.
Was it because of the Prince? Elise wondered. Or did Fiona possess something she didn't? The only thing that Fiona has was... Elijah. Was this because of politics?
The thought gnawed at her, but Fiona offered no answers. Instead, she poured herself another cup of tea, her movements calm, as though Elise wasn't even there.
"Fiona!" Elise hissed. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. She needed to know what Fiona had on them and she was going to find out what it was no matter the cost! "You'd better tell me what they want, or-"
"Or what, my dearest sister?" Fiona interrupted with a smirk, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
Elise froze, stunned by the mocking edge in Fiona's tone.
Fiona leaned back slightly, her smile widening. "What will you do, Elise? Are you going to lock me in a room again? Just like you did before? Or tell the omegas to put something on my food?"
"You"
Fiona's eyes widened theatrically as she raised a hand to cover her mouth, feigning shock. "Oh, how terrifying," she said, her voice dripping with mock fear. "How could you do something so vile to your own sister?"
Elise's face burned with rage, but Fiona simply sipped her tea, savoring her victory.
Elise took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She knew that Fiona was only confident because the Prince was currently behind her. Without the Prince, she would be helpless.
"Fine... if you refuse to say it, then fine. However, don't ever think about associating yourself with our family again! You know there are poisons even you couldn't heal. This place is nothing but a quagmire, a trap. The more you stay here, the more you'll realize that your healing capabilities aren't exactly the strongest. If something like that happens again, I can assure you the Rosenthal Family will never help you."
"Interesting," Fiona calmly answered. In the first place, she didn't want to receive any help from them.
"What's with that reaction?" Elise asked.
"You seem to think that I needed the Rosenthal Family," Fiona blinked as she made a deliberate pause. "What made you think I needed your father's help to dispel the poison?"
"You" Elise narrowed her eyes. Was it possible Fiona was faking it? No. Impossible, even her father wouldn't do something so stupid. But this is Fiona that they were talking about. Fiona is different. She had long lost her logic, doing things that would only benefit herself.
Almost immediately, the realization
set in. Elise's eyes widened as the
pieces clicked into place. She shot up from her seat, pointing a
trembling finger at Fiona. "You... you were faking it," she said, her voice
すべて
laced with incredulity. "The poison.
You weren't as helpless as you made everyone believe. You faked the entire thing to gain sympathy." NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.
Fiona tilted her head slightly, her lips curling into a calm smile. She didn't deny it. Instead, she picked up her teacup, taking a slow, deliberate sip. The action only infuriated Elise further.
"You're a monster," Elise hissed, her hand trembling as she kept pointing at her. "A lowly, manipulative monster! How could you stoop so low?"
Fiona set her cup down gently, her
smile never faltered. She leaned back in her chair, meeting Elise's gaze with an expression that bordered on amusement. "If that's what you think, Elise," she said. "Then perhaps you should take a good, hard look at yourself. After all, you believed it so easily. What does that say about you?"
The words hit Elise like a slap to the face, her composure fracturing as her emotions spiraled. Without thinking, she lunged forward, her hand raised high. The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the room as her palm connected with Fiona's cheek. The force of the slap made Fiona's head tilt slightly to the side, but she didn't flinch. Instead, she slowly turned her face back to Elise, her smile didn't vanish despite the faint redness blooming on her skin. She calmly brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, her eyes locking onto Elise's with a sharp, icy edge.
"Feel better now?" Fiona asked, her words measured. "Did that make you feel more like the heir to the Rosenthal Family?"
Elise's chest heaved as she struggled to control her emotions. Her hand still stung from the impact, but Fiona's calm demeanor only deepened her fury.
Seeing this, Fiona smirked, then she slapped Elise.
"You" Elise wasn't able to finish her words as the second slap came in.
This time, the second slap rang through the room, louder than the first. Elise staggered back, clutching her face in shock. Her hand trembled as it hovered over the reddening imprint on her cheek. She looked at Fiona, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You" Elise began, but Fiona took a step forward and tilted her head.
"How does it feel?" Fiona asked, her words sharp and deliberate. "To be slapped by someone? Does it feel good? Does it make you feel powerful?"
Elise's breath hitched as her fingers
tightened against her cheek. "You've lost your mind!" she hissed. "I'll tell everyone what you've done. I'll tell Elijah, the King, and the envoys. I'll make sure everyone knows about your lies, about how you faked everything. Let's see how smug you'll be when they realize who you really are. Let's see how smug you'll be when they realize you're nothing but a lowly, manipulative bitch!"
Fiona's lips curled into a faint smile as she took a step back. "Go on..." Fiona said.
Again, Fiona's calm answer surprised Elise. "You-"
"Shall I call the Prince so you can tell him everything?"
"Tell me what?" Elijah's voice echoed inside the room as he walked in, a smile apparent on his face.