Chapter 331 - Agatha (29)

A villainess would never stop targeting the leads, at least not of her own volition. And even if she was in the darkest period of her life, she would still be able to come up with ways to torment the protagonists.

Since the third day Agatha fell ill and realized she would have to stop attending tea parties and balls, she had the ministers and officers from her allied aristocratic families begin giving troubles to the Duke.

It was not simply limited to the court. The duke was also getting troubled by sudden business and territorial disputes that none of his subordinates could deal with anymore. He had to personally step up, frequently frowning after realizing that he had been targeted. 

Probably due to pride, Andre Grey chose to hide this fact from his lovely wife. The man wanted to solve everything in the shadows and made it appear as if there had been no problems underneath in the first place. In this way, the duchess would not worry, and even felt like the disease had made the enemy woman stop attacking her. 

It was through one's silence about his troubles that the relationship between the two lovebirds could keep burning strong, like an unkillable fire. 

And Agatha, she was more than happy to watch how the game with the leads would play out. Of course, whenever she could, she would make things difficult for the duke. As a royal consort, even if she was lying in bed due to her 'illness', it was not hard to give verbal instructions... For example, she could hint to her maid to tell a certain minister to not approve this and that... This was exactly what she did in the past week that she was troubled by the curse.

A day passed since her recovery and Agatha began walking around. Yet, since her body was still quite weak from the continuous days of diarrhea, she couldn't exert herself much so she returned to her room.

To not be killed by boredom, she secretly and briefly checked on the people she knew through a crystal ball. One image flashed across her eyes after another. Her guesses, the ones mentioned above were confirmed, and her heart felt elated.

"Collective power can really make a difference…"

She sighed with emotion after seeing the face of young Marquis Steffan which seemed more radiant than usual as he smiled. His expression was practically a mirror of what the other retainers looked like.

Once done watching for a minute, she put away the crystal ball and summoned her ladies-in-waiting to prepare her a table of desserts and drinks.

While the setting of the table was ongoing, she sat before it and placed both her elbows on the tabletop, her smooth and fair chin cupped by her hands.

"Everyone. I'm bored. Tell me about anything to entertain me." Without pretense, she ordered her ladies-in-waiting.

Those with her were loyal so they naturally complied. Aware of what could uplift her mood, which was the suffering of people Agatha didn't see eye to eye, the maids began with Duchess and Duke Grey.

As said above, Agatha had begun to shift harassment to the latter, planning to wear down the shield that kept safe the delicate princess behind it.

The duke had been a great power in the court by himself. After all, he was one of the only two dukes in the country, the other being a true relative of the royals. But he was someone who has traditional and unconditional belief to the power of the divine sword passed down from generation to generation of the Greys. He deemed it not necessary to curry favor or gain the friendship of the other aristocratic families. So right, he was a great power by himself… And he was by himself.

The noble Grey family owned a vast fief, which bordered an almost endless desert in the west. It was under constant threats of sand barbarians who believed in so-called totem powers that came from the Deity of Sun, Shamsiel.

As the ruler of the border deterring these barbarians, the local people were very grateful to the Grey family's protection and thought of their every clan leader as god or king. Given these influences, Andre Grey, like his ancestors, thought he was really one, hence the untamed arrogance. This conceit was even carried even to the court so even the royal members had long been annoyed at him. It was not only Agatha, this villainess who was simply added to the family tree through the king's forceful edict. There were many other… Once instigated, they banded together. There was even no need for her to give hints.

"The might of collective power of weaker people shows when pointed at a single person," her wise personal attendant slash advisor commented. Her name was Sonia, and she was aware that in her master's eyes, the Grey couple was more than a nuisance, but people she wanted to erase from the surface of Mu.

The edges of Agatha's charming lips arced up meaningfully. She continued to listen to the report, her mood becoming better and better the more she heard about Duke Grey's blunders and how he was being isolated. Of course, she was aware that these wouldn't really damage the Grey family in any way.

Although a bit happy, she still regretfully shook her head. "It's sad but in the end… Andre Grey is still influential and powerful. Once he cast away his sky-high pride and announce that he is willing to accept vassals or befriend some people, many would flock to his side."

"True, Your Highness." 

The royal consort sighed again, "It's really regrettable… If I want the duke to really fall from grace, the current situation, being isolated, chances for gaining merits stolen, and having some businesses shut down, would have to stay for two to three years… If he resolves it before that, he'll still remain as a duke. And that woman, the duchess…"

"Your Highness, please don't be discouraged. At least, we know that even if a camel is bigger than a horse and can last even when made to thirst for half a year, it is still not a divine beast that will not collapse under sieges or great calamities."

"Sonia, I really love your sweet mouth." A sweet smile blossomed from the enchanting consort.

A merry mood permeated the air for some time. The story-telling session to amuse a bored villainess ensued.

But a dozen minutes later, while the other ladies-in-waiting were telling interesting tales to Agatha, a servant tasked with guarding outside walked in and then respectfully knelt with her two hands lifting up a bundle of fabric.

Agatha arched her brows at the sight. Sonia did not have to be instructed to take a step forward and inspect what was in the person's hand. "Who sent this? And what is in the bundle?"

"Milady, please pardon my impudence, I was instructed to bring it directly to Her Highness by…" The voice of the female servant trailed off as she couldn't recall who exactly made her barge into the opulent room. No, when she did she even get this thing?

Noticing the sudden pause in the speech of the kneeling woman and the sweat trickling down her face, Sonia grew angry and rebuked her.

"Preposterous! How dare you come in and present something suspicious! Based on your actions just now, you don't even know who it came from and what is wrapped inside the clothing! What if it is an item that can endanger Her Highness' life? Can you bear the sin? Your Highness, I propose to let her be dragged out by the guards and be beaten until all the bones in her body break! Let her death be an example to the other daring servants!"

Agatha's face was also dark as she was very displeased. Looking at it, the alarmed female servant began to beg for life. "Your Highness! I, I have sinned. I beg for your pardon! I beg Your Highness to spare my life!"

The woman took a deep breath and stood up from her couch. No one in the room dared to breathe due to her heavy aura. Even the fearful servant suddenly began to hold back her voice, although her tears began to stream endlessly like a river.

Agatha was indeed angry… and wanted to punish the stupid maid who ruined her mood. But she noticed that there was something wrong with this servant.

Exhibiting signs of loss of memories… and could sneak into the palace without anyone noticing…

The woman's thoughts churned faster and faster, her face turning sour. She carefully picked up the bundled-up item and unwrapped it. A letter revealed itself to her. Sonia, as the capable and thoughtful lady-in-waiting, handed her a letter opener.

Not long after, she could read its content.

[Pick us up at XXXX at 1:30 am. You know the date.]

'Us?' Reading that opening, Agatha confirmed her guess. The sender was that youth. Yet what was truly alarming was him saying he would be coming with her tomorrow to the coven's hideout! And he had companions!

The woman was truly alarmed and her heart was beating loudly as she lowered her sight to see the next texts.

[Don't worry. I only plan to sightsee.]

[PS: the maid is innocent. If I hear any harm befell her, I guarantee you, something worse than week-long diarrhea will befall you. For now, I'm still deciding what it will be. So how about you save me the effort by not doing what I don't encourage you to do?]

"…"

The kneeling maid who was closest to her felt heat above her so she raised her head. "Ah! Fire!"

Agatha unconsciously burned the piece of paper in the presence of her ladies-in-waiting which became a headache later as she had to tamper with their memories.

…