Layla’s mind raced as she tried to think of a way out of this situation. Refusing the cup, however, was tantamount to revealing that something was in it.
She felt everyone’s questioning eyes drawing in on her. She had failed to destroy the evidence, and she had no choice but to drink it. Once this was over she would take her chance again and break the teapot. Layla accepted the teacup from Amanda with trembling hands.
“Of course. There is nothing in it.”
She spoke smoothly, despite knowing how much salt was in it the tea. Drinking it would be far from pleasant, but she couldn’t retreat now. Layla closed her eyes and took a sip.
“Uub…ub!”
Layla tried to endure it, but she had been brought up as a delicate and pampered noblewoman and could not tolerate something that horribly strong. She spit it out of her mouth.
Layla hurriedly tried to wipe off the spilled salty tea from her bright red face, but it was too late. She made an irreparable mess in front of so many people.
“Hmm.”
Amanda held her head elegantly as she looked at Layla. The crowd was murmuring about them. It was part of Amanda’s plan to pay Layla back in her past life by giving Layla the salty tea, which Amelia was about to drink. Amanda predicted that Layla would try to get rid of the teapot and blocked her attempt. However, even if salt was added to the teapot it would be difficult to actually prove it was Layla’s doing. Some may quietly suspect her, but if a culprit wasn’t actually identified then the situation would eventually be buried.
Amanda wouldn’t lose so easily. Layla had to try and break the teapot in front of everyone, otherwise it might have been difficult to drive Layla into the corner she was in now.
Amanda pretended to cover her mouth in surprise, just as Layla had done.
“Oh, what could be in the tea? Didn’t Lady Brown say there was nothing in it? It’s not a poison, is it?”
The single word rippled through the crowd greatly.
“Poison?”
“Surely not…”
The noise of the crowd grew louder, and Amanda looked around with a frightened expression.
“Lady Brown, I’m worried about your health. We should call a doctor.”
Vivian had a look of thunder, realizing that her tea party was completely ruined. Her fury was directed towards Layla. If anyone had seen Layla make several attempts to try and break a teapot, one couldn’t help but think she was the culprit.
Layla’s face turned ugly the as she saw the tide start to go against her. Honor was as important as life to the nobility. If rumors flew thick about what happened today, Layla wouldn’t be able to show her face in southern society. Her attempt to ruin Amanda had ended in her own defeat.
Layla quickly pointed to Scarlett standing next to her.
“What did you put in this?”
“What? W-well, that’s–”
“Did you use me to embarrass of Lady Windsor? I didn’t even realize…”
Layla wore an innocent mask as she lay blame on Scarlett for her crime. Scarlett, already frightened, started to panic even more.
“W-what are you talking about? I only did what Lady Brown told me to do–”
“I never said such a thing. This joke is too cruel, isn’t it?”
Layla quickly glanced at Hailey, asking for sympathy. Hailey noticed her meaning and hurriedly backed her up.
“Yes, it was Lady Smith who asked us to go to the table where Lady Windsor was sitting. It’s insulting that she knocked over the teacups on purpose.”
Layla relaxed as Hailey took her side.
Amanda turned away from them as if they were no longer worthy for her to deal with. The women had switched targets and drove their weakest into a corner. Amanda knew from the outset that Layla was the mastermind, however, Amanda did not bother to tell the truth. For whatever reason, Hailey and Scarlett had followed Layla’s instructions and were also guilty.
Amanda’s eyes turned back to her original position, and she saw Amelia sitting there with a pale face. Amanda spoke in a completely different voice from when she drove Layla into a corner.
“Amelia, are you all right? ”
“Uh-huh.”
Despite her answer, Amelia still looked surprised by the events that transpired. Amanda wordlessly slipped her hand into Amelia’s to reassure her.
This was a first for Amelia. Although Amelia did not have much social experience, she couldn’t have imagined that there would be something in her tea that she was unknowingly about to drink. Even moreso, she remembered everyone’s look of contempt that was directed at her. At that moment the hairs all on her body stood on end, and she froze, not knowing what to do. Amanda, however, had dealt with the situation with calm.
“…My sister.”
“Yes?”
“How did you know what was in that cup?”
Amanda turned her head towards Layla, who was still attempting to talk her way out of the situation, then back at Amelia to answer her question. Amanda’s profile stood as elegant as a carved statue. After thinking for a moment, Amanda answered in a soft voice.
“…Secret.”
“Tsk.”
Amelia pouted at her answer. Then she flashed a thumbs up and whispered to her quietly.
“That was so incredible.”
Amanda seemed a little different from the one Amelia knew so far, but she didn’t say it out loud. Amanda seemed even more amazing when she was confident.
Amanda gave a secret smile and leaned down towards Amelia.
“This is the beginning.”
She hadn’t imagined she’d change the future through an encounter with a marquis’ daughter. However, from now on the enemy she had to deal with was Luke, who would overthrow the emperor in the future and rise as a treacherous king. To prevent such a path forward for Luke, Amanda could never be lacking in skill as a knight or as a lady. She could do more than just weep like Layla if necessary. She had to act more cleverly than anyone.
She suddenly remembered that Oliver was supposed to visit her soon. What was Oliver thinking? Amanda wished it was as simple knowing Layla’s intentions. With no answer, Amanda sighed to herself.