Chapter 284: Dealing With A Duchess

Words : 696 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 284: Dealing With A Duchess Duchess Renna Poinset smiled sweetly at me as she took another sip from her teacup, before she innocently asked "Do you have any plans to cause harm to this Queendom or its people?" Even as her smile widened, it never once reached those sky blue eyes that became as cold as a winter day, making me shiver slightly as I stared back at her. Pairing her smile to the sweet scent in the air made my head dizzy, but I kept my wits about me as best I could as I shook my head, answering her question. "Not unless something happens to me or my family, no." As soon as the words slipped from my lips I frowned, which the Duchess managed to pick up on as she chuckled softly behind her hand, those piercing eyes unwavering as she said "Took notice of the effects of my concoctions have you~? I already said it; this is something to make sure that you never lie to me, about anything." I bit my lower lip before taking a deep breath and nodding, waiting for the next question to come, all while I circulated my mana inside my body in curiosity. Her smile widened at that, but she didn't say anything about it as she instead asked "What do you plan on doing with the plot of land near the Queen's Forest? Do you plan on causing harm to the Queen's Forest?" "No, I don't have any intention to harm the land owned by the Queen in any regard. As for my plans for the plot, I wanted to plant an orchard and some herbs to grow on a majority of the land, whilst also building a small cabin as a vacation spot. Perhaps even construct a small stall to sell goods to the passing merchants." "Nothing wrong with that. Odd for a Noble like myself to say, but I have seen the corruption that power brings. Rape, murder, fraud, kidnapping, trafficking... it all permeates upper society, and despite the best efforts of our Queen, there still are those parasites who would abuse their positions. As long as you aren't someone who believes that everything the Nobility does is terrible for the world, I don't particularly care what you do regarding some of the criminals or slaves." When she glanced at me I shook my head, making her smile softly as she rested her cheek on her hand, adding "I'm sure I could go deeper with this, but I have enough of a picture to understand who you are, Miss Astra. Besides, if you do end up... changing your mind about how you treat the Queen's Forest, what I think won't matter. After all, you would be little more than a corpse rotting amongst the roots." Her luscious lips curled into a promising smile that held nothing good within its shape, and I shivered once more as a chill crept up my spine, only to gasp as the dome of mana around me dissipated, allowing the sickly sweet scent to be diffused into the air. "Well, that should be all then neighbor~! I got everything I needed, and I certainly do have a better grasp on you and your family. Mannerisms speak far more than words ever can, Miss Astra. It'd do you good to remember that. Now..." Finishing her tea, the Duchess stood up and brushed out her dress before approaching her horse, mounting it easily and looking back at the rest of us as she grinned, her features warm now that her work was done. "I look forwards to seeing this plot be turned into something besides just grass~! May the Goddess bless you all." With that, Duchess Renna Poinset raised her hand and waved us goodbye before galloping away, her reddish brown hair billowing behind her as she left us as suddenly as she appeared. Getting up as well, I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, before smiling wryly at the others as I said "I guess we know who lives beside us now, don't we?"

Chapter 284: Dealing With A Duchess

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