Chapter 109: Unexpected turn

Words : 1081 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 109: Unexpected turn The atmosphere seemed to have frozen at Abrielle’s allegations. Why would a maid want to poison the queen? The answer was simple, Eleanore apparently was not the most like character in the harem. Someone here paid her to, and in the original novel, it was none other than Lady Karissa who knew that if Eleanor was gone, she would likely be the queen and Lucian’s right to the throne would be challenged. Abrielle, despite knowing this, didn’t jump to conclusions, remembering the winter hunt incident. Things might not be exactly as how they happened in the original plot. "That’s absurd the tea isn’t poisonous. She has been serving the queen for years and there has never been a poisoning incident." Karissa conveniently was the first person to oppose the idea, making Abrielle wonder if she was truly the one behind it. Rumours started to fly, discrediting Abrielle, saying what they were to expect from a spoilt, talentless daughter with no magic affinity despite coming from the family with the strongest magic in the kingdom. Cedric was suffering for having such a dumb and talentless wife who had no idea how things went. The only one who didn’t speak was Callista. In the original plot, the queen had taken the tea poured by Abrielle and was poisoned. Abrielle was the one who took the fall when the symptoms struck, and to save himself the embarrassment, Cedric sought out Callista, who saved the queen, increasing his gratitude towards Callista as well as his admiration for her. Abrielle was innocent, but everyone thought otherwise until later in the plot, when it was revealed the poisoning was done by Karissa after Cedric investigated further. The only reason he didn’t believe his wife did it then was because she was too dumb to plot against the queen. Abrielle wasn’t dumb but acted fragile to win her husband making it difficult for most of her schemes to get rid of Callista to be traced back to her. Eleanor’s eyes darted around the ladies to Abrielle, who was still confidently standing. "Fine, there is no need to worry. She can have the tea but in a different cup. I can’t share a cup with a maid." The queen reluctantly agreed, and without wasting a second more, the maid picked up another teacup, which maid Abrielle pulled her brows together. This was a bad sign "Your majesty, if you can pardon me. I oblige she drinks from the same cup since Your Majesty wouldn’t be able to use this cup later. I will gladly buy it with my dowry." Abrielle insisted, and then again, she spotted the strange behaviour of a particular lady. She was right on the spot. The plot diverted a bit; the tea was not poisoned, but the cup. That way, if others had taken the same tea, it would have been suspicious-free, making it seem Abrielle poisoned the one she poured for the queen individually. The maid immediately went on her knees, "I can’t bring myself to drink from the same cup as her grace. It will be blasphemous." She insisted which was reasonable. "I think the new princess has to get her facts straight about how she expects the queen chinaware to be used by a maid." Karissa chirped in urging of Eleanor. Astrid, who was by her mother’s side, held her hand. "Mother, I think we should listen to Abrielle. It’s just one cup that can be gotten rid of. Concubine Karissa is acting too suspicious like she knows about the poisoning." Astrid urged Eleanor and made Karissa look more suspicious. Karissa was visibly annoyed by this; Eleanor was smart and could deduce something was truly wrong. "Fine then, let her drink from the cup." Eleanor agreed, and the maid nervously accepted the cup Abrielle had poured and drank every drop of the tea. Abrielle smiled sweetly, sensing her goal had been achieved. "So what’s next how do we know the tea was poisoned?" Astrid inquired. Abrielle was secretly nervous because, despite her being scared of being in front of a crowd, she could do this. "We need someone who has a high magic affinity for healing to check her condition. Although the poison might not show physical symptoms soon, her inner energy and blood circulation should be slightly affected. In my opinion, we should get the royal physical or a priest." Abrielle explained confidently, she was certain of who the mastermind was now. "There is no need to get those people when we have Callista here. She is both a talented Physician and a priestess." Eleanor suggested, Abrielle didn’t like that suggestion for one bit, but the queen’s words were final. Callista got up from her seat, bowed her head, and then walked up to the maid to examine her in front of everyone. It was the longest 5 minutes of Abrielle’s life. Callista finished then shyly turned to the crowd. Her eyes could not hold the queen’s gaze as she shook her head."I can’t sense anything to be wrong with the maid. I fear the princess was wrong." She said and Abrielle’s hands clenched to her side. This had to be the biggest joke ever. Karissa burst into a fit of laughter. "What an unexpected turn of events? What else do you have to say, great daughter of the Vesper duchy? A fool would always be a fool." Karissa taunted, and to their dismay, Abrielle didn’t break down; a smirk slowly graced her lips. "Silence, Karissa; this is a misunderstanding we have to resolve." The queen silenced the concubine, and then her eyes went to Abrielle, "What do you have to say, Abrielle? You just committed a heavy crime here." The queen’s voice was calm and authoritative, her grey eyes boring into Abrielle’s blue eyes. "Honestly, Your Majesty, I don’t know what we expected from someone who isn’t able to use magic. All she had to do was to respect you and pour the tea and I can’t believe I supported her." Astrid chirped in. "I think we can’t make conclusions, yet someone is wrong here, and Abrielle should be given a chance to defend herself." Lady Marinette unexpectedly supported Abrielle. Everyone’s attention was on Abrielle. She took a deep breath and glanced at Callista. "Your majesty, I stand by my words that the tea is poisoned, and this is a bigger scheme than I imagined," Abrielle said despite not being certain of her words.

Chapter 109: Unexpected turn

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