The poetry gathering continued, but no one composed verses anymore. All were lost in thought over Karl’s performance of "Ode to Joy" and the poem "If Life Deceives You."
In a washroom far from the main hall, Jason stood at the sink, frantically dousing his hair with cold water.
"Damn it! Damn it! Why?! Why?! How could he compose such a poem?!"
Jason still couldn’t believe Karl had defeated him with poetry.
He lifted his head, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
"All this hard-earned fame… this reputation I built so carefully… is it really going to crumble today?!"
He couldn’t forget the crowd’s whispers—how they’d spread word of his petty behavior, exposing his narrow-mindedness to the world. To Jason, that shame felt worse than death.
"Damn it! If I’m going down, we’re all going down together!"
His fingers brushed the hidden knife at his waist. He would plunge this dagger into Karl’s heart—bury him alongside his own ruined name.
Steel resolved, Jason drew the blade and turned to leave.
But the moment he turned, a pink-haired maid stood directly behind him.
She was adorably cute, with a bust so prominent it seemed to fill his entire vision.
Jason froze, shock flashing across his face. "Who are you?"
Nana stammered in a flustered voice, "Um… I-I’m Mia’s maid."
Jason’s brows furrowed slightly. "Mia’s maid? What do you want? I locked this door—how did you get in?" He was certain he had.
Nana shrank back timidly. "P-please… stop bothering Miss Mia. And stay away from Mr. Karl. Don’t do anything rash."
Jason let out a derisive snort. "Why should I? He destroyed my reputation! You see this?" He brandished the dagger. "I’m walking out there right now to bury him along with—"
He never finished.
Nana vanished in a flash and reappeared before him.
Jason’s vision blurred. Balance gone. Next thing he knew, his cheek pressed against the icy tile floor. A small but firm foot pinned his head down.
*Clatter.*
The dagger he’d held moments ago now lay beside his face—grazing his skin, leaving a thin crimson trail before embedding itself in the tiles.
Terror seized him. He hadn’t seen her move. If she’d aimed just slightly lower…
A soft, almost apologetic voice drifted down:
"Um… if you persist, I’ll have no choice but to kill you right here."
Jason’s heart hammered. Her tone was gentle, sweet even—but utterly sincere. She meant it.
"For disposal… I still have a bit of corpse-dissolving liquid left. It dissolves clothes too."
Nana was already planning his end.
Jason instantly caved. "I—I was wrong! I won’t hurt Karl! Please, let me go! I’m begging you!"
Nana’s face brightened. "Oh, wonderful! Then I won’t waste my potion. Thank you so much!"
*So killing me is a waste of potion?!*
Jason bit his tongue. Not a word dared escape.
Satisfied, Nana picked up the dagger, gripped the blade, and with a sharp twist—*snap*—broke it clean in half.
Jason gaped.
*What the hell?! She snapped steel?!*
Nana smiled, tucking the broken pieces away. "I must return to Miss Mia. Remember my words."
She slipped out the door, silent as shadow.
Alone, Jason remained sprawled on the cold floor, trembling, still drowning in fear.
---------------------------------------------
The poetry gathering ended at three in the afternoon.
Lucina, beaming, was escorted to the carriage by the city lord’s wife, who kept urging, "Bring Karl to the next ball!"
Inside the carriage, Lucina’s smile vanished. She fixed Karl with a stern gaze.
"Karl, you performed well today. You brought honor to the Sovani family."
Karl smiled readily. "It was my duty."
Though Lucina showed no smile, her pleased demeanor was unmistakable.
But before Karl could relax, she added:
"Write down every story you told Mia. I’ll publish them. No one will question your talent again."
"Ah, but…"
*They’re not even mine…*
Mia chimed in eagerly: "I agree! Brother-in-law’s stories will be a huge hit! We can’t waste his genius!"
Lucina nodded firmly. "No refusal. Start tonight."
"Y-yes… understood…"
Helpless, Karl submitted to his mother-in-law’s formidable authority.
The carriage rattled back to the manor.
Mia dashed straight to the garden. "Sister! Karl’s been hiding depths! He plays piano *and* composes! That church elder praised brother-in-law like he wanted to devour him!"
Freya smiled faintly. "Of course. My man *is* exceptional."
Mia pouted, jealousy prickling her heart.
*‘My man’?! Hmph! Brother-in-law belongs to everyone!*
She bolted from the garden to find Karl—*now*.
Meanwhile, Lucina sat alone at her vanity. Slowly, she opened a drawer, lifted a jewelry box lid, and revealed a gleaming golden pendant within.
