Poisoned Demon Lords (4)

"I'm so glad you're here. I wouldn't know what to do about my attire if you weren't," July-sama sighed.

"I'm glad to be of help. Please keep still," I held the flaps of his suit, pulling downwards to straighten the fabric. As for his hair, I think it should be good enough? No, there's a small tuff.

I coalesced some water in the air, wetting my fingers, I tried to tame that pesky bit.

"Maid, don't be conceited with your own figure. You too contribute to the image of the Bougainvillea household," April-sama said.

"Understood, Milady."

True. I did have to pay attention to my appearance today. A weird feeling sprung up from my chest.

The maids in the Earl's household were kind enough to provide us with the large partition screen left in one of the closest. It had a nice flowery design, made out of opaque paper.

July-sama.. you shouldn't be looking in that direction.

I walked over to the mirror to fix my hair. There wasn't much in terms of style I could do, adding only a small ribbon to hold together my bangs to one side. I had short hair for convenience. The headpiece I usually wore wasn't there, my head felt uncomfortably light.

As for my gown, it was the same as what I wore this morning. The straps wrapped around my shoulders, much of the cleavage exposed-- which I found rather had to get used to-- and the tightness of the corset at my waist. It was worse than the ones I had to wear for work.

I didn't look like myself.

Do I need to put on light makeup? Perhaps not?

"July-sama, what do you think?"

"You look good in anything you wear Rin-aneesan!"

"I-Is that so.." an unexpected response, it caught me off guard. I didn't understand how I should take that compliment.

"Good work, Keep the partition, you may leave without any further tasks," April-sama said.

From the corner, my colleague, Shyna-san bowed and left the room. She gave me a wink.

April-sama revealed herself

A fluffy pink gown adorned with gems, translucent fabric loosely flowed to and from the edges, the silky fabric beautifully curved at her cleavage -- her silver hair knotted into a bun, held together by a pin and large crystal ornaments. She wore light makeup, her ruddy cheeks complimenting her crimson eyes, adding a hint of innocence to her otherwise mature face.

"Beautiful," I blurted by accident.

"You too. Keep your appearance. Don't drag the family from behind."

"U-Understood."

"April-neesan is also very beautiful today. Hehe."

"Mind your verbal gestures."

"Nee-san, if you're so strict people won't be receptive."

"That is your opinion. Discipline is one value I believe to hold virtue."

The door was knocked on, receiving the door, the maid there told us to move to the dining hall. The evening banquet was about to start, just in time.

"We will be there, thank you for the information."

The Earl's maid bowed. Their uniforms were different from the ones I wore, it looked more polished.. and less uncomfortable.

"Shall we?" July-sama said.

"Remember that we are representatives of our house, be sure to keep with your best appearance."

"Milady, Young Lord," Vicent-sama appeared at the entrance and greeted. "I will be escorting."

"Please," April-sama smiled softly.

Together we left the room

-- I was passed a piece of paper.

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An extravagant hall, crystal beads forming the chandelier above, glittering in the seven colors. The scattered rays of light shone everywhere, reflected in my eyes as a wondrous array.

"I'm glad you were able to come, Miss April and Sir July, it's a pleasure to make an acquaintance," in a glowing white dress, light embellishments and glitter, the brown haired girl picked up the hem of her dress and bowed. A wedding dress?

"Likewise, it's an honor to receive an invitation to such an event. My deepest apologies that father was not able to attend," April-sama returned a curtsy.

"I can see that he must attend to important things in the territory. Do tell him to not push himself too hard."

"I will bring it up when I return, thank you for expressing your concern."

"To your left," Vincent-sama whispered.

I turned to the direction which he had noted, nobles forming a circle.

Velvet-haired girl.

Black-haired boy.

My targets.

"Rin-san," April-sama called out sternly.

"Ah.. y-yes..?"

She glared at me. The girl with the curly brown hair looked at me with concern.

"Introduce yourself," Vicent-sama whispered.

"M-My name is Rinalanashina from the Bougainvillea house, pleased to make an acquaintance," I gave a brief bow.

"Pleased to meet you too. May I address you as Rin-san?"

"Yes, please do," That'll save you saliva.

"I was glad to have gotten to know you, I shall be around so if you have any questions, I am free to answer. That aside, please enjoy the evening," the girl bowed and walked towards the next noble to address herself.

"Pay attention when others speak," April-sama said and walked ahead.

"What happened?" July-sama came up to me and asked.

"N-Nothing.. who was that noble? I must have missed her name."

"Corine Ifrit. She's the younger sister of the bride."

"I see.."

April-sama and July-sama continued to strike up conversations with the other nobles. I was soon disregarded. I wasn't used to this in the slightest.. I didn't know what to do.

"Take one."

"Huh.. owh, thank you.." I received a glass from Vincent-sama. How come he was wearing the Earl house's butler uniform.. I shouldn't ask.

"Is it really alright for someone like me to drink this.." I've never been to such a party.. nor have I ever drank wine with such a luxurious cup.

"Is there anything stopping you from doing so? Look around, everyone is making merry, why don't you too?"

I swirled the glass, thinking that it made the most sense to do so before taking a sip.

"Remember to read the note. The stage is set, it all counts on you."

"Huh? C-Counts on me.."

I couldn't help but glance over to the direction where the velvet haired girl was. There was something about her I felt.. compelling. It was the same for the boy.

The boy is.. not there?

I looked around to find him together with a silver-haired girl at the other side of the hall. A beastkin? I didn't think there would be a demi-human here.

Vincent-sama came up to the boy and beastkin and offered two glasses of wine. He then proceeded to the girl and passed her a glass. From there, he walked towards the exit, turning to me, he gestured.

Right. I had yet to read the note..

What did Vincent-sama just do?

The velvet haired girl came over to the boy's side.. did they finish their glass under my awareness? It happened so quickly and.. the girl took the entire thing down her throat just like that?! Why?

I looked at my own glass, the red liquid…

What if..

A loud applause, music started playing.

"Oohh!"

"The Earl!"

"Those two are indeed a great pair."

"From which tailor did they commission that dress from?"

"It is surprising how the two houses got along."

The groom and the bride entered together. They weren't in their wedding attire, but in a refined, though more subdued clothings for this occasion. They were the center of attention, the bride's hand on top of the groom as he led her to the table.

"Thank you everyone for taking the time to come to tonight's dinner. As the event is self-explanatory, I implore everyone to choose a seat of your liking in preparation for tonight's dinner."

"As crude as ever."

"That in itself has a charm to it does it not?"

The nobles chattered, laughed-- eventually moving to take their seats.

I followed July-sama and sat beside whichever seat he took.

There, under the cover of the table, I opened the note.

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It was as noted. They would leave the table and proceed to their room. At the cue I have to…

"Rin-aneesan?"

"What's wrong with you maid?"

"I.. I need to leave for the washroom please excuse me," I bowed and proceeded out of the dining hall with all due haste.

Do I really have to do it? Now? At this time?

I swallowed.. I had just finished the wine, but my throat was dry.

"They were a little behind schedule. The girl is truly something. Whatever, everything is in motion now."

"Vincent-sama.."

I came out to the empty hall, surprised to see Vincent-sama there.

He held out a small needle.

"What is this..."

"Or is this too difficult for a young lady like you? Should I make it easier? I'll turn a blind eye to the fact that you had only completed half the mission set out by the Margrave. You only need to kill that girl. The boy you can leave. A good deal no?"

The girl was given an aphrodisiac while the guy was… no. My half-sister was given the aphrodisiac and my half-brother was given a slow poison. My only task was to kill my half-sister.. given time, my half-brother would die. That was the bare minimum requirement.

"W-what if I was found out.."

"Do you not trust me? Let's put it this way, if you, Bougainvillea's daughter were to be learnt of as a murderer, master's name would be sullied no? What point is there in doing so? There only comes demerit if you were to be traced. I will cover for your trace, go."

"No.. But I.."

"I see.. then I shall report to the master.."

I couldn't give up this chance..

Hesitant, I took the needle, a coating of bile-coloured at the tip.

Shaking.. my hands were shaking.

"Their door will be left unlocked. You need only to prick the needle into their skin," he bowed.. and left.

What would happen if I did that?

For the sake of my freedom.. was it worth it? What if I failed? What if they were skilled adventurers? That's not it.. I have to take advantage of the window in which they are doing intercourse..?

No way. No way. I can't. I can't..

I have to. I have to.

I took a step forward. A small step..

Was what I'm doing correct mom? Was this the right thing to do? Did I have to kill?

Another step.

Closer.. their room should be somewhere..

Moans.. I should be expecting some moans.. I hear nothing. Only footsteps.. my heartbeat, the clattering of teeth, my shaking knees. Something didn't sit too right? What if it was a lie? A trap? What if..

"T-this room.."

Kill or be killed.

The survival of the fittest.

Compared to a normal human.. a demon lord's physical ability should at least be somewhat superior? Did I stand a chance against them? There was no sound, nothing beyond here..

The room was.. empty..

No. There was..

A numbered door?