After Evie stepped into the guest room alongside Duke Ramon and the female guard, tea and a selection of delicate sweets were served. Evie lifted her cup with practiced grace, taking a refined sip.
Evie's thoughts: Hmm… white hair and green eyes. Such striking features. Even at his age, he's undeniably handsome… As for the guard, I doubt she's of noble birth.
The Duke set his cup down. "So… how exactly will you help me?"
Evie reached into her pocket and pulled out a single Digitalis blossom.
"By using this," she said. "The foxglove flower—it's used in treating heart conditions."
The Duke's brows furrowed. "The Digitalis is poisonous, l—"
"That's correct," Evie interrupted smoothly, "but only if it's prepared that way. However—"
She took her empty teacup, turned the flower upside down, and let a single shimmering drop fall into it.
The Duke gave a faint smirk. "An impressive display, but it won't—"
Before he could finish, Evie lifted the cup to her lips and drank the drop.
Both the Duke and the guard stared at her in shock.
"There are three possible outcomes," Evie said calmly. "If it's toxic, I'll be dead in moments. If it's harmless, nothing changes. If it's beneficial—well, you can see the advantage yourself. So… what do you think now?"
The Duke chuckled—a deep, amused sound. "Hah… Impossible. No daughter of Duke Lawrence would dare such a thing. Well then, young lady… what is it you want?"
"I have three requests," Evie said. "First… burn Olivia's bakery."
"Consider it done."
"Second… I want a certified guard and instructor—someone who can teach me swordsmanship and protect me for the time being."
"From this moment on," the Duke said, gesturing behind him, "Anna will be at your service. There's no one with her skill."
Anna blinked. "What—?!"
"And third," Evie continued, "give the driver a generous reward for his patience while waiting."
The Duke laughed again. "Hah, so be it."
"And one more thing," Evie added. "Bring me two small medicine vials."
The request was fulfilled swiftly. Evie held the first vial, turned the Digitalis flower upside down once again, and filled both containers with the luminous liquid.
(For reference: Louis had replicated the foxglove plant and extracted its active compound—digitoxin—into liquid form. He also controlled Evie's body.)
"This first vial," she told the Duke, "you may give to your physicians for study and safety testing. The second… is for your heir. I wish him a swift recovery."
She rose from her seat. "Well then, it's time I take my leave. Farewell."
The Duke raised an eyebrow. "And about Anna…"
"Oh, she'll have to apply for a post in the Lawrence Duchy," Evie said with a mischievous grin. "We wouldn't want anyone to suspect her—especially since she resembles a rather… yellow swan, yeh-hoo~."
"You—!" Anna started, but the Duke's laughter cut her off.
Evie stepped outside and approached the waiting driver.
"This is your reward—a bag full of coins. Now, to the Lawrence Duchy."
The driver beamed. "Yeh-heh-heh, thank you for your generosity! Off we go!"