073. Conspiracy
Moden Bascon's first wife, Elle's mansion. There, visible through the window, was a woman with red hair and a voluptuous figure, just like her daughter Velvet. Elle was sipping coffee with her maid.
She slurped delicately, savoring a forkful of cake. Bliss washed over Elle's face in an instant. As expected, she had a particular fondness for sweets.
She chewed slowly, swallowing the cake down her throat before speaking. "When you're feeling all sticky inside, nothing beats something sweet."
Even as she enjoyed her favorite cake, her brow furrowed. It was due to the recent worries plaguing her.
"Bin Bascon. At just fifteen years old, snatching the position of 7th Division Centurion..."
Her eyes narrowed. She had assumed that spot belonged to her son, Silva.
Seeing Elle's sour expression, the maid quickly catered to her mood. "That position was meant for Master Silva, wasn't it?"
The maid piled on words tailored to please Elle's ears. Mention of Bin flushed Elle's face red.
'Bin Bascon...'
The recent duel between Silva and Bin. The result: Silva's defeat. Naturally, Bin had claimed the 7th Division Centurion role.
But Elle couldn't just sit idly by while Bin occupied that seat. Every day felt like a thorn in her throat. If Bin shone as centurion, Silva might lose his shot at heir.
'That can't happen.'
Just then, as her eyes narrowed to slits—
Knock! Knock!
A knock echoed at the door. Elle turned her head. The door opened, and in stepped a figure cloaked in a gray mantle. Beneath the cloak, a snake coiled around his neck flicked its tongue.
Elle greeted him warmly. "Come in. Master Ravins."
Ravins Taia. As captain of the Taia family's Blue Tide Unit, he shared a shady friendship with Elle. He handled dirty jobs for a price—his specialty was assassination.
Ravins flashed her a sly grin. "Whose neck shall I sever this time?"
* * *
A few days later. Near Plentel Castle, the Red Field. Lush red strawberries and crimson flowers blanketed the surrounding fields.
Bin strode through it all, his greatsword strapped to his back. Elle had requested to meet here, and Bin hadn't refused. After his duel with Silva and ascension to centurion, Elle was the one nagging at his mind. She was sure to sabotage him later.
Bin thought: Pull weeds out by the root.
'She seeks me out.'
A smirk tugged at his lips. From his memories of his past life, he knew exactly what Elle would pull.
His footsteps crunched. After a few paces, a cabin emerged amid strawberry fields overgrown with vines blooming blue flowers. A scenic spot that amplified the tea's flavor.
From the cabin, a red-haired Elle waved. Behind her stood a single maid.
Elle beamed at Bin. "Come on in, dear."
Bin kept his face neutral but stayed wary inside. 'Let's see your play.'
Soon, he entered and sat across from her at the table, laden with cakes and teacups.
Elle addressed him. "I'm truly delighted you've become 7th Division Centurion."
"Thank you."
Bin's insides churned differently from his polite words. 'Empty flattery.'
The tactless Codic at his belt overheard and beamed. 'My lord shows the proper demeanor.'
Elle eyed the silver epaulet on Bin's shoulder and continued. "Rising to Super Nova at fifteen—it's astonishing. I can't even imagine the efforts you've poured in. I'm so proud."
This time, Codic's cheekbones rose to the heavens. He approved of her attitude. 'Yes, you wench, finally coming to your senses.'
He was so pleased watching her serve Bin heaps of cake.
"..."
But Bin stayed silent. 'Such lip service won't sway me.'
Elle gauged his reaction before speaking. "I worried our forces lagged behind rival Grander family. But you've brought such good news—I'm relieved."
"Aren't you disappointed Silva couldn't take the centurion spot?"
A direct jab. Elle's face stiffened instantly.
"...!"
The maid beside her tried to smooth things over, fearing the plan's derailment. "Young Master...!"
Bin watched their reactions with a relaxed smile. "Just kidding."
"You've grown so much. Teasing your elder aunt like this."
Elle smiled outwardly, but inside she seethed. 'Insolent brat...!'
She resented his casual poise before her.
In the tense air, Elle gulped her tea. Slurp. Surveying the scenery, she admired the blue flowers on the cabin—rare blue margarets in Red Field. They scented tea nicely and eased fatigue, or so they said.
She plucked petals into her cup. Bin's eyes narrowed. 'There it is.'
He stared at the blue flower atop his teacup: blue margarets. Ingested, it paralyzed instantly.
A smile crept across Bin's lips. From past-life memories, he knew Elle conspired with Ravins Taia. They aimed to strike when paralysis hit after tea.
Bin gazed steadily at her. 'Too obvious.'
A calculated murder using outsiders.
He eyed the cup intently. The liquid turned blue, like clear ocean depths. Its mystery captivated.
Elle urged him again, watching. "The aroma is divine. Give it a taste."
Bin mused inwardly at her smile. 'Let's see how you squirm.'
He lifted his cup and offered it to her. "Even cold water has hierarchy. You first."
Elle's face hardened as he finished.
She masked her panic with a pitying smile. "I have a flower allergy, you see."
"Someone with a flower allergy calls the scent good? Doesn't that seem off?"
His sly tone froze her expression. 'This punk dares...!'
Bin glanced around. "Especially with flowers everywhere."
Elle flushed crimson. 'Could he have noticed?'
Her inconsistent excuse left her flustered. But Bin pressed harder, shoving the cup toward her with a grin. "If I'm wrong, drink up boldly. Allergy won't kill you."
Her face burned hotter. Bin smirked leisurely.
Cornered, Elle scanned about for Ravins.
But Bin wouldn't stand by. "Looking for something around here?"
"..."
Her pupils quivered. 'He's backing me into a cliff...'
Infuriating enough to clench her fists. Finally, she snapped. "What would be here?! Making a fuss over nothing!"
"Getting so heated makes it seem like there is something."
"..."
Their glares sharpened.
Elle's pride stung as words failed her. She was Bascon Duke's first wife—yet fumbling before a mere teen. No, enduring mockery now boiled her rage.
As she faltered, the maid intervened. "Young Master Bin! How rude. Apologize at once!"
Bin thrust the cup at her. She fell silent.
"Then you drink."
"..."
The maid glanced at Elle, lost. Bin poured the cup into Elle's mouth.
Splash!
Her face paled, stiffening. Then, a rustle from under the cabin.
Shhh...Thwack!
Bin swatted it with his bandaged right arm—black scales impervious to fangs. The snake flew toward the maid, coiling excitedly.
Squeeze!
"Aaaahhh!"
Screams filled the cabin. Bin hadn't planned this far. It was sibling rivalry; he hadn't wanted to harm their mother.
But she'd provoked first. As the frenzied snake bared venomous teeth, Elle mustered a shout. "Stop!"
From the grass emerged Ravins, hood deep, face hidden. Silver aura from his body calmed the snake, which slithered back.
Shhh...
The collapsed maid's eyes rolled white. Elle's shoulders slumped. Her scheme ruined.
Yet astonishment hit: a mere fifteen-year-old piercing her plot.
Bin glared coldly at Elle, paralysis setting in. Mana surged from him, making her tremble. His eyes said: I could take your head.
Legs giving out, she bowed her head. 'Afraid of that child...!'
His killing intent seemed beyond a boy's. She knew he wasn't ordinary—but not this far above her.
Regret flashed: mishandled, shameful. Reporting this could doom her and Silva.
But Bin turned and left. She wasn't worth it.
Seeing him go, a sigh escaped Elle. 'Haa...'
In the chill atmosphere, stunned Elle slumped fully.
Thud.
'Danel... birthed a monster.'