SWNOVELXO Chapter 3: Treading the Dangerous Path of Nobility
Chapter 3: Treading the Dangerous Path of Nobility
The carriage rolled to a halt in front of the Everhart estate, its wheels crunching softly against the gravel driveway. Celia stepped down, her delicate heels clicking against the stone as her maid, Lila, rushed to greet her.
"Welcome back, my lady," Lila said with a bright smile, taking Celia's coat.
Celia offered a small, weary nod. The afternoon with Evelyn Redgrave had been grueling, far more than she had anticipated. While the task was complete, Evelyn's sharp words and subtle challenges had left her drained. Still, it was progress.
As she ascended the stairs to her room, the system chimed softly in her mind once again.
---
Current Points: 300/1000
Next Task: Investigate rumors about your involvement in the poisoning scandal.
Reward: +150 points.
---
Celia froze mid-step. The poisoning scandal. The event that had triggered her downfall in her past life. Her hands tightened on the banister as memories flooded back. The whispers behind her back, the glares, the accusations that she had attempted to poison Lady Cassandra Wexley during a banquet.
It had been a lie, of course. A cleverly orchestrated scheme to destroy her reputation. But she had never uncovered the true culprit.
This time, though, things would be different.
---
The following morning, Celia stood in her study, poring over the guest list from that fateful banquet. Her fingers traced each name as she tried to recall every detail she could about that night. She remembered the feeling of unease, the way the servants had acted strangely, and how Lady Cassandra had suddenly collapsed after drinking her wine.
The Everhart family had been powerful enough to shield Celia from immediate imprisonment, but the damage had already been done. Nobles whispered about her behind her back, and even her former allies had distanced themselves.
"I need to figure out who set me up," Celia muttered, her brow furrowed in concentration.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she called.
Lila entered, carrying a silver tray with tea and biscuits. "My lady, I thought you might need a break."
Celia smiled faintly. "Thank you, Lila. You're always so thoughtful."
The maid's cheeks flushed with surprise at the compliment, and Celia felt a pang of guilt. In her previous life, she had barely acknowledged Lila's efforts.
As Lila set the tray down, Celia hesitated. "Lila, do you remember the banquet at the Wexley estate three years ago? The one where Lady Cassandra fell ill?"
Lila blinked, her brow furrowing. "Yes, my lady. It was quite the scandal. Everyone was talking about it for weeks."
Celia nodded, her gaze sharpening. "Do you recall anything unusual from that night? Anything about the servants or the wine?"
Lila bit her lip, her expression thoughtful. "I do remember something strange. One of the servants—I think he was new—was acting nervous. He kept fidgeting and avoiding eye contact. I thought it was odd, but I didn't think much of it at the time."
Celia's heart skipped a beat. This was more than she'd ever learned in her previous life. "Do you remember his name?"
Lila shook her head. "I'm sorry, my lady. I only saw him briefly when he was carrying a tray of wine."
Celia sighed, frustration bubbling in her chest. Still, it was a lead. If she could track down this servant, she might finally uncover the truth.
---
Later that day, Celia paid a visit to her father in his study. The Duke of Everhart was a stern man, with sharp features and an air of authority that commanded respect.
"Celia," he said, looking up from his paperwork as she entered. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I need your help, Father," Celia said, stepping forward.
He raised an eyebrow. "Help with what?"
"I need to investigate something from the Wexley banquet three years ago," she said, keeping her tone calm and measured. "There was a servant working that night who may have been involved in the incident with Lady Cassandra."
Her father's expression darkened. "Celia, that scandal nearly ruined our family's reputation. Why would you want to dredge it up now?"
"Because I believe I was framed," she said firmly. "And I intend to prove it."
The Duke studied her for a long moment, his gaze piercing. Finally, he sighed, setting his pen down. "Very well. I'll have my steward look into the matter. But tread carefully, Celia. If this goes wrong, it could bring more trouble than it's worth."
"Thank you, Father," she said, relief washing over her.
---
That evening, Celia received a summons to attend a tea party hosted by Lady Cassandra herself. The irony wasn't lost on her. The woman who had been the supposed victim of her crime was now inviting her for tea.
The system chimed softly as she read the invitation.
---
Optional Quest: Attend Lady Cassandra's tea party and gather information.
Reward: +100 points.
---
Celia's lips twitched in annoyance. "Of course it's a quest," she muttered.
The next afternoon, she arrived at Lady Cassandra's estate dressed in a pale blue gown that complemented her silver hair. She had chosen the color deliberately, knowing it made her look softer and less intimidating.
The tea party was held in the garden, a picturesque setting with blooming roses and elegant fountains. A group of noblewomen sat around a circular table, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
"Lady Everhart!" Cassandra exclaimed, rising to greet her. The woman was as stunning as ever, with her fiery red hair and emerald-green gown. She smiled warmly, but there was a calculating glint in her eyes that set Celia on edge.
"Lady Wexley," Celia said, curtsying. "Thank you for inviting me."
Cassandra gestured to an empty seat. "Please, join us. We were just discussing the latest gossip."
Celia forced a smile as she took her seat, her mind racing. She needed to stay on her guard. Cassandra had always been a master manipulator, and Celia couldn't afford to let her guard down.
The conversation drifted from fashion to court politics, and Celia made sure to participate just enough to seem engaged. But her real focus was on Cassandra, watching for any hints of the woman's true intentions.
Eventually, the topic shifted to the ball.
"I must say, Lady Everhart, you were quite the heroine at the royal ball," Cassandra said, her tone light but her eyes sharp. "Saving Evelyn's gown from disaster was a remarkable feat."
Celia smiled faintly. "I simply acted on instinct. It was nothing remarkable."
"Still," Cassandra said, leaning forward slightly, "it's a far cry from the Celia Everhart we used to know. You've changed."
There it was. The subtle jab beneath the compliment.
"I suppose we all change over time," Celia said smoothly. "It's only natural."
Cassandra's smile didn't waver, but Celia could see the flicker of annoyance in her eyes.
---
As the tea party wore on, Celia managed to steer the conversation toward the Wexley banquet.
"I was reminiscing about past gatherings," she said casually. "Do you remember the banquet at your estate three years ago, Lady Cassandra? The one where you fell ill?"
Cassandra's smile faltered for a split second before she regained her composure. "Ah, yes. A most unfortunate incident. I was bedridden for days."
"Do you ever wonder what caused it?" Celia asked, keeping her tone light.
Cassandra hesitated, her eyes narrowing slightly. "The physicians said it was likely something I ate. Why do you ask?"
"I've always felt guilty about what happened," Celia said, lowering her gaze as if embarrassed. "After all, it happened at my table. I can't help but wonder if I could have prevented it."
Cassandra's expression softened, but there was still a glimmer of suspicion in her eyes. "It wasn't your fault, Lady Everhart. These things happen."
Celia nodded, but inside, her mind was racing. Cassandra's reaction had been telling. She clearly knew more than she was letting on.
---
When Celia returned home that evening, the system chimed again.
Quest complete! +100 points. New information unlocked: Lady Cassandra is hiding the truth about the banquet.
Celia's lips curved into a small, determined smile. The pieces were starting to fall into place. She still had a long way to go, but for the first time, she felt like she was in control of her destiny.
And she wasn't about to let anyone take that away from her.