The Butterfly Caught in the Spider's Web (Alois Trancy x OC)

A Taste of Her Own

December 29, 1887 

There must be some way to convince Earl Trancy that I'm not a good marriage candidate, Arabella thought to herself as she pored over another one of Edgar Allan Poe's books. She lightly nibbled on her thumbnail, flipping another page. Maybe I could stop taking care of myself. He surely would not want to marry someone like that. 

At the thought of never brushing her hair or keeping her self-care habits, she abruptly shook her head in defeat. Being rude did not seem to work with Alois, but she could not let herself wane so far. There was no way in hell that she was going to make herself look as bad as she felt. 

Her attention was ripped away from the book when Emilia rapped her fists against the doorframe.  

"Yes, Mother?" Arabella dutifully sat up from the bed, nodding her head, as she tossed her book into a nearby armchair. "What exactly is the reason behind your visit?" 

Emilia gave Arabella a tight-lipped smile as she stated, "Earl Trancy has invited you over for a luncheon. It seems that he wishes to discuss your wedding and the subsequent arrangements." 

Arabella let out a soft sigh as she walked over to her wardrobe, her eyes raking over her outfits for something appropriate to wear. "Why must he call for me so suddenly?" 

"Personally, I don't like Earl Trancy's habits at all. He's... frivolous. However, your father will have the authority to talk him down once you have married him. Now, speaking of which, the stunt you pulled last time was not appreciated. If we receive any whisper that you treated Earl Trancy like that again, we will take matters into our own hands. With all of that considered, I hope that you have a lovely time..." She paused at Arabella's silence before looking at the dresses her daughter was considering. Walking forward, Emilia's hands reached out to touch a dress that was made from red velvet. "This would be a good choice. You look beautiful in it, dear." 

--- 

As Arabella climbed into the carriage that was sent by Earl Trancy, she became aware of another presence in the box. Looking up from her lap, her eyes widened upon seeing the softly smiling face of Hannah. 

"You're alright?" Arabella asked, her eyes taking in Hannah's healthy coloring. A grin slid onto her face as soon as Hannah nodded. 

"Yes, the drink did not seem to agree with me. I have no idea what a single taste could have done to me, but it was quite upsetting to my body," Hannah answered as she took note of the guilty look in Arabella's eyes. "Oh, but do not worry. According to the doctors, I was left with no lasting effects." 

"I thank God for that," Arabella murmured, her brows quirking up when Hannah let out a soft laugh. "What was so funny with that? Did I miss a joke?" 

"Oh, it was nothing."  

Once Arabella had turned her head to look out at the countryside that they were rolling past, the smile fell from Hannah's face, and she twisted her fingers nervously. 

--- 

December 26, 1887 

Alois let out a groan as he flung himself across the settee. With a disapproving shake of his head, his butler strode over from his desk to the settee. His golden eyes, as they raked over the blond-haired boy, glinted from behind the thick lenses of his glasses. 

"Why must Earls have so much work to do?" Alois complained, his bottom lip comically jutting out. He settled a fluffy pillow over his face as he muttered, "All I want to do is take a break and go on a trip somewhere. Why can I not do that?" 

"Because you have duties," Claude cooly answered as he straightened his white satin gloves on his hands. "Speaking of duties, did it never cross your mind how Hannah was incredibly weakened after she took a sip of your wine?" 

Alois' face peered back at Claude once he had shifted the pillow off of his face. "Of course, it crossed my mind. I'm not as stupid as I would prefer myself to be made out to be..." 

Claude raised his brow as he replied, "Well, are you smart enough to deduce what was wrong with the drink?"  

"It was tampered with," Alois said, his blue eyes looking up at Claude for approval. "Was I right, Claude?" 

"You are merely stating the obvious, Your Highness. You see, the problem was that the girl had slipped something into your drink. Any idea as to what it was?" 

"Something to upset my stomach and to prevent me from giving my decision on the marriage..." 

"Not in the slightest. Based on my research, she had slipped an entire vial of arsenic into your wine. Despite the fact that Hannah is a demon, it is still quite enough to upset her." 

"Arsenic...?" Alois whispered as his wide eyes stared up at Claude. "Where the hell did a rich girl get poison?" He leaped up from the settee, abandoning the pillow, and hurried over to his desk. He sat down at it, supporting his elbows on the surface and resting his chin on his fingers. "She simply cannot get away with this, Claude. I think she might have to get a taste of her own poison." His eyes flicked up to look at his butler before cautiously asking, "Does that sound like a good idea on my part?" 

As soon as he received a nod from Claude, he slowly said, "Okay, then. I will invite her over to a luncheon, and while there, we can launch our attack. That girl must learn that her actions have consequences."