Transferred to another life

**Chapter Forty-Three: Brewing Persuasion**

Olivia sat in her room, her vision still clouded with the remnants of hallucinations. Shadows danced in her peripheral vision, and strange whispers echoed in her mind. But despite the unsettling effects of the potion she had taken, her resolve remained intact.

*I have to act now, before they completely turn against me.*

She knew that Aunt Beatrice, always so easily swayed by emotion, would be the perfect target. If she could convince Beatrice that Olivia was innocent—better yet, a victim in all of this—it would sow more confusion among the family. And with the right potion, Beatrice would be more malleable, more open to suggestion.

Olivia moved toward the hidden compartment behind her fireplace, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings in the wood. She pressed the hidden button that released the latch, revealing her secret alchemy set once again. Despite the swirling illusions around her, she remained focused. Every movement was deliberate, calculated.

*This has to be perfect.*

She reached for the ingredients she would need: Valerian root for calm, vervain to open the mind, and a few drops of her own secret blend to enhance suggestion. The combination would create a potion that wouldn't completely cloud Beatrice's mind, but would leave her open to influence. If Olivia played her cards right, Beatrice would begin to see her not as the villain, but as the misunderstood victim.

Olivia worked quickly, grinding the herbs, heating them over a low flame, and mixing in the delicate components. The potion simmered and hissed, its colors shifting from pale green to a deep, enchanting blue. As it neared completion, Olivia added the final touch: a drop of rose oil to mask any bitterness and give the concoction a pleasant aroma.

Her hands trembled slightly—not from fear, but from the lingering effects of her earlier dose. Visions still flitted at the edges of her mind, but Olivia pushed them aside. She couldn't afford to falter now. Once the potion cooled, she poured it into a delicate glass vial and slipped it into her pocket.

### **Convincing Aunt Beatrice**

Later that evening, Olivia found Aunt Beatrice sitting alone in the manor's drawing room, a cup of tea in her hands. The older woman looked weary, her face drawn with worry over Matthew's condition. It was the perfect opportunity.

"Aunt Beatrice," Olivia said softly, entering the room with feigned concern. "I wanted to check on you. You've seemed so... unsettled since Matthew fell ill."

Beatrice glanced up at her, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Oh, Olivia... I don't know what to think. Everything feels so... uncertain. I've been seeing things, feeling things. I'm not sure what's real anymore."

Olivia sat beside her, her expression sympathetic. "I understand. I've been feeling the same way. This house—it's been oppressive lately. The tension, the shadows... it's affecting all of us."

Beatrice nodded slowly, sipping her tea. "It's like a darkness has settled over the family. I can't help but think... something unnatural is at play here."

*Perfect,* Olivia thought. Beatrice's mind was already leaning toward the irrational, which made her task even easier.

"I think you're right," Olivia said softly. "And that's why I've been worried. I know the family suspects me, but I swear, Aunt Beatrice, I'm not the one causing any of this. In fact, I think there's something far more sinister happening."

Beatrice looked at her, wide-eyed. "What do you mean?"

Olivia reached into her pocket and pulled out the vial. "I made this," she said, offering it to Beatrice. "It's a calming tonic. It will help clear your mind, help you see things more clearly. I've been taking it myself to deal with the stress... and I think it might help you too."

Beatrice hesitated, but the look of concern in Olivia's eyes seemed to sway her. "You've been suffering too, haven't you?" she asked softly, her voice filled with sympathy.

Olivia nodded, her expression pained. "Yes. The shadows, the whispers... they've been haunting me. But this tonic has helped. It's made everything clearer."

Beatrice looked at the vial again, and Olivia could see her wavering. Gently, Olivia pressed the vial into her hands. "Please, Aunt Beatrice. You deserve peace of mind. Just a few drops in your tea."

After a moment of hesitation, Beatrice opened the vial and poured a few drops into her cup. She stirred it carefully before taking a small sip. Olivia watched closely as the potion began to take effect, a subtle relaxation softening Beatrice's tense posture.

"I'm sorry for everything," Olivia continued, her voice gentle and soothing. "I know the family has doubts about me, but I only want to protect all of us. Matthew's illness... it's not my fault. There's something darker here, something none of us can see clearly yet."

Beatrice stared at her, her eyes softening as the potion took full effect. "Oh, Olivia... I believe you. I always thought you were misunderstood. Your father—he's so hard on you. And Clara... she's always been jealous of your strength."

Olivia smiled warmly, though inside, she was calculating every word, every move. "Thank you, Aunt Beatrice. That means so much to me. I've felt so alone."

"You're not alone," Beatrice said, her voice thick with emotion. "I'll help you. We'll figure this out together. You're a good girl, Olivia. I can see that now."

Olivia leaned forward, placing her hand gently on Beatrice's. "I need you to trust me, Aunt Beatrice. If the others start accusing me again... promise me you'll defend me. I'm scared they'll turn against me, and I don't know if I can handle that alone."

Beatrice nodded fervently, her eyes misting over. "Of course, dear. I'll stand by you. We're family."

*That's right,* Olivia thought, her heart beating faster with satisfaction. *One down. The rest will follow.*

As Beatrice continued to sip her tea, Olivia knew the seed had been planted. With Beatrice on her side, the family's united front would begin to fracture, their suspicions turning inward instead of on her. And as the darkness around them deepened, Olivia would be the one pulling the strings.

*If they want to cast me as the villain, they'll soon learn how well I play the part.*