The black-haired maid, Tifa, had long expected Shade to refuse. She shook her head.
"Don't worry, I'm not asking you to test the medicine. Wouldn't it be more convenient to use rabbits or mice for experiments?"
She pointed at herself.
"Actually, I only want someone to compare the effects of these three potions on different people. You and I will drink them together, then compare our different responses."
"You're drinking them too?"
"Of course. My own feelings are the most genuine. Besides, Detective, if I didn't drink it, would you really swallow something of unknown origin that I brought out?"
But even knowing that Tifa Servit, the maid, would drink it as well, Shade still felt resistant to the idea.
"I wouldn't deliberately try to harm you. Your mistress introduced you to this job and even made an agreement with you about when she would reveal the secret. You may suspect that I have ulterior motives, but you cannot doubt my loyalty to your mistress. Detective, you should understand that."
She spoke sincerely, and her reasoning was sound, but Shade still remained silent. Even though he agreed with what she said and Didn't Think the maid had any reason to suddenly turn on him and murder him, the matter still felt strange.
"Detective, do you want additional compensation?"
Seeing him like this, the maid asked again. The carriage jolted, making both passengers shift slightly. They had already entered the city, and the familiar glow of the gas lamp streetlights was reassuring.
"Of course not. I promised to pay for the White Stone Crystal, so I won't ask for extra money. Are you sure your potion is really safe?"
"I swear it upon my loyalty to Duchess Galina Cavendish."
Shade looked at her, and she looked back at Shade. Only after