After Tantris left, the estate fell silent.
Even the servants had vanished somewhere.
"It seems a little too quiet."
Hilde wanted to move her wrist, but Isolte had no intention of letting go.
"Isn't quiet a good thing?"
Isolte interlaced her fingers with Hilde's in one hand, then reached over with the other to stroke Hilde's cheek, a contented smile curling at her lips.
"Hilde, it's just the two of us left in the house."
"..."
A bead of cold sweat ran down Hilde's face.
No way, are you seriously doing this?
You weren't like this before...
"By the way, the tea's gotten a little cold. Could you let go of my hand first?" Hilde asked.
"It's no big deal."
That was what Isolte said.
But she did not let go.
Instead, she lifted the teacup and brought it to Hilde's lips.
"..."
"Drink up."
"Fine."
Hilde had no other choice but to lower her head and take a sip.
After drinking, Hilde lowered her gaze to the amber tea in the cup, her brows faintly knitting together.
"What? Is there a problem?"
"Mm, this black tea..."
"..."
"Why doesn't this black tea have any flavor?"
"I-I guess that's just the variety. Big Brother likes this kind."
"I see. I don't really get it."
She had gotten away with it.
Isolte quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
She had mixed a strange little concoction into the tea. To keep Hilde from noticing, she had specifically chosen a colorless, odorless variety.
But since this was Hilde, there was still a chance she might discover it.
So Isolte had already prepared an explanation to muddle through.
She had not expected it to go this easily.
Now she only needed to wait a while for the little concoction to take effect.
Then they