CHAPTER 105: CHICKEN STEW.

"I know, Ariana. Believe me, I know." Mirabel’s voice came out low, but there was a hard edge beneath it, her tone vibrating with suppressed rage. "The only reason I’ve been calm all this while is because of Mother. Mother needs Victoria’s blood soon, and for that reason alone, I’ve restrained myself. Otherwise, I would have eliminated her long ago without a second thought."

Her eyes darkened, a storm brewing in their depths as she clenched her fists. "At first, I thought tormenting her would be easy.....something I could do at my leisure. But who would have thought my brothers would take to her instantly? It was as though she had cast a charm on them, one I cannot comprehend. I was foolish... too foolish to have underestimated her."

Mirabel paused, her voice quivering with bitterness as she began pacing the room. "When my former chamber was being redecorated, when expensive gifts of the highest quality kept arriving at the mansion one after another, I truly believed they were meant for me. I thought it was a grand surprise prepared by my brothers. Only later did I find out they were all intended for Victoria. How could I have been so blind? So stupid? I should have realized it when my brothers refused to answer my questions. Their silence was the clearest answer of all."

"You are not stupid, my lady," Ariana interjected firmly, her voice taking on a sharp seriousness as she stepped closer. Her hand finally dropped from her cheek, though her eyes still burned with resentment. "None of us knew Victoria had such cunning. We all assumed she was nothing more than a naïve, simple-minded girl who had lived outside and knew nothing of nobility."

"Who could have predicted that she would capture the hearts of your brothers and even your father so quickly? Even Madam herself was forced to play along, careful not to offend your father by showing her distaste. It’s baffling....truly baffling. In the first life, your brothers despised Victoria with every fiber of their being. That was thanks to our schemes. But now, in this second life, everything has changed. They appear not to remember what happened before. And even if they do... I fear their affection for Victoria would only deepen further."

"And that," Mirabel snapped, her lips curling into a venomous smirk, "is something I will never allow to happen." Her voice rang with both determination and hatred.

She halted her pacing, turned sharply, and squared her shoulders. "I suppose it’s time to return to my old ways."

"Huh?" Ariana’s eyes widened in shock. Her voice rose with panic as she raised her hands in protest. "But, young lady, isn’t that what you tried before? And look at what happened.... You were punished!"

"Oh, Ariana." Mirabel let out a dark laugh, the sound sending a chill through the room. "Victoria alone sees the truth of me. And of course my brothers know too....they are not blind to my temper. But people change. Or at least, people can appear to change."

Her eyes glinted as she resumed pacing, her movements sharper, her tone more deliberate. "It’s time to use the same tricks I employed in my first life, but with a different mask this time. I will not act as the wicked young lady . Instead, I shall play the weak, fragile daughter....the one whose heart aches for reconciliation, whose tears soften even the strongest heart. My brothers think themselves shrewd, but they are men, and men fall easily when they think they are needed."

"You mean..." Ariana tilted her head slowly, a satisfied smile creeping across her lips. "You want to frame Victoria? To change every situation until your brothers see her as ungrateful, cruel, or insincere while you win back their affection as the pitiful, repentant sister?"

"Exactly." Mirabel’s smirk deepened, her eyes gleaming with dangerous light. "We will make it seem as though I am truly repentant, that I regret trying to ruin her in the plant house, that I long to make amends. We will let them believe that I have swallowed my pride and wish to get along with her."

"Perfect, young lady!" Ariana exclaimed with an eager gleam in her eyes. She clasped her hands together, unable to contain her excitement. "I cannot wait to see Victoria ridiculed and abandoned once more. This time, she will not escape."

"Go and employ more servants into the mansion....servants who will become the starting point of Victoria’s ruin," Mirabel commanded coldly.

Her gaze flickered with malicious intent. "We need more people around her, anyway. They will serve her on the surface, but in truth, they will be like living CCTV cameras....watching her every move and reporting every detail back to me."

Her lips curved into a sly smile. "And make sure to employ male servants too. I’ll have a use for them soon, when the time is right."

Ariana’s eyes glittered in dark delight. She bowed her head, hiding the cruel smile tugging at her lips.

Mirabel’s expression hardened, her tone dropping lower as she continued, "I won’t only ruin Victoria before my brothers. No, that would be far too simple. I’ll destroy her before the outside world too."

She let out a soft laugh, though her eyes gleamed with nothing but hatred. Ariana nodded quickly, her lips parted in admiration.

"And oh, yes..." Mirabel’s tone shifted suddenly, now calm, almost sweet. You’ll have to prepare something for myself... and for Victoria as well when you get back. I’ll begin from there."

"Understood, young lady." Ariana bowed once more before hurrying out of the room, leaving Mirabel alone with her thoughts.

*****

The moon hung high above the night sky, casting a glow over the Ashford mansion.

Victoria stood in the middle of the training field, her eyes scanning the field. All of the brothers were present except Damien.

"Where is Mirabel?" Callum’s irritated voice cut through the silence, his hands firmly planted on his waist. His brows drew together in frustration as he turned to face Victoria. "Didn’t a servant go to summon her? And didn’t you go to check on her earlier today? Isn’t she better now? I know you care about her, that’s why you went, isn’t it?"

Victoria heaved a heavy sigh, but before she could respond, Lucian exhaled heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Oh, she’s well enough. The doctor already confirmed she’s healed. Perhaps she feels some lingering pain, but that wouldn’t stop her from training. She has a healing ability, after all. True, the stick used to strike her and the hot coals she walked on were laced with a special powder which slows down healing process. But even then, it’s hardly severe."

The brothers nodded in agreement, though annoyance flickered in their eyes.

Just then, the sweet and savory aroma of chicken stew drifted across the training ground. Victoria and her brothers turned their gazes sharply toward the right-hand side of the field. There, walking in neat formation, came five female servants carrying trays. Leading them was Mirabel, her posture graceful yet weary.

The servants came to a halt before the young masters and young lady, bowing deeply in unison with a chorus.

"Greetings, Young Masters and Young Lady."

The brothers exchanged startled glances before Theo’s voice broke the silence. His gaze locked onto Mirabel, his expression unreadable. "And what is going on here, sister?"

Mirabel lowered her head, adopting a sorrowful expression that made her appear all the more delicate. "I’m sorry for keeping you all waiting, brothers," she began softly, her voice trembling as if with guilt. "I hurried to the kitchen to prepare some chicken soup for everyone. I heard that you haven’t had dinner. I added herbs and spices known to restore energy and strengthen the body. I thought... since we’re to train tonight, this might help you endure longer."

"Oh, I see..." Theo exhaled, his expression softening despite himself. "You’re thoughtful, Mirabel. But you’ve only just recovered. Why trouble yourself in the kitchen? You should be resting." He leaned forward slightly, concern etching across his features. "How are you feeling now? Truly....are you well?"

"Yes, I am fine, Brother," Mirabel replied gently. Then, with deliberate slowness, she approached the servants, personally taking one of the bowls of steaming chicken stew into her own hands. She moved from brother to brother, offering them their share with trembling grace. Her expression shifted subtly as she neared Victoria, her eyes growing sadder, her lips pressed into a line of tragic sincerity.

You think you can compete with me, bitch? Mirabel sneered inwardly, hatred coursing through her veins. You wish, bitch. You’ll never win against me.

Victoria’s lips curved into a small, mocking smirk as her brothers happily sipped the stew, their faces glowing with warmth and satisfaction. So... this is the start of your foolish little tricks, Mirabel? How pathetic.

Mirabel’s voice rose again, soft and pitiful to the ears of others, though dripping with venom beneath. "This chicken soup... it is also my way of apologizing, dear sister. I’ve been foolish. I wronged you before, tried to sully your name. But I’ve realized my mistake now. I only wish for forgiveness, for us to get along."

She carried the last bowl....boiling hot and brimming with steam towards Victoria. Her hands trembled dramatically, her eyes shimmering as if with regret. Yet as she stretched it out, her true intent blazed behind her lashes.

At the last moment, Victoria subtly pulled back her hands. The scalding stew spilled on Mirabel’s palms and splattering onto her legs. Mirabel let out a sharp cry of pain, clutching herself as the bowl clattered loudly to the ground.