[Margaret’s perspective]
I found myself at a loss, but managed a smile and gestured for Ruth to fetch her glass of water. I took a sip before I continued, "It’s really just dinner; there’s no need for you to be so tense and guarded. You know Donald wouldn’t harm a hair on your head, let alone resort to sothing as despicable as poisoning you!"
After saying this, I signaled Ruth to return the glass. Licia’s wariness was so acute that she wouldn’t touch anything we hadn’t used ourselves. I estimated she hadn’t even drunk a sip of water since boarding the ship yesterday.
My conjecture proved correct. Licia looked at the water glass before her, her parched throat involuntarily swallowing. She thought her action was so subtle that no one noticed, but Donald and I saw everything quite clearly.
The chef began serving the dishes one by one—all very fresh and delicious seafood als. My appetite had improved sowhat by then, and I motioned for Ruth to serve Donald and . But before we could start, Licia across from us spoke up again!
She first set down her glass, its rim still wet with drops, and looking straight at Donald’s plate, she demanded, "I want the portion in front of you."
Donald, fork in hand, paused and looked up at Licia, clearly irritated. He spoke in a stern voice, "How much longer do you plan to keep this up, Margaret has already made it clear enough, haven’t she? Do you think we are like you, unscrupulous in achieving our goals? If you think everyone is out to get you, then don’t eat—just starve yourself!"
Donald had been quite harsh, yet Licia rely kept silent, staring at him with inscrutable eyes, giving away no hint of her thoughts.
I took a deep breath for show, held Donald back, and said in a gentle voice, "Don’t lose your temper with Licia, it’s a minor issue. Our als are all identical. Let her have it, it’s okay."
With that, I gestured for Ruth to exchange the als, entirely missing the suspicion flashing across Licia’s eyes.
Donald glanced at with a look of utter resignation.
At that mont, Licia, now faced with the two als in front of her, fell silent for a brief instant before saying, "Never mind, I’ll eat the one in front of ."
She then grabbed the cutlery without hesitation and began her lunch.
Watching her actions, my own hands froze in place. It took a while before I motioned Ruth to take the al back, and Donald did not touch his al any further either.
As if she felt she had gained a small victory, Licia glanced at with a light in her eyes that seed to say: Do you two really think you can outsmart with such petty tricks? You’re thinking too simply.
Licia and I locked eyes briefly. I remained unfazed internally, but feigned frustration and anger on my face, as if we had indeed been outplayed by Licia this ti.
However, even as lunch ended and Licia returned to the resting room for a nap, lying drowsily on the bed, she hadn’t realized she had been ’caught in the act’.
Donald and I stood at the cabin door, watching as two tall handmaidens escorted Licia into the speedboat. Her face was serene, clearly in a deep slumber.
Donald signaled to Christian with a gesture and said solemnly, "Ensure the Lycan Queen’s safe return to the Royal City. Clark knows what to do."
Upon hearing this, Christian looked at Donald with a hint of concern creasing his stoic brow, "Your Majesty, if I take the Empress Dowager back to the Royal City, you and the Queen will be without protection here. Isn’t that a bit improper?"
Donald clapped Christian on the shoulder, his gaze deepening towards the speedboat, "Don’t worry about Margaret and . Just make a quick trip and we’ll regroup at the first ferry dock in Lilo Sea."
Seeing that Donald had made up his mind, Christian stopped dawdling, gave a slight bow, and prepared to board the boat for departure. Just then, I called out to him, "Wait a mont!"
As I spoke, I tossed him an item I had been holding and continued, "Spray this nasal spray every two hours for Licia, and she will sleep soundly until you reach the Royal City."
Christian, holding the spray, nodded respectfully to and then boarded the ship. He was accompanied by dozens of impressively strong Lycans, partly to prevent Licia from waking up and escaping on the way, and partly to ensure her safety.
The waves created by the speedboat soon settled back into calmness. Donald turned and wrapped his arms around my waist, sighing softly as he inquired, "Is that the contraption you and Benjamin concocted? It’s the first ti I’ve seen you use it."
I, feeling sowhat weary, closed my eyes and leaned on Donald’s broad and firm chest, laughing lightly as I explained, "You could use it for insomnia later, too. Everything in it is completely harmless, don’t worry."
"I wasn’t doubting the spray," he replied, "I just think you could totally make Benjamin your dical tutor now. You’ve learned a lot from him."
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