Chapter 110 (2/2)

The maids and the servants responsible for me looked disordered, which was what I wanted.

It worked. I was very close to the fireplace. Everyone else was also near it. This was perfect.

I quickly took out the black pearl from the ring and threw it into the fire. I then covered my nose and mouth.

Boom!

It wasn’t a loud sound, but the small explosion created an incredible amount of smoke, which caused brief sleepiness.

“Huh?”

“What is happening?”

“Ahhh!”

“This…!”

The woman seemed confused but quickly lost consciousness after breathing in the smoke. They collapsed onto the floor. I quickly moved away while still holding my breath. As the room was filled with the sleep smoke, I calmly took out a round pill form another ring on my right finger and swallowed it. It tasted bitter but it was necessary as it was the antidote for the smoke.

These two rings were from Lowson. If I survived this situation, I would have to thank him.

I went back to the servants and took off one woman’s clothes. I wore it myself and hid my hair with the servant’s headband. Thankfully, the winter outfit covered me very well. As long as I kept my face down, I wasn’t recognizable.

After taking a deep breath, I opened the door and left the room.

***

The guards standing in front of the door looked at me questioningly. I made sure to close the door quickly so they couldn’t see the smoke coming from the inner area. All of them seemed oblivious except for one.

“What was that noise?”

“…”

I could feel the cold sweat. They must have heard the noise when I fell onto the floor. I came up with something quick and said in a low voice.

“Her highness made a scene, so we had to grab her down.”

“And how is everything now?”

“We tied her down tighter so it should be fine.”

The guards seemed to accept my answer. They didn’t open the door to confirm my story. Perhaps it was because this was the dowager empress’ personal bedroom. Without her permission, a man other than her husband or family members couldn’t enter.

The same guard suddenly asked me, “Where do you think you are going?”

I thought quickly and answered, “While we were grabbing her highness, a few of the maids got hurt, so I was sent to get some medicine.”

“Alright.”

The guards nodded and waved me on.

“Go then.”

“Yes, sir.”

I lowered my head like a good servant and walked away quickly. Where should I go? I didn’t know where the dowager empress’ royal guards were located. I tried to make an educated guess.

Just then, a familiar voice asked me from behind, “Where do you think you are going?”

Unpleasant grating voice. I felt my heart falling to the floor.

The dowager empress. It was her.

Why was she here? She should have been busy planning her plot and taking care of the castle, shouldn’t’ she?

When I hesitated, the footsteps approached me fast. I tried to run, but it was too late. She was very quick.

She pulled my headband off. My black hair flew out uncontrollably. I bit my lips and raised my head.

The dowager empress looked at me in satisfaction.

She looked impressed. “Not bad.”

She raised her voice and ordered, “Get her!”

Rough hands grabbed me.

“[Dammit!]”