Turaya was proud of herself for reading up on the guests in attendance of the dinner, as she'd often just learn as she went in these types of situations. This wasn't the type of world to do that in though. She was playing the part of a noble lady of a honorable family, she had to know the other nobility.

Even if it drained her to the bone to read through all the text.

First was House Briovalin, with three members of their family in attendance. Duke Briovalin, the man who had conspired against House Giandim with the Church and royal family, his eldest son Edric, and of course the pampered FL, Adelaide. All interesting characters, in terms of an F ranked world.

Duke Briovalin, or Bradford Briovalin (What a name), had always hated the late head of House Giandim, Leon Giandim, for various reasons. Before anything remotely close to the present occurred, the two had been close friends in Bradford's attempts to gain connections to become the heir of House Briovalin. Sadly, their friendship didn't last as they both became infatuated with the same woman. Marianne Frechest, Renaut's mother who she had seen be beheaded. They socially destroyed each other in attempts to gain her attention until Leon and her married, leaving Bradford bitter. It also explained why Marianne was the last alive in the Giandim castle. He wanted Marianne to suffer like he did when she rejected him. In other words, he's a fucking Nice Guy. They were always around.

Anyway, then there's the FL, Adelaide. She was the same age as Renaut but their personalities were so different you'd get whiplash when looking at the two of them. Or maybe that was favoritism talking. Adelaide was a spoiled brat, the little princess of House Briovalin and she knew it. Arrogant, overbearing, and just down right annoying. Anything she wanted, she'd get. Little Adelaide was also incredibly vain. There were multiple reports in which she'd humiliated other girls at her so-called Friend Tea Parties in front of other young ladies who had befriended her out of fear. Originally, Turaya was just going to leave this FL be because she felt sorry for adult her. It wouldn't hurt to discipline her a little, right?

Then there was the oh-so instrumental Edric, the eldest son of Duke Briovalin's. He, to put it into his own father's own words, was useless. He wasn't smart, he wasn't strong, and he was terrible at making connections in court. Which was why he wasn't inheriting the dukedom, but his younger brother was. It was a stain on his reputation that he could never get rid of. Not that it was the only stain. Edric was a horndog. He could barely think with his head, so he instead thought with his dick. All brothels in the kingdom had him as a regular and he was a terrible sucker for a pretty woman, to the point that he would trip over himself to offer one anything they wanted as long as he got a peak under their skirts.

And as far as Turaya was concerned, she was the current prettiest face in the kingdom. An easily manipulated, horny, sucker for a pretty face, rich boy. In other words, the perfect target for Turaya to get eyes into House Briovalin and a cash cow.

Then there was the King and Pope. Both of which were bald.

She didn't need to know anything else about them, they would die the worst. No questions asked.

To add context to Brooke's hatred of bald people, that would come in a later chapter. All that need be known at the moment is that bald people sacrifice their hair for power which they abuse.

"We apologize for our tardiness, the royal palace is so splendid that little Renaut got distracted." Turaya's sweet voice cut through the tension of the dining room, a gentle smile on her face as she was led by the maid to the dining table, Renaut in tow. She got Renaut comfortably into his seat before taking her seat elegantly. Her seat was right across from Edric and in perfect sight of all three big players of the room. And Edric was already drooling. Excellent.

King George was first to speak. "It's quite fine. Children are prone to being distracted. I believe we haven't spoken before, Miss..."

"Tua Giandim. I just recently returned from my abroad studies, Your Majesty."

"I never heard of the Giandim's having a daughter named Tua." Duke Briovalin cut in, eyeing Turaya cautiously. If such a person could get two world-class assassins to execute themselves like that, what else could she do?

Tua tipped her head to the side curiously. "I had no idea you were so versed in the issues of my family, Duke Briovalin." Her voice was laced with subtle ridicule.

Duke Briovalin looked offended for a moment before he coughed. "I-I dare not be a spying man. It was simply common for Duke Giandim to hold large feasts in honor of a child's birth. Speaking of him, why was he unable to attend?"

That was when Turaya activated Killing Smile. "I believe you know why he was unable to attend, Duke Briovalin."

Duke Briovalin felt like he had just been dunked into cold water and froze up immediately. So did King George and Pope Constance. She knew. Yet instead of running away or telling the world, Turaya was sitting in this dining room. She was pissed and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Turaya then lost her smile and giggled. "He's on vacation with the rest of the family, of course! I was asked to become Regent and watch Renaut while they were gone. Did none of you get father's letter?"

" " "Letter?" " "

The three men could only feel whiplash at the sudden change in the woman's demeanor. What vacation? What letter? The Giandims were supposed to be dead!

"Oh my. Renaut, do you think father forgot to send out his letters?"

Renaut nodded his little red head. "I think so. He was so excited that he forgot to do it."

The young boy actually had his own problems at the moment. Adelaide was glaring daggers into him from across the table with her beady periwinkle eyes and it was freaking him out. She wasn't saying anything and he wouldn't say anything to her. That wasn't part of the plan. He only focused on his food quietly.

Turaya could only sigh. "That's father for you. I'll have to send out his letters late then. I do apologize for the misunderstanding."

King George smiled nervously. "It's quite alright, Lady Tua. Though I must ask, why aren't you and little Renaut with them?"

"Renaut was going through his studies most seriously and no one wanted to disturb him. He couldn't be left alone either, so I was called home from abroad to watch him. Father and I weren't on the best of terms at the time of departure so I wished not to sour the mood." The blonde girl explained eloquently, shaking her head slowly.

"Ah, I see."

"I also had to do a sweep of the staff at home."

Her suddenly bringing up the topic of servants was sudden and out of turn, but no one could cut in before Turaya continued.

"There were too many rotten apples, and rotten apples attract rats. I dismissed so many of them. Then again, it was for the best. You need to stop a problem at its root, right Pope Constance?" Being suddenly pulled into the conversation, the bald man couldn't help but gape for a couple of seconds.

Ever since 'Tua' had stepped into the dining room, he couldn't stop the cold sweat going down his back. Something about her was just wrong, but he had no idea what it could be.

"Pardon?"

"You need to stop a problem at its root, Pope Constance. Don't you agree?"

"Yes, that is quite true. If you don't do that, the problem will just continue to grow back. As our Lord had stated, 'there is no evil in the fruit, only from its tree'."

"Then you won't admonish me for being ruthless."

The statement was like a whisper in the Pope's ear and he looked at the girl in terror only to find her eating from her plate elegantly. This child was obviously not human, for her to be so evil.

Turaya would surely laugh at him for being such a hypocrite. A Pope who helped massacre an entire family was calling her evil.

There was silence for a short time before Adelaide said something. "Miss Tua, you're so pretty! How is it that you're Renaut's sister?"

. . .

. . .

. . .

Did she just call her brother ugly? Did this tiny bitch just call her brother ugly? Turaya gripped her fork so tight that it began to bend in between her fingers. The temperature in the room dropped so drastically that the drinks on the table seemed to begin to freeze over.

"Adelaide, you flatter me. Renaut is on a completely different level than me. Isn't he adorable?"

"... Eh?"

"He's simply the cutest. His hair's nice and fluffy and such a pretty color. Aren't his eyes like emeralds?"

"S-sister!"

Renaut's face was flushed a bright red while the other members of the table were stunned silent.

"In comparison to periwinkle, which is such a terrible color, I think it's much more flattering. Wouldn't you agree, Adelaide?"

Adelaide blinked in shock for a moment before getting a murderous look on her face. Turaya continued to smile innocently before the staring match was interrupted by Edric.

"Adelaide, Lady Tua is just teasing you. Don't get so grumpy."

Ah, he took the accidental bait.

"That's right. You'll ruin your pretty face if you pout like that, Adelaide." Turaya laughed softly at the young girl.

Adelaide could only settle into her seat, blushing just like Renaut.

Edric looked at Turaya apologetically. "I'm so sorry. Adelaide's always been a bit prideful, don't take it to heart."

"It's quite fine. Being a bit prideful has never been bad. Excess pride is the only bad thing."

This dinner party was taking forever, and the main course wasn't even here. Ugh.

Well, whatever. The buildup is always more exciting than the actual event.

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