"You know," Mikhailis continued, his voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone,
"I've always found breakfast to be the most important al of the day. Sets the tone for everything, don't you think? But what happens when you start the day with a little... poison?"
The maid's face turned ashen. Her hands trembled visibly now, and Mikhailis could see the panic rising in her eyes. She was trapped, and she knew it. There was no easy way out of this, not with him staring at her like a predator toying with its prey.
Mikhailis leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on one hand, as though pondering sothing completely unrelated.
"Back in my holand, when soone tried to poison , you know what I did?"
The maid's eyes flickered toward the door, and Mikhailis could almost hear the gears turning in her head, looking for an escape. But Mikhailis didn't give her a chance to move. His expression remained lighthearted, but his next words were delivered with a quiet, deadly calm.
"I made them eat it."
Her breath caught.
The other maids stood frozen, too frightened to even blink.
The silence in the room stretched thin, like a wire about to snap.
"Would you care to try this lovely al?" Mikhailis offered with a smile, motioning toward the plate in front of him.
"Co on, just a little bite. I'm sure it's delicious."
The maid didn't move. She couldn't. Her body had stiffened with fear, her mind likely racing with excuses or ways to deflect. But Mikhailis wasn't going to give her that luxury. He remained perfectly still, watching her with a gaze that made it clear there was no room for negotiation.
Rodion's voice broke through the tense silence, a hint of amusent in its monotone delivery.
Mikhailis almost chuckled at Rodion's dark suggestion but kept his focus on the maid.
"You know, it's funny," he continued, as though they were having a casual chat.
"I've been in this exact situation before. Soone tries to slip sothing into my food, thinking they're clever, thinking I won't notice." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"But I always notice."
Rodion remarked dryly.
Shut up, Rodion. Can't you see I'm playing my role very well here.
Mikhailis sighed, but he didn't drop the act. Instead, he picked up his spoon again, dipping it lightly into the poisoned soup, and held it out toward the maid.
"Last chance. Either you taste this soup, or we both know what's going to happen next."
The maid flinched, and her knees buckled slightly.
"I... I didn't... I didn't an..." she stamred, but the words caught in her throat. Her gaze darted nervously around the room, searching for support, but the other maids stood silent, unwilling to et her eyes.
Mikhailis tilted his head, feigning confusion.
"Didn't an to? Oh, no, I'm sure it was just an innocent mistake. People poison others by accident all the ti, right?" His smile never reached his eyes.
Sweat started to bead on the maid's forehead, and finally, she broke.
"Please, don't... don't make ..."
Mikhailis leaned forward again, his tone suddenly serious.
"Then let's make it easy. Tell who sent you."
The maid's eyes widened in panic, and her breath ca in short, ragged gasps. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound ca out. Her terror had choked her words.
Rodion's voice, ever pragmatic, chid in again.
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