The meeting continued, but it was clear that Emily had become the focus of everyone's attention. She sat in her purple dress, doing her best to look composed, but the stains of alcohol and her disheveled hair left her feeling embarrassed.
"Emily, are you okay?" William walked over, his face filled with concern. "Should we head back early?"
"Alright," Emily forced a smile. "I just need a little time to compose myself."
System Alert: Your emotional fluctuations are high. It is advised to remain calm.
Remain tense? Emily rolled her eyes. I just made a fool of myself in front of the most powerful nobles in England, and you want me to stay calm?
Just then, a young maid approached with a beautiful tray, holding a glass of deep red wine.
"Miss Smith," the maid said respectfully, "This is a special drink prepared by Earl de Mortimer. It's said to help calm your nerves after the earlier shock."
Emily looked at the wine, its red liquid shimmering under the candlelight, giving off a faint herbal scent.
"Thank you," she took the glass. "Please extend my thanks to the Earl."
The maid curtsied and left. Emily closed her eyes as she held the glass. She wasn't particularly fond of alcohol, but it seemed impolite to reject the Earl's kind gesture.
"Emily," Margaret suddenly appeared by her side, looking slightly worried. "You don't look well. Are you feeling sick?"
"I'm fine, thank you for asking," Emily responded, trying to maintain her composure, but her mind began to grow wary of the woman.
"That's good to hear," Margaret's gaze lingered on the glass in Emily's hand, a subtle glimmer of something unspoken flashing in her eyes. "Earl de Mortimer is quite thoughtful. He knows just what you need — this special drink."
"Special drink?" Emily asked, puzzled.
"Oh, this is a very rare medicinal wine," Margaret explained. "It's said to be a recipe passed down from the East. It has calming effects, especially helpful for... emotionally agitated people."
Emily noticed the hint of sarcasm in her tone when she said "emotionally agitated," but nodded anyway. "Then I suppose I should try it."
She lifted the glass and drank it in one go. The wine had a slight bitterness, but its aftertaste carried a strange sweetness.
"How is it?" Margaret asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"It's not bad," Emily said. "It does have a calming effect."
System Alert: Warning! Abnormal substances detected!
Emily froze. What abnormal substance?
System Alert: The wine you just drank contains an aphrodisiac herb!
What?! Emily's face turned pale instantly.
"Emily, are you hurt?" William noticed her unusual appearance. "Your face looks strange."
"I... I just feel a little hot," Emily tried to stay calm, but she could already feel a strange warmth rising inside her.
System Alert: This is a trap! Someone is trying to ruin your reputation by exploiting your lapse in control!
Emily's heart raced, not just from fear, but also from the effects of the herbs. She felt her cheeks burn, her breath becoming shallow.
"Miss Smith," a familiar voice spoke up, "You don't look well."
Emily looked up and saw Edmund standing in front of her, concern in his eyes.
"Your Grace," Emily tried to stand and curtsy, but the dizziness nearly made her stumble.
Edmund reached out and steadied her. "You don't look right."
"I'm just... just a little tired," Emily's voice wavered. "The shock earlier really startled me."
But her body grew hotter, and her thoughts began to blur. Damn, how strong is this aphrodisiac?
"Maybe you should rest in your room," Edmund suggested. "I'll have someone take you back."
"No need," Emily shook her head, but the movement made her feel even dizzier. "I can... I can manage..."
Before she could finish, her legs gave way.
Edmund caught her in time, but the intimate contact sent a stronger reaction through her body. She could feel his warmth and presence, making her heartbeat accelerate.
"Emily!" William rushed over. "What's wrong?"
"She needs to get to her room quickly," Edmund said urgently. "The air here is too stifling."
"I'll take care of her," William reached out to take Emily, but she instinctively clung to Edmund's arm.
"No... don't go," Emily muttered, "I think... I think you're really cool."
Edmund frowned, feeling the abnormal heat radiating from Emily's body.
"She has a ticket," he said to William, "We need to find a doctor immediately."
"Wait," a voice called out, and Earl de Mortimer walked over. "What's going on?"
"Miss Smith is unwell," Edmund replied briefly.
"Oh, how unfortunate," the Earl looked at Emily with a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. "Perhaps the shock from earlier got to her."
Emily struggled to stay awake, but the effects of the drug grew stronger. She felt her body burning with heat, especially with Edmund's touch, which only intensified the sensation.
System Alert: You must leave immediately! If anyone discovers your condition, your reputation will be ruined!
Emily knew the system was right, but her body no longer obeyed her. She could only cling to Edmund's arm, trying her best not to collapse.
"I... I want to go home," she said weakly.
"I'll take you back," Edmund said without hesitation.
"No trouble, Your Grace," Earl de Mortimer quickly interjected. "I can arrange for someone to take her."
"Not necessary," Edmund's tone left no room for argument. "My carriage is waiting outside."
Without waiting for anyone to respond, he supported Emily and started walking toward the door.
"Wait!" Margaret rushed over, "Edmund, this isn't appropriate, is it? A single man escorting an unmarried woman home... people might gossip."
Edmund stopped and turned to face her. "Miss de Claire, are you questioning my character?"
"I didn't mean it like that," Margaret's face turned pale. "I'm just worried..."
"Then don't worry," Edmund said coldly, "I know what I'm doing."
He continued to support Emily as they walked outside, with William and Sir Richard following them.
In the carriage, Emily's condition worsened. She felt hotter and more delirious by the minute.
"Hot... so hot," she murmured, reaching for the buttons of her collar.
"Don't move," Edmund stopped her. "We're almost there."
But Emily had lost her rationality. She grabbed Edmund's hand and pressed it against her burning face.
"Cool... so cool," she mumbled.
Edmund could feel her unusual temperature and had a bad feeling rising in his chest. This wasn't just a simple shock or fatigue... it was something more.
"Sir Richard," he said to the man sitting across from him, "What did your daughter drink tonight?"
"Just some regular wine," Richard answered. "Why?"
"Her symptoms aren't right," Edmund frowned. "I suspect someone added something to her drink."
Richard's face turned ashen. "You mean... someone poisoned her?"
"It's not poison," Edmund said solemnly. "It's an aphrodisiac."
The carriage fell into a heavy silence.
System Alert: Your current condition is very dangerous! Immediate action must be taken!
Emily struggled to respond to the system, but her mind was slipping. She only knew that Edmund's presence made her feel safe and comforted.
"We're almost there," Edmund whispered. "Hang in there."
Emily nodded, but her hand never left his arm.
This night was bound to be anything but peaceful. And the preset filters would soon become a turning point that changed the course of everyone's fate.