The Other Side of the Mask

"Why am I eliminated? I am from a wealthy noble family, and I have proper etiquette and manners, unlike some people here!"

Oh, so she's Xuan MeiJing? Wow… I sit down and watch the 'show'.

Prince Fu starts to speak, "You three were the cause of the incident this morning. I do not need a woman who creates unnecessary fights to stand by my side."

Xuan MeiJing clenches her teeth and looks down at the table.

"Ahem," the servant with the scroll clears his throat and continues,

"Will all three madams come up here. You will be escorted by these maids."

TianYu stands up, "I guess this is it for me. Thank you for everything, QiLing."

She gives me a sad smile and heads up to the maids.

The Queen suddenly calls out, "Hold on, TianYu, is it?"

TianYu looks up at the Queen, "Yes, your highness?"

"Why are you covering your dress?"

"Um… it got wet a few minutes before your majesty came, so we used cloth to cover the wet dress so that I could be at least presentable."

"Hmm," the King nods in approval, "That was a wise decision."

"Yes, very. I believe she should stay. What do you say, my son?"

"Very well, TianYu will stay. Dismissed."

The Royal Family exits as Xuan MeiJing causes a ruckus yelling,

"Why does she deserve to stay?" and stuff like that until a knight took her away.

TianYu beamed and held my hand in hers.

"Thank you so much QiLing! If it hadn't been for your skills…"

She cries tears of joy. I loosen up and smile a bit.

TianYu literally followed me for the rest of the day, sitting with me at lunch and dinner. I tried not to be rude, but also not too friendly. I guess this is expected, since I literally saved her from being eliminated from the competition.

I arrive back at my room and take off my mask. I look over at my desk and find a letter and a small package.

"Dearest QiLing,

This is a letter regarding our plan. I want to push it forward before the Trials end. Either way they will have to complete the trials. I have encased the product with this letter. You have a big bottle in case you mess up. Have fun and take care!

Sincerely,

Your 'father'"

I grit my teeth. He wrote it quite ambiguously, however it was so that I'm the only one that understands. Others probably would think it's a makeup product or something. He wants me to put it in when we have to try cooking in the trials. The Queen should be efficient in almost all categories and skills. I pace in my room, pondering and pondering, what should I do? I don't want to kill someone!