“This is entirely possible.”
His green eyes darkened.
“At least it doesn't seem life-threatening.”
Fortunately, unless someone was completely reckless, using a lethal dose of poison in the Imperial Palace was unthinkable.
Weren't there already a lot of people who were branded traitors just for bringing suspicious things in?
With a harsh expression, Kaiyan fell silent. There was only one possibility left for him.
“A drug that affects the mind.”
If so, it was actually a rather smart approach.
One mistake in front of the imperial family could mean instant death.
After Kaiyan came to a quick conclusion, he involuntarily ignored the feeling of touching his thigh, and instead opened his mouth.
“She's April Pepper, a distant branch of the Blair ducal family.”
April's hand froze.
So, did she really need help?
As Kayan's misunderstandings increased, he did his best to protect April from making any mistakes.
And of course, in the process, he unintentionally made her look completely crazy...
At some point, the strange sensation in his thigh gradually faded away.
“Well, that's boring.”
Fortunately, the Crown Prince appears to have lost interest as well.
Kaien watched Raiden slowly pick up the cold cup of tea before finally feeling comfortable enough to turn his gaze towards April.
But then—
'...Huh?'
There was something strange about her.
Her eyes were fixed on an empty spot on the table, and her slightly parted lips looked as if saliva might start dripping at any moment.
She looked like she had completely lost her mind.
"anesthetic?"
At that moment, the names of poisons known to cause similar symptoms flashed through Kayan's mind.
ruifin flower extract? Parnax? Pure datina extract?
If it comes to any of these things, this is not the time to sit idly by.
Kaiyan forced himself to remain calm, then got up.
“I greatly appreciate Your Highness’s hospitality. However, thanks to the support of Her Majesty the Empress, the artists will now be able to continue their work inside the palace. Therefore, we will leave.”
His gaze met the Crown Prince's gaze before he lowered his eyes lightly.
“…Okay. Do it.”
Fortunately, Raiden completely lost interest. As Kaiyan turned his back, he frowned.
* * *
What a relief!
Thanks to the Duke's brilliant maneuvers, the uncomfortable tea time was over much sooner than expected.
Now, all that's left is to put my cool new idea into practice!
I had to bite my lip to keep myself from smiling.
“But first, maybe a quick nap.”
But as soon as I left the Crown Prince's palace,
-Whoosh.
A hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Oh?”
“Go ahead.”
The one with the strong and hot hand – Kayan.
I stared at my captured arm in amazement as something terrifying came from it.
“I have something I want to discuss with April alone.”
…What is happening?
It was surprising that he ignored others so simply, but what caught the most attention was one word in particular.
April.
Given the Imperial Palace's tendency to have ears everywhere, he must have chosen to call me by my name rather than using my title "Princess."
“But still, this seems... strange.”
What did he want to say?
I was about to ask when—
Wait—
He drags.
Suddenly, I found myself being pulled away.
“Your Highness?”
Kayan, who was striding forward with his long legs, paid no attention to my call.
He led me towards a part of the palace that was becoming increasingly deserted.
Wait, is there a place like this in the Imperial Palace?
We soon reached a secluded corner, where even servants rarely passed.
I couldn't hide my confusion.
This situation falls into two common types.
First: an emotional and sweeping love story.
...Two: A bloody horror thriller.
Since Kayan had no intention of killing me, there was only one option left.
From the moment I really noticed how handsome he was, silly thoughts like this kept running through my mind.
“Hit the wall, kiss...”
If someone this beautiful had feelings for me, I wouldn't exactly complain, but this was very surprising.
Was he always like this?
Did he suddenly realize how possessive he was of me when the Crown Prince showed interest in me?
While I was still deep in my pink illusions, Kayan's stern voice brought me back to reality.
"princess."
"…Yes?"
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
As I had imagined before, I found myself trapped between the wall, staring at it in amazement.
Beats beats.
My heartbeat echoed through my body, and as my face began to blush, Kayan spoke.
“What did you eat?”
“…Huh?”
I answered stupidly.
What type of question is this?
Wait, what did you eat today?
I think there is something with garlic in breakfast.
But I had brushed my teeth well before meeting the Crown Prince!
“I think I ordered the same menu as you...bread, soup, and the sauce contains garlic. Do I smell something bad or what?”
I looked at Kayan, desperately hoping he would deny it.
If I had smelled bad in front of the Crown Prince, it would have been an embarrassment that I would regret for the next three thousand years.
But Kaiyan just stared at me, not saying a word.
“So did you spill something?”
I quickly checked my clothes.
nothing. Not a single stain on my beige dress.
Bonita recently commented that I tend to spill things, so I made sure to be extra careful.
I even checked my sleeves, but as my cheeks grew redder, I lowered my head in shame.
Honestly, by the end of tea time, I was so engrossed in the idea of the cup that I barely listened to what was being said.
Did I do something without realizing it?
“…Did you think I was asking because of the smell?”
“So, what's the purpose of that?”
I felt like I was playing the twenty questions game. I frowned.
Then suddenly, I remembered Kayan's behavior earlier when he answered on my behalf.
…I am waiting.
“...Are you asking me if I've lost my mind?”
“So you understand the meaning of my question.”
That's why he was making me look crazy in front of the Crown Prince!
I frowned, frustration rising within me.
I heard a sigh above me.
“Huh.”
When I raised my head, Kaiyan's expression was indescribable.
Was that…a relief you saw?
While I was absently analyzing his face, I suddenly noticed something else.
His hand was still holding my wrist.
The moment I felt the warmth of his touch, my face flushed as if it was burning.
“Hmm, but...”
“Hmm?”
“Can you… let go of my wrist?”
“Oh, right.”
His response was more of a mumble, but he must have understood because he finally released me.
There was an awkward silence.
"…anyway."
how much.
I emerged from his shadow and hurriedly explained,
“I didn't eat anything strange. I just wandered off a little, but that's about it.”
I didn't know exactly what I had misunderstood, but I explained that I was in a completely normal state of mind.
Kaiyan stared at me with a mysterious, incomprehensible look.
As if he still had more to say.
“Is there still more?”
As I began to feel worried about the increasingly strange atmosphere, he suddenly asked me:
“Then why were you feeling my thigh like that?”