Chapter – 09
Trust and Poison
What a beautiful boy.
His eyes, like a starry sky.
His sleek black hair with a hint of blue.
The smooth lines of his cheeks that still hold a trace of boyishness.
The ideal bridge of his nose leading from his brows.
It was a beauty so perfect, it was like gazing upon a work of art.
If I remember correctly, his name is Noah. Noah Arthur Igbern — the First Prince of the Igbern Kingdom, and its current Crown Prince. The most noble being in this land, second only to the King himself.
“…You appear to be a noble’s daughter, but this is the Crown Prince’s private palace — off-limits to visitors.”
His clear, pre-adolescent voice was calm and steady.
Startled, I placed a hand on my chest and offered the deepest bow of respect to a royal.
“I deeply apologize. I was accompanying my father to the palace, but we got separated, and I must have wandered here by mistake.”
“Your father… and your name?”
“Olivia Belle Arvine, Your Highness.”
“Ah, the daughter of Marquis Arvine. Then you must be the rumored Lady Olivia. I believe today is your family’s audience with His Majesty.”
“Rumored…?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
Rumored? About me? Why would I be the subject of palace gossip? Even the knights had seemed to recognize me earlier today.
Could it be that talk of my engagement to the Second Prince has already begun?
No — not again. In this second life, I swore I would never marry that prince. In fact, I decided to avoid all the characters from the game — the capture targets, the saint, everyone — if I wanted to avoid being poisoned to death again.
“You didn’t know? There’s a rumor that the Arvine Marquisate hides a small, precious gem within its walls.”
“A… small gem?”
What gem could possibly cause such talk?
Maybe my stepmother bought some new jewel, but I had no interest in such things and decided to ignore it.
“Raise your head and relax.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Come closer.”
I hesitantly stepped forward.
As I approached the western-style pavilion, a sharp beep rang inside my head, and my shoulders jumped.
Appearing before me was that familiar crimson text window — for the third time now. It floated right above the teacup on the Crown Prince’s table.
[Tea (Poisoned): Lankades Horn (Poison Lv. 2)]
(Level 2—!?)
This was bad. The poison level was higher than my current poison resistance level.
That meant I couldn’t neutralize it — and if someone drank it, they’d likely die.
A normal person would die for sure. In my first life, the Crown Prince actually drank this same tea — and perished.
Even with my resistance skill, I wasn’t sure I’d survive if I drank it myself.
“I see. You really do resemble her,” he murmured, not noticing my rising panic.
“Resemble…?” I repeated, puzzled.
“Your mother,” he said softly. “She was a beautiful woman.”
When the Crown Prince’s blue eyes met mine, I felt as if I were being drawn into a vast, starry night sky.
I unconsciously took a small step toward him — just as a sudden gust of wind swept between us.
“My apologies for keeping you. Go left, and you’ll soon see the main palace. Enter through the corridor, and someone will guide you to the audience chamber.”
“Th-thank you very much, Your Highness.”
I was moved.
The Crown Prince wasn’t only beautiful — he was kind. Despite being the future king, he wasn’t arrogant at all, though his presence already carried an innate dignity.
So different from the Second Prince of my first life — that insufferable, self-important man who never listened to anyone.
(Wait, I can’t just stand here admiring him! That poisoned tea—)
Just as the Crown Prince reached for his teacup, I instinctively leaned forward.
“Um!”
“Yes?”
His calm gaze made me falter.
If I didn’t leave soon, he might think I’d trespassed here on purpose.
“Th-that tea… hasn’t it gone cold? Perhaps it should be freshly brewed—?”
“This blend doesn’t turn bitter even when cooled. I prefer it that way while reading.”
He reached again for the cup.
I stepped forward desperately.
“May I ask who brewed that tea, Your Highness?”
“…Why would you ask such a thing?”
“I—uh… I just wanted to… learn how to brew tea properly?”
My voice cracked at the end. He gave me a sharp, suspicious look.
I messed up. Now he definitely thought I was strange.
“The Marquis’s daughter wants to imitate a maid?”
“N-no, not exactly—”
“You should go. His Majesty is waiting.”
The warmth left his face, replaced by a cool authority that brooked no argument.
He reached again for the cup.
“Don’t drink that!” I cried.
His hand froze.
“What?”
“Please, put down the cup. That tea… is poisoned!”
His gaze dropped to the cup — but no matter how closely he looked, it was just tea.
The red warning window was visible only to me.
“And how, pray tell, would you know that?”
“I…”
“The maid who brewed this has served me faithfully for five years. And now, a girl I’ve only just met accuses her of poisoning me. Tell me, which of you seems more suspicious?”
He spoke with a hint of ridicule.
I realized then that I’d completely lost his trust.
“Forget this meeting ever happened. Leave.”
The starry eyes no longer reflected me.
That didn’t matter — what mattered was him. If the Crown Prince didn’t believe me, he would die.
And if he died, I’d probably die, too — just as before.
I had to make him believe. I had to prove the tea was poisoned.
There was only one way left.
“Forgive me, Your Highness!”
Before he could react, I snatched the cup from his hand — and downed the contents in one gulp.
(Ahh! Poison really is heartbreakingly delicious…!)
A sweet, rich aroma filled my mouth, and for a fleeting second I felt bliss.
Then—
“Ugh…!”
A burning pain tore through my insides. I clutched my mouth.
“Olivia!” the prince shouted, rushing toward me.
I coughed violently, blood spilling between my fingers. The metallic stench filled my nose as I collapsed.
“Olivia!”
My limbs convulsed, my vision spun, my throat and stomach burned as if aflame.
Then — ping!
[You have ingested poison.]
[Attempting to neutralize poison.]
[Poison neutralization failed.]
(Don’t fail me now!!)
I wanted to scream, but only blood and wheezing escaped my lips.
Through the haze, I saw the Crown Prince shouting something — his voice distant, unreachable.
As my body shut down, I thought—
(I guess… I really shouldn’t have underestimated poison…)
Ping!
[Poison neutralization failed. Entering temporary death state.]
