Chapter 49
Cheshion stood in front of the two maids.
“I refuse. How can I be sure that there isn’t poison in this tea?”
It was a huge problem. It seemed that news of Mori drinking the Rilkana tea and vomiting blood had leaked to the outside.
‘He’s probably trying to use this information to bury the Edel Duke’s house.’
It was becoming increasingly difficult.
“Poison? Why would I do such a thing?”
“There’s a good chance. After all, you have a history of killing my subordinate, Hans, without hesitation just because he offended you. You might kill my maids for a similar reason this time.”
The other nobles only looked on, their eyes darting around the room. Just then, a middle-aged noblewoman stepped forward and defended Cheshion.
“I dare to speak, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Please refrain from such cruel methods.”
“Cruel methods? Sounds like you’re implying something, aren’t you?”
Severian chuckled, his eyes flashing coldly. The black-haired noblewoman, who had once been saved by Cheshion, was trembling, but she didn’t back down.
“Many of the young ladies and noblewomen here owe their lives to Duke Edel. A person who cherishes life like that would never gather witches for evil purposes. Even if he did gather witches, he would have provided them with warm meals and a bed. The Duke we know would never harm them.”
At this, other nobles chimed in to support her defense.
“Indeed. The idea that Duke Edel would gather witches for evil purposes is absurd. Please take away the unnecessary poison, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“We came here to show our respect for the accomplishments His Highness has made. So, please, don’t commit murder just for amusement at this noble gathering.”
Severian’s lips quivered slightly. Cheshion’s popularity had reached this level? Was it because of the incident with Hans, or was it the idea that “murder for fun” was being thrown at him?
Severian stood from his seat and ordered the chamberlain to bring tea, warm water, tea bags, and three cups.
“Cheshion Edel, I will personally prepare the tea for you, and I will drink it with you. Will that satisfy you?”
“……”
Cheshion gritted his teeth. There was nothing he could say now if it was going to go this far.
Meanwhile, Gremory…
She looked completely indifferent.
In the end, it was Isollen who made the decision.
“I understand, Your Highness. It is an honor to be able to drink the tea personally prepared by you, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“I too am honored.”
As Gremory followed Isollen in bowing, Cheshion’s eyes widened slightly.
‘What’s going on? What kind of confidence does Mori have to act so calmly? Does she have some amazing trick up her sleeve that I didn’t consider?’
Finally, the Crown Prince prepared the tea. The nobles and Cheshion focused intently on every step of the tea-making process. Perhaps feeling their eyes too sharply focused, Severian let out a small chuckle.
“You seem to care a lot about your maids. If you want, you can take the first sip from the cup yourself.”
“……I’ll do that.”
Finally, three cups of tea were ready. Cheshion took a sip from the cups of Gremory and Isollen. Being immune to most poisons and highly sensitive to them, Cheshion would detect any poison immediately if it were there.
…Fortunately, there was no poison.
Isollen, holding her cup, hesitated slightly. She had been worried about Mori, who had once almost collapsed after drinking the Rilkana tea. She feared Mori might again be in danger.
But then, there was a loud sound of someone gulping down their tea.
Gremory, as though mesmerized by the scent of Rilkana tea, downed the tea in one go.
“……Hah.”
Gremory placed the cup down with a loud clink and casually wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.
Isollen was momentarily stunned, then quickly followed suit and drank her tea.
Just as it seemed like the witch test was over, Severian, the malicious prince, didn’t let them go. He kept them there for over an hour. Specifically, he didn’t let Gremory leave.
“Mori, are you okay?”
“Yes. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Thank goodness. And that comment you made earlier about seducing me and eating me up, as I said before, how about you do it tonight?”
“No, I have plans.”
Cheshion, who was observing, was on edge. Mori was doing her best to act fine, but her hands were turning pale, nearly blue with the poison she had just consumed.
“What plans?”
“There’s someone I need to seduce first.”
“Hah! As expected, a beautiful woman is always busy. Do I have to stand in line?”
“Yes. Please come back in about three months.”
“Three months? That’s longer than I expected. Alright, I’ll see you then. For now, you can leave.”
Finally, Gremory was granted permission to leave. She bowed her head slightly and stood up, walking away with her trembling hands hidden in her sleeves.
Cheshion and Isollen quickly flanked her sides, worried she might collapse.
As soon as Gremory entered her chambers, she vomited blood.
“Ugh.”
“Mori, are you okay? My goodness, your body is so cold!”
Isollen removed her shawl and placed it over Gremory’s shoulders. Gremory groaned, like a drunk person.
“I’m fine… I’ve built up resistance from drinking it before… ugh.”
“You’re fine? You’re freezing!”
“As I said before… witches don’t need body heat…”
“Even a beauty’s body temperature matters! I told you that before!”
Cheshion, snapping, removed his cloak and wrapped it around Gremory’s body. If it wasn’t for Severian, Gremory could have been seriously misunderstood for not holding out.
‘Damn, I wish I could find some Ophensia tea…’
If she went around looking for Ophensia tea within the palace, she’d definitely be suspected of being a witch. There was no choice but to wait for the poison to naturally wear off.
Meanwhile, Gremory, groaning like a person who had drunk too much, clung to Isollen.
“Ugh… Thanks. Because you gave me Rilkana tea before… I’ve built resistance… and that’s how I was able to endure… ugh.”
“What are you thanking me for? You almost died from it last time!”
“Anyway, I got through an important situation… ugh.”
“Alright, stop talking and rest.”
After a couple of more heaving coughs, Gremory collapsed, falling unconscious. Cheshion wiped her mouth and, with Isollen, started cleaning the blood stains on the floor.
Cheshion and Isollen stayed by her side until the morning. Thankfully, Gremory woke up, though she was in pain like someone suffering from a hangover.
Meanwhile, there was someone sending invitations early in the morning.
It was Ivelia’s invitation. It was an invitation for a secret tea time with Gremory, offering tea if there was any she wanted to drink.
Cheshion’s brow furrowed as he held the invitation.
“She says she’ll serve you the tea you want? She knows Mori needs Ophensia tea… Did she use her prophetic abilities to know that? Is she trying to help us… Mori, where are you going?”
“To drink Ophensia tea.”
Gremory rushed out of her room like a person desperately looking for a hangover remedy. She didn’t have time to think about why Ivelia had invited her.
Ivelia watched Gremory with great interest, even though she had shown up without even washing her face.
“Truly, you are unusual. Most noble ladies would come here fully dressed, but you… this natural look… Can I take it as a sign that you feel comfortable with me?”
“Yes.”
“So, what kind of tea would you like to drink? I thought you might want Ophensia tea. Am I right?”
“Yes.”
“Hehe, go ahead and drink. I wanted to give it to you earlier, but I couldn’t.”
Gremory quickly drank the tea Ivelia poured for her. By the time she had drunk three cups, her condition returned to normal.
Ivelia smiled warmly.
“I specially prepared large cups for you. Did you like them?”
“Yes, thank you. But…”
After recovering, Gremory began to feel suspicious. How did Ivelia know to prepare Ophensia tea in advance?
“As you know, I’m a prophet. I could foresee this situation.”
“So, you figured out my identity in the process…”
“So, what’s the connection between Rilkana tea and Ophensia tea? Do you have an allergy to Rilkana tea? Is Ophensia tea the antidote?”
“……”
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re healthy again.”
At this point, Gremory no longer felt any surprise about her identity being unknown to anyone.
