“No, Your Highness. This is...”
Veronica tried to stop me with a surprised expression. I dodged her hand and secured the cup.
“It’s mine! Right, husband?”
The gazes of the people turned to Cerden like arrows. Veronica also stared at Cerden.
Everyone was waiting to see what he would say.
Smile...?
His smoothly raised lips lazily parted.
“Why? It’s fine. Do you really think I’m just a child? My body is that of an adult.”
In the end, it was permission. He was on my side. I wondered if he knew what he was doing, or if he was just being curious.
I couldn’t tell.
But I was relieved.
Veronica glared at Cerden with eyes that seemed to hold back her words once again.
It was Cerden who had treated me like a child until now, and now he was acting like this. I was just as confused about his intentions.
Isn’t he strange? I think so too.
Somehow, I felt like I would get along better with Veronica than with Cerden.
“Just one sip!”
Cerden narrowed his eyes and smiled. Surely, there couldn’t be poison in this right away? It was probably a slow-acting poison. Or maybe it was just meant to hurt. I couldn’t be sure of anything.
Augustine and Duke Spelman were watching me from a distance. Then both of their gazes fixed on my cup.
They weren’t stopping me.
They knew what might be in it.
And as far as I knew, Evelyn had a constitution that was immune to poison. I took a sip, trusting only that.
This was a gamble.
Ah, it’s sweet. I was so enchanted by the scent of alcohol that I almost drank it all. I need to remember that I’m five years old!
I quickly pulled it from my mouth and threw the cup away. Then, rubbing my mouth, I shouted.
“Ugh! It’s disgusting! Zizi, zizi!”
“See! Huh, Evelyn. Drink this. It’ll taste much better. Hurry.”
Kind Veronica offered me another drink that was placed in front of me.
While I was drinking the sweet beverage Veronica gave me, Cerden was just smiling.
You sly child. You should be grateful to me. I’m currently saving your sister with a self-sacrificial attitude.
I’m desperately trying to prevent the peace of this world and your Darkening/Corruption, you know?
It’s unfortunate, but really annoying. All the tension had suddenly dissipated. It was probably due to the relief that the situation had been resolved.
Oh, you really don’t know anything.
In fact, it’s not me who is ignorant, but Cerden.
“Ugh, that’s bad! Don’t let Ver drink it!”
“Ver?”
“Verooni?”
“Ver is nice. Call me Ver, Evelyn.”
I nodded vigorously. It’s strange for a child to remember and call a name all at once. Veronica didn’t seem to suspect my identity at all.
She’s really different from her brother. How nice it would have been if Cerden had just taken after Veronica a little.
I stuck out my tongue.
But at least I did something today.
I glanced at Duke Spelman again, but Augustine’s expression was just stiff, and there was no other movement.
No more maids approached. Well, they probably wouldn’t have put poison in all the food or drink.
Veronica and Evelyn left first. It was due to Cerden’s command.
And Cerden took advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention to lift a cup that was rolling in the grass.
Spring flowers scattered.
Petals were falling like delicate rain. It was a cup that didn’t suit such a beautiful day.
It had a slight crack, as if it had hit a stone, but fortunately, it was intact. Cerden brought the cup to his nose and sniffed.
It had a faint but strange smell.
Cerden curled his lips.
“Haha, really.”
Cerden coldly tucked the cup away. I didn’t know what his intentions were, but it was clear. That woman was acting right now.
They said a child’s intelligence develops around the age of ten. Since then, she hadn’t improved at all.
I didn’t know if she had been deceiving people and acting since then, or if she had just recently come to her senses.
Or perhaps Spelman had deceived the world and let Evelyn in.
I didn’t know which was the truth, but I intended to watch.
To see if Evelyn would reveal her identity herself.
Cerden hid the cup in his jacket and handed it to Mortega, who was waiting outside.
“Check what was in the cup. It’s poison.”
“……!”
Mortega’s eyes widened in shock.
“Did Your Highness drink it? What was in it?”
“I didn’t drink it. I’m just suspicious.”
“Then who... Could it be that Lady Veronica drank it?”
“No. Someone sacrificed their body.”
Cerden smiled coldly. Mortega looked at that smile with a fearful expression.
The swift gesture of snatching the cup. The small, soft face framed by red hair. The girl who had been smiling brightly and acting cute. Evelyn, who suited this weather better than anyone.
What was in the cup was no longer poison.
It contained Evelyn’s sacrifice.
Cerden added in a low voice.
“Take care of the lady’s health. If there’s anything wrong, let me know.”
“Shall I call a doctor?”
“No, that’s not necessary...”
Cerden recalled Evelyn. She must have known it was poisoned. The suspicion turned into certainty. What kind of confidence did she have to drink that poison?
She had pretended not to know, so I had to play along. I didn’t know what she might do if she realized she was caught.
“She will sleep in my chamber tonight.”
“Your Highness!”
If it was a concern, I could check it myself. Cerden couldn’t take his eyes off the spot where Evelyn had been for a long time.
That guy was serious.
Cherryna and Rosie exchanged strange looks as they helped me change into my nightgown.
“Calling you to the bedroom all of a sudden. They say you’ll sleep there. Is that right?”
“What could possibly happen? No, ah, I don’t know.”
Cherryna and Rosie seemed confused as well.
I know, I’m confused too. I really don’t understand what he’s thinking by doing this.
But if that guy doesn’t back down, I have no choice but to fight back.
“Maybe your husband is scared to sleep alone! It’s raining and thundering, so he wants you to sleep with him!”
“Ah...”
“Maybe I should read him a book and sing him a song. Um, um. Get the princess book!”
“Yes.”
Cherryna and Rosie moved with reluctant faces.
Wearing fluffy pink shoes, they left the palace. As Cerden said, it was starting to rain a little.
Cherryna held up the umbrella as we headed toward the Crown Prince Palace.
Since it was facing each other, the distance wasn’t far.
Indeed, the attendants of the Crown Prince Palace greeted us with awkward and uncomfortable expressions.
“Your Highness, you’ve arrived?”
“Uh-huh! Where’s my husband? He said he was scared!”
“Excuse me?”
“My husband said he was scared! It’s raining and thundering!”
I’ll get my revenge. I’ll spread all kinds of rumors that he’s a coward. The attendants smiled awkwardly.
“Ah, I see.”
“Yeah. That’s why I came to protect him. I’m going to read him a book and sing him a song! That’s why I’m here!”
I held out the book I had brought. The attendants’ expressions changed to something even stranger. Of course, I was secretly laughing wickedly.
Following the attendants’ guidance, we headed to the Crown Prince’s bedroom.
The palace structure seemed similar to mine.
It was like a carbon copy of the layout.
As I entered Cerden’s bedroom, Cherryna and Rosie took off my gown and left.
I fidgeted with the frilly pink nightgown I was wearing, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves.
I pretended to be calm and made Cerden look like a coward, but in reality, I was quite nervous.
Isn’t that natural? Even if Cerden suspects me, he probably sees me as a child, but I don’t see myself that way.
In my eyes, Cerden was a handsome adult man who stirred my heart.
And he was quite charming.
“...So annoying.”
Cerden still wasn’t in the bedroom.
It was strangely humiliating to think that I was the only one feeling this way. Just thinking of that smooth face made me more annoyed. I looked around the room.
If I moved carelessly, I might invite unnecessary misunderstandings. I just lay on the bed as I usually did and opened the book.
This was somewhat like Rapunzel. Was this the book I was going to read to Cerden today?
As I flipped through the pages, I heard a presence behind me. I swallowed nervously. I pretended not to notice and just fiddled with the book. I felt the weight on the bed.
“What are you doing?”
Cerden suddenly approached and asked. The scent tickled my nose. I had prepared myself, but the shock was more than I expected.
I can’t believe it, really!
Cerden placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Ah!”
Veronica tried to stop me with a surprised expression. I dodged her hand and secured the cup.
“It’s mine! Right, husband?”
The gazes of the people turned to Cerden like arrows. Veronica also stared at Cerden.
Everyone was waiting to see what he would say.
Smile...?
His smoothly raised lips lazily parted.
“Why? It’s fine. Do you really think I’m just a child? My body is that of an adult.”
In the end, it was permission. He was on my side. I wondered if he knew what he was doing, or if he was just being curious.
I couldn’t tell.
But I was relieved.
Veronica glared at Cerden with eyes that seemed to hold back her words once again.
It was Cerden who had treated me like a child until now, and now he was acting like this. I was just as confused about his intentions.
Isn’t he strange? I think so too.
Somehow, I felt like I would get along better with Veronica than with Cerden.
“Just one sip!”
Cerden narrowed his eyes and smiled. Surely, there couldn’t be poison in this right away? It was probably a slow-acting poison. Or maybe it was just meant to hurt. I couldn’t be sure of anything.
Augustine and Duke Spelman were watching me from a distance. Then both of their gazes fixed on my cup.
They weren’t stopping me.
They knew what might be in it.
And as far as I knew, Evelyn had a constitution that was immune to poison. I took a sip, trusting only that.
This was a gamble.
Ah, it’s sweet. I was so enchanted by the scent of alcohol that I almost drank it all. I need to remember that I’m five years old!
I quickly pulled it from my mouth and threw the cup away. Then, rubbing my mouth, I shouted.
“Ugh! It’s disgusting! Zizi, zizi!”
“See! Huh, Evelyn. Drink this. It’ll taste much better. Hurry.”
Kind Veronica offered me another drink that was placed in front of me.
While I was drinking the sweet beverage Veronica gave me, Cerden was just smiling.
You sly child. You should be grateful to me. I’m currently saving your sister with a self-sacrificial attitude.
I’m desperately trying to prevent the peace of this world and your Darkening/Corruption, you know?
It’s unfortunate, but really annoying. All the tension had suddenly dissipated. It was probably due to the relief that the situation had been resolved.
Oh, you really don’t know anything.
In fact, it’s not me who is ignorant, but Cerden.
“Ugh, that’s bad! Don’t let Ver drink it!”
“Ver?”
“Verooni?”
“Ver is nice. Call me Ver, Evelyn.”
I nodded vigorously. It’s strange for a child to remember and call a name all at once. Veronica didn’t seem to suspect my identity at all.
She’s really different from her brother. How nice it would have been if Cerden had just taken after Veronica a little.
I stuck out my tongue.
But at least I did something today.
I glanced at Duke Spelman again, but Augustine’s expression was just stiff, and there was no other movement.
No more maids approached. Well, they probably wouldn’t have put poison in all the food or drink.
Veronica and Evelyn left first. It was due to Cerden’s command.
And Cerden took advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention to lift a cup that was rolling in the grass.
Spring flowers scattered.
Petals were falling like delicate rain. It was a cup that didn’t suit such a beautiful day.
It had a slight crack, as if it had hit a stone, but fortunately, it was intact. Cerden brought the cup to his nose and sniffed.
It had a faint but strange smell.
Cerden curled his lips.
“Haha, really.”
Cerden coldly tucked the cup away. I didn’t know what his intentions were, but it was clear. That woman was acting right now.
They said a child’s intelligence develops around the age of ten. Since then, she hadn’t improved at all.
I didn’t know if she had been deceiving people and acting since then, or if she had just recently come to her senses.
Or perhaps Spelman had deceived the world and let Evelyn in.
I didn’t know which was the truth, but I intended to watch.
To see if Evelyn would reveal her identity herself.
Cerden hid the cup in his jacket and handed it to Mortega, who was waiting outside.
“Check what was in the cup. It’s poison.”
“……!”
Mortega’s eyes widened in shock.
“Did Your Highness drink it? What was in it?”
“I didn’t drink it. I’m just suspicious.”
“Then who... Could it be that Lady Veronica drank it?”
“No. Someone sacrificed their body.”
Cerden smiled coldly. Mortega looked at that smile with a fearful expression.
The swift gesture of snatching the cup. The small, soft face framed by red hair. The girl who had been smiling brightly and acting cute. Evelyn, who suited this weather better than anyone.
What was in the cup was no longer poison.
It contained Evelyn’s sacrifice.
Cerden added in a low voice.
“Take care of the lady’s health. If there’s anything wrong, let me know.”
“Shall I call a doctor?”
“No, that’s not necessary...”
Cerden recalled Evelyn. She must have known it was poisoned. The suspicion turned into certainty. What kind of confidence did she have to drink that poison?
She had pretended not to know, so I had to play along. I didn’t know what she might do if she realized she was caught.
“She will sleep in my chamber tonight.”
“Your Highness!”
If it was a concern, I could check it myself. Cerden couldn’t take his eyes off the spot where Evelyn had been for a long time.
That guy was serious.
Cherryna and Rosie exchanged strange looks as they helped me change into my nightgown.
“Calling you to the bedroom all of a sudden. They say you’ll sleep there. Is that right?”
“What could possibly happen? No, ah, I don’t know.”
Cherryna and Rosie seemed confused as well.
I know, I’m confused too. I really don’t understand what he’s thinking by doing this.
But if that guy doesn’t back down, I have no choice but to fight back.
“Maybe your husband is scared to sleep alone! It’s raining and thundering, so he wants you to sleep with him!”
“Ah...”
“Maybe I should read him a book and sing him a song. Um, um. Get the princess book!”
“Yes.”
Cherryna and Rosie moved with reluctant faces.
Wearing fluffy pink shoes, they left the palace. As Cerden said, it was starting to rain a little.
Cherryna held up the umbrella as we headed toward the Crown Prince Palace.
Since it was facing each other, the distance wasn’t far.
Indeed, the attendants of the Crown Prince Palace greeted us with awkward and uncomfortable expressions.
“Your Highness, you’ve arrived?”
“Uh-huh! Where’s my husband? He said he was scared!”
“Excuse me?”
“My husband said he was scared! It’s raining and thundering!”
I’ll get my revenge. I’ll spread all kinds of rumors that he’s a coward. The attendants smiled awkwardly.
“Ah, I see.”
“Yeah. That’s why I came to protect him. I’m going to read him a book and sing him a song! That’s why I’m here!”
I held out the book I had brought. The attendants’ expressions changed to something even stranger. Of course, I was secretly laughing wickedly.
Following the attendants’ guidance, we headed to the Crown Prince’s bedroom.
The palace structure seemed similar to mine.
It was like a carbon copy of the layout.
As I entered Cerden’s bedroom, Cherryna and Rosie took off my gown and left.
I fidgeted with the frilly pink nightgown I was wearing, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves.
I pretended to be calm and made Cerden look like a coward, but in reality, I was quite nervous.
Isn’t that natural? Even if Cerden suspects me, he probably sees me as a child, but I don’t see myself that way.
In my eyes, Cerden was a handsome adult man who stirred my heart.
And he was quite charming.
“...So annoying.”
Cerden still wasn’t in the bedroom.
It was strangely humiliating to think that I was the only one feeling this way. Just thinking of that smooth face made me more annoyed. I looked around the room.
If I moved carelessly, I might invite unnecessary misunderstandings. I just lay on the bed as I usually did and opened the book.
This was somewhat like Rapunzel. Was this the book I was going to read to Cerden today?
As I flipped through the pages, I heard a presence behind me. I swallowed nervously. I pretended not to notice and just fiddled with the book. I felt the weight on the bed.
“What are you doing?”
Cerden suddenly approached and asked. The scent tickled my nose. I had prepared myself, but the shock was more than I expected.
I can’t believe it, really!
Cerden placed his hand on my shoulder.
“Ah!”
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