Chapter 94
After that, I told Ardel all the things I hadn’t been able to say until now.
From how a sudden penalty appeared on the very first night we were supposed to spend together, to the trivial details of when I first realized I was in love.
The entire time I spoke, Ardel never took his eyes off me.
He listened with a serious expression, and every ten seconds or so, he would take my hand—only to let go again.
“…This is driving me crazy.”
It was a shame that we couldn’t hold hands for long, but somehow, that made things even more agonizing.
Maybe because I still wasn’t used to physical contact, every time his rough yet warm hand touched mine, I flinched in surprise. The ticklish sensation, the fluttering excitement, and the strange tension all mixed together into something almost unbearable.
Anyway, after enduring that whole ordeal, we came to a single conclusion.
“First, let’s find a way to survive together without dying. So that neither I die, nor you have to regress anymore.”
I nodded.
A way for me to avoid regressing without killing Ardel…
And if we were to stay together, we would also have to survive this war without dying.
Honestly, I doubted whether such a method even existed. But still—since things had already come this far—
It seemed worth trying our absolute best.
“Yes. That sounds good.”
And so, the first thing we needed to do.
The most urgent problem was dealing with the Duke of Deville, the episode that would soon unfold.
For that, we needed Moana—and she completed my instructions faster than expected.
The morning after Ardel and I had our long conversation, Moana came to my room uncalled.
“So, did you find out everything we need?” I asked.
“…Yes.”
Moana looked a little tense. She awkwardly rolled her eyes before finally speaking.
“First of all, it really does seem that the Duke isn’t connected to the recent murder case.”
“…Is that so?”
If he had been connected, it would’ve been much easier to punish him properly. What a shame.
Of course, I couldn’t trust Moana’s words one hundred percent. Even in the poisoning incident at the book club, Princess Periel had tried to stop me, which meant there were loopholes to escape through.
Even if he were involved, he likely would’ve prepared thoroughly enough to feign ignorance.
“How can you be sure?” I asked.
“I don’t know everything, but I’ve never once heard anything about him being tied to the serial murders. I tested the waters this time, and he firmly said that he doesn’t do dangerous things like murder.”
“That’s still just his word.”
Moana nodded in agreement, then pulled something out from her clothes.
It was a small, worn notebook.
When I took it from her, she began explaining.
“I secretly took it from the Duke’s room. I’ve seen him write in it several times when planning his future moves.”
“…Is it really okay to take something like this?”
“If we return it quickly, it should be fine.”
I wasn’t convinced it was actually fine, but seeing the proud look on Moana’s face, it didn’t seem like she was lying. I opened the notebook and skimmed through it.
No matter how fast I flipped through the pages, there was nothing about Geno, nor anything related to murder.
Just in case, I searched for evidence related to the book club incident, but there was no mention of that day either.
It only contained things like meeting schedules, notes on what to discuss in meetings, or simple reminders such as “Deliver book club invitation to the Empress.”
‘What? Is this really all?’
Just as that doubt crossed my mind—
I found one entry that stood out.
[Periel’s banquet. Empress invited. What is the relationship between the Empress and Count Demen?]
“…Ah.”
So this is how it goes.
I let out a small, incredulous laugh.
Even in the original game, the Duke of Deville tried to frame me at a banquet, and I had to investigate him in return to expose everything.
What the Duke pushed back then was the Empress’s so‑called “qualifications.”
That I—who had married for an alliance, the symbol of that alliance—had betrayed Ardel and fooled around with another man.
And now, seeing notes about my relationship with Count Demen in his memo…
Was he planning to brand me as an unfaithful woman again, just like in the game?
“Is this it?” I asked Moana directly. “The Duke of Deville’s plan?”
She nodded.
“Yes. He said he’s already secured evidence.”
“…Evidence?”
What kind of evidence?
As I questioned her in disbelief, Moana glanced around nervously and stepped closer. Then she whispered softly.
“The thing is—”
By the time she finished explaining, I couldn’t hide my shock.
The Duke really planned all of that?
If what Moana told me was true, then I had just obtained a powerful weapon—one that would allow me to avoid his trap and bring about his downfall in a single blow.
I couldn’t confirm whether it was true or not, but there was no harm in preparing. Slowly, I nodded.
“Thank you for telling me.”
“Ah—then…”
“There’s just one thing left. One last errand.”
This errand would determine whether Moana was truly telling me the truth.
Whether the information she gave me was actually useful.
She looked at me nervously, so I gave her a reassuring smile.
“It’s nothing difficult. I’m planning to hold another book club soon. I just need your help with one thing then.”
“A book club…?”
The book club hadn’t been held since the incident where I nearly got assassinated.
And now, I intended to revive it.
The host would be me. And the guest—Princess Periel of Deville.
“I’ll invite Princess Periel to the book club. That day, you just need to put poison into her drink.”
“…What?!”
Moana, who had been nodding obediently, let out a sharp gasp.
“Poison?!”
“Shh.”
At my warning, she hurriedly clamped her hands over her mouth.
“I’ve already ordered someone else to obtain the poison. Once it arrives, I’ll give it to you. All you need to do is slip it into the princess’s glass without anyone noticing. And of course, no one must find out that I ordered this.”
“Your Majesty…”
“If you don’t like it, then go back to the Duke of Deville. In that case, I’m afraid I’ll have no choice but to punish you.”
“……”
“If you complete the task properly, I’ll guarantee your safety—even if things are exposed, you won’t be named. Does that sound doable?”
She hesitated briefly, then answered in a small voice.
“Yes… I understand. I’ll do it.”
“Good choice.”
I smiled in response.
Either way, this proposal was bound to put Moana at a disadvantage.
If she refused, the quest would fail—but I’d have a chance to eliminate her for sure.
But if she accepted, there were two possibilities.
First: Moana was truly on my side. In that case, she would actually poison the princess’s glass, and I’d gain the chance to repay her—for what happened at the previous book club.
Of course, I had no intention of actually poisoning Periel.
Why would I ever do that?
Just like before, I planned to knock the glass away and issue a warning.
Second: If Moana was still working with the Duke.
I wouldn’t tell her that I had no intention of killing the princess. The Duke would only hear that poison was supposed to be added to the drink.
If they added the poison, Periel might die. If they didn’t, their attempt to use Moana as a double agent would become meaningless.
Or they might try to poison the glass while preventing Periel from drinking it—which I would notice immediately. Either way, Moana’s true allegiance would be revealed.
In short—no matter what choice she made, it benefited me.
“And of course,” I added, “you must not tell the Duke or the princess about this. This plan is known only to you and me.”
The episode involving the Duke of Deville—
Had just begun
