Chapter 77………………
“What is it that you find so amusing?”
Kyle, who had been pretending not to notice Lepeinon, finally asked him. Lepeinon only shrugged.
“Just reminded me of that old saying—that love and sneezes can’t be held back.”
“Stop with your useless musings. I’d prefer if we discussed what needs to be done next.”
“Is there really anything to worry about? All of this came from Lady Ellupe’s mind, after all. Wouldn’t it be enough to simply call her back and ask her again?”
Lepeinon slipped Ellupe’s name into the conversation as smoothly as a snake slithering over a wall. Kyle clenched his teeth, showing clear displeasure.
For someone who had always been so indifferent toward humans, to suddenly show such blind fixation on one person—it was baffling.
Lepeinon, torn between amusement and regret at Kyle’s behavior, stepped back.
“We’ll have to report everything truthfully to His Majesty. I can only hope you’ll be generous enough to understand that.”
The next day, as expected, the Imperial Palace was abuzz.
Many researchers had gathered to study the teapot with two holes drilled into it—but in truth, that wasn’t the important part.
The real key was not suicide, but murder.
And yet, for some reason, the rumors had completely left me out.
Everyone who passed by seemed convinced that it was the Crown Prince who had uncovered the trick with the teapot.
“His Highness is truly capable.”
“How does he solve things so easily? I was shocked, thought he must be possessed by a spirit.”
“Perhaps His Highness can see a future invisible to the rest of us?”
“Hahaha, that’s going too far.”
While I was standing by the window at the end of the corridor, quietly listening to the maids gossip, I felt someone’s presence stop behind me.
Slowly turning, I found Rubrion watching me.
I jolted in surprise, my voice trembling as I greeted him.
“It’s… been a while. Have you been well?”
Seeing him—this character I had once invested so heavily in—made my heart pound uncontrollably. And he was also the very person I least wanted to run into right now.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been well,” Rubrion answered, face calm as always.
He was the very man Elforten had warned me about not long ago. Rubrion was suspicious of my family’s dark magic. Elforten had told me to avoid using it in the palace.
Is that why he suddenly appeared? Because of dark magic?
Nervous and uneasy, I bit my lip before finally forcing words out.
“M-may I ask what brings you here?”
Rubrion blinked at me, as if my question were utterly nonsensical.
Realizing too late how rude it was to ask why he was here in the Imperial Palace—of all places—I felt my cheeks burn.
Ugh, what was I thinking? This isn’t even my house. Asking why he came here is way out of line! I only slipped up because I was nervous he might’ve discovered my use of dark magic…
“His Highness the Crown Prince summoned me urgently. And you, Lady Inferna—why are you here alone?”
His calm answer reminded me that, in this moment, this place held only the two of us.
“I was just… thinking for a while.”
“You must have many worries then,” he said, smiling gently.
That smile—so kind, so pleasant—momentarily stole my words. I remembered staring at it endlessly back when I played the game.
To see it here, on his still somewhat boyish face, was something I’d never dreamed possible.
This is what they call being a lucky fan in real life…
“Lady Inferna?”
“A-ah. Yes. Well, doesn’t everyone have worries?”
In truth, my head was full of plans to uncover the real culprit. But I couldn’t possibly tell that to Rubrion, who already suspected my family of abusing dark magic.
If I raised suspicion, I might end up the one accused.
“In fact, I already heard from His Highness,” Rubrion continued.
“…Heard what?”
My heart nearly burst. Did Kyle tell the Crown Prince I’d used dark magic?
“His Highness said you provided great help in this case. That you played a crucial role at the scene.”
I let out a long sigh of relief. So that’s what they meant by a guilty conscience being its own punishment. Elforten’s warning had me so spooked that I’d assumed the worst.
“Ah, that. Yes, I suppose I helped a little.”
“May I ask what exactly you provided?”
That sweet, cotton-candy smile of his almost made me forget to breathe.
No, stop it. Remember, he’s just another fish in Roellin’s pond.
“O-of course. If it’s something I can answer, I’ll tell you.”
Heat rose up my neck as I forced myself to reply.
“What was the evidence you gave His Highness?”
So Lepeinon had been vague about it to spare my dignity. At least he’d been considerate in that much.
“It was cloth stained with the spilled tea from the teapot. About this big.”
I showed him with my hands. Rubrion frowned.
“Then… you knew there was poison in the teapot?”
His tone was mild, but the question itself was sharp as a blade.
“Pardon?”
Why did that sound so suspicious?
“Were you perhaps already aware of the poison before it was discovered?”
I tilted my head. Clearly, he wasn’t asking out of curiosity. He was implying something.
He wants to know if I’m the culprit.
“It was a coincidence. I only blocked the hole with my finger because I’d never seen a teapot with a hole before. It seemed odd, so I covered it.”
“I see.”
Thankfully, Rubrion didn’t press further. He only kept smiling—though that smile now seemed less charming and more terrifying.
“Well, look at the time. I need to visit Young Lord Xeros. I’ll be going ahead.”
“Xeros? He’s here at the palace?”
Hearing his name hit me like a stone to the chest.
“Yes. Since the ducal estate was completely destroyed in the fire, his condition has not been good. He’s not entirely sound. Still, the fact that he survived at all is a miracle.”
“…I see.”
Today, Rubrion seemed intent on rattling me.
I tried to keep my answers short, hoping he would leave, but instead his kind smile lingered, shaking me further.
“I hear Lord Xeros survived thanks to a benefactor. Though, whether that benefactor is truly a savior—or perhaps a suspect—remains to be seen.”
“A benefactor…?”
“Someone saved him when he was with the late Duchess.”
I had assumed Xeros fainted and remembered nothing. I never imagined he might recall me.
And I didn’t even know he was here in the palace…
“Surely there was a benefactor. The culprit wouldn’t have gone out of their way to save him.”
“Or perhaps they spared the boy to build an alibi. After all, fragile souls often lose their sanity when traumatized.”
His gaze sharpened as he watched my reaction. Only a fool would miss it: he suspected me.
“You seem uncomfortable, my lady.”
“Is this really the sort of cheerful topic for casual conversation?”
This wasn’t the Rubrion I knew from the game. The illusion was shattering fast.
I forced my face into neutrality as I answered. Rubrion stared silently, then asked:
“Would you care to accompany me?”
“…What?”
I stammered, stunned. He smiled dazzlingly.
“If you have the time, why not visit together? I’m sure the young lord would be glad for a chance to thank you himself.”
The sudden suggestion startled me. Go with him? Why? His eyes said he saw straight through me, and it was chilling.
I don’t want to—but Xeros… I am worried about him.
“My lady?”
“…Let’s go together.”
Reluctantly, I agreed. At least this way, I could see Xeros for myself. And maybe even Lismara.
Back in the palace, when I saw Xeros again—
“Lady Inferna?”
I couldn’t even greet him. I just stared at his pale, gaunt face.
“……”
Rubrion, meanwhile, observed my reaction like a scientist watching an experiment.
My mind went completely blank.
After a long silence, I finally forced words out.
“Ah… we met once before here in the palace. Do you remember me?”
Xeros slowly raised his head at my trembling voice. His eyes, drained of all light, were utterly lifeless.
And as I looked at him, nausea welled up inside me—because I suddenly remembered the dying Lord Helin’s last request: to look after his family.
