TTSR 24

Chapter 24

“What are you doing?”

What kind of thing to say after seeing his wife dressed up for once? Selachia blinked sulkily but then relaxed her expression and nodded gracefully.

“I dressed appropriately for the dinner. Thanks for the compliment.”

Tenus, not taking his eyes off her, waved Nancy and Roberta away.

Roberta looked ecstatic, as if thrilled at the idea of running off to the training grounds. Selachia had never seen her smile so brightly. Nancy, too, was grinning, though it was hard to understand why, considering she had to head straight to the banquet hall to serve and wouldn’t get a moment’s rest.

As soon as the door closed, Tenus let out a sigh.

“Are you planning to seduce Aldritch or something?”

“Don’t be sarcastic. I know I’m not pretty enough to make him forget his intent to kill me.”

Though Nancy had practically gushed and even Roberta had nodded beside her, she wasn’t foolish enough to be swayed by flattery into losing her objectivity.

“To conceal the poison inside, you have to decorate the outside. That’s the rule.”

“So, you’re planning to poison Aldritch now?”

“Don’t say such horrifying things. I’m simply saying I won’t sit and take it.”

“You’re so concerned with Aldritch, yet you never seem to consider exposing his crimes. I don’t understand.”

With a frustrated expression, Tenus unbuttoned the top of his formal jacket.

Since he always dressed impeccably when attending to state affairs, Tenus didn’t need to fuss with his clothes.

Instead of answering, Selachia urged him.

“Anyway, when are we going down? Isn’t it time?”

“…Just a moment.”

Tenus suddenly disappeared into the room adjoining the bedroom. When he returned, his outfit had changed.

His plain jacket was replaced by an extravagant ball outfit, complete with a luxurious cravat and cuff buttons.

Selachia widened her eyes, staring at the already handsome man now glowing with even more splendor.

“What are you so surprised about? Matching outfits with your partner is basic etiquette.”

“…Etiquette, huh. Actually, aren’t you the one trying to seduce someone? Planning to enchant your uncle?”

“What?”

Even his frown somehow looked different from usual.

“…Never mind. Forget I said anything.”

Selachia turned her head away from Tenus and stood up abruptly. Her instincts warned her nothing good would come from lingering. At this point, facing Aldritch might be preferable.

Unlike when he was lounging comfortably, Tenus now followed Selachia’s brisk pace with calm steps.

Eventually, Tenus got ahead of her and grabbed the bedroom door handle first. Just before opening the door, he said,

“Don’t bother with useless things. Just focus on eating.”

It was an unusually husband-like remark.

Whether it was pity, responsibility, or simply his changeable nature, it was still a step up from how coldly he had treated her on their wedding night. It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Maybe that’s why—even though the moment ahead might be a trap—she wasn’t too worried.

* * *

On the way to the banquet hall, the startled gazes of the servants followed them. Was her outfit too much? Thank goodness Tenus changed clothes as well—otherwise, it would’ve been even more awkward.

“We’re a little late.”

Aldritch was already seated in the banquet hall. Seeing Selachia and Tenus arrive in matching formal wear, he looked slightly taken aback.

“Come in.”

He even rolled his eyes noticeably when Selachia greeted him.

Why does Aldritch want to kill her? And why does he get so flustered when she pretends to be close with Tenus?

Narrowing her eyes, Selachia sat down where Tenus escorted her. Her seat was directly opposite Aldritch. Tenus took the seat at the head of the table.

“Thank you for suggesting this dinner. I didn’t expect you to arrange such an occasion.”

“Hmph. What’s the big deal? Enough pleasantries.”

Despite trying to hide his true thoughts, Aldritch forced a smile in response to Selachia’s polite facade.

Outwardly, the atmosphere wasn’t bad. Tenus, however, didn’t seem interested in joining the act and simply ordered the food to be served.

Soon, the attendants brought in the first course: amuse-bouche.

Scallops topped with caviar and a tangy fruit sauce, served alongside chilled abalone with chorizo.

The presentation was pleasing to the eye and whetted the appetite, but Selachia felt no excitement. She still couldn’t completely let go of her suspicions.

Was the food truly poison-free?

It’s not that she didn’t trust Tenus’s assurance—but she couldn’t afford to be careless.

So she nibbled cautiously, taking in just enough not to be poisoned. She didn’t touch the wine at all.

“Do you like the food? I specifically told the head chef to pay special attention.”

“…”

“…Selachia?”

“Yes? Oh. Yes, it’s so delicious I can’t even find the words to reply.”

Selachia shamelessly answered while cutting her bite-sized scallop into tiny sand-grain pieces. Though she busily used her knife, she showed no intention of lifting her fork, which caught Tenus’s eye.

Tenus asked, almost gently,

“Are you nervous? Just eat comfortably.”

His tone was surprisingly kind. But his gaze—unlike Aldritch’s—was intense and impossible to ignore. It was as if he was silently demanding she finish every bite.

From his seat at the head of the table, Tenus radiated a daunting authority that was hard to defy.

“…If you say so, Your Grace.”

Forcing a smile, Selachia braced herself and shoved the remaining food into her mouth.

And the moment the food touched her tongue, her eyes widened.

“What? Not to your taste?”

“No, it reminded me of something I ate back home. But this is even better. Your chef is very talented.”

The flavor was so exquisite it completely pushed aside her fear of being poisoned.

The seafood—main ingredient of the banquet—was fresh without any fishy odor, the texture was chewy, and the sauces paired perfectly. Compared to her recent meals alone in her room, this was on another level.

It was even better than the meals she had alone in the duke’s mansion a month ago.

Tenus silently sipped wine while watching Selachia now enthusiastically eating. As he swirled his crystal wine glass, the wine danced like a cheerful performance.

But Selachia’s joy didn’t last long.

Lobster soup, octopus ceviche, salad with vinaigrette, capellini topped with grilled salmon, lamb steak…

Course after course, enough to feed someone for two days, kept arriving. Though she wanted to put her spoon down, Tenus’s glare made that impossible.

She had no choice but to keep emptying her plates. This petty man even noticed a single grilled onion slice she’d tried to hide.

And since the attentive servants didn’t clear the plates without Tenus’s signal, she had no option but to eat everything.

“We’ll now bring out the dessert.”

“More…?”

She had worried about being poisoned, but it seemed the true danger was dying from overeating. All at Tenus’s hands.

Selachia’s expression, hoping desperately for the dinner to end, looked like someone teetering between life and death.

She was so full it was hard to breathe. Her chest felt crammed with food. Gasping irregularly, she glared resentfully at Tenus.

Tenus, pretending to drink wine, turned his head to avoid her gaze—but she clearly saw the sly smile on his lips.

“Ahem. Selachia. How’s your health these days?”

Suddenly, Aldritch’s voice jolted her. Sitting across from her, he suddenly felt like a stranger.

How had she forgotten the presence of her enemy and just focused on the food?

She couldn’t believe her own carelessness.

“Even if you’re unwell, you should at least try dessert. The chef put a lot of effort into it.”

Aldritch hurriedly urged the servants.

“What are you waiting for? Bring the dessert!”

“S-sorry, sir. Right away!”

The servants began moving briskly, and Aldritch’s expression visibly relaxed.

“So, Selachia. Still no memories?”

“…No. I’m sorry to keep causing you worry.”

Selachia bowed her head in feigned regret while subtly observing Aldritch’s reaction. As if trying to hide a twitch in his lips, he raised his hand—but carelessly dropped his knife.

“Oh my.”

He laughed awkwardly as if it were a mistake but didn’t bother picking it up. The nearest servant did it for him.

Clang—the loud clatter of metal against marble echoed for only a moment, but the faint lingering sound continued to ring in Selachia’s ears like an alarm bell.

She straightened her back, suddenly alert.

“We’ll clear the plates and bring out the dessert.”

As before, three attendants skillfully placed dessert dishes. Selachia met Nancy’s eyes as she placed a dish in front of her and smiled slightly.

Seeing Nancy’s usual cheerful smile helped her relax a little. Nancy confidently returned to her spot at the wall with the other servants.

A new plate was also set before Aldritch. Oddly, Tenus’s plate, which was always switched first, came last this time.

The maid attending Tenus approached slowly from a distance. As she neared the end of the long table—

Crash!

The dish in her hands fell to the ground. The loud sound of shattering filled the once-quiet hall.

Thud. The maid collapsed to the floor.

“I-I’m sorry. I…”

With tear-filled eyes, the maid stared only at Selachia and cried out,

“M-my lady, I can’t do it! Please… please spare me!”