Chapter 17
“I’m not seriously hurt. I’m fine now. Thank you for worrying about me.”
I replied to Lady Stober.
I didn’t understand why she had approached me again, given our awkward history.
“I’ve been thinking carefully about what you said to me earlier in the waiting room.”
Lady Stober continued quietly.
The lively music and festive atmosphere of the banquet suddenly felt like a world apart, as if a transparent barrier separated just the two of us from the rest of the celebration.
“It’s true that I’ve been rude to you, Your Grace, on several occasions. You must have felt my negative emotions as well.”
Since she was right, I nodded subtly between her words.
“If I have offended you, I apologize.”
She even bowed her head slightly in a gesture of respect.
Was she really remorseful? I listened, half surprised, half skeptical, as she continued.
“I think I was careless. I wanted to maintain a good relationship with you, Your Grace, even now, but perhaps I didn’t express that properly.”
Suddenly, she raised her hand to call a servant. The servant approached with a tray holding two glasses of champagne.
“To start fresh and be friends, shall we share a glass of champagne?”
She picked up one glass and offered it to me. I stared at it, hesitating for a moment.
I hadn’t agreed to accept her apology yet.
A few polite words and gestures wouldn’t erase my distrust of Lady Stober.
While I was debating whether to take the glass, a new voice appeared.
“Oh, looks like you two are making up!”
Damn spectators.
“Lady Stober made the first move for reconciliation? How classy, really classy!”
“But surely Your Grace won’t refuse, right? Otherwise, Lady Stober will be in such an awkward position.”
With them appearing at the perfect moment, refusing the champagne would make me look like the bad person.
“Heh….”
I forced a smile and took the glass Lady Stober offered. She had been wearing a faint smile on her lips the entire time.
Something about this was suspicious.
The Lady I knew wouldn’t lower herself this easily. Even in the original story, she had deliberately tormented the saint who entered the crown prince’s palace.
“You’re not suspecting I’ve done anything to this champagne, are you?”
Busted. That was exactly the thought I had just had.
“Shall I take a sip first, so you can feel reassured?”
She took the other glass from the tray and drank a sip herself.
“Well? Can you trust me now?”
I had seen her actually swallow a sip of champagne with my own eyes.
She even smiled at me leisurely.
“I don’t know why this suddenly became about champagne…”
I snatched the glass from her hand and handed mine over.
“…I should drink mine too, to avoid suspicion.”
Who’s to say what’s in each glass?
At that, Lady Stober’s previously smiling lips stiffened instantly.
“If we truly want to reconcile and become friends, shouldn’t there be a process like this?”
With a stern expression, she stared down at the glass. Then, steeling herself, she took several long sips.
“Now? Do you trust me now?”
She returned the glass to its original position.
“…I trust you.”
There were still eyes watching, and no room to argue further.
I hadn’t entirely let go of my suspicion, but there was no excuse now.
I drank from my own glass.
Something felt off.
Even after drinking the champagne, unease lingered, and I silently followed Lady Stober.
After the champagne, we had only exchanged formal words before parting. Lady Stober seemed to have some urgent business and walked quickly ahead.
While following her, I noticed a mask placed on a table alongside some snacks. It was one of the props for the banquet—though it wasn’t a masquerade, so few used it.
I quickly grabbed a mask and covered my face roughly, just in case Lady Stober noticed me.
Her steps were hurried, like someone being chased.
She left the noisy banquet hall and entered a corridor. I had to move quickly to keep up.
The hem of her sky-blue dress disappeared around a corner. This wasn’t the path the guests used—it seemed like a service corridor for the staff.
Why would a noble lady take this route? Suspicious.
I crept carefully, listening for any sound of footsteps.
Turning the corner, I saw a row of rooms—more like storage rooms than actual rooms.
There were multiple doors, and I couldn’t tell which one she had entered.
I pressed my ear to the closest door, trying not to make a sound.
Nothing came from inside.
Time was precious, so I moved to another door.
As I approached this one, I heard voices inside.
“You’re less stupid than I thought.”
“Excuse me?”
“You swapped glasses with me.”
“Then… you’re about to… show symptoms of delirium…!”
“Quiet. Just give me the antidote. Remember, you were told to keep it ready.”
“Y-yes…”
What? Symptoms of delirium?
I pressed my ear closer, struggling to believe what I was hearing.
“Damn it, why am I so angry?”
Lady Stober was furious that I had swapped glasses.
She had laced the champagne with something, and once it took effect, it would induce mental delirium.
No wonder her approach to ‘becoming friends’ seemed odd from the start. This had been her plan all along.
“If I stay away too long, someone might come looking for me. Hurry up and give it.”
From her tone, it sounded like she would soon drink the antidote and return to the corridor.
I quietly opened the door to the empty storage room I had noticed earlier. Thankfully, it was empty.
I hid inside, leaving the door slightly ajar to see when she emerged.
I pressed myself against the wall, holding my breath.
The room, which I had entered hastily without knowing its purpose, was for storing cleaning supplies.
I focused on the corridor, but the smell of a damp mop hit my nose. Suddenly, nausea surged, and my head began to spin.
Why does my head feel so dizzy, and why can’t I see clearly?
Something felt wrong.
It wasn’t just my vision—it was as if my mind itself was spinning into chaos.
Anger welled up in my chest, as if it wouldn’t subside unless I found someone to vent it on.
Is this what the delirium symptoms feel like…?
Had she planned for me to act violently at the banquet? To tarnish the Duchess’s reputation?
I leaned against the wall, fearing I might fall and make noise.
Then I heard footsteps coming from the room.
I froze.
She passed the storage room quickly, not noticing me.
After waiting a while for her to turn the corner, I cautiously emerged.
I was still dizzy, staggering as I walked. But gradually, the dizziness eased, and my rage intensified.
The drug was taking effect—the dizziness subsided, but the mental delirium was beginning in earnest.
I headed to the room Lady Stober had entered.
She said there was an antidote.
If I didn’t drink it immediately, I would lose my mind completely, perhaps striking someone like a madwoman.
Even with my weak body, I knew any violent action would seriously damage the Duchess’s reputation.
First, I needed to check that storage room…
But I stopped immediately.
Someone was just coming out—and ran straight into me.
“…!”
It was the servant who had brought the champagne earlier.
“Y-Your Grace…?”
He recognized me immediately.
“W-What are you doing here, Your Grace…?”
He didn’t finish speaking. I grabbed him by the collar.
“Perfect timing.”
