Chapter 41: The Royal Palace Murder Cookie Incident
“Makina! Hey, snap out of it! Makina!”
The usually lively maid girl who always teased me was now completely collapsed in my arms.
“Al… Your Highness…”
“What happened? Who did this to you!?”
“…It… was…”
Struggling with her last breath, Makina pointed with her finger to a certain spot.
On her fingertip lay scattered fragments of a teacup that had apparently fallen and shattered on the floor. Perhaps it had contained tea inside. A faintly elegant aroma lingered in the air.
“What’s going on!? Is something wrong with the tea!?”
“Run… away…”
With those words left behind, Makina quietly closed her eyes as if surrendering her breath. Her hand fell weakly to the floor. …She was still breathing. She wasn’t dead. She had just lost consciousness.
“That… Makina…!?”
The shocked golden-haired girl was Charlotte Mersenne.
She was the daughter of the Mersenne Duke and my fiancée, the third prince of the Kingdom of Rayuelle.
“Ma…kina…”
Makina is my right-hand girl. We’ve been together since childhood, and she’s worked hard for me. I know her abilities well and trust her. That’s why I can’t hide my agitation at the fact that Makina, who I thought was so capable, was defeated without a fight.
“What on earth happened…!?”
☆
About a month had passed since the duel between me and Leo.
The duel sparked by the annulment of the engagement. And then the attack on the capital during it.
Thanks to the efforts of the people, the reconstruction of the capital was well underway. Although the scars of the incident still remained, the people had regained their peaceful lives.
It was revealed that all suspicions against Charlotte were the work of a mysterious girl named Lucille, and people’s perceptions were gradually changing.
“If Charlotte wishes, she might be able to return to school soon.”
In the Royal Library where there was no one but us.
Surrounded by countless books piled on the table, I casually spoke to my fiancée.
Originally, Charlotte was engaged to Leo… the Crown Prince.
However, due to being framed by a mysterious girl named Lucille and Leo’s own rampage, the engagement was annulled. After that, she became engaged to me.
As a result, Charlotte and I took a temporary leave from school.
It was to prevent being exposed to rumors and to prevent unnecessary trouble. But now that everything has come to light and innocence has been proven, she might be able to return to school.
…But I didn’t feel the need to force her. I even think it’s still too early. For Charlotte, the annulment was nothing but a nightmare and a traumatic event.
There’s also the option of quitting school, but there’s no denying that it would look bad.
That’s why it’s necessary to first confirm Charlotte’s own will. If she shows any resistance to returning to school, it’s okay to let it go.
Personally, I think it’s still too soon.
Even though it’s been proven that Charlotte is innocent, returning to school won’t change the fact that she’ll be treated with suspicion. It will take some time for everything to be forgotten.
“Well, self-study is fine, but school is also a valuable opportunity to learn from various teachers.”
To my surprise, Charlotte readily expressed her intention to return.
“Is something wrong?”
“Oh, no… I just thought you might have some resistance to going back to school.”
“I can’t say I have no worries at all, but I can’t stay like this forever. Just as you faced Leo, I want to face it without running away. And besides…”
Closing the book with a pat,
Charlotte smiled warmly as her long golden hair swayed in the wind coming through the window.
“…Because you’re with me.”
Sometimes, I feel like Charlotte is unfair. For example, times like this.
Is it the weakness of falling in love? When faced with this straightforward and pure intention, I can’t help but soften.
“I never said I’d return to school,” he said.
“Well then, please. Please return to school with me. It’s lonely without Al-kun,” she said.
“Leaving my fiancée behind and living comfortably in the palace alone is also lame.”
Feeling frustrated for being cornered, I tried to be a little mean, but it felt like I ended up receiving a counterattack instead.
“Well then, Al-kun will also return to school…”
With a smile on her face, Charl added a thick stack of books to the table.
“Let’s study hard! The school lessons must have progressed quite a bit by now!”
“Wait, Charl. Isn’t this a bit excessive?”
“Preparation is important, you know? If you progress now, it should be easier to keep up with the classes.”
“But, but, this amount is a bit too much…”
“It’ll be fine! With determination and perseverance, you can handle most things!”
“…………………….Okay.”
After finishing such a Spartan study session with Charl,
While seeking solace for my exhausted brain and craving for sweets, I returned to the room—where I found a collapsed Makina.
I carried Makina, who had lost consciousness, to the bed and laid her down for the time being.
When will she wake up, I wonder…
“There don’t seem to be any external injuries… She seems to have just lost consciousness.”
“I see… Thank you.”
“No problem. But shouldn’t we take her to the infirmary?”
…No. I’m not sure if the infirmary is safe either.
Makina’s last words were “run.”
In other words, the enemy is inside this palace. If we’re targeted while moving, there’s no escape.
“Charl, can you guard Makina here for me?”
“What will you do, Al-kun?”
“Just staying here won’t change anything. I’ll search for the enemy.”
“…Understood. Leave Makina-san to me.”
“I’m counting on you… But don’t let your guard down. The opponent is powerful enough to defeat Makina.”
“Yes. Please take care, Al-kun.”
“If anything happens, I’ll come running immediately.”
After making the promise, I cautiously left the room while surveying my surroundings.
So far, I don’t sense any signs of the enemy.
“First, let’s use ‘Shadow’ to search.”
Finding the enemy infiltrated into the palace by myself is tough. Using ‘Numbers’ for a quick search is the fastest way.
And this ‘Shadow’ is a unit I personally recruited and formed.
If Makina is my right hand, they are reliable limbs. They handle various tasks such as information gathering and protection.
If it’s the current time… they should be there at the hideout..
With that in mind, I headed to the underground space in a corner of the garden.
This place is like a secret hideout I stumbled upon, used for gathering the ‘Shadow’ members and as a training ground, quite useful.
At this time, those who are training should be gathered there…
“…Hm?”
For some reason, there was no light. Not just that, I couldn’t feel the unique presence of quietly sharpening blades that you’d sense during training. They aren’t the type to slack off, and I know that best.
“My… lord…”
A voice emerged from the depths of darkness. It belonged to one of my subordinates.
To confirm the situation, I hastily lit the light that was provided in the underground.
“What…!?”
As light flooded the underground, what met my eyes was a mountain of bodies—no, my ‘Shadow’ members lying down.
Only the masked subordinate, barely conscious, spoke to me. The rest of the members lay motionless with closed eyelids.
…Total annihilation.
Such words crossed my mind.
“Get a hold of yourself! What on earth happened!?”
“I’m… sorry… I… underestimated… them…”
Leaving his last words, he lost consciousness.
“…………so……！？”
The suddenness of the situation left me unable to keep up with my thoughts.
In this cramped underground space, facing this many people at once, all of them capable of incapacitating everyone. Moreover, I haven’t even grasped the identity of the enemy yet.
I scan my surroundings for any clues, but there’s nothing like the dropped teacup with Makina.
—-Sorry……I…let my guard down…
“Letting one’s guard down, huh…”
The enemy is someone who catches Shadow and Makina off guard… meaning, someone they thought was an ally.
“I don’t want to think about it too much.”
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The possibility of a traitor.
It’s not out of the question. Considering that our comrades are falling prey to vulnerabilities caused by carelessness.
As for allies, there are few who would side with me, the disliked Third Prince.
One of the suspects that emerges is Elinne, the [Engraver].
She’s an elf woman who crafts rings to activate magic.
However, while she dislikes me, she does seem to favor my fiancée, Charl. She’s a bit irritating, but I can’t see her resorting to poisoning.
…There’s no point in pondering over it. For now, I decide to visit Elinne’s workshop.
“Sorry, I’m looking for Elinne…”
As I step into the workshop, I’m greeted by the sight of unconscious artisans. The workshop, usually bustling with engravers, is now filled with an eerie silence reminiscent of death.
“I can’t believe it…”
Cold sweat beads on my forehead as I dash further into the workshop, trying to shake off the worst feeling.
But unfortunately, my worst fears are realized.
“Darn it! Am I too late?!”
Lying unconscious in the back of the workshop is Elinne, the engraver.
She, who dislikes royalty, usually greets me with a somewhat prickly attitude, but now, like Makina and Shadow, she’s rendered speechless.
Like the surface artisans, she seems to have been rendered unconscious by some means.
“Charl’s in danger!”
It’s unexpected. I never imagined the enemy would cause this much harm.
I grab the antidote ring I recently acquired nearby and rush to the room.
I hope she’s safe. That’s all I wish for.
“Charl!!”
I burst into the room, throwing open the door.
“Al?”
“Are you okay?!”
“Yes, nothing happened here.”
The room is filled with the calming scent of tea.
Perhaps she’s brewed a fresh pot. Next to the teacup on the table is a small bowl of cookies.
“Some visitors brought these cookies for Makina’s recovery.”
“I see… That’s a relief if nothing happened.”
It seems the enemy’s magic hasn’t reached Charl yet. But it’s only a matter of time. I need to come up with a plan… but I have no clues about the enemy. It feels like I’m fighting shadows. Nevertheless, I have to protect Charl… Think. What can I do now?
“Al…?”
“…Oh, sorry.”
“You look a bit pale.”
“…Yeah.”
“I understand you’re anxious, but we need to act calmly in this situation.”
“…You’re right.”
Intending to protect, but being protected instead. No, perhaps the intention to protect itself was arrogant.
“Why don’t you have a bite? You’ve been studying and running around until now, your body and mind must be exhausted. It’s pointless if you collapse when the time comes. Take a rest now. I’ll keep watch.”
“Okay, I’ll take you up on that. Everything will be ruined if I collapse at a crucial moment.”
I can’t afford to relax, but it’s necessary to have a light meal.
Without even realizing it, it seemed that fatigue from tension was gnawing at my body. As I became aware of my exhaustion, I took a bite of the cookie Charl had offered and brought it to my mouth—-
“—-Gah… cough…!? “
The discomfort that came the moment the cookie entered my mouth. My body rejected what had entered my mouth, and my consciousness gradually began to fade away…
(Is this… could it be…!?)
My body wouldn’t stop shaking. There was no doubt that this cookie was the cause.
Poisoned? If so, then Charl, who handed me this cookie…
—Master… run away…
—I-I’m… sorry… I… let my guard down…
Did Makina tell me to run because Charl was beside me?
Did the members of [Shadow] let their guard down because the opponent was Charl?
“Cha… r… l…?”
My strength drained from my legs, and I couldn’t even stand.
With a thud, my entire body stiffened like a statue, and I collapsed to the floor.
Charl looked down at me…
“Ah, Al-kun!? What’s wrong!?”
…? Is she flustered?
Why… no, that’s obvious.
Because Charl wasn’t the culprit. But if that’s the case, then this cookie…
(…! Could it be…!?)
A chill swept over my entire body. A taste lingered in my mouth—a mixture of spiciness, bitterness, sweetness, and sourness, like a shaken memory.
I see… so that’s how it is…!
“This… cook… ie…”
“Cookie? This is—-“
“Your sister specially made it, a special sister cookie!”
A girl appeared as if asserting her presence.
Long hair that reached her waist. She boasted a well-proportioned body with slender limbs and distinct contours, wearing a confident expression.
The first princess of the Kingdom of Leuville… Luche-Berg-Leuville.
She’s my sister.
“Luche-nee… you came back…?”
“I came back to see my cute little brother. I left the carriage behind and rushed back like lightning. Isn’t it electrifying?”
What’s electrifying is the effect of Luche-nee’s cookie on our bodies.
“It’s about time you started craving my taste. I came to deliver my handmade cookies at lightning speed.”
No wonder it tasted familiar… this unmistakably was not Luche-nee’s handmade cookie but a murder cookie.
“Since everyone is shy, they hesitate when I say it’s handmade, right? So I explained it as cookies from the shop and distributed them. Of course, they taste better than the shop’s, so it’s a bargain, right?”
(I see… Makina and everyone… they were killed by this cookie…)
The teacup next to Makina had fallen, probably to brew tea that would go well with the cookie.
The negligence the shadowy figures mentioned was because they recklessly ate the cookie Luche-nee gave them.
Elli… probably ate it without realizing. How pitiful.
Well… it’s too late to realize now…
“Um, Princess Luche. Al suddenly collapsed…”
“It’s okay, Charl-chan. He’s fainting from the deliciousness.”
“I see!”
Not quite. Charl, please realize.
“Still, I was surprised… everyone was fine when I was handing out the cookies, but suddenly they’re all collapsing. We need to quickly and electrically locate the enemy’s whereabouts.”
The enemy is you!
—-This is as far as I can keep my consciousness.
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A typo
>If it’s the current time… they should be /thereabouts.)/
/there at the hideout./?
fixed thanks