IBFWTV 14

Chapter 14

Serden glanced briefly at the head that had suddenly dropped.

“Heh.”

Serden suppressed a laugh. Was she acting, or really asleep? Evelyn was nodding off as she sat. Everyone in the back row had their eyes on her.

Serden tapped Evelyn’s head lightly. She wobbled like a feather and leaned onto Serden’s shoulder.

Her head was small and light.

Serden narrowed his eyes.

No matter how he thought about it, she didn’t seem like a simple fool. And yet, he was confused.

Her sudden disappearance and reappearance today were strange too.

‘Did she meet someone?’

Also, the late arrival of Duke Spellman and the young master. Both arrived late. Did the three of them meet secretly without anyone noticing?

Serden had formally protested the young master’s rudeness to Duke Spellman, and the Duke had officially apologized. That whole display was to see Evelyn’s reaction—but she didn’t react at all.

‘Tch.’

Serden met Duke Spellman’s eyes, smiled faintly, and turned forward. As Serden shifted, Evelyn relaxed a little.

Listening to her soft breaths, Serden crossed his arms.

For now, it seemed she was really asleep.

She was really an interesting woman.

No, crazy.

When did she even lean on my shoulder and fall asleep? Evelyn, are you losing it?

I had no words, so I stared at Serden with wide eyes. My mouth must have been open because Serden tapped my chin, closing it.

Serden smiled softly and whispered low:

“Did you have a good dream, Evelyn?”

“Mm. I didn’t dream!”

Serden’s hand moved toward me. I froze, nervous. If I did anything weird, he might suspect me.

He got closer.

What is he trying to do? I stared at him with wide eyes. A moment passed that felt like forever.

Serden’s thumb touched my lips. My breath caught.

Even though I knew he wouldn’t do anything, it felt strangely intimate. My hidden fingers trembled.

Crazy! Should I run? But Serden rubbed my lips with his thumb. The cold touch on my warm lips made me flush.

“Our Evelyn is a drooler.”

Drool?

I had just been tense, and now I felt ridiculous. Do I drool in my sleep too? Ah, Evelyn!

“N-No! That’s not my drool!”

Damn him. He never lets me relax. I shook my head furiously, trying to hide my embarrassment.

Serden tapped my head lightly.

“You said you were hungry. Let’s go. There will be something tasty.”

I nodded eagerly. If I could just escape this situation, I would happily dance.

I followed Serden while taking deep breaths to stay calm.

Serden was truly crazy.

Did he not know he was handsome? Or was he testing me? Seeing if I would fall for his charm?

Sometimes it made me feel like crying.

Moving to the banquet hall, I saw a face I hadn’t seen before. My nerves instantly tightened.

A young girl in a fancy dress, around my age. Her hair twisted up with decorations, she looked pure but looked exactly like Serden.

Princess Veronica.

The princess Evelyn had killed in the original story.

I swallowed hard, nervous at seeing her in person for the first time.

Now there were two people Augustine could call “that person.”

Serden and Veronica.

Damn it, who should I trust?

Princess Veronica had also been under constant risk of poisoning. Spellman wanted to remove all royals to secure the throne for his bloodline.

Spellman was the closest to the throne after the royal family, as his first ancestor was the brother of the first emperor.

Veronica was in danger too.

Tense, I watched as Princess Veronica approached.

She bowed politely.

“It’s been a long time, brother. And Evelyn, this is our first meeting, right? Nice to meet you.”

Her smile was just like Serden’s. The difference: Serden’s smile hid mischief, Veronica’s was pure.

I froze, staring at Veronica, when Serden tapped my shoulder.

“Why are you like that, Evelyn?”

Ah, too awkward. What should I say here?

“Waah…”

I just blurted out what came to mind.

“P-Princess! Husband! She’s prettier than my doll!”

Yes, no one hates compliments. Princess Veronica smiled brightly at me. Fortunately, her first impression seemed good.

The banquet began.

From listening around, it seemed today was the inauguration of the Merchant Union. The bourgeois class officially started participating in society. From what I remembered, the Rochester guild was the largest.

And it seemed powerful too.

Then that talkative man over there must be the head of the Rochester guild.

If I had possessed the original story, I might have used him too.

For now, I had to survive alone, self-reliant.

I pretended to watch people while observing the maids.

Ah, there. I saw a maid serving with a neutral expression.

I glanced carefully while stirring the food. Originally, Evelyn liked sweets, not other foods.

“You should eat properly, Evelyn.”

“…Does brother care about that?”

“You need to grow properly, Evelyn.”

Princess Veronica looked at Serden like he was crazy.

Yes! Finally, someone else thinks he’s weird too!

“My mother wanted to see Evelyn once. That’s why I’m here instead of her today.”

“Evelyn is still too young.”

Veronica glared at Serden again, as if he was insane.

Yes, exactly! That’s it!

I also thought he was crazy. I started to like Veronica a little. Perfect siblings, seriously.

Veronica sighed and continued quietly:

“I know the story. But my mother knows and accepts it. She’s curious about Evelyn, so meeting once will be fine.”

“Think about it. Let’s eat. People are watching, Veronica.”

Veronica wanted to say more but shook her head and started eating again.

While cheering her silently, a maid approached us.

My heart started pounding.

The maid put a glass next to Veronica and slowly stepped back.

I don’t drink alcohol, and Serden’s glass was filled with wine.

This seemed prepared carefully for each person. Since I didn’t hold cookies, they used this method.

Or it was a warning.

‘You’re not fit as royalty to be attacked at such a place.’

I glanced at the Spellman side—they weren’t paying attention here.

I saw Augustine glance at the maid.

Right, it was poisoned. Damn it.

So clever, only I could notice. My palms sweated.

Veronica’s movements felt like slow motion. My heart seemed to stop. I couldn’t think.

Was there a scene like this in the novel?

Had Veronica ever been sick?

I didn’t remember, but what poison was in that glass?

There was no more time to hesitate.

I watched as Veronica reached for the champagne glass and quickly grabbed it first. I held it and smiled brightly.

“Why don’t I get one? Me too! I want to drink!”

I held the glass tightly. This was the best I could do. Acting like a child was the only way to stop Veronica from drinking the poison.

“It’s mine!”