IBFWTV 15

Chapter 15

“No, Princess Bi. This is—”

Princess Veronica tried to stop me with a shocked expression. I dodged her hand and held onto the glass tightly.

“It’s mine! Right, husband!”

Everyone’s eyes turned sharply to Serden. Veronica stared at him too.

Everyone was waiting to see what he would say.

Would he smile…?

His smooth lips parted lazily.

“Why. It’s fine. You really think she’s a child? Her body is grown.”

So, it was permission. He sided with me. I didn’t know if he understood or was just curious.

Still, I was relieved.

Veronica stared at Serden, holding back her words.

She looked like she was thinking: “You treated her like a child until now, and now what?”

I also didn’t know Serden’s intentions.

She’s strange, right? I think so too.

Maybe Veronica would match better with Serden than I do.

“Just one sip!”

Serden narrowed his eyes and smiled. There probably wasn’t deadly poison here. Maybe a slow-acting poison, or just something to hurt her. Nothing was certain.

Augustine and Duke Spellman stared at me. Then their eyes focused on my glass.

They didn’t stop me.

People who knew what was in it.

And as far as I knew, Evelyn’s body didn’t react to poison. I trusted that and took a sip.

This was a gamble.

Ha, sweet. The alcohol smell made me dizzy, almost drinking it all by mistake. I must remember I’m five years old!

I quickly pulled it from my mouth and tossed the glass. Rubbing my lips, I shouted:

“Ugh! Tastes awful! Gross, gross!”

“See! Haha, Evelyn. Drink this. This will taste much better. Hurry.”

Kind Veronica handed me another sweet drink.

I drank it while Serden just smiled.

This sly guy. He should thank me. I was risking myself to save his sister.

For the peace of the world and to stop him from turning dark, I was working hard.

Annoying but also relieving. The tension vanished. Everything felt safe.

Ha, you really don’t know anything.

Actually, it was Serden who didn’t know.

“Uuuugh, that’s bad! Ber, don’t drink!”

“Ber?”

“Veerooni?”

“Ber is fine. Call me Ber, Evelyn.”

I nodded firmly. It was weird for a child to remember and call a name at once. Veronica didn’t suspect me at all.

So different from brother. If Serden looked half like Veronica, how nice would that be?

I stuck out my tongue.

Still, I had accomplished something today.

I looked at the Spellman household again. Augustine’s face was stiff, but he made no move.

No maid approached anymore. Of course, nothing in the food or drink was poisoned.

Veronica and I left first, by Serden’s command.

Serden took the glass rolling in the grass while no one was paying attention.

Spring flowers scattered in the air. Petals floated down like rain. Such a nice day, yet the glass felt out of place.

It was slightly cracked from hitting a stone, but otherwise fine. Serden sniffed it.

A faint, strange smell lingered.

He lifted his lips in a cold smile.

“Haha, really.”

Serden stored the glass carefully. Whatever the plan, it was clear: she was acting.

She had the intelligence of a ten-year-old. She hadn’t improved since then.

Had she been acting all this time, or recently started pretending?

Or maybe Spellman let her enter unnoticed by the world.

I didn’t know, but I would watch.

Let Evelyn reveal herself.

Serden hid the glass in his jacket and handed it to Morte, who was waiting outside.

“Check what was in the glass. It’s poison.”

“……!”

Morte’s eyes widened.

“Did Your Highness drink it? What was in it?”

“I didn’t drink it. Just suspected.”

“Then who… did Princess Veronica drink it?”

“No. Someone sacrificed themselves for me.”

Serden smiled coldly. Morte looked fearful at that smile.

The quick motion of grabbing the glass. The small, soft face framed by red hair. The girl who smiled brightly, acting like a child. Evelyn, perfectly fitting the weather today.

The glass no longer contained poison.

Evelyn’s sacrifice was in it.

Serden added in a low voice:

“Watch over Bi’s health. Tell me if anything is wrong.”

“Shall I call a doctor?”

“No, not necessary…”

Serden thought of Evelyn. She knew the glass contained poison. Suspicion became certainty. How did she drink it with such confidence?

I had to play along, pretending not to notice. If she knew I saw, who knows what she’d do.

“Tonight, you’ll sleep in my room.”

“Your Highness!”

If he worried, he could check for himself. Serden couldn’t take his eyes off where Evelyn had stayed.

This guy… he was serious.

Cherina and Rozy exchanged odd looks while helping me change into pajamas.

“Calling her to the bedroom suddenly… She’ll sleep there, right? Is this okay?”

“Will anything happen? Ah, I don’t know.”

They seemed confused.

I knew. I was confused too. I had no clue what he was thinking.

But if he didn’t back down, I had to fight.

“Maybe husband is scared to sleep alone! It’s raining and there’s thunder and lightning, so he wants me to sleep with him!”

“Ah…”

“Guess I should read to him and sing too. Hmm. Bring the princess’s book!”

“Yes.”

Cherina and Rozy moved reluctantly.

I put on fluffy pink slippers and left the palace. The rain had started, just as Serden said.

Using the umbrella Cherina held, we headed to the Crown Prince’s palace.

We weren’t far.

Even the Crown Prince’s servants greeted us with awkward faces.

“Princess Bi, have you arrived?”

“Mm! Where’s husband? He said he was scared!”

“Excuse me?”

“He said he was scared! It’s raining and there’s thunder!”

I would take revenge. Spread rumors that he’s a coward. The servants smiled awkwardly.

“I see.”

“Yes. I’m here to protect him. I’ll read and sing for him! That’s why I’m here!”

I handed the book. The servants’ faces grew even stranger. I secretly smiled.

Following the servants, we reached Serden’s bedroom.

The palace layout was similar to mine.

Entering Serden’s room, Cherina and Rozy helped me out of my gown and left.

I fiddled with my frilly pink pajamas and took deep breaths to calm down.

I pretended to be casual and make Serden the coward, but I was nervous.

Of course! Serden probably still thought I was a child, but I didn’t.

In my eyes, Serden was an attractive adult man.

“…Annoying.”

Serden hadn’t entered yet.

Thinking about him alone felt weirdly prideful. Remembering his smooth face annoyed me more. I looked around.

If I moved carelessly, it could cause misunderstanding. I lay down on the bed and opened the book, like usual.

It was a bit like Rapunzel. Was this the book I’d read to Serden tonight?

While flipping the pages, I felt someone behind me. I swallowed nervously, pretending to read. The bed shifted under weight.

“What are you doing?”

Serden approached suddenly, and the scent tickled my nose. I had prepared, but it was more shocking than I expected.

Crazy, really!

Serden put his hand on my shoulder.

“Aaah!”