Chapter 86

"Are you saying I should taste it for poison?"

"Yes."

I understand what Hugh means. And he’s absolutely right. However, I don’t want to dampen the goodwill of Hughie and the shop.

I stared at the ceramic cup of coffee held by the waiter.

I think it should be fine to drink... But, given my position, I should prioritize a cautious attitude...

Caught between my sense of duty as a royal and my sense of gratitude, I shifted my gaze to Hughie. Help!

Then, Hughie nodded as if to say, "I understand," and stood up from his seat.

"Mr. Roberts, your concern about the poison test is quite reasonable. I will drink it first. After confirming its safety, please have the two Highnesses drink from the same cup."

He smiled.

Hughie! As expected of Cissy’s fiancé!

By the way, aren’t Hugh and Hughie’s names similar? In a novel, this would be a very confusing overlap... But in the original work, only Hugh appears... So there’s no problem in the original...

The waiter poured a black liquid into the cup Hughie held. The aroma of the coffee became even more fragrant.

To make it easier for us to see, Hughie, standing, brought the cup of coffee to his mouth. After drinking, he showed no signs of any abnormality. This should convince Hugh.

"Next is my turn."

As I said, the waiter who had poured coffee into Hughie’s cup came to my seat. The empty cup was quickly filled with the liquid. I also asked for milk and sugar.

I touched the handle of the cup.

"I will drink it."

"---Wait. Octavia."

"What is it?"

This time, it was my brother. Even though Hughie had proven its safety, he couldn’t be saying, "Don’t drink it," right?

I was about to give him a displeased look, but...

"I will drink it too."

What a relief!

He was showing his gratitude by drinking it with me. I agree!

My brother and I lifted our cups slightly and drank.

---Hmm. I prefer tea to coffee. I like milk tea even more. But, post-meal coffee is delicious!

My smile must convey my thoughts!

"---Since my friend has tasted it and both Highnesses have drunk it, it should be safe. I will drink it too."

Next was Rust. He was drinking it black. Oh, my brother was also drinking it black. Hughie did the same when he drank just now.

---! I was shocked.

Even Cissy drinks it black...? Am I the only one with a childish palate?

"Everyone, please."

Hughie called out to the guards and soldiers with a smile.

"---We are on duty."

But Hugh Roberts refused again.

"Today’s guard for Princess Octavia is quite stubborn. Or do you still suspect that there might be poison in it?"

Rust teased.

I need to defend Hugh here!

"That’s too much. Hugh is loyal to his duty. Besides, there’s no way you could still suspect it. After all, the royal family, including myself and my brother, drank it and are fine. How could there be any room for poison in the drinks for the guards?"

If there was, it would mean that the target was Hugh and the others from the beginning.

But is there any reason to do that?

No, there isn’t.

Rust chuckled.

"Yes, exactly. As Princess Octavia said, there is no room for such a thing. There is no problem in accepting the goodwill. ---Or do you need the Lord’s permission?"

Maybe. Then, giving permission would be fine, right?

"Hugh, drink it."

"---Yes."

My brother didn’t say anything, so he must agree with me.

The cups were distributed from the waiter to the guards and soldiers. The waiter was pouring the coffee around.

Then, I suddenly realized. What about Clifford? I remember he refused when I invited him to sit and have tea before! He doesn’t seem like the type to drink it casually! But if he doesn’t, my brother might start to distrust him!

I made eye contact with Clifford! I tried to send him a mental message, "Drink it!"

"......"

Clifford looked down at the cup and drank the coffee.

Good...! He drank it normally...

Huh?

Did he have some kind of strange reaction? His eyes narrowed, didn’t they? But then he drank it silently, so maybe he just doesn’t drink coffee often?

Indeed, everyone else, including Hugh, Guy, Erel, and my brother’s guards and soldiers, drank the coffee provided, and everyone was fine. Of course, no one showed any signs of discomfort or distress. In fact, Guy’s face seemed to say, "Delicious! Another cup, please." ...That’s my imagination. Another cup, is my imagination.

"Guard of the Princess. How was the coffee from my friend?"

Rust’s voice rang out.

In this case, the guard he was referring to was Hugh.

"---It was a wonderful taste."

While praising the taste, Hugh sent a sharp look at Rust, as if he was offended.

"That’s good."

But Rust didn’t hold back at all.

"Rust..."

Hughie called out to Rust, as if to say, "You, come on." Hughie is right! The coffee was served by Hughie and the shop, not Rust at all!

But perhaps to give Hughie some face, Rust straightened up.

"I have had a very pleasant time. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this time with you, Prince Serius, Princess Octavia."

---Is that it?

The meal was over.

...I still don’t understand Rust’s purpose. Was he just joining the meal? I thought there might be some contact with me, but he left with Hughie and Cissy after their farewell greetings.

After talking with the shop owner for a while, we went from the second floor of the restaurant to the first floor.

The stairs were guarded to prevent anyone from coming up. They cleared the way, and we walked through the first-floor seating area to the entrance.

...Hmm. In the corner of my vision, I saw a hooded figure exit through the back door...? The incident in the square flashed through my mind. ...Derek?

Feeling uneasy, I reached the carriage.

"Princess Octavia, Prince Serius."

Hugh stopped us, and we turned around.

"To strengthen the security, we will replace the personnel."

"Didn’t we just review it?"

As my brother said, the guard who was taken into custody by Clifford had been replaced, and we had already reviewed the security.

"There’s no such thing as too much security."

Hugh shook his head with a worried expression.

"I’m still concerned that there hasn’t been any significant movement."

When he put it that way, my brother and I had no reason to object.

We gave permission, and Hugh took charge of strengthening the security.

But then, I had an idea.

What if we changed the order of the schedule?

If we went as planned, the next stop would be a walk along the Carlam Avenue. Instead, we could revisit the shop we inspected earlier!

As expected, Hugh showed resistance. Changing the planned route would increase the burden on the security. It could create opportunities for troublemakers.

My brother was about to say something but ultimately remained silent.

He must have realized my intention to shake things up.

Today, I am Princess Camonegi. I will overlook the increased burden on the security! Sorry!

"---Consider the change in the schedule and strengthen the security."

I ordered Hugh. No room for negotiation.

Hugh, who probably had a lot to say, simply responded, "Yes."

---

"Ah. You’re moving my brother’s guards?"

I was waiting in the carriage. Before we started moving, I confirmed the enhanced security with Hugh. The number of guards around my brother seemed to have decreased. Clifford was still there, though.

Well, one Clifford should be able to cover multiple guards.

"We have a small, elite team for close protection and have dispersed some of them. We also expect attacks from a distance."

Distance... like with a bow...?

"We have increased the number of soldiers around both Highnesses."

Thanks to this, the carriage escort by guards and soldiers has become more imposing than before.

My brother was checking the messenger birds again. He walked over after releasing a bird with a letter attached.

"Brother, how is the castle?"

"No issues."

So, the guards in the dungeon without alibis are also quiet.

My brother got into the carriage and sat down with his arms crossed.

His gaze fell on the 'Black Fan' on my lap.

"---Next is the shop where you bought that, right?"

I quickly opened the 'Black Fan'.

"Is that okay?"

"......"

His light blue eyes stared at me intently. He doesn’t seem to have any aversion to the Rev bird feathers?

"...I can’t understand at all."

My brother sighed.

"Sil said it was 'cool.'"

Is that so? Here, I found out why Sil was okay with my 'Black Fan'! Can I convert him? Maybe I should add another Rev bird feather tassel?

"---Why does Sil..."

He didn’t sound angry or displeased, just muttered quietly.

After a pause, he continued.

"Why does Sil believe in you?"

"......"

What do you expect me to say! If I have to guess, maybe the protective ring effect? And the camaraderie from surviving the semi-ball?

My brother leaned back against the carriage seat, resting his head.

"I thought you disliked Sil..."

"I don’t dislike him at all."

I firmly denied it. I just don’t like the fate that seems to be unfolding.

"...Sil likes you."

My brother said it in a sulky tone.

"...What!"

Sil! Of course, I know it’s not romantic! It’s nice to have the support of my favorite character from my previous life. As expected of my favorite, Sil will become an even better man in a few years...

Suddenly, I realized.

While the original work stopped time for Sil, in reality, I can see his growth! Double the joy!

Oops, if I show too much joy, I might get hit by the jealousy beam again...

---I braced myself, but it was a letdown.

My brother didn’t say anything else.