Chapter 6

Introduction to Delinquent Studies - Chapter 6 (6/300)

#006

“......”

The first sense to return was sight. When I opened my eyes and saw the familiar ceiling, I let out a sigh of relief.

At least I'm not dead.

My head felt as if I had drunk a lot of alcohol, but I could clearly understand what had happened.

Just as I was about to sit up to see what was going on since I had fainted, someone gently pressed my shoulder, pushing me back onto the bed.

"Your Highness, the antidote is being administered, so you must not move!"

“...Ugh?!”

With that, my dulled senses returned sharply.

Every part of my body from head to toe ached. My hands and feet felt numb and weak, as if the blood wasn't circulating, and the taste of blood was strong in my mouth.

"His Highness has awakened! Increase the treatment!"

At the unfamiliar man's voice, my stiff neck finally turned.

'There are so many of them.'

Numerous figures stood around me, looking at me with worried expressions. There must have been at least twenty people. A few of them were holding me down and chanting ominous spells. The warm light emanating from there enveloped my body and slowly began to seep in.

"It's a nasty poison."

An old man, who seemed to be a court mage, wiped the sweat from his forehead and clicked his tongue.

The light from the old man's hands intensified. As the percentage of the antidote increased, my hazy consciousness became clearer, and my heavy body felt lighter.

“...Your Highness.”

At the end of the bed, I saw Parsi, her face covered in tears, squeezing my leg tightly. Although her appearance was comical, I couldn't laugh because my face lacked the strength to do so.

'I was too complacent.'

Regret flooded my mind as I looked at the ceiling.

I thought I could act as I pleased like the protagonists in other novels and everything would somehow work out.

The story in the novel, the characters in the novel.

I still couldn't think of them as real people; I only saw them as one-dimensional characters. I ignored them, thinking they were just fictional creations, and the result is my current pitiful state.

Thud, thud, thud—

While I was having a self-deprecating sigh and a moment of self-reflection, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor.

At the same time, the door to the room burst open, and heavily armored knights in full plate mail appeared.

"What is the meaning of this! We are in the middle of treating the prince...!"

"Arrest the traitor!"

A man at the back of the room frowned and protested, but the knight cut him off with an indifferent expression.

"What is this...!"

Others also approached the knights with angry expressions. However, the knights paid no attention to them and pushed through the crowd with rough steps, reaching my bed.

"I am Sturridge of the Royal Knights, the royal direct command knight corps. Is this Parsidath Debrayner?"

“......”

Parsi looked up with a bewildered expression. The knights, confirming that she was the person they were looking for, nodded and continued.

"Parsidath Debrayner. We are arresting you on suspicion of treason and attempted murder of the royal family. No defense or argument will be accepted. If you do not want to face a summary trial, follow us quietly."

“Huh? Huh?”

As two knights, each three times her size, grabbed her arms, Parsi looked around in confusion. However, the knights' attitude did not change. Instead, the people around them stepped back a few paces, their faces pale.

"Go."

“...Ah.”

Treason, attempted murder of the royal family.

Even I, who was ignorant of the class system, could understand the gravity of these charges.

If she were taken away like this, the outcome would be obvious.

"Stop."

I clenched my teeth and spoke.

“......”

Sturridge, unable to ignore my words, stopped his steps and turned to bow respectfully.

"I am Sturridge of the Royal Knights, the royal direct command knight corps, and I greet the Third Prince. I apologize for the intrusion, as I did not know you had awakened."

His attitude and tone were respectful, but his eyes were not.

The Royal Knights, the royal direct command knight corps.

While not the strongest knight corps in the empire, they were one of the most prestigious due to their name. I tried to recall if Sturridge had any significance, but the only thing that came to mind was a soccer player with the same name.

"She is my maid. What is your purpose in taking her?"

I groaned inwardly as I sat up. Whether it was because the situation was serious or because the antidote had taken effect, the court mage stopped the healing magic and stepped back.

"The Emperor has ordered the arrest of all those involved in this incident."

"Is she involved?"

"Usually, before serving food to the royal family or nobles, maids taste a portion to check for any abnormalities. However, while you were poisoned, she is completely fine. This proves her guilt, does it not?"

His argument was logically sound, leaving me no room to refute it. I looked at Parsi without a word. She was trembling with fear but shook her head desperately, looking at me.

"Your Highness, I did not poison you! Before serving you, I checked all the food, but... Ah!"

As she continued, Parsi suddenly gasped, as if realizing something. Sturridge's expression, which had been neutral, changed.

"Speak."

"...I did not touch the pudding served as dessert. It was a rare delicacy, and there was not enough for me to taste. And... the source was reliable."

Perhaps aware of the many listeners, she hesitated to say more. Sturridge leaned in close to Parsi's face.

“......”

“......”

As she whispered, Sturridge's face visibly distorted. His anger soon turned to contempt, and eventually, only intense disgust and frustration remained.

"...Is what you say true?"

"I have not lied a single word. If I have, I will offer my life."

Meeting her straightforward gaze, he sighed softly. Then, he signaled to the knights holding Parsi's arms.

"Continue your duties by the prince's side. We will investigate this matter separately. If your words are found to be false, the consequences will not fall on you alone."

"I understand."

With Parsi's affirmation, he nodded, bowed in apology, and left the room as quickly as he had entered.

"Phew... "

Parsi, her face pale, took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from her forehead. I wondered what she had said to make those stern knights back down.

I wanted to ask, but she looked exhausted, and I lacked the energy to do so.

"Your Highness, are you conscious?"

“...Speak.”

Exhausted, I lay back down, and the court mage waved his hand in front of my face. Responding weakly, he withdrew his hand and spoke.

"The magical antidote is complete. Now, you need to take an antidote to remove the remaining toxins from your body. This will not happen quickly; you need to rest for at least a week and continue taking the medicine I prescribe for a few weeks afterward to monitor your condition."

As proof, the antidote percentage on my status screen was in the 80s.

He bowed and left the room with the others, promising to send medicine after each meal.

"Parsi."

"Yes, Your Highness."

In the now quiet room, only she and I remained. Resisting the temptation to lose consciousness, I called her name, and she hurried to my side.

"Thanks to you, I'm alive."

"Your Highness... "

Gently gripping her hand, I felt the scabs and bruises on her skin.

Who had tried to poison me was not important.

Carius, Darius, Augustus.

Or other nobles who followed them.

There were many suspects. It might be faster to list those who had no reason to do so.

I needed power. Strong power to prevent such incidents from happening again.

'Only then can I protect this child.'

If I hadn't regained consciousness, Parsi would have been taken away and suffered terribly.

Did she know that? The small hand in mine trembled, showing her anxiety.

"Don't worry."

“...Yes.”

I could only offer empty words of comfort, but Parsi smiled at me.

"Ouch."

Unable to stay like this forever, I tried to sit up, but a groan escaped me. She was startled and tried to stop me.

"Your Highness, the court mage said you need to rest for at least a week to avoid complications."

"How long have I been out?"

"Just half a day. The palace is in turmoil because of it. So, no one will say anything if you stay in bed."

Parsi was referring to the other prince. She must know that the one who did this is connected to him.

Unable to resist her firm stance, I listened to her.

...So, I have to stay in bed for a whole week?

* * *

A tediously long week passed.

During this time, Parsi strictly monitored me, ensuring I didn't move a step outside the bed.

Each day, I swallowed the medicine she brought, and the days felt like my body was rotting.

Finally, today.

I was on the verge of a full recovery.

Taking advantage of Parsi's absence, I secretly got out of bed and stretched my stiff body. It was time to start moving again.

"Still, nothing has changed about this body."

Despite spending a week doing nothing but eating and sleeping, the muscles covering my body still showed their presence. As I admired my excellent physique in the full-length mirror, I thought to myself.

I don't have to stay in this room anymore, do I?

This incident had given me some freedom. The other prince seemed to be lying low due to the tense atmosphere in the palace, and the Royal Knights were investigating the force behind the poisoning.

I heard that a few of the chefs in my palace and the officials in charge of food supplies had been executed.

Fortunately, Parsi's case had been resolved, and there had been no further issues.

In fact, I was the one who initiated the conversation.

On the fourth day, while she was tidying up my room, I said,

"Let me know if you're uncomfortable. We can make changes."

I felt guilty. If she hadn't been under me, she wouldn't have been involved in this mess. But she smiled lightly and shook her head.

"Maybe before, but not now."

Her honest answer touched me.

Indeed, only Parsi.

Feeling a bit playful, I joked that I would have cut her if she had hesitated for a second, and she pouted, thinking I was testing her.

She was just too cute in every way.

"Alright, let's go now."

After a quick grooming, I hurried out of the room. I left a note on the table, telling her not to worry.

If she saw me now, she would scold me again.

Although it was a week later than planned, I needed to get the hidden piece I initially sought to avoid further threats to my life.

The legendary sword, the strongest and most fearsome, sleeping in the palace archives.