Chapter 65

"No, if I make a mistake now, it could lead to even bigger problems."

When Gestar was about to eat the soup, Tree opened his mouth to stop him but quickly changed his mind and swallowed the words that were about to spill out.

"If I confess now, not only will I be punished, but it might also affect Young Master."

Whether to end this matter with Tree or to involve Gestar was ultimately up to Emperor Latrasil. Moreover, if Emperor Latrasil handled this as Tree's independent mistake, it would still be a problem. Lananwen was the eldest son of Duke Ataraxis, and Gestar was the son of Chancellor Lorde. The two families already had a poor relationship, and if someone from the Lorde family had given a drugged soup to the child of Duke Ataraxis, the consequences were unimaginable. Besides, no servant in the Lorde family cherished and cared for Gestar as much as Tree did. It wasn't because the other servants lacked loyalty, but because Tree had been raised from childhood to be Gestar's bodyguard and childhood friend. Tree was convinced that no one could replace him as Gestar's bodyguard, no matter how long it took to train someone. If he got involved in this and was forced to leave Gestar's side, could the already timid and quiet Gestar survive in the harem? What if the mad Prince Klein of the royal family was watching and gnashing his teeth, and Lananwen also came to hate Gestar because of this? So, it can't be.

"I must never leave Young Master's side."

Even if the soup made him impotent, the duration was only one year. His life wasn't in danger, nor would he be permanently impotent. Tree calculated that it would be better for Gestar to be impotent for a year than for him to confess and cause a bigger mess. He bowed his head and looked only at the tips of his shoes.

"I'm sorry, Young Master."

* * *

After the concubines each took two sips of the soup, there was still some left, so Latrasil called the attendants and other palace staff to finish it. Everyone ate the soup reluctantly, unable to swallow it, and their eyes welled up with tears.

[What if I die after eating this? No, Lord Lananwen didn't die, so I won't either.]

[XX, why did someone do this to us? If I catch them...]

[Oh, it tastes bad. It smells rancid. Is it rotten? It doesn't taste like it's burned, but it smells rotten.]

The thoughts of a few particularly aggrieved and weak-willed individuals were even audible. Latrasil naturally excluded these people from the list of suspects.

'The real culprit is clever.'

But since everyone had eaten the soup, the real culprit couldn't be identified.

'At least this is certain. The drug in the soup doesn't have a permanent effect, so the culprit must have eaten it too.'

Since the real culprit was determined to cover up the incident, even if it meant taking the blame, and Lananwen didn't actively want to catch the culprit, Latrasil couldn't uncover the truth. He had no choice but to wave his hand, signaling the concubines and palace staff to leave. Once everyone was gone, the room became quiet.

"Your Majesty."

A few people quietly called out to Latrasil, but he shook his head, wanting to be alone.

"Let's talk later, Sir Few."

Few's lips moved a few times before he nodded slightly.

"Yes."

As Few stepped aside, Latrasil remained in the room, looking at the empty bowl on the table. Seeing it, he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness. In the past, when his father was still alive and Hyacinth hadn't betrayed him, when his older brother was a solid heir and he only needed to look at Hyacinth. Latrasil had never felt this way before. He always looked forward to the future. The air was always as soft as fluffy cotton, and life was a mix of soft yellow and pink. Walking on a red carpet with Hyacinth was Latrasil's life. So, Latrasil was confused. Was he nostalgic for that time, for the lack of mental strain, or for Hyacinth?

"Huh."

What did it matter? Latrasil rubbed his eyes and left the room, heading out of the harem. After causing a commotion, the real culprit would probably lie low for a while. But as he was about to leave the harem and return to the main palace, he noticed a familiar figure in the distance. Looking closely, he saw Tashir standing among the garden shrubs, and next to Tashir was...

'Hyacinth?'

Dressed like a Carisen envoy, but with the hat pulled down over his face, it was clearly Hyacinth. Latrasil frowned and stared at him. What was Tashir doing with Hyacinth? * * *

"Phew, it was so heavy, I didn't know what to do. Thank you for helping me."

Tashir was thanking Hyacinth.

"The Carisen envoys are really kind."

With a large fox tail attached to his behind. Even though Tashir knew Hyacinth was the emperor, he pretended not to and greeted him. Hyacinth, with his face hidden, only nodded in response. While Latrasil was lost in thought in the festival room inside the harem, Tashir, who hadn't been affected by the soup incident, decided to investigate Hyacinth's character before he returned to Carisen and went to the area where the foreign envoys were staying. He deliberately picked out the Carisen envoy with the hidden face and asked for help carrying a heavy object, carefully timing it to avoid suspicion. Hyacinth unexpectedly agreed and actually carried the object to near the harem. Latrasil saw the two of them when Tashir was thanking Hyacinth.

'Hyacinth seems arrogant, but he's surprisingly patient.'

Tashir, who had asked for help carrying an object, observed that Hyacinth, despite being the emperor, showed no signs of displeasure and helped without complaint. He realized that Hyacinth was more composed than expected. Regardless of his true feelings, Hyacinth showed the courtesy expected of an envoy. Born as a prince and reigning as an emperor, 1. The emperor's first love is a good actor. I don't know if he's good at delivering lines, but he pretends to be quiet. 2. Surprisingly composed. Strong patience. I should write this down when I get back to my room. Tashir, while noting Hyacinth's characteristics, thought about how to keep him around longer. A good idea came to mind.

"Since you've helped me this far, why don't you come to my room for a cup of coffee? If you don't like coffee, tea is fine. If you don't like tea, I can offer alcohol."

Since you've carried the object this far, I can use the excuse of gratitude to keep you here.

"I'm afraid my companions will worry if I disappear without a word."

But Hyacinth, who had helped carry the object, politely declined the invitation to have coffee. Normally, Tashir would have said goodbye and left if the other person said no. But today, he was trying to uncover Hyacinth's character, so instead of saying goodbye, he deliberately grabbed Hyacinth's arm and pleaded.

"Come on, how long does it take to have a cup of coffee? Stay for a bit."

"Regular checks are made. The situation is urgent, so I'll have to decline."

Even though Hyacinth didn't agree, Tashir persisted, almost to the point of being annoying.

"No, why not? Let's have a drink together. I'm really grateful. Okay?"

Whether Hyacinth accepted or rejected the offer, Tashir knew it would provide material for analysis. Besides, when would he have the chance to pester a foreign emperor like this? Hyacinth looked at Tashir silently for a moment. But it was brief. Hyacinth, who had been looking at Tashir silently, suddenly started speaking out of nowhere.

"I like black and red, but I prefer my partner to wear white, light yellow, or silver."

Why was he suddenly talking about his favorite colors? There was no context to this sudden statement. Tashir, thinking he might have been too persistent, quickly let go of Hyacinth's arm. But Hyacinth continued in a calm voice.

"My favorite gem is blue topaz. I prefer warm weather to cold."

"?"

"I'm skilled in swordsmanship, but when I'm angry, I sometimes wield the sword with both hands, which is more frightening. It's better to run when I hold something with both hands."

"..."

"I can show weakness in front of others when necessary, but I become more assertive when alone."

When Hyacinth stopped speaking, Tashir's expression hardened. He finally understood why Hyacinth had suddenly said these things. The content Hyacinth was reciting wasn't about himself but about Latrasil. Latrasil's favorite colors, what he preferred his partner to wear, his favorite gem, weather, personality, and when he became weak. In other words, Hyacinth knew that Tashir was deliberately clinging to him and that he had figured out his true identity. How long he had known, Tashir couldn't tell. Slowly raising his hand, Hyacinth pushed back the hat he was wearing, revealing his handsome face, which had been hidden by a purple cloth. When their eyes met, a faint smile appeared on Hyacinth's lips.

"When kissing, the order is forehead, lips, then cheeks."

"!"

Hyacinth, who had said something that Tashir couldn't tell if it was mocking or true, turned and put the hat back on instead of scolding him for being impolite. He then met Latrasil's gaze. They stared at each other for a few seconds. Latrasil pointed somewhere with his chin, and Hyacinth, covering his face with the hat, walked in that direction. Tashir, left alone, blinked and raised his eyebrows.

"Not very interesting."

* * *

Latrasil walked forward aimlessly, and Hyacinth followed quietly five steps behind. Neither of them spoke. A few days ago, when Hyacinth had asked Latrasil if he had kissed his brother, this was the first time they had walked together alone. Latrasil, recalling the incident, wondered if Hyacinth was thinking about that day too. But instead of bringing it up, as soon as the path ended, he turned and asked.

"Why didn't you tell me the most important thing?"

"The most important thing?"

"That I hate traitors."

Latrasil had said this to attack Hyacinth, but he didn't show a hurt expression like he did a few days ago. Instead, he laughed lightly and asked.

"Are there people who like traitors?"

Latrasil clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"No, but why are you smirking?"

"The one smirking is your concubine, Latrasil."

"Don't call me Latrasil."

"The one who called me is your concubine, Latrasil."

"Stop calling me that."

"Poor thing. I can see you trying to win my love with your sharp mind. You said you were the heir to a merchant guild? Do you think love can be calculated and measured like a business?"

"Hey."

"True. There's no need to blame an animal that wants to be loved. The owner who takes it in and doesn't show affection is the bad one, isn't it?"

"Hey."

"Your clever mind doesn't work as well as you think, Latrasil? What can you do with a group of men? You can't even show a bit of affection. Why? Is it because you don't have my gray eyes and brown hair?"

"!"

When Hyacinth repeated the words he had sent through the envoy, Latrasil's expression turned fierce. But it was only for a moment. Latrasil soon smiled and said something Hyacinth would dislike.

"Don't talk about Tashir casually. He's someone who would die for me. He's trying to win my love, unlike you, who thought love would follow you obediently and tried to use it."

"!"