TWFLLYM Ch 102

A Strange Hangover

[Roserikta] "Who is it?"

[Kalart] "It might not be a person. It could be anything."

Her eyes widened.

[Roserikta] "Does that mean you encountered a witch?"

[Kalart] "Perhaps."

He ran a hand through his silver hair and nodded. Anxiety shadowed his face even in the darkness.

[Roserikta] "What do you mean? A witch?"

[Kalart] "The Baroness who came with His Majesty. I have a bad feeling about her."

[Roserikta] "In what way?"

Her expression grew serious.

[Kalart] "Her voice sounded too beautiful."

[Roserikta] "Oh dear."

This was not a minor detail. Roserikta knew better than anyone how sensitive his ears were.

[Roserikta] "What about her appearance? Did she look beautiful like the Black Witch once did?"

[Kalart] "No. And His Majesty didn't look like he lost his mind."

He had no evidence, but his gut told him something was wrong.

[Roserikta] "If she is a regular witch and not the Black Witch, I can recognize her. I will study her carefully at the banquet."

He let out a low sigh and pulled her into a hug.

[Kalart] "I feel uneasy. She appeared as if she had been waiting for this moment, trying to ruin something important. I don't like her."

If he felt that way, a reason surely existed. Roserikta patted his back.

[Roserikta] "That is unfortunate, but also a good sign."

[Kalart] "Why?"

[Roserikta] "It might prove she is not a witch."

She shared what she heard from the Head Maid and Elona.

[Roserikta] "Everyone reacts the same way. They hate the Baroness. Usually, witches draw people in and make them like them."

[Kalart] "What if it is the Black Witch?"

[Roserikta] "Mmm……. If it were the Black Witch, you would have known first. The curse on your eyes remains."

[Kalart] "I suppose."

Kalart gave a bitter smile and rubbed his forehead against the nape of Roserikta's neck.

[Kalart] "I hope these are useless worries. A human is much easier to handle."

[Roserikta] "Haha. That means you have to fight His Majesty. I doubt that will be easy."

[Kalart] "Easier than the Black Witch."

[Roserikta] "That is true."

His arms tightened around her. A bitter smile deepened on his face, hidden from her view.

[Kalart] "I think I became a coward. When I thought the Black Witch returned, my mind went blank. Nothing else came to me."

Only you. I only thought about seeing you as quickly as possible in a place where no one could hear us.

Such a shocking experience would naturally leave deep scars in one's memory.

Roserikta understood his fear.

[Kalart] "Furthermore, I couldn't stand her mention of a bastard. It was not just anger…… I don't know how to describe it. I felt her determination to make it happen."

[Roserikta] "That is terrible."

Anger bubbled within her.

[Roserikta] "What a strange woman. Why say such mean things to someone else's baby before it is even born? Just in case, I should prepare some Laughter Mushroom syrup. I'll slip it to her if she talks nonsense."

[Kalart] "Didn't you say it has no cure?"

[Roserikta] "Ah, right. It doesn't."

[Kalart] "That might make it a better method."

She glanced at him.

[Roserikta] "No, I can't do that. Magic shouldn't be used that way."

Still, preparation seemed wise.

[Roserikta] "I should stop by my bedroom first. I will see you at the banquet soon. I also need to contact Grandmother Mazi."

He caught her hand as she turned toward the secret passage.

[Kalart] "Be careful. Just in case. Even if nothing happens."

The Baroness was a woman who hinted at assassination without blinking. Perhaps she did so because she planned something herself.

[Roserikta] "Yes, Your Highness. I will be very careful."

[Kalart] "Good."

She stood on her toes, kissed his cheek, and hurried through the passage.

The banquet was about to begin.

---

She could be a normal witch or the Black Witch. Or perhaps a Dark Agent.

Roserikta prepared for everything. Since her dress lacked pockets for medicine or powder, she decided to use Clobellina.

[Clobell] "This is heavy. Do we have to do this?"

[Roserikta] "Please bear with it, Clobell. I'm wearing a massive necklace too."

[Clobell] "The people in this palace know nothing about comfort. No cat in the world likes hanging things from their neck."

Roserikta and Clobellina wore matching necklaces, though the cat's was smaller. Inside the lockets, they hid Life Water and Axaca powder.

[Roserikta] "Now that I think about it, Shana Castle—where the Emperor stayed—is in the south."

Clobellina, who was grumbling and shaking her necklace, widened her eyes.

[Clobell] "Hmm? Didn't you say the Black Witch went south?"

[Roserikta] "Exactly. It is suspicious. We must prepare."

[Clobell] "Ugh, I have goosebumps. Since she failed with the son, is she using the father?"

[Roserikta] "The fact that she brought up the baby is suspicious. If I were the Black Witch, I would want revenge on me."

[Clobell] "Well, obviously! Give me another necklace. Is one handful of powder enough?"

[Roserikta] "It is enough. I shouldn't use too much at the banquet anyway. Many eyes will watch us."

[Clobell] "This is a big mess. Anyway, I will keep my eyes wide open."

[Roserikta] "Thanks, Clobell. I should give some Life Water to Lady Elona too, just in case."

[Clobell] "Do that. More preparation makes me feel safer."

[Roserikta] "I agree."

She finished her preparations and carried Clobellina to the banquet hall.

---

Though the event celebrated the Emperor's return, its real purpose was to introduce his lover, Neira.

Rumors about her "bastard" comment in the hall had already spread. Most people felt furious. Rumors often grew exaggerated, so everyone imagined Neira as some kind of legendary murderer.

[Roserikta] "……?"

However, the woman the Emperor looked at with adoration was not a murderer. She looked calm, modest, elegant, and thoughtful. Everyone tilted their heads, wondering if the rumors were wrong.

I have no idea.

Roserikta was among those confused people.

I don't feel any magic. She isn't a witch.

Could she be the Black Witch?

Roserikta peeked over Kalart's shoulder to study Neira. She was a beautiful woman, but her appearance didn't stand out immediately like the Black Witch's. To the eyes, she looked like a perfectly normal woman.

[Clobell] "Can't you tell?"

Clobellina sat on a thick cushion next to Roserikta to match her height and whispered. The cat seemed tense, as she hadn't touched the delicious food on the table.

Roserikta leaned down and whispered back.

[Roserikta] "No. I don't feel anything."

[Clobell] "Wasn't the Black Witch like that, too?"

[Roserikta] "She doesn't look like the Black Witch. What about your eyes?"

[Clobell] "Well, that's true. Did we get scared for nothing?"

[Roserikta] "Maybe. Or maybe not."

She patted Clobellina's head.

[Roserikta] "Relax. I will keep looking."

[Clobell] "Fine. Can you give me some of that steamed meat?"

[Roserikta] "Okay. Eat some carrot soup first."

She placed a plate of food in front of Clobellina. At that moment, Belto I finished his toast to his lover and looked at Kalart.

[Belto I] "My son. Pour a drink for my future bride."

[Kalart] "Must I?"

[Belto I] "A—a reconciliation is necessary."

Belto I, startled by his son's cold reaction, spilled some wine.

[Kalart] "If the wedding date is not set, this is unnecessary."

[Belto I] "My son. You are young. I don't know how long I have left to live."

At those words, the court physician sitting far away silently took a sip of his drink. It seemed to say the Emperor would easily live to a hundred.

[Kalart] "Nothing is more important than the child who will be born."

Kalart remained firm. Belto I pouted.

[Belto I] "When you say that, I feel like I'm aging faster. But this is an order. Pour a drink for Neira."

[Kalart] "……"

Clack.

Kalart set down his glass. His eyes grew sharp. Eaton, standing nearby, flinched as if ready to jump.

[Neira] "If you don't wish to, I will decline as well."

Neira was the one who broke the tension.

[Neira] "Instead, how about I offer a drink to the Crown Prince?"

[Kalart] "I decline."

[Neira] "Ah……"

Unlike their first meeting, Neira wore a pitiful expression and lowered her sad eyes.

[Neira] "Your Highness doesn't welcome me at all."

[Kalart] "Because there is no reason to."

[Neira] "Sigh……"

The way she turned her head while her glass trembled reminded people of a lily in the rain.

[Belto I] "Oh dear……"

A strange scene unfolded. The villain who didn't care about making a child a bastard vanished. In her place stood a fragile woman persecuted by the most powerful man in the palace.

Belto I grabbed the glass from Neira's hand and glared at Kalart.

[Belto I] "How can you do this……! How can you insult this poor woman like this!"

[Kalart] "I did no such thing."

[Belto I] "Then why is she crying! Argh!"

He stood up and shouted.

[Belto I] "The mood is ruined. I don't want to see this anymore. I'm leaving!"

Belto I grabbed Neira's hand and stomped out of the banquet hall.

[Guest] "Uh, well……"

[Guest] "Oh my."

Everyone tilted their glasses awkwardly.

[Kalart] "How did it look?"

Kalart felt the same. His sensitive nature meant he noticed the subtle emotions growing in the room.

[Roserikta] "The Baroness? She definitely isn't a witch."

[Kalart] "Could she be the Black Witch?"

[Roserikta] "No. She didn't look that beautiful. However,"

She shook her head, her expression complex.

[Roserikta] "I don't think her actions just now were without purpose."

[Kalart] "I agree. She must have calculated this. Even His Majesty's sudden order to pour wine felt that way."

[Roserikta] "What is she hoping for?"

[Kalart] "Who knows?"

The intent was unclear, but one thing was certain.

[Roserikta] "This is different from what the Black Witch used to do, right?"

[Kalart] "I agree. But I can't let her do as she pleases."

[Roserikta] "We need to watch her longer."

He nodded and downed his wine in annoyance.

[Kalart] "She is bothersome."

He thought crossing the highest mountain—Grandmother Mazi—was enough. Instead, he felt like he had tripped over a stone he didn't even know existed on the way down.

[Kalart] "I need to speak with His Majesty separately. I can't keep dragging this out. I'm ashamed to face you."

[Roserikta] "Don't say that. You couldn't have known."

[Kalart] "I keep creating reasons for you to wait. I hate this."

Roserikta patted his shoulder. Next to them, Clobellina chewed on steamed meat while grumbling about her annoying necklace.

Since the Emperor had left and even the Crown Prince looked angry, the atmosphere in the banquet hall turned heavy. Everyone drank in silence, feeling as though they were sitting on needles.

---

[Elona] "Ugh, my head."

Elona appeared the next day with dark circles under her eyes.

[Elona] "Strangely, my hangover is severe today. Did I drink that much yesterday?"

[Roserikta] "Everyone seemed to be drinking a lot yesterday. Do you feel very bad?"

[Elona] "Well……. Plus, I fought with Sir Arad yesterday."

[Roserikta] "Oh no. Does a happy couple like you two even fight?"

[Elona] "Ugh, don't even get me started. It was our first fight, and I'm so upset."

She grumbled as she tied Roserikta's hair.

[Elona] "I didn't know the knight was so stubborn. Why did he insist on his way so much? What was he trying to gain? Honestly."

[Roserikta] "What was he insisting on?"

[Elona] "Well…… um?"

Her hands stopped while tying the ribbon.

[Elona] "I…… I don't really remember. Is it because of the hangover? I know we fought hard, but I don't know why."

[Roserikta] "Oh dear."

[Elona] "Ah, this is frustrating. I need to know why we fought so we can make up."

Elona shook her head and frowned. Roserikta, feeling sorry for her, asked.

[Roserikta] "If your hangover is bad, should I make some medicine? The ingredients are easy to find, so I can make it quickly."

[Elona] "Oh, really?"

Her expression changed instantly into a grin.

[Elona] "You are the best, Lady Roserikta. Since I'm done with your hair, I'll run and get the ingredients. Just tell me what you need."

[Roserikta] "Everything is in the kitchen. I'm not busy, so let's go together. I can find them faster."

[Elona] "It is an honor, Marchioness."

The two straightened their pajamas and slippers and headed to the kitchen.