The difference between awareness and illusion (4)
"That's a threat."
"Threats?"
"It means I won't smile if you don't give up on your engagement. Tools can't smile."
"I didn't mean it like that's not a wrong interpretation. But, Your Highness."
I asked, holding back laughter.
"Is it important for me to smile?"
"..."
Kalit frowned again.
Does he know that his true face hidden behind a languid smile, is slowly being revealed?
I didn't mind being engaged to Kalit.
Of course, I don't feel like it, and I will be accused of violating my duty of neutrality again.
Considering the life I had ruined in my past life, it was only natural to tolerate that much.
But even if I'm not engaged to Kalit, I plan to do everything I can to help him.
In that case, for him who grew up lonely, a friend to who he could show his true self rather than a fiancee who was in a contractual relationship would be much more helpful.
He opened his mouth in complaint.
"You only have one choice, and you're asking me to choose? I don't like your personality very much."
"You didn't know. I have a bad personality. I get irritated and curse inside."
"You?"
"If you become my friend, you will come to know."
Kalita paused for a moment.
"... I don't know what a friend is."
"I don't know much about it, but I think It would be better if you were more relaxed. I'll help you."
Kalit stared at me quietly. Then he smirked and took my hand.
"It's windy. Let's go in."
Kalit, who hadn't said a word until we returned to the castle, let go of my hand in front of the bedroom.
His lips, which had been tightly shut the whole time, were forming a faint curve. It was a natural smile, not a fake one.
"How do friends say goodbye at night?"
"Um... Wouldn't it be okay to just tell them to sleep well?"
He kissed the back of my hand.
"Good night. I hope you have a good dream."
I used to find that seductive tone of voice strange, but now I find it funny.
"Then."
Kalit knocked on the bedroom door for me and turned away.
I was watching him for a moment when Vivian opened the door. She had her head down so I couldn't see her expression.
"Welcome, Miss. Did you enjoy your walk?"
"It's not yet the right weather to for a walk. It's a little cold."
"I prepared bath water."
"Thank you."
After taking a warm bath, I sat in front of the fireplace. Nadia covered my lap with a blanket.
"Aren't you tired? Should you get ready for bed?"
"It's okay for now. Vivian, would you like a cup of tea?"
"Yes?"
"I think I'm a little sick because I was out in the cold. I'll have some tea to help with digestion."
"...All right."
As Vivian went outside to prepare the tea, Nadia looked up at me with a worried face.
"Are you not feeling well? Should I call Rahon?"
"Not to that extent."
"Then I'll bring you some medicine. It's better than tea."
"It's okay."
After a while, Vivian returned.
The hand holding the tray was shaking. Nadia looked at her in wonder at the loud noise of the teacups. Vivian, who had come up to me, just stood there blankly. Nadia, who couldn't stand it anymore, lightly hit her.
"Vivian, what are you doing?"
"Yes?"
"Would you like some tea for the young lady?"
Vivian swallowed hard as Nadia pointed to the tray with her eyes. The sound of the clinking of the teacups grew louder.
If this continues. I'll be up all night. I reached out first.
"Give it here."
"Yes? Yes, yes, here, here it is..."
I took the teacup Vivian offered me and slowly inhaled the scent.
There was a faint smell of medicine in the tea
You took the poison the assassin gave you.
I wasn't angry or upset. If my family's life was at stake, I would have been the same.
"It smells really good."
Apparently, the assassins had contacts with other employees as well.
In preparation for Vivian's failure, it was clear that at least someone would have been placed in the castle to watch over Vivian.
That's why the fact that I knew about Luther's kidnapping was a secret that could never be leaked.
So I was planning to rescue Luther first and then talk to Vivian.
But I can't drink poisoned tea...
'I have no choice but to say it.'
It was a moment of looking into the teacup and thinking for a moment.
"Oh, no! Don't drink it!"
Vivian pushed my hand away hastily. The teacup I had dropped fell and rolled across the carpet.
"Miss!"
Nadia looked at my hand in surprise.
"Miss, are you hurt? Vivian! What are you doing!"
"Uh, what should I do. I just can't do it."
Vivian, who had been mumbling like a crazy person, collapsed helplessly.
Tears quickly formed in his normally calm brown eyes and fell one by one.
"I'm sorry... Please forgive me, Miss..."
"Calm down, Vivian."
I tried to calm Vivian down, but she was already in a panic and in no condition to listen to me. Vivian, who was sobbing and shaking all over, desperately clung to my leg.
"Miss, what should I do. Ugh... Please save me! I think I'm going to die..."
"Oh, no, why are you like this?"
Nadia looked at her with her eyes wide open, her mouth wide open as if she was shocked. I grabbed Nadia's shoulder and whispered quietly.
"Nadia, go out and keep watch, and if you see anyone approaching, let me know."
"You want me to look at the net?"
"Hurry."
"Uh, yeah..."
As soon as Nadia went outside, I hugged Vivian. She buried her face in my chest and whispered in my ear.
"Vivian, you shouldn't cry."
"Ugh, uh, sa, save me..."
"Are you planning to kill Luther? Keep your voice down."
"...!"
Vivian's body jerked and she struggled to get away from me. I tightened my grip on the arm that was wrapped around her head.
"Someone might hear. Don't cry or make loud noises. If you understand, nod your head."
She nodded, burying her face in my chest. Only then did I let Vivian go.
"Is there anyone watching you?"
"Yes, yes, that's right. But, I don't know who it is."
"When you were pouring tea just now, who saw you?"
"Oh, no, I was scared so I did it when no one was around..."
Vivian stopped talking and looked at me, her wet brown eyes shaking in confusion.
"Did you know that I, I poisoned your tea?"
"I also know that Luther was kidnapped."
"Ugh!"
Vivian covered his mouth. I put my mouth close to her ear and spoke quickly.
"Listen carefully. I'm trying to find out exactly where Luther is right now. Once I find out where he's being held, I'll rescue him."
"..."
Vivian gasped, tears streaming down her tightly shut eyes.
"You mustn't show it until Luther is safe. Never forget that someone is watching you. Do you understand?"
Vivian nodded and wiped her tears with her sleeve. Her eyes had calmed down as if she had calmed herself down.
"How much leeway did they give you?"
"It's been a while. We decided to meet tomorrow."
If that's the case, then today is the only day that Baba and Ian can rescue Luther. Baba's words were true."
'I have to buy time.'
They'll be spying on this side, and if they see anything strange, they'll kill Luther and run away.
"Ah!"
For a moment, a person's face flashed by.
Rahon.
"Go out and call Nadia."
"Yes."
Vivian pulled Nadia silently towards the bedroom where she was standing.
Nadia, who had returned to the bedroom, didn't ask anything even though she didn't know what was going on. I asked her quietly as she watched me calmly.
"Who's out there?"
"No, there's no one."
"Run out right now and bring Rahon. Not too loudly, but so that anyone who sees can tell that it's an emergency."
"Yes, miss."
"Let's get started."
Nadia took a deep breath, opened the bedroom door wide, and ran as fast as she could. Her footsteps echoed frantically in the hallway.
Vivian quickly closed the bedroom door and returned to me.
"What should I do?"
"You are here. It feels natural."
"Thank you, Miss, I will never forget this favor."
"It's not too late to say hello after you save Luther. You know you shouldn't show it, right?"
"I know, don't worry."
After a while, Rahon was dragged in by Nadia's hand. He looked disheveled as if he had been sleeping.
"Hey, what are you doing waking up a sleeping person-."
"Shhh."
When I put my finger to my lips, Rahon stopped talking.
His violet eyes moved to the teacup that had fallen to the floor, Vivian's face that clearly showed signs of tears, and Nadia's serious expression.
Soon, a muffled voice came out of Rahon's mouth.
"What's the matter?"
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