Chapter 21: Operation was carried out
Lilia warned me that she had poisoned the main dish I was planning to eat, so I asked to switch it to soup instead.
It was a green pea puree, with a distinct color that would not raise suspicion. Even with caution, it was challenging to eliminate all opportunities for poisoning.
So, I decided to drink the poison myself. If it was my own poison, the antidote would work. I trusted Melissa, who was responsible for serving the soup.
I took a sip of the soup, feeling the numbness in my mouth immediately. I needed to drink at least three sips.
“Ugh!” I gasped, dropping the spoon and covering my mouth with the napkin on my lap.
As expected, the poison worked. My limbs ached, my throat constricted, and my chest felt tight.
Although I was still able to breathe because of the antidote, it was a dramatic reaction that caused me to fall off my chair.
“Claire!”
His Highness Auglia rushed over to me and supported my body. Despite the numbness in my tongue, I was still able to speak.
“S-Someone has poisoned the soup!”
“Dammit… Regardless, take her to the room for now!”
Having been previously informed of the scenario, I was led back to the room by Melissa and Gwenna from this point on.
It would be ideal if my father, who claimed he wanted to visit, and Lilia reveal their true motives, but if my father-in-law can successfully argue with my father, that would be acceptable as well.
Here’s the plan.
My father-in-law will say, “Many still harbor resentment from the recent battle, and we are taking every precaution, but incidents like this can still occur. Of course, we have tasters in the kitchen, but we cannot guarantee safety during meal service. Claire is willing to stay in the palace, but do the other princesses have the same determination?” and challenge my father.
Lilia does not possess such determination. While she may contemplate harming others, she does not have the fortitude to endure being poisoned herself.
My father is aware of this. He will then say, “I can’t leave my daughter in such an uncertain situation. I want the peace treaty clause to be changed.”
My father-in-law will reply, “Your Majesty of Faithnum, this request does not change our previous stance. Claire knew what she was getting into when she married into our family, and you knew what you were agreeing to when you gave her to us in marriage. It was all to secure peace. But to suggest changes to the peace treaty now, isn’t it a desire for war instead of a sincere apology?” He will continue to argue his point.
At that point, my father will be at a loss for words. I was sent away as a “princess who could be killed,” and my fate as a princess of the defeated nation rests solely in the hands of the victorious country. Since it was my father who agreed to the terms of the treaty and signed it, there’s no room for discussion to reverse it.
Further discussion is pointless, especially since I have already ingested the poison, and Lilia’s accidental reference to “I already laced your food with poison” has led to the cancellation of dinner.
At this point, my plan is 80% successful, and I can’t help but smile thinly as I lie in bed.
I must “remain in this country,” and “my father cannot undo or exchange it,” and “if the spy is not removed, suspicion of the poison will fall on the Faithnum Empire.” Everything is going smoothly, and I take full credit for my actions.
I did not prevent the exchange of letters when isolating the suspected spy. They continued to work in the palace.
The nobles from the Baratonia Kingdom who have become my guardians are carefully monitoring the contents of the letters and have already identified the sender. If the reply contains anything that suggests being under house arrest, they are made to redo it. They obediently follow when it is stated that lives will not be taken.
After my father’s departure, we plan to send the bundled letters back to the Faithnum Empire, along with the nobles.
Now, the only worry is whether they will once again aim for my life. I lower my gaze, experiencing a pang of melancholy despite being aware of the high probability all along.
Your Highness Auglia, please stay by my side no matter what.
