Chapter 21.1

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Chapter 21 – Part 1

I soon found out

The drink, which was passed over without leaving a single drop, simmered in my stomach for a while. Then, the hot energy spread through my fingertips and toes. The voices of the noisy nobles resounded from afar suddenly became close and clear.

Unexpectedly, the world brightened up as if my eyes were absorbing more light.

It did not happen to the extent of just drinking alcohol. The alcohol that Raniero gave me was definitely mixed with drugs though I did not know what drug it was. He did not tell me, nor was I in a situation to ask the Emperor’s physician or royal physician.

“Ah…”

I was feeling nauseated all of a sudden so I leaned on the table and hung my back. However, the only thing in my stomach was the fruit I ate a little at dawn and a glass of alcohol a while ago, so nothing came out.

“Do this.”

Raniero grabbed my shoulder and helped me lean against the backrest, whispering.

“Be patient. You… soon everything will look different.”

My whole body was heavy.

Raniero’s voice seemed to come from above the clouds or from inside my body. My movements were slowed down, and even holding a fork and knife was strenuous. At that moment, I could feel a strange feeling when I glanced down at the shiny tableware as I breathed in a sweet scent.

Ah, these were originally…

…Was it dull?

It did not look dangerous at all.

Meanwhile, the nobles of Actilus, who seemed to be in another world with a transparent wall before, seemed to be right next to me instantly. A woman was yelling at her own husband derisively. The joke was so funny that I burst into laughter.

I burst out laughing so much that the commotion in front of me stopped.

They all stared at me at once. Still, I smiled with a puzzled face.

Why are they stopping?

Not understanding, I asked.

“What are you doing, not enjoying yourself?”

Raniero, who heard me, laughed and opened his mouth.

“Haha. Can’t you hear the Empress?”

I clenched my knife with a smile.

At the same time, my appetite suddenly increased. I lifted my heavy arm, cut the meat before putting it in my mouth.

Unlike the roast beef that was slaughtered earlier, it was a dish that was properly flavored and seasoned. It was delicious. The subtle flavors felt more colorful and prudent than usual. Other times, it would have felt a little hot, but right now, it was just right.

At first, I was nervous because my body was not moving properly, though I ate diligently. Come to think of it, it was no longer hot even in these layered robes.

When I came to my senses, I found that the plate was empty.

Oh, is it time to get up…?

However, my body was too heavy. I could not stand up properly and stumbled. The maids hurriedly ran to grab me, but Raniero gestured to them to stop. The next moment, he held me in his arms.

Consciousness faded in and out, again and again. At some point, I stopped thinking about the future. All that mattered was the present moment and the very next moment. It seemed as if there would never be any danger to me.

As I closed my eyes for a moment and then opened them, and the shadow was slightly longer. My robe was removed, and I was changed into a hunting suit before I knew it. Like when I drank too much, the memory in my head was like a film, cutting into pieces.

Although I think I was supposed to go out to the Capital and distribute food to the people, I had no memory of that. Wearing hunting clothes meant the event was over.

But, I did not have any doubts.

‘Oh, I wonder if the time has come,’ that was all I had in my head.

While putting a bow on my back and two daggers around my waist, Cisen put leather armor on my upper body. Duchess Nerma approached the two of us who were preparing.

“It’s a gift from His Majesty the Emperor.”

It was a small vial of black powder. There was a small label on the outside.

“…Soleols.”

“It’s a purified poison extracted from the Soleols poison frog.”

Answering me, Duchess Nerma bowed her back deeply and continued, “His Majesty has said that Your Majesty would know how to use it.”

I blinked and shook the vial slightly. This morning, I regretted not preparing poison for s*icide.

I grinned.

In a flash, I thought I knew what to do with this.

My body felt incredibly light.

In addition, the field of view was wide, and everything was clear. The sound of birds flapping their wings could even be heard in the distance. As if it were a lie that I was nervous and afraid of hunting until this morning, my body was not rigid and my spirit was fresh.

Outside the fence of the hunting grounds stood spectators of nobles. Regardless, the hunting grounds were full and covered by trees so it would be difficult for them to see interesting scenes.

Yes, ‘interesting scene’!

I walked leisurely.

“Your Majesty the Empress enters!”

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────