TKMLTE 111

CHAPTER 111

Translator: Rae

***

Poison

The banquet held at the end of the summer was lively.

Despite the scorching sun, people gathered eagerly to enjoy the banquet. The announcement that the Duke of Orléans’ wine would be served, along with news of a joyful royal announcement, fueled their anticipation.

For this banquet, Whitney ensured that not only nobles but also commoners had the opportunity to taste the wine. As a result, interest in Mr. Linze’s winery soared. Of course, the bottles prepared for the nobles bore a different label, but the taste remained unchanged.

"Isn't this a bit too much?"

“No, Your Grace. You must present yourself this way. Everyone is putting extra effort into this event, thinking it will be the last grand banquet.”

At Sheila’s words, Whitney smiled awkwardly while glancing down at her extravagant attire. Her dress shimmered so brightly that it drew every gaze in the hall. As the undisputed diamond of high society, whatever she wore inevitably became the trend.

Once again, the dress had been a gift from Monsieur Lebron. However, constantly receiving such presents made Whitney feel guilty, so she sent a bottle of wine and an opal in return. His excitement was palpable even through his written response—though just words on a page, she could practically hear the delighted tone in his voice. Through those simple lines, she could clearly sense Lebron’s sincerity.

The dress was a brilliant shade of blue, with a square neckline that gracefully exposed her slender collarbones. A subtle design alteration gave it an off-shoulder effect, allowing her smooth, well-defined shoulders to peek through. A delicate ribbon at the chest broke the visual flow, drawing the eye before leading into voluminous sleeves, adorned with lace that further emphasized its femininity.

The dress’s flowing silhouette mimicked the gentle waves of the sea, creating a refreshing visual effect. To avoid monotony, an overlay of sky-blue fabric was added in the middle, with a layer of lace draped over it, giving the dress a rich and textured appearance.

Around her neck, multiple strands of pure white pearls cascaded gracefully, adding an air of refined elegance. Her chestnut-brown hair was adorned with delicate white blossoms, interwoven with pearls that glimmered softly under the light.

“No one will be able to take their eyes off you, Your Grace.”

“Hmm, that sounds like a bit too much pressure.”

“It’s only natural. You’ve become the diamond of high society. Until the next diamond emerges, you might as well enjoy it. Oh, and His Highness Prince Cheston is already here.”

Sheila was right—her time in the spotlight had an expiration date. Whether she would continue to reign beyond this season depended entirely on how she carried herself. With everything in place, Whitney took a final breath, gathering her composure, and stepped out of the mansion.

"You told me in advance this time."

“I always listen when it’s you. Just say the word.”

He opened the carriage door and took Whitney’s hand. Thanks to him, she stepped inside effortlessly. Once seated, she looked at him in his black uniform with a curious expression.

"You look somewhat different."

"Really? There might be a lot happening today.”

When he wore his pure white uniform, he seemed softer, but in black, his entire aura changed. It wasn’t exactly sharp, yet there was an undeniable sense of authority about him. Even his usual smile felt different.

"I hope everything passes without trouble.”

“Even if something happens, there’s nothing to worry about. More than that, I’m looking forward to announcing our engagement. To be honest, I’ve been wanting to make it public.”

He couldn’t stop smiling, as if he had been waiting for this day all along.

Inside the carriage heading toward the royal palace, Cheston never once took his eyes off Whitney. The two discussed the possibilities of any unforeseen events, but with ample security in place, they tried to push away any lingering unease.

“This time, don’t wander off. Stay right by my side.”

“Sir Zegmon might be disappointed, but for tonight’s banquet, I’ll stay right next to Your Highness.”

“Don’t leave my sight. Aaron and the knights of His Majesty the King will be watching over you, but banquets always tend to unfold in unexpected ways.”

“Especially when there are many enemies, right?”

Cheston shook his head. Then, as he pulled on his black gloves, a smirk played at the corner of his lips. He cracked open the carriage window slightly, gazing outside as he spoke.

“It’s because you’re too beautiful. Precious gems and flowers naturally draw people in, don’t they?”

"Pardon?"

“You’re the star of the year. In the old days, they called it a diamond, didn’t they? You shine so brightly that I can hardly look at you properly, yet others seem to have no trouble at all. Maybe it’s because they think they can at least capture you with their eyes, even if they can’t have you.”

Hearing him say such shameless words so effortlessly, Whitney pressed her lips together in exasperation. Maybe it was the black uniform, but today, he seemed even more sinister—almost ominous. And from the way his eyes gleamed, it was clear he had been hoping for exactly this kind of reaction from her.

***

Arriving at the royal palace, Whitney held onto Cheston’s arm and carefully stepped inside. As the herald announced their names, the grand doors swung open.

Lively music filled the halls, and the excited chatter of the guests buzzed in her ears. The ballroom was packed with nobles, and the moment Whitney stepped in, all eyes lit up with intrigue.

“Today, we finally get to taste that wine, don’t we?”

“Heavens, I still haven’t had the chance to try it! They say it’s a taste straight from the heavens—I can’t wait!”

Whitney listened closely to the voices drifting through the music. It was amusing—just a simple label change, and these nobles had already forgotten the expensive wines they had previously adored. Appearance was all that mattered to them; the actual taste was hardly something they’d remember.

For those who weren’t true connoisseurs, luxury was about the illusion, not the experience. And if the wine came with an unattainable opal, all the better. The more desperate they got, the more things worked in Whitney’s favor.

She let out a faint, sarcastic chuckle before adjusting her expression. Scanning the room, she spotted Princess Violet and offered her a polite nod. The princess returned the gesture with equal grace.

“His Highness Prince Carl is nowhere to be seen.”

“I’m sure he’s late. I heard he was drinking heavily last night. Either something didn’t go his way, or he has something to worry about. Either way, it’s good for us.”

Cheston didn’t seem particularly concerned about Carl’s presence. As the king gave a brief greeting, the music changed. Not long after, Carl finally entered the ballroom, his tardiness drawing attention. The king regarded him with a displeased expression before turning away without a word.

 

With a simple command to enjoy the banquet, the king signaled the evening’s main event. Cheston and Whitney stepped forward onto the platform. As they stood together, the guests collectively held their breath, finally laying eyes on the reality of the long-circulating rumors. Many glanced between Carl and Chesotn, already weighing their allegiances and deciding where to place their loyalties.

“I hereby announce the marriage of Prince Cheston Clifton and The Duchess Regnant, Whitney Orléans, to all present. The wedding is planned for the autumn, once the long rainy season has passed. On this joyous occasion, feel free to extend your congratulations to the Duchess Regnant and my second son. As for what title the Duchess Regnant shall take… Well, that is something I will happily consider. As a token of celebration, each of tonight’s guests will receive a bottle of wine from Linze’s Winery. Accept it with pleasure.”

“Hoho. Your Majesty. Since she is to be Prince Cheston’s bride, shouldn’t she simply be called the princess consort?”

The queen’s eyes burned with fury, yet her voice remained poised and composed. She spoke with elegance, her words measured and deliberate. As she lightly fluttered her fan, she did not attempt to conceal the smile playing on her lips.

“Well, that remains to be seen, does it not? Whether she will be the princess consort or the crown princess.”

“...Speaking such uncertain words in a situation like this may lead to unnecessary misunderstandings. It seems caution would be wise.”

“Is that so? Well, both Carl and Cheston are my sons, so regardless of who becomes the crown princess, it would be a joyous occasion, would it not?”

“Indeed. No matter who ascends as crown prince, he will still be my son, and as his mother, I must embrace him.”

Her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes remained fierce.

“With a heart as vast as the queen’s, how could I not keep you by my side? Now then, let us all enjoy this night with joy.”

The king, too, concealed his true thoughts and let out a hearty laugh, allowing the banquet to continue. As the music picked up pace, Carl and Violet took the floor first, leading the dance. Unlike her blank gaze, Carl moved with a lightness in his steps, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

If Carl had been a better man, the sight of the two together might have been praiseworthy. Stepping back slightly from Cheston, Whitney raised her glass of wine to her lips.

"Hmm? This scent…”

She flinched, pulling the glass away slightly when she was about to take a sip. Then, she brought it closer again, sniffing carefully.

‘Something’s off.’

At Whitney’s reaction, Cheston set down his own wine glass. He subtly engaged those around him in conversation, ensuring they, too, refrained from drinking.

“Is something wrong?”

“Yes, the wine… seems strange. I need to speak with Her Highness Princess Violet for a moment.”

Cheston nodded and immediately ordered the knights to discreetly prevent others from drinking. As Whitney turned away, she made her way directly to Princess Violet and asked for assistance in locating the wine storage. The princess summoned the banquet staff and began speaking with them. Just then, Sir Zegmon approached Whitney, leaning in to whisper.

“Your Grace, there are some guests reporting unusual symptoms after drinking the wine.”

“Please find out how many people are affected, whether they drank my wine, and if they consumed anything else.”

“Understood. Sir Aaron and the others are already investigating. We’ll find out soon.”

Whitney nodded and glanced around. The unfamiliar scent of the wine lingered strangely, unsettling her.

“Is something the matter?”

“The wine is bothering me. The scent is subtly different from the usual… It looks like someone has tampered with it.”

“Are you saying something was added to the wine?”

Whitney nodded as Violet asked in surprise.

As she hastily reached out to stop others from drinking, and as Cheston turned to inform the king, the sharp sound of a wine glass shattering against the floor cut through the air.

The banquet hall erupted into chaos in an instant as the woman collapsed, blood trickling from her lips.

“Poison! The wine is poisoned!”

***

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