TKMLTE 112

CHAPTER 112

Translator: Rae

***

Ambush

The cries of panic spread like wildfire as nobles shrieked and hurled their wine glasses away. Within moments, every pair of eyes in the hall turned to Whitney.

Biting the inside of her mouth, Whitney tried to suppress the rising frustration. The pieces fit too perfectly—this was no accident. Someone had orchestrated this. Violet rushed to her side, her face tight with alarm.

“It seems we’ve walked into a trap.”

“I think so, too. Whoever did this had no intention of celebrating tonight.”

Whitney’s emerald eyes flicked instinctively toward the queen. With calculated grace, the queen lifted her own wine glass—then let it slip from her fingers. The sharp sound of shattering glass echoed through the hall.

The sharp crash of breaking glass filled the hall as nobles, driven by fear, tossed their wine to the floor. Even unopened bottles were discarded in the frenzy.

“Poison?! At a celebration like this? What madness is this?!”

The queen rose from her seat, her voice ringing with indignation.

“This is the wine from the Territory of Orléans Duchy—we all know that well enough. And yet, at a banquet hosted by Princess Violet, such a catastrophe unfolds? Does no one find it suspicious just how blatant this scheme is?”

Her crimson eyes burned with righteous fury as she fixed her gaze on the princess. It seemed as if she were accusing Princess Violet of ruining her own banquet to create a situation that would benefit Cheston. The reasoning seemed plausible enough that many accepted it, casting hostile glances at Whitney, their resentment evident.

“The Duchess Regnant of Orléans, what is the meaning of this? Poison was found in the wine, so we can’t avoid to launch an investigation.”

The king spoke with a troubled expression. The very idea of poisoning the wine—it was a scheme befitting the queen. It was now clearer than ever how little she valued the lives of others.

The collapsed woman was quickly taken away to be examined by the royal physician. Of all people, she had to be from a family that supported Carl. No doubt, the queen had accounted for that as well.

There were only two ways out of this; proving that there was nothing wrong with the wine or uncovering who had poisoned it. Whitney steadied her breath. At that moment, her aunt approached and whispered softly to her.

“Whitney, there’s no need to back down—this situation can be seen from another perspective. Anyone can tell this was orchestrated. Moreover, according to the attendants, some of the wine  bottles had already been uncorked.”

“...Are you saying the pre-opened wine, meant to enhance the flavor, was tampered with?”

“Yes. We’re looking into it at the moment, so you must stay calm and speak up. If you falter here, everyone will believe this was your doing. Don’t forget—you have not only Prince Cheston behind you but also the noble houses that support him.”

At her aunt’s words, Whitney stepped forward. Judging by the queen’s confidence, if she let this play out, she would surely be framed. Just like last time, the queen had chosen to act in front of everyone, showing she had nothing to fear. That only meant she was desperate. Even so, with Maurice gone, what had driven her to such a reckless move?

“Your Highness, with all due respect, isn’t it also possible that someone orchestrated this incident to put me in a difficult position? If we follow the reasoning Your Highness has suggested, the opposite conclusion is just as plausible.”

Following her aunt’s advice, Whitney confidently voiced her doubts. A tense silence settled over the ballroom as no one dared to speak, merely watching and gauging the situation. If this continued, the matter could escalate into a political crisis.

“Your Majesty. Your Highness. If I may be permitted, I would like to say something.”

At that moment, Violet stepped forward. Her gaze was steady, unwavering. Carl, sensing the shift in atmosphere, reache dout to grasp her hand, but she shot him a cold look and pulled away.

The sudden chill between the two sent a ripple of shock through the onlookers. The princess and Carl were known to be on good terms, so her current behavior was enough to stir confusion among the gathered nobles.

“I was the one who prepared the wine, so it seems that someone poisoned the wine that had been poured in advance to enhance its flavor. If we interrogate those responsible for managing the wine storage, the culprit should be revealed soon.”

“You don’t seem angry at the Duchess Regnant for ruining your banquet. Could it be that this was meant to hinder Carl?”

The queen seemed to momentarily lose her composure, having caught off guard by Violet’s unexpected response. The slight rise in her tone betrayed her unease. Whitney was also surprised. She hadn’t expected Violet to step forward—hadn’t she planned to remain silent and simply return to her homeland?

Violet didn’t back down. She met the queen’s gaze steadily before turning to the king. Then, lifting her chin slightly, she spoke with clear determination.

“With this banquet as my final duty, I will be returning to my homeland. Therefore, I formally request to annul my engagement to His Highness Prince Carl.”

"Princess?!"

The queen sprang to her feet in shock. Her abrupt reaction sent murmurs rippling through the banquet hall. A sudden annulment would severely weaken Carl’s political stance.

“The Duchess Regnant of Orléans assisted me in hosting this banquet and was already aware of my decision to break off the engagement. Therefore, there would have been no reason for her to poison the wine in an attempt to undermine Carl.”

“Your Majesty! An annulment—this will have significant repercussions between our nations!”

 

Yet, the king didn’t appear appalled. Instead, he simply nodded.

“The matter has already been settled with the Kingdom of Phaetonthra. We have reached an agreement that ensures neither side will suffer any losses. There is no need for you to worry, my queen.”

"How could you make such arrangements without me—his own mother—being informed?!”

“Queen! Do you truly not understand the reason for this?! If you continue, I can’t guarantee what I might say next!”

At the king’s furious outburst, the queen’s eyelashes trembled finely. Her tightly clenched fists and her pallied complexion made her look as if she might collapse at any moment.

“Your Majesty! We have identified the person who accessed the wine storage today!”

At the knight’s words, the queen’s head turned instinctively. And there, restrained by guards, stood her most trusted attendant—Jane.

***

Cheston nodded toward the knight. Though Princess Violet’s intervention had been unexpeted, it seemed to be making things progress more smoothly. More than anything, he was glad he had ordered someone to keep an eye on the queen’s attendant, Jane.

“Y-Your Majesty, I just wanted the wine! I swear, I never poisoned it!”

“We witnessed this woman disposing of a small glass bottle and have secured it as evidence.”

"How could you—?!”

Jane cried out in shock, her face a picture of desperation. At the sight of her, the queen’s expression twisted in rage, and she began pointing an accusatory finger at her once-loyal attendant.

“I understand your devotion to Carl, but how could you even think of doing such a thing? Jane, I am so heartbroken I can hardly speak.”

Her shoulders trembled as though she could barely contain her grief. In an instant, her crimson eyes welled with tears, which she dabbed away with a handkerchief before gesturing toward the knights.

“Take her away. I cannot bear to see her in my current state.”

Cheston nodded toward the knights, who promptly seized Jane. Her lips parted as if to protest, but no sound escaped. She was dragged from the hall, her stunned expression frozen in place.

‘She must have never expected to be thrown away so easily.’

It was actually a fortunate turn of events. Consumed by betrayal, Jane might confess everything, so all that was needed was to have the knights coax the truth out of her. Cheston turned his gaze to Whitney. Though the matter had been settled, no one was touching the wine. Fear lingered—no one dared to drink, just in case.

If the reputation of the wine suffered, the business would be in trouble. If his father deemed it hopeless, he would cut ties without hesitation. The situation had to be turned around quickly. Without hesitation, Cheston strode to the table and gestured for a servant to uncork a bottle of wine.

Then, he poured himself a glass and drank without a second thought. Whitney’s eyes widened in shock. For a fleeting moment, she nearly smacked the glass from his hand, but Cheston simply smiled and emptied it in one go. Without stopping, he motioned for more bottles to be opened.

As the wine continued to fill his glass, the crowd only watched him in silence. One glass. Two. three. Cheston drained several randomly selected bottles, ensuring each one was uncorked in front of everyone. He finally turned around to address the gathered nobles.

“As you can see, the unopened wine is perfectly fine. You may all drink without concern. Of course, if you’d rather pass up the opportunity, I won’t stop you.”

He held up a cork with a casual grin.

“It would be a shame, though. The wine tastes excellent.”

“But, Your Highness! Haven’t you always had a resistance to poison?!”

At the shouted accusation, Whitney strode forward and seized a nearby glass of wine, downing it in large gulps. Cheston reached out, gripping her wrist to stop her, but she didn’t waver. Without hesitation, she picked up another glass—and another—drinking each one in quick succession.

“Will this be enough? I don’t have any resistance to poison, so surely this should convince everyone.”

With Whitney joining in, the tension in the room finally began to ease. The suspicious gaze wavered, replaced by murmurs of reluctant acceptance. She didn’t have to drink either.

“...That was reckless of you,”

“So was Your Highness,”

Whitney narrowed her eyes as she stepped closer to him.

“Just how many glasses did you drink? It was totally unnecessary… and this wine is very strong.”

“This much won’t get me drunk. Not that it matters if it does.”

Cheston replied to Whitney with a shrug. He had downed no less than ten glasses yet remained perfectly steady.

“Your Majesty, I propose that we address the culprit’s punishment after the banquet and continue enjoying the evening. Before Her Highness Princess Violet returns to her homeland, she should take with her fond memories of the Kingdom of Luowen.”

“Ahem, Cheston speaks wisely. The queen’s devotion to her son may have been excessive, but I trust she understands that herself. Let us set this matter aside for now and proceed with caution.”

At the king’s orders, the royal guards surrounded the queen. Not only that, but several knights were also assigned to Carl, ensuring that both of them would remain under watch until the banquet ended. Escaping to meet Jane in secret was now impossible.

Once again, the music changed, and after some hesitation, a few guests began uncorking bottles of wine. At that moment, an excited voice rang out.

"Opal! I can't believe I got Opal! My goodness!"

“Congratulations. Please write your surname along with the cork and send it to House Orléans.”

Whitney folded her eyes into a smile as she congratulated the winner.

Perhaps that single winner had set off a spark—noble after noble rushed toward the tables, eagerly grabbing wine bottles in hopes of finding their own prize.

***

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