***
If it was to go to the detached palace, of course, he had to go.
I'll be right back.
Ver brought the docunts he had brought to the aide's office and went back to Kalian.
In the anti, Kalian, dressed in a neat coat, was holding a large box in his hand.
At other tis, the servants would have made a fuss saying that they would hold it, but for so reason, they did not say anything.
It was the sa with Ver. He just looked at what was inside the box and smiled.
He will like it.
I hope so.
A faint smile was drawn on Kalian's lips.
Then, let's go.
They headed to the detached palace located in the deepest part of the Imperial Palace, a little deeper than the inner palace.
The detached palace was very beautiful. The garden was full of golden royal roses and there was a large fountain in the center.
In the center of the fountain, there's a stone statue of a baby angel carrying a large water bucket which was continuously pouring out clear water.
It was just after Kalian and his party passed the fountain.
Step step step step
An urgent sound of footsteps was heard from sowhere.
After a while, the bushes beside Kalian shook and a boy about the height of his waist popped out.
His blue hair, a little lighter than Kalian's, fluttered softly in the wind. Under the sunlight, his clear skin stood out.
The boy hugged Kalian by the waist, but no one stopped him.
It was the sa with Kalian.
Instead of scolding him for being rude or asking what are you doing', he smiled softly and looked at the boy.
Hess.
When Kalian called his na, the boy, who was burying his face in his waist, lifted his head and looked up at Kalian.
The sky-blue eyes that resembled the sky shone brightly.
The boy smiled brightly, revealing his white, well-grood teeth.
*****
Sir Hiltine had tasted every food I was going to eat first to make sure it wasn't poisonous.
It's a pity that I couldn't eat with others, but if they had seen this, it would have been very embarrassing.
Hiltine not only distinguished poison but also taught how to distinguish it.
The most basic way is to distinguish it with silver. Silver is the best tool to detect poison, but there are many more poisons in the world that cannot be detected by silver.
What do you do in that case?
The second is to tell by taste or sll, but it is dangerous in many ways. People who are not resistant can die if they eat it incorrectly.
Die? Just hearing it gave chills.
The third way is to feed the suspect first.
To the other person?
"Yes. If it was poisoned, they would never eat it.
Ah, indeed. It made sense.
The carriage, which had been running diligently, stopped in front of the inn. It was the inn we stayed in today.
Even here, Sir Hiltine tasted the food I was going to eat first.
This was usually done by commoners. The children of nobles who ca to the palace as servants or maids sotis did it, but it was for the higher-ranking imperial family, higher than themselves. They didn't do this for the sa-ranking nobles.
So was he okay? If it were the children of other nobles, even if it was because they had to escort, their pride would have been hurt.
You can eat it.
"Thank you."
After Sir Hiltine gave his permission, I ate the soup.
It tasted good because it was the special soup that the innkeeper was proud of.
The al was held in a quiet atmosphere. It wasn't awkward or anything like that.
At first, Sir Hiltine was so expressionless and silent that it was awkward for the two of us to eat together, but now I was used to it.
About halfway through the al, a waiter ca over and filled the empty glass.
I was about to drink the water because I was thirsty at the ti, but Sir Hiltine took the glass.
I will try it first.
I dont think there is any need to check this too.
There are no exceptions.
I guessed so.
Sir Hiltine returned the glass to only after confirming that it was not poisoned.
I drank it with a spoon because it felt a bit strange to drink the water that soone else drank.
Are you still eating?
When the soup bowl was almost empty, Marquis Valdir ca and asked.
It didn't look like he ca just to greet as he passed by. He wasn't the kind of person who would do such a thing.
What's the matter?
I have sothing to say to the Lady, can we talk for a while after dinner?
What did he want to talk about?
I was curious. As I was almost done eating, I put down my spoon and stood up.
Where should we go?
Lets talk in my room. Because that's the best place.
I nodded and followed him. Sir Hiltine also followed and Marquis Valdir as if it was natural.
Marquis Valdir frowned and looked at Sir Hiltine.
Did you not hear that I wanted to talk to Lady Thebesa privately?
Hiltine remained silent without answering.
As I had felt before, he hardly ever talked to anyone other than .
It could be dismissed as him being reticent, but not even answering questions was just a good way for others to misunderstand that they were ignoring you.
It was the sa with Marquis Valdir. His expression turned even worse.
Please calm down, Marquis.
After calming Marquis Valdir, I looked at Sir Hiltine.
Sir Hiltine, please wait here for a mont, as I'm going to talk to the Marquis.
I cannot do that. Sothing could happen in the anti.
You an I'm going to do sothing to Lady Thebesa?
Oh, no. He's pissing him up.
Tell , is that what you ant?
How could it be, Marquis.
I answered on behalf of Sir Hiltine, who did not answer.
Then Marquis Valdir looked at as if it was ridiculous.
Since when did the Lady beco his spokesperson?
Its not like that
If it's not like that, let that damn guy answer directly, not the Lady.
No matter how angry he was, but that damn guy'?
I frowned at the excessive language.
Did you hear or did you not hear ?
If he didn't answer this ti, it would be really bad.
I looked at Sir Hiltine with an anxious look.
Sir Hiltine's eyebrows twisted slightly as our eyes t, and he slowly opened his mouth.
I heard."
He answered. That's a relief.
But you're still going to follow us?
Sir Hiltine affird in silence.
Marquis Valdir clicked his tongue and looked at Sir Hiltine.
How dare you ignore , a marquis, when you're just a commoner?
Common er?
Although I often thought that the way he spoke and behaved was not like a noble, I never thought he was a commoner.
I turned to look at Sir Hiltine in surprise and Sir Hiltine averted his gaze.
It was the first ti he had avoided my gaze since that night.
As a marquis, I command you. Wait here.
"His Majesty's orders take precedence over the Marquis's orders."
Despite Marquis Valdir's order, Sir Hiltine did not retreat at all. As it was the Emperor's orders, how would he keep on persisting?
Do what you like!
Marquis Valdir beca red and turned.
When I arrived at his room, I sat facing the Marquis with a table in between.
Sir Hiltine was standing behind .
His aide ca in. He set the teacup and teapot on the table and left.
This tea was recomnded by the innkeeper. They say it's a specialty here.
Marquis Valdir kindly filled the teacup himself and put it in front of .
The pale yellow tea was glittering.
I wanted to introduce it to the Lady, so I asked him to bring it. Give it a try.
His uncharacteristic kindness was weird.
could it be that this man was the one who poisoned the cookies?
As I was staring at the teacup, a hand suddenly popped out from behind and picked up the teacup.
It was Sir Hiltine. He poured the hot tea into his mouth without saying anything.
Marquis Valdir and I looked at him in bewildernt.
Either way, Sir Hiltine looked at the empty teacup for a mont, put it back in front of , and nodded. It ant that it was safe to drink because it was not poisoned.
I DONT EVEN KNOW THIS KIND OF MANNERS!
Marquis Valdir, who soon ca to his senses, glared at Sir Hiltine indignantly.
I knew why Sir Hiltine did this, but Marquis Valdir knew nothing. So, it was natural for Marquis Valdir to be angry.
Big trouble.
Even though Sir Hiltine was His Majesty's knight, he was lower in rank than Marquis Valdir.
If the Marquis punished him with this, he couldn't be stopped.
I hurriedly spoke to the Marquis, trying to distract him.
What do you want to say to ?
Fortunately, Marquis Valdir's expression cald down in an instant.
Ehem.
He coughed lightly and then said.
This is not my opinion. This is the opinion of those below .
Hearing only that, I imdiately knew what he was trying to say.
He's talking about that thing', huh?
Everyone said that it would be better to attribute the Ladys credit during the diplomatic eting with the Natsha Kingdom to the entire Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It was as expected, too. Since they rarely ca over, I guessed he took over it in person.
Marquis Valdir's proposal didn't need to be considered. Because my answer was clear.
As soon as Marquis Valdir finished, I answered.
I refuse.
My answer made Marquis Valdir frown as if he was very displeased.
You answered without hesitation, huh?
Because its sothing Ive already refused several tis.
Still, can't you think about it one more ti?
Should I? I didn't think I needed to do that at all though.
But Marquis Valdir wanted to think about it for a mont and there's no reason not to. It wasn't hard either. So I thought for a mont, then answered.
As expected, I will refuse.
I did what he wanted, but he still didn't like it. Deep wrinkles ford on his forehead.
He asked without hiding his unpleasantness.
Why do you refuse?
I wanted to ask him why he was trying to steal my ball, but it was a pity that I couldn't. It's because I already knew the reason, so there was no need to ask anymore.
I also couldn't tell him why I refused, so I asked him a question.
Is the Marquis a person who steals other peoples credit for his own authority and gain?
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