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Chapter 78
Tiago’s face grew more and more tense. I wanted to stop speaking right then.
What am I even saying? Am I crazy?
But the words kept pouring out, like a dam breaking after being held back for too long.
“…But I’ve decided to move on now. I’ve decided to let Frederic go. I won’t like him anymore. Because…”
Tiago nodded silently, his expression still stiff.
“Ah…”
I slapped both hands over my mouth. I had said too much. But Tiago smiled softly again.
“It’s alright, Delphine. It’s only the truth potion. I’m glad to hear your real feelings.”
I nodded, still covering my mouth.
“…”
The truth I had wanted to say was different: that my feelings for Tiago had grown stronger. That because of Tiago, I’d finally had the courage to let go of Frederic.
Tiago has always been by my side.
When I was in danger, when I was sad, when I was struggling—it was always Tiago who comforted me. Patient, calm, reliable Tiago.
And now, I finally realized my true feelings.
Only now, under the truth potion, do I see it clearly. I do like Tiago. I had been hiding from it, excusing myself by calling him a flirt. But really, I was just afraid. I didn’t have the courage to accept his sincerity and walk alongside him. Now, I do.
Tiago…
Tiago gave a bittersweet smile.
“Earlier, you asked me a question. You wanted to know how many times in my life I’ve said words like this.”
He tilted his head playfully.
“By ‘words like this,’ you mean saying I like someone, right?”
“Yes… that’s right.”
“Then only twice. One of them is you, Delphine. The other…”
His eyes grew sad. His expression looked like he might burst into tears at any moment.
Who could it be, to make Tiago look like that just by remembering?
I folded my hands tightly and waited.
Tiago lowered his head slightly and shook it side to side.
“The other was a woman left behind in my past. That’s all I’ll say.”
I nodded slowly.
He studied my face and said,
“You’re disappointed, aren’t you? Because you’re not the only one?”
Normally, I would have said no. If it weren’t for the truth potion.
And really, being the second love of a man with a reputation as a flirt should have been something special in itself.
But the potion didn’t let me lie.
“Yes, I’m disappointed. Because I’m not the only one.”
What the—? Even I was shocked by my own words.
I really am greedy, huh…
I worried Tiago might be upset, but instead he laughed heartily.
“Your honesty makes you even more lovable, Delphine.”
“…!”
I bit my lip and lowered my head. If I kept looking at him, I felt like I’d blurt out that I liked him too.
He checked his pocket watch.
“The potion’s effect will wear off soon. One last question.”
I nodded.
“Do you have a secret, Delphine? Something you’ve never told me? Something you’ve never told anyone?”
“Ah…”
For a second, I panicked. Did Tiago somehow know that I was transmigrated into this body? It felt like he was asking about exactly that. But his innocent expression told me it wasn’t the case.
Slowly, I admitted:
“Yes… I do.”
Tiago nodded, understanding, and didn’t ask further.
He glanced at the pocket watch again.
“Time’s up. It’s late. Go rest well tonight, Delphine. You’ll be tired. Tomorrow morning, too.”
“…”
Just as I had suddenly felt heavy and hazy earlier, now I felt it fade. The truth potion’s effect was leaving my body.
I still felt slightly tipsy, but no longer to the point of spilling secrets uncontrollably.
That’s enough. Time to leave before I say anything worse. I’ve already embarrassed myself enough tonight. Talking about another man in front of someone who likes me… admitting I have a secret no one else knows… what a mess.
—Creak.
I pushed back my chair and stood.
“Tiago, you know everything I said tonight is a secret, right?”
“Of course.”
He smiled reassuringly.
“Thank you for your time.”
“Rest well, Delphine. Sleep peacefully.”
I turned toward the banquet hall doors. But before I reached them, his voice called out.
“Delphine.”
I stopped and turned slightly. He was watching me.
“I’ll try harder. So that you can trust me completely.”
“…”
The calm I had just regained rippled again. I lowered my head and simply nodded before turning away.
“Good night.”
His voice behind me was soft, almost like a lullaby.
* * *
An order spread through the palace: all nobles, young heirs and ladies, officials, and attendants were to gather in the great conference hall.
It was an emergency meeting, called by Prince Alexander.
One by one, people hurried in, filling the rectangular hall until it was packed.
“His Highness the Prince!”
With the herald’s announcement, Alexander entered.
He sat immediately, his eyes sweeping across the silent crowd. Everyone held their breath, waiting.
“I summoned you here today to make an announcement.”
Most already guessed what it would be: the results of Lady Michaela’s death investigation.
Tiago had said nothing, nor had anyone else. But whispers had already spread through the servants—there was no culprit found, only the fact that curse orbs were involved.
It was expected. They hadn’t investigated Charlier, who was the real culprit.
Many in the palace suspected her—since she had collapsed around the same time as Michaela’s death—but none dared voice it aloud.
Alexander smirked faintly. His silver hair and deadened eyes only heightened the chill in the room.
He recalled when Tiago had delivered the results: no culprit, only that curse orbs were involved.
Alexander hadn’t been sad or shocked. He didn’t even care much. He had assumed Charlier was somehow tied in, but he had no desire to dig out the truth.
“Unfortunately…”
The room tensed. Whenever Alexander began with those words, it never ended well.
“…we did not find the one who murdered Lady Michaela.”
“…”
A collective sigh of relief filled the hall. They had narrowly avoided another bloodbath. If the killer of the future Crown Princess had been identified, her entire family and allies would surely have been executed.
“But.”
Alexander’s voice sharpened.
“We did confirm that curse orbs were involved.”
“…”
The officials in the front rows stiffened, as did Leo and Edward further back.
This was bad. If an investigation into curse orbs began, very few families could come out clean. Until now, they had all kept silent, covering for each other.
Leo felt cold sweat slide down his back.
No… He wouldn’t start a curse orb investigation now, would he? I’m not ready…
But Alexander’s next words crushed that hope.
“From today, we will begin a new investigation. Into curse orbs.”
“…!”
Even the highest officials couldn’t hide their anxious faces. Alexander smirked at their fear.
“We will thoroughly investigate the entire curse orb trade. Tiago will remain as the investigator.”
Edward’s face twisted with rage, like crumpled paper. But no one dared object.
Alexander looked satisfied. Then, as if remembering something, he spoke again.
“And one more thing.”
He turned his cold gaze on the Duke of Pavillon—Michaela’s father.
“Though Lady Michaela’s death is regrettable, the Pignon Empire cannot remain without a new Empress. A ruler always needs a consort.”
The duke’s face turned red with fury. He already knew what Alexander was about to say.
“So, we will now recruit candidates for Empress. Any who wish to put their name forward may inform the chief steward before the end of this week.”
“…”
The hall sank into heavy silence.
For the Pavillon family, this was a deep humiliation. Michaela’s funeral hadn’t even been properly held, and Alexander was already speaking of replacing her.
Worse, he made the Empress’s position sound like a job application. ‘Those who want it, submit by this week.’
