TDFL 15

~Chapter 15~

“What’s Valentin like?”

I changed the topic. If I had asked something completely unrelated, he might have become suspicious, so I tried to connect it a little.

“I thought since Louis has been there, he might know more.”

Alice was preparing to study abroad, so she had some background knowledge. Maybe Louis, being friends with Aaron, knew even more.

“It’s hot, and if you go at the wrong time, you might meet monsters.”

That was all he said. Even a three-year-old could have given a better answer.

I couldn’t blame Louis, so I tried to say a few more things—but then he suddenly stopped walking.

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

I had to stop too because we were walking arm in arm.

“We’re on a date, and you’re talking about some other man instead of me.”

His expression was almost blank, but my mind alarmed me.

He was warning me not to bring up this topic anymore.

“I think I was thoughtless. I’m sorry if I upset you.”

I quickly apologized, acting like I was comforting a hurt lover, aware of the people around us.

Then I felt someone behind us.

“Duke Louis Arban, and Leonia Velassi.”

A servant who had opened the gallery had come to escort us.

“The Emperor is waiting.”

At the luncheon, an unexpected person was there.

The Emperor, Diego, Prince Aaron, Louis, me… and someone else.

“Who is this?” Louis asked.

“I invited him. He’s Prince Aaron’s assistant,” the Emperor answered casually.

“I heard there was a recent problem with Miss Leonia, so I summoned him.”

“….”

“Today is a chance to forget the past and start fresh.”

It was ridiculous. The Emperor was talking about forgetting the past, but no one had asked for forgiveness. I had to pretend to play along.

“Understood.”

Louis sat down without saying more. I also ignored Ren Leichten and sat beside Louis.

[It’s really cold, isn’t it? I think we were supposed to settle things then.]

Aaron said teasingly but quickly switched to speaking in the Empire’s language to apologize to the Emperor.

“Excuse me, I’m still learning the language.”

“No problem. It’s unusual not to have an interpreter.”

Aaron suggested greeting everyone formally, but Louis interrupted him.

“Unnecessary. I don’t think we’ll meet again.”

He smiled slightly, but it was clear he was drawing a boundary.

Aaron complained, “You always act like this, Duke?”

“Stop,” the Emperor interjected.

“Both of you, stop. You’re here as representatives of your countries.”

The Emperor looked embarrassed, probably entertained at the same time.

Maybe he wanted Diego to use the tension between Aaron and Louis to build rapport with Aaron.

The food arrived just then, preventing the atmosphere from getting tense.

The meal was fancy, too much for a normal luncheon. I barely touched mine, only nibbling the appetizer, too tense and tired to eat.

“Shouldn’t we drink champagne instead of water? It’s not strong.”

“Leonia doesn’t like alcohol.”

Louis refilled my glass with water, stopping Aaron from interfering.

“I could have asked a maid to do it.”

“I wanted to do it myself.”

Aaron’s expression twisted—he really seemed annoyed, not pretending.

“Is there nothing else?” Aaron asked, thirsty. He had a servant fetch more drinks.

Ren suddenly stood and left, probably overwhelmed by the pressure of the room. He was gone for a while, but no one noticed except Aaron, who kept an eye on him.

“I’m sorry for being gone so long. I lost my way,” Ren said when he returned, carrying a tray with drinks.

Aaron nodded to him. Ren set up the drinks and even handed me one.

“Shouldn’t we at least toast? He brought the drinks himself.”

Diego agreed for the first time. The Emperor nodded approvingly.

“We toast to the glory of the Empire and Valentin,” he said.

We mimed clinking glasses because the table was too big. I drank after listening to the Emperor’s long toast.

Then I felt strange. My head was dizzy, stomach unsettled.

I glanced at Ren. He was staring at the Emperor.

‘Damn it.’

He must have spiked my drink. Everything looked blurry—probably a hallucinogenic effect.

I thought about the worst mistake I could make here: offending royalty or causing a diplomatic incident. That would definitely happen if I said something wrong.

I fixed my gaze on Ren. When our eyes met, I mouthed a curse at him.

I couldn’t believe the assistant of a royal would go this far.

“My, we’ve been talking only among ourselves,” Diego said suddenly.

“….”

“What do you think, Leonia?”

He was teasing me, clearly enjoying this.

“Of course, I’ve been listening,” I replied.

The truth serum didn’t make someone spill everything instantly—it just made them drunk-like. But in this world, the effect was strong.

I had to answer truthfully if asked.

“It’s a bit dizzying… could you ask again?”

So I could give an honest answer while pretending to struggle.

‘…This is bad.’

If they asked about anyone here or Valentin, I could be in serious trouble. Especially anything about the Emperor.

I wanted to tell Louis and leave, but I couldn’t.

“Not listening to others, are you?” Diego mocked me.

Louis gently asked, “You feel unwell?”

“…My vision keeps flipping, and I feel sick.”

Even though Louis looked distant, to others it seemed like genuine concern.

“Shall I call a doctor?”

“No, it’s fine.”

I refused, and Louis didn’t insist.

Diego spoke again.

“Since Valentin’s prince is here, know that our Empire values trade with Valentin.”

Luckily, this topic wasn’t dangerous for me.

“Of course, we know that well.”

“Good, but not everyone cooperates. Some rumors suggest issues.”

Aaron looked puzzled.

“As you know, we built a bridge near the capital for smoother trade.”

“Oh, I saw it on my way here. Finished, but not in use yet.”

“Yes. The reason? The head of the family responsible for the construction caused corruption.”

Then Diego glanced at me.

“I don’t remember which family did it.”

“….”

“Just a rumor, apparently.”

It was a lie. Diego knew exactly which family—it had been assigned to the Velassi family as part of my engagement deal.

The Emperor knew too, so he didn’t ask further.

Then Ren, who had been quiet, spoke.

“I’ve heard about that rumor too.”

Aaron’s expression stiffened. I waited for him to react.

“It’s about the bookkeeping…”

“Ha, interesting rumors. Don’t you think so, Leonia?” Aaron interrupted quickly.

I had to answer honestly because of the truth serum.

“Glad you find it interesting. I don’t find it interesting at all.”