I soon found out…
As the drink, which passed over my throat without leaving a single drop, simmered in my stomach for a while, hot energy spread through my fingertips and toes. The next moment, the voices of the noisy nobles resounded from afar suddenly became close and clear.
All of a sudden, the world brightened up as if my eyes were absorbing more light.
It didn't happen to the extent of just drinking alcohol… The alcohol that Raniero gave me was definitely mixed with drugs though I didn't know what it was. He didn't tell me, nor was I in a situation to ask the Emperor's physician or royal physician.
"Ah…"
Feeling nauseated all of a sudden, I leaned on the table and hung my back. However, the only thing in my stomach was the fruit I ate a little at dawn and a glass of alcohol a while ago, so nothing came out.
"Sit like this instead."
Raniero grabbed my shoulder and helped me lean against the backrest, whispering.
"Be patient. You… Soon, everything will look different."
My whole body was heavy.
Raniero's voice seemed to come from above the clouds or from inside my body. My movements were slowed down, and even holding a fork and knife was strenuous. At that moment, I could feel a strange feeling when I glanced down at the shiny tableware as I breathed in a sweet scent.
Ah, these were originally…
…Was it dull?
It didn't look dangerous at all.
Meanwhile, the nobles of Actilus, who seemed to be in another world with a transparent wall before, felt like they were right next to me out of nowhere. A woman was yelling at her own husband derisively. The joke was so funny that I burst into laughter.
I burst out laughing so much that the commotion in front of me stopped. They all stared at me at once. Still, I smiled with a puzzled face.
Why were they stopping?
Not understanding, I asked.
"What are you doing, not enjoying yourself?"
Raniero, who heard me, laughed and opened his mouth.
"Haha. Can't you hear the Empress?"
I clenched my knife with a smile.
At the same time, my appetite suddenly increased. I lifted my heavy arm and cut the meat before putting it in my mouth.
Unlike the roast beef that was slaughtered earlier, it was a dish that was properly flavored and seasoned. It was delicious. The subtle flavors felt more colorful and prudent than usual. Other times, it would have felt a little hot, but right now, it was just right.
I was nervous because my body was not moving properly at first, though I ate diligently. Come to think of it, I was no longer feeling hot, even in these layered robes.
When I came to my senses, I found that the plate was empty.
Oh, was it time to get up…?
However, my body was too heavy. I couldn't stand up properly and strumbled. Although the maids hurriedly ran to grab me, Raniero gestured to them to stop.
Soon, he held me in his arms.
Consciousness faded in and out, again and again. At some point, I stopped thinking about the future. All that mattered was the present moment and the very next moment. It seemed as if there would never be any danger to me.
As I closed my eyes for a moment and then opened them, the shadow was slightly longer. My robe was removed, and I was changed into a hunting suit before I knew it. Like when I drank too much, the memory in my head was like a film, shortening into pieces.
Although I thought I was supposed to go out to the Capital and distribute food to the people, I had no memory of that. Wearing hunting clothes meant the event was over.
Still, I didn't have any doubts or worries.
'Oh, I wonder if the time has come,' that was all I had in my head.
While putting a bow on my back and two daggers around my waist, Cisen put leather armor on my upper body. Duchess Nerma approached the two of us who were preparing.
"It's a gift from His Majesty the Emperor."
It was a small vial of black powder. There was a small label on the outside.
"…Soleols."
"It's a purified poison extracted from the Soleols poison frog."
Answering me, Duchess Nerma bowed her back deeply and continued her words.
"His Majesty has said that Your Majesty would know how to use it."
I blinked and shook the vial slightly. This morning, I regretted not preparing poison for suicide.
I grinned.
In a flash, I thought I knew what to do with this.
My body felt incredibly light.
In addition, the field of view was wide, and everything was clear. The sound of birds flapping their wings could even be heard in the distance. As if it were a lie that I was nervous and afraid of hunting until this morning, my body was not rigid, and my spirit was fresh.
Outside the fence of the hunting grounds stood spectators of nobles. Regardless, the hunting grounds were full and covered by trees, so it would be difficult for them to see interesting scenes.
Yes, 'interesting scene'!
I ambled leisurely.
"Your Majesty the Empress enters!"
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