168 – 172
I closely observe the son-in-law at the banquet.
It was said that the poison I prepared had already been applied to the glasses.
It was supposed to take effect slowly, not immediately.
Perhaps the effect will kick in around dinner time?
As I pondered that thought,
Terra and the son-in-law engage in a conversation.
And soon after, Terra hands a glass of wine to the son-in-law.
The son-in-law, who was scrutinizing Terra’s glass, hands it to the servant standing behind him.
What’s going on?
As I thought that,
At that moment,
– Now, it’s time for the Emperor’s toast.
As the host announces the next proceeding, I feel uneasy watching Terra searching the surrounding glasses.
Then,
Seeing the son-in-law handing his whiskey glass to Terra, I barely hold back a scream.
This is not right… This shouldn’t be happening.
That glass has the poison applied by the maid.
Terra accepts it and raises the glass.
“Listen, everyone, today is a great day when we have completely wiped out the rebel forces. Let’s toast to Commander Agrifa, who played the biggest role in exterminating the rebels.”
What should I do? Should I intervene now? On what grounds?
My mind is in disarray.
Why am I holding the cup meant for the son-in-law?
Such thoughts cross my mind.
People cheer enthusiastically.
-For Commander Agrippa and His Majesty the Emperor! Cheers!
-Cheers!
And as I watch Terra empty the cup, inwardly I scream.
***
The banquet progresses.
The orchestra plays a gentle melody as people around engage in conversations.
-Mary, dear! So, what happened?
-hahahaha, that’s how I captivated Sabinielli.
Joy listens intently to Mary’s dance anecdotes, her eyes sparkling, while Mary joyfully shares her own tales.
“hahahaha… Seems like the rumors about the Babylonians are true.”
“I was quite surprised myself.”
Deviang, with a bright smile, finds Agrippa’s and others’ amusement intriguing.
Ugh… My head feels strange.
I sense blood rushing to my head and feel a bit dazed.
As I touch my forehead with a strange sensation…
“Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?”
Deviang looks at me with concern.
“Ugh… No, it’s just… my body feels odd.”
I’m surprised by the nasal sound that unintentionally escapes me.
Huh?
“Your Majesty, your face is flushed.”
Deviang cautiously places his hand on my head.
“Huh? You seem to have a fever. Doctor! Summon the palace physician!”
The commotion in the hall grows louder at his words, but I wave my hand.
“Ah… No, it’s fine. Grand Duke. I think… I might just be a little tipsy.”
As I say that and bring my hand to my cheek, it feels warm.
Huh? Why is my body reacting like this?
I feel slightly dizzy, but it’s different from the pain of a fever.
It’s like… my mood is off.
Not in a bad way.
Why… why does Deviang look so attractive today of all days?
“Your Majesty, you should retire early tonight. Allow me to escort you.”
Deviang gently takes my arm as we rise from our seats…
-Thump, thump.
My heart beats rapidly.
“I will escort you to your room.”
“Ugh…”
Deviang gently lifting me up.
Worry fills his eyes.
Uh… How.
His gaze tickles my heart.
As we step out of the banquet hall, he asks with a concerned look.
“Not feeling well?”
Ugh… How… Can’t meet his eyes.
“I’m… I’m okay.”
Just a simple conversation, but it feels embarrassingly awkward.
I feel… strange.
At first, there was a tingling sensation in my chest, but gradually a warm heat flows down to my stomach.
Unfamiliar heat makes my legs involuntarily twist.
Perplexed by the moist sensation from my lower body.
Why… Why is this happening?
There were a few times in my life when I felt desire.
Like when I covered a blanket and imagined strange things while watching the person I sleep with.
Or reading the book my mother gave me… I feel ashamed realizing I’m feeling what I felt when I read the erotic novel Deveang showed me before.
Tingling and strange sensations.
Suddenly arriving at the honeymoon suite, he looks worried…
“Theodora, try lying on the bed.”
Don’t look at me like that… It’s hard for me to resist…
Cursing him internally, I obey his words.
-Swish.
Carefully lying on the bed, he…
***
Theodora is acting strange.
She’s been looking around nervously, so I ask.
“Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?”
“Uh… No. Just… feeling weird in my body.”
Seeing her face turn bright red as she anxiously speaks, I worry.
“Your Highness, your face is all red.”
Gently placing my hand on her forehead…
“Oh? I think I have a fever. Doctor! Call the palace doctor!”
What? Did she drink poison?
Was there poison in my cup too?
Concerned, I observe her closely, and Theodora hurriedly says while waving her hand.
“Oh… No, it’s fine. Your Highness. Just… feeling a bit tipsy.”
From Noble mtl dot com
Watching Theodora touch her cheek and say that, I stand up from my seat and say.
“Your Majesty, please retire early today. Allow me to escort you.”
Gently holding her arm,
“I will accompany you to your chambers.”
Helping her up, they make their way out of the banquet hall.
“Feeling unwell?”
With a bowed head, Theodora, who can hardly speak, struggles to say, “I’m… I’m fine.”
Lost in thought as they walk towards the bridal chamber.
Theodora walks silently, her condition worrisome, sensing something amiss.
The poison prepared by the Vanghwang Clan.
Having been forewarned by the intelligence department, the antidote was already procured.
I wonder how the poison was administered to her.
As such thoughts cross his mind,
They arrive at the bridal chamber.
“Theodora, lie down on the bed.”
-Sliding sound-
At my words, Theodora gently lies down on the bed.
Carefully gazing at her face.
Her white sclera surrounding ruby red irises are bloodshot.
The sweat on her forehead and the scent of rosemary.
A look of unease.
It doesn’t seem like poison, does it?
Just to be sure, he smells her breath.
Not detecting any sweet scent in her breath, it seems unlikely that it’s the type of poison the Vanghwang Clan prepared.
Observing her symptoms.
Occasional restless legs.
Bloodshot whites of her eyes.
Sweat on her forehead.
It seems more like… the symptoms of being addicted to an aphrodisiac rather than poison.
Oh? Aphrodisiac… addiction?
“Theodora, do you happen to feel your heart racing?”
Without a word, she nods slightly in response to my question.
Her eyes are moist.
As if hoping for something.
Phew… thankfully, it’s not poison.
The aphrodisiac here is not like something out of a martial arts novel, causing people to lose reason and seek pleasure.
It’s just… enhancing strong s*xual desire and sensitivity.
It’s a drug that one can resist if they try.
Controlling human desire with drugs of this era is almost impossible.
“Haa… Haa…”
Teodora stares at me with a flushed face.
She closes her eyes and breathes heavily, as if in distress.
“Teodora?”
I softly call out to her as she leans back on the bed.
“Haa… What is it?”
She looks at me with a complex gaze.
Is she going through a lot?
Indeed, the aphrodisiac here is a substance that enhances s*xual desire.
Of course, one can resist it with willpower, but…
Seeing her looking so pitiful, I feel a slight urge to help.
Anyway… as long as we don’t hold the ritual tonight.
I cautiously lift her chin.
“Ugh…”
As she looks at me with dilated pupils and a faint moan…
Our lips meet.
I let our lips linger lightly before gently pulling away to gauge her reaction.
She might not want to kiss me after all.
But maybe I’m just overthinking it.
Teodora, with a dazed expression, suddenly leans in, wrapping her arms around my neck…
And kisses me.
Seems like she couldn’t resist any longer.
-Tsrrup…
Her soft tongue delves into my mouth, exploring it eagerly.
The taste of my sweet rosemary and her breath mix.
“Hmm…”
Even her shallow moans excite me.
Can I control myself?
As I ponder this…
-Gwak!
I feel bewildered by her hand grabbing my nape.
Her grip on my neck and the back of my head tightens, as if not allowing me to escape, prompting me to stroke her head and back.
As if I were going somewhere.
I gently soothe her.
-Todak… Todak…
“Ueup…”
I guide her rough tongue with ease.
It’s supposed to be our first kiss; there’s no need for it to be rough.
As I continue to stroke her back and head gently, responding slowly… she reciprocates softly.
“Hng…”
The faint sound of her laughter heard intermittently.
How many times did we kiss like that?
As her hands that gripped my head and neck slowly loosened, I let out a sigh of relief.
Is the effect of the aphrodisiac wearing off now?
Just as I had that thought.
Feeling a gentle touch on my shirt, I faintly open my eyes and look down…
I see Theodora unbuttoning my shirt as she kisses, and I feel bewildered.
Uh… What should I do? I didn’t plan on going that far yet…