Hershismen brought up the topic suddenly. Due to this, Liz put down the piece of chicken she had picked up, wondering if she should take a bite.

“I heard that for asthma, humid air in the south is better than the dry air in the north. So, I was wondering…”

Anxiety slowly crept in.

“Uncle, how about relocating to the south?”

“…”

The hands that Liz had held began to scratch each other. The moment to step forward was approaching.

“To the south… Are you suggesting moving to the south?”
The Duke of Montaner’s gaze slightly twisted.

“Yes, Uncle. I thought the southern region, with its warm air and clear water, would be even better for Uncle’s health. I examined the health records from when you were the regent, and you had quite a few illnesses, not just asthma.”

“You even looked into that?”

The Duke raised his wine glass, twisting his lips.

“I am truly moved by your concern for my health.”

“Uncle’s health is important.”

Hershismen smiled innocently, as if his intentions were pure.

“In case anything happens to me, and Uncle has to rule the empire again, you need to maintain your health.”

“Your Majesty, for someone as young and robust as you to have problems like that is against the will of the gods. I don’t even want to think about such variables. If you don’t want to drive me out of the capital, please don’t talk like that. I’m afraid the devil might hear.”

Duke Montaner also did not yield to Hershismen. Like a well-seasoned snail, he skillfully deviated from the predetermined flow of the conversation.

People’s attention was evenly distributed between Hershismen and the Duke, but ultimately, everyone believed that the experienced Duke would take the lead. Liz thought the same way, if she didn’t know the script.

“Well, there’s nothing we can do.”

Hershismen was about to laugh.

“As the one with the authority, I’ll have to drive Uncle out of the capital…”

“Cough, cough…”

“…”

Liz began to cough violently. Hershismen stopped the conversation and turned to Liz.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fi… fine. Cough, cough…”

It was a fit of coughing that erupted at an awkward moment, but no one suspected anything.

Because it wasn’t acting.

Due to tension, her mouth dried up, naturally prompting her to look for water. So, she took a sip, but the sound of swallowing was heard.

Facing the audience’s attention, Liz glanced at Ishar. His consistent indifference, as if he had forgotten the facts he instructed, was somewhat disturbing.

And peace was short-lived.

“Oh, by the way, since we were talking about asthma, Uncle.”

Hershismen brought up the topic suddenly. Due to this, Liz put down the piece of chicken she had picked up, wondering if she should take a bite.

“I heard that for asthma, humid air in the south is better than the dry air in the north. So, I was wondering…”

Anxiety slowly crept in.

“Uncle, how about relocating to the south?”

“…”

The hands that Liz had held began to scratch each other. The moment to step forward was approaching.

“To the south… Are you suggesting moving to the south?”
“Anyway, Uncle.”

When Liz’s coughing subsided, Hershismen resumed the conversation from a moment ago.

“Consider it once, Uncle. The lord of the southern Karané region is expected to pass away without an heir any day now, right? It’s quite a decent castle with a good songstress. After the lord’s death, there might be considerable unrest, and if Uncle takes charge of that position, it would be helpful in various ways.”

“…”

“Of course, Uncle’s health is the top priority.”

“I didn’t know Your Majesty thought of me this much.”

Whether it was due to the interruption in the flow or not, both of them didn’t stand as tall as before.

The imminent situation seemed to be resolving more smoothly than expected.

Duke Montaner smiled as he spoke.

“If Your Majesty’s intention is truly such, I’ll consider it. Please give me some time, though.”

“As much as you need.”

It seemed to end smoothly.

As there was nothing more to see, the audience began to focus on their own conversations. The previously silent banquet hall, where even a breath could be heard, was soon filled with murmurs, and Liz breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Well done. It worked out well.’

Liz was relieved to have fulfilled her role unexpectedly.

Now she could relax and enjoy the meal. Suddenly, she felt hungry.

She took a bite of the meat in front of her and savored it. It couldn’t have tasted any better.

When Hershismen raised his hand to signal the end and seemed to be instructing something, Liz saw that something. She momentarily left her seat and returned with a steaming cup of tea held by a servant’s hand. The servant presented it to Duke Montaner.

“What is this?”

The Duke looked at Hershismen with a puzzled expression.

“It’s lemon tea that Uncle likes. I had it boiled with water from the Belamir mountain spring. It’s specially prepared as it’s known to be good for asthma.”

Hershismen grinned and added, “Uncle used to make it often when I was young.”

“Ah… yes. I remember now.”

A smile appeared on Duke Montaner’s face.

“Everything was truly good back then.”

Liz thought.

‘This wasn’t in Ishar’s script.’

However, she knew. She knew about this situation, this conversation. Because…

It was a scene from a novel.

And if her memory served her right, in that lemon tea boiled with water from the Belamir mountain spring…

‘There was poison!’