“Someone poisoned me.”

“…”

The chatter among the people ceased instantly.

Everyone shared a look of astonishment, confusion, and disbelief.
Who would dare to execute the one who has ruled for the past twenty years? Who could commit such a audacious act?

“Po… poisoned? No… who would dare to do such a thing?”

The shocked Duke Gerard asked on behalf of everyone. The Duke responded with a compassionate smile.

“I don’t know. What’s certain is that I died and came back to life. Anyway, it was a valuable experience. After facing death, I clearly realized what I had forgotten in my life. It seems that a person must face death at least once. Hehe.”

“…”

“Be cautious, all of you. Even the drink in your glasses might contain ‘Rosini’s Kiss.'”

Crash.

The sound of shattering glasses echoed loudly. Broken crystal shards rolled on the floor, some spitting out the poison they had swallowed without digesting.

The reputation of the extremely potent ‘Rosini’s Kiss’ was evident.

Riz also held a glass in her hand.

One of the ladies, concerned, tried to take the glass from Riz’s hand.

However, just before her hand touched it, Riz moved the glass to her other hand. As a result, the lady’s hand awkwardly hung in the air.

“It’s okay. My thirst takes precedence over ‘Rosini’s Kiss.'”

Riz gulped down the water in one go. She didn’t want to show any signs of disturbance in such a situation.

After handing the empty glass to one of the ladies who had offered it earlier, Riz took a step forward and stood next to Hershis.

Conscious of Hershis’s gaze fixating on the glass, Riz said, “Thank you for coming, Duke.”

“It’s truly an honor to meet you again, Your Majesty. I’m relieved to see you look healthy. Is the baby in your belly a prince? A truly exceptional scene in the imperial family.”

The Duke congratulated Riz with a hearty laugh at her appearance. Seeing it up close, Riz felt even more uncomfortable with him.

‘I’ve always thought this, but this man is skilled at making falsehoods seem sincere and sincerity appear genuine. It’s no wonder young Hershis was deceived. Even in my second life, my eyes, accustomed to seeing through things, find him just as elusive.’

But Riz concealed her true feelings and responded with a bright smile.

“Since you’ve come all this way, please enjoy yourself. Ah… rather than that, would you like to join us for a meal? Evening time is approaching.”

Although Hershis’s face seemed to suggest that there was no need, and he didn’t have to treat people so cordially with everyone’s eyes on him, Riz pretended not to notice.

The Duke chuckled as if saying he didn’t need to, but soon he made a regretful expression and said to Riz,

“I apologize sincerely, but I might have to postpone the honor of that glorious seat to the next opportunity. Because of my current health condition, I can’t stomach anything except for a light soup.”

“Ah… I see. It’s unfortunate.”
Riz didn’t insist any further. Then the Duke spoke.

“Instead, I have one request.”

“What is it?”

In response to Riz’s question, the Duke slid his gaze over to Hershis’s hand.

“May I personally put this necklace around the neck of Her Majesty the Empress? It’s a tradition in the imperial family.”

“That won’t be possible.”

Hershis spoke without giving Riz a chance to think. Her voice was not only cool but also devoid of vitality.

However, the Duke didn’t even glance at Hershis.

“Not possible?”

He asked Riz. It seemed like he expected a different answer from her.

Hershis attempted to stop her uncle with a more severe tone.

“Didn’t I say? I cannot permit that…”

“Alright.”

“…”

Suddenly, Hershis’s pupils, shocked, flickered with confusion. She was even more shaken as the necklace case was taken away from her hands.

Riz took the case from Hershis’s hand and handed it to the Duke.

“If it’s tradition, we should follow it.”

With a satisfied expression, the Duke took the jade pendant from the velvet box. Then, he approached Riz and gently placed it around her neck as she slightly lowered her head.

“It suits you well.”

The Duke stepped back and said with a contented expression.

Contrary to Hershis’s concerns, nothing happened.

Except for the fact that the transparent green jade necklace, boasting a smooth radiance, shone between Riz’s collarbones.

‘No, there’s one more thing.’

In the midst of everyone’s, including Hershis’s, attention being captivated by the necklace, Riz recalled the message the Duke had inscribed on the back of her neck with his fingertips.

‘Toward Delude Harem. Alone.’