Chapter 10: Clever Girls Always Notice the Clues
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 10: Clever Girls Always Notice the Clues
"My way of inviting people? Now that has me a bit confused."
As a "blink-and-you’ll-miss-him" villain who only lasted twenty chapters before meeting a swift end, Muen had absolutely no idea how his past self used to extend invitations.
The original host's memories were a chaotic jumble; he couldn't recall the details at all.
"I believe it was during the last Academy ball," Celicia recalled, seemingly unbothered by Muen’s forgetfulness.
"You wanted to invite someone to dance—a Viscount’s daughter, if I remember correctly. And this," she said, "is what you said at the time."
Celicia tilted her head back slightly, her beautiful willow-arched brows knitting together.
Though her face remained largely expressionless, it was clear she was making a concerted effort to mimic a haughty, overbearing attitude.
"Woman, rejoice and celebrate! This young master, in his great mercy, grants you the privilege of sharing a dance with me!"
"..."
"Well? Was my impression accurate?"
"..."
Accurate? My toes are curling so hard I’m about to excavate a three-bedroom apartment through the floor!
Muen Campbell, oh Muen Campbell... It’s one thing to be an idiot, but why did you have to be such a chuunibyou brat?
The worst part is being a chuunibyou in front of so many people. You’re lucky—you just kicked the bucket and checked out. But what about me? This is straight-up social suicide!
"That is all just a past I’d rather not look back on. I hope Your Highness can forget it," Muen said with a sheepish smile. To break the awkwardness, he picked up the pace of their dance.
Yet Celicia remained elegant and composed. Even as Muen deliberately sped up, nearly ignoring the rhythm of the music, she never lost her lead. If anything, Muen found himself being guided by her toward the end.
Celicia Leopold was indeed the "White Swan"—forever noble, forever proud.
Truly the hardest woman to win over in the original book, Muen sighed inwardly.
*
As the song ended, their footsteps came to a halt.
Thunderous applause erupted around them.
Ignoring the murderous, jealous glare from a certain protagonist, Muen smiled and bowed to the crowd.
Beads of sweat had begun to form on Muen’s forehead, but Celicia’s expression remained unchanged.
"Your Highness seems tired as well. Why don't we find a quiet place for a drink?"
Taking advantage of the relatively good atmosphere, Muen extended another invitation.
"Very well."
This time, Celicia didn't even hesitate before nodding in agreement.
Yes!
Though he fought to keep his face neutral, the little version of Muen in his mind was already jumping for joy.
The first step is always the hardest. As long as the invitation for some private time succeeded, the entire operation was halfway to victory!
*
"My apologies, I don't drink."
"Huh? It’s just red wine. A little bit won't—"
"Not even red wine."
Celicia tucked a stray lock of silver-white hair behind her ear. "My constitution doesn't handle alcohol well. Not even a single drop."
"..."
In the specially prepared room, Muen—holding a bottle of red wine he had already spiked—stared with wide eyes.
She doesn't drink?
Not even red wine?
Then how was he supposed to drug her?
But thinking back, there really were no descriptions of Celicia drinking in the original book. Her inability to handle alcohol wasn't exactly a plot hole.
In the original story, Muen Campbell had succeeded in drugging Celicia by spiking her tea.
Muen could have just followed suit.
The only problem was... the drug he had bought was red!
A deep, blood-like red!
If he put that in tea, was he sure she wouldn't notice?
"Is there a problem?"
"No... no. It’s just, if Your Highness doesn't drink wine, what would you like?"
"Coff—"
"We only have black tea."
"?"
"I said, we only have black tea," Muen repeated seriously, staring into Celicia’s eyes.
"Due to certain... unavoidable circumstances, this room is not providing any beverages tonight other than red wine and black tea."
"Only... black tea?"
Even Celicia, whose expression was usually as unchanging as an iceberg, couldn't help but look a bit puzzled. However, she didn't suspect anything nefarious yet, assuming only that Muen had failed to prepare properly.
"Black tea it is, then."
"Thank you."
Muen wiped away a cold sweat and hurriedly rose to prepare it.
"Wait."
Celicia suddenly called out to him, a hint of suspicion flashing in her cold eyes.
"You’re preparing it yourself?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"...No."
Celicia shook her head. "I am simply surprised. I didn't think Young Master Muen would do the work of a servant."
Crap, she’s getting suspicious!
Muen’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his expression natural and smiled.
"It can't be helped. The maids at the Duke’s estate are all very busy tonight. Even my personal maid is tied up right now, so I have to handle these small matters myself."
"I suppose that makes sense."
Celicia nodded slightly, seemingly accepting the explanation.
"Then I shall look forward to it—tea brewed by Young Master Muen’s own hands."
*
As expected of Celicia. I can't underestimate her.
Outside the room, facing the black tea he had haphazardly brewed, Muen wiped his brow, still feeling the lingering fear.
If his mental fortitude had been just a bit weaker, he would have definitely let the cat out of the bag.
"Who said this step was easy? The parts not written in the book are clearly the hardest!"
Muen gritted his teeth. How was he supposed to know that the so-called "world-line correction" was useless for a supporting character like him? He had almost ruined everything because of a trait Celicia suddenly manifested!
"But it’s come to this. I have to go for it!"
Muen pulled two vials from his robe.
"Black tea is reddish anyway, so it shouldn't be noticed. As for this 'little gift'..."
Muen opened the "bonus" bottle the unscrupulous shopkeeper had given him. Inside was a white powder that looked like it would dissolve in water.
"I don't know what it’s for, but since the shopkeeper said using them together would have a 'miraculous effect,' it’s probably something to boost the potency."
"Whatever, I’m putting them both in!"
"I just have to hope Celicia actually drinks it before she notices something is off."
"Heh heh... Since Your Highness is so clever, don't blame me for using the heavy stuff!"
Picking up the drugged tea, Muen wore a wicked smile—one that belonged solely to a villain, though he didn't realize it himself.
*
"Your Highness, your tea."
Like a professional waiter, Muen gracefully presented the carefully prepared black tea to Celicia.
"Thank you."
Celicia politely took the cup, but she didn't drink it immediately. Instead, she scrutinized the liquid.
"Young Master Muen... this tea is very red."
"Isn't black tea supposed to be red?" Muen said with a smile.
"Is it? The black tea I usually drink is a pale amber."
"That might be because the tea leaves come from a different region. Just as oranges from the Beidun'er region are smaller but sweeter than those from the Nanxi territory, black tea from different regions can have subtle differences in color."
"That sounds plausible."
Celicia still didn't drink. Instead, she raised her ice-blue eyes and stared straight at Muen.
"In that case—why don't you have a sip first, Young Master Muen?"