Chapter 11: When It Comes to Meanness, I Still Hold the Upper Hand
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 11: When It Comes to Meanness, I Still Hold the Upper Hand
"Does Your Highness truly think I'm the sort of person who would add... strange things to your tea?"
Hearing Celicia’s words, Muen froze for a moment. Then, as if struck by a monumental blow, his expression crumbled into utter dejection. He looked ready to beat his chest and wail to the heavens until snow began to fall in midsummer just to proclaim his innocence.
"Since Your Highness distrusts me so much, I have no choice but to prove myself through action!
"I’ll drink first to show my sincerity!"
Muen snatched up his own cup of tea, preparing to tilt his head back and drain it in one gulp.
"Hold on."
Celicia suddenly spoke up, stopping him.
"There is no need for Young Master Muen to get so worked up. I was merely playing a small joke."
A joke…
With that face of yours that hasn't changed expression once from start to finish, you don't look like you're joking at all!
"As Young Master Muen’s fiancée, I have naturally trusted you from the very beginning."
The corners of Celicia’s mouth curved slightly. For her, this seemed to qualify as a smile.
"I was just teasing you. Please, do not take it to heart."
"Is that so?"
Muen set the teacup down, letting out a subtle sigh of relief.
"In the future, I must ask Your Highness not to play such jokes. They tend to damage the trust between us."
"Of course. I have already realized my mistake."
Celicia still didn't drink the tea.
She lowered her head, fiddling with the cup. She seemed to be staring at her own reflection through the depths of the rich, red liquid.
"Actually, there is a reason why I played such a joke."
"Oh?"
"Young Master Muen should be aware, shouldn't you? In truth, I am actually a few months younger than you."
"…I am aware of that, naturally."
Aware, my foot!
I’m freaking out over here!
The Student Council President of St. Mary’s Academy, the Celicia who was two full grades above Muen, was actually younger than him?
The original novel didn't mention this at all!
Wait.
Hold on. That meant that while Celicia was his senior on the surface, she was technically his little sister in private? After all, there was bound to be some blood relation between the Imperial family and the high nobility; calling her "little sister" wouldn't be a stretch.
Was this the legendary "Gap Moe"—the ultimate blend of the adorable younger sister and the cold, dominant senior?
This was bad.
The moment Muen imagined the cold, aloof Celicia calling him "Elder Brother" in private, he felt a sense of impending doom.
This kind of contrast hit him right in the bullseye!
"I am a genius who skipped two grades, after all, so this situation isn't entirely unexpected."
"But because of that, I often feel exhausted. I am never surrounded by my peers, yet I must act as mature as them—or even more so."
"Therefore, when I am in private, in an environment where I feel at ease, I occasionally show a bit of my childish side."
"Childish side?" Muen was stunned. He truly hadn't expected the word "childish" to ever come out of Celicia’s mouth.
"Yes. Just like a moment ago."
Celicia’s silver eyelashes fluttered as she asked softly, "Young Master Muen isn't angry, is he?"
"Of course not."
Muen couldn't help but smile, answering without a second thought, "If it’s Your Highness, I can accept any amount of childishness. If anything, it makes you feel much more approachable."
"Really? That’s wonderful."
Celicia suddenly looked up.
"As it happens, I have another extremely childish request that I need Young Master Muen to fulfill."
"Eh?"
"Young Master Muen, your tea looks like it might taste a bit better. So… can we swap?"
"Huh?"
Muen’s smile instantly froze.
He looked at Celicia, his hands and feet turning ice-cold.
Her eyes still held that aloof chill that kept everyone at a distance, but through that surface layer of frost, Muen thought he saw a glimmer of hidden cunning… and mockery.
Dammit, I let my guard down and got played by this woman!
That "childish side" was a total lie. She really did suspect there was something wrong with her tea!
However, she probably didn't think he’d be bold enough to actually drug it; otherwise, he would have been greeted by bone-chilling ice magic instead of conversation.
"This… this isn't a good idea."
"What’s wrong with it? Didn't you say you could accept all of my childishness? Or perhaps—"
Celicia tilted her head, enunciating every word: "What are you afraid of, Young—Master—Muen?"
"H-How could that be? I haven't done anything wrong, so why would I be afraid?"
Muen struggled to keep his smile from cracking.
"Then why…?"
"Because… I already drank from this cup!"
Muen gripped the teacup and declared loudly, "If Your Highness drinks from it, that would be… that would be an indirect kiss!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Celicia remained completely unfazed as she pressed on.
"Yes, exactly."
Muen’s eyes widened slightly as he stared intently at Celicia.
How about that, Princess?
As the cold goddess, the Ice Princess, can you withstand the invincible power of the words 'indirect kiss'?
You’re probably so pure that just hearing those words makes your cheeks flush with embarrassment, right?
"It doesn't matter. I don't mind."
But Celicia didn't show even a hint of shyness.
"Since I am your fiancée, I can accept this much."
As if she had truly accepted her role as his fiancée, Celicia reached out and placed her soft, slender hand over Muen’s large one.
Muen didn't feel anything wonderful, however. He only felt a chill as if he had been plunged into an ice cellar.
Because Celicia was prying his fingers open one by one, taking the teacup from his hand.
Things had reached a point where he could do nothing. He could only watch—silently, helplessly, and in despair.
It was like watching a countdown to his own death.
"Speaking of which, I’m quite looking forward to the tea Young Master Muen brewed."
Celicia didn't look "looking forward" to it at all, but she did bring the cup that originally belonged to Muen to her lips.
Then she looked at Muen and asked curiously, "Aren't you going to drink, Young Master Muen?"
"I’m drinking. I’m drinking."
Muen forced the corners of his mouth up like a stiff corpse.
He also picked up his cup—the one that had originally belonged to Celicia—and slowly brought it to his lips.
He moved with agonizing slowness, as if trying to make the moment last forever. But under Celicia’s watchful gaze, even the slowest process eventually reaches its end.
Muen closed his eyes in resignation, tilted his head back, and poured the tea into his mouth.
Watching this, Celicia narrowed her eyes slightly.
She glanced at the tea in her cup again, then turned her head slightly to look outside.
Glasses clinked and music fluttered. Just on the other side of the wall, a grand ball was in full swing, with most of the nobility of Belland in attendance.
Even the son of a Duke wouldn't dare to do anything truly stupid at a time like this, right?
Celicia finally took a small sip of the black tea in her cup.
Hmm?
Why does the tea still taste strange?
Celicia frowned and looked down at the cup.
The tea inside swirled, a vivid red like fresh blood.
Could it be…
Celicia snapped her head up.
Muen hadn't said a word for a while.
And now, he was smiling.
It was the kind of smile where the corners of the mouth were stretched almost to his ears, yet his lips remained tightly sealed. It looked incredibly eerie.
"You!"
For the first time, a look of panic appeared in Celicia’s eyes.
But it was too late. She felt her entire body begin to go limp.
And Muen finally opened his mouth.
With a loud splat, he spat out every drop of the tea.