The dining room at Tiase Palace.
"And so, you see, I've been reviewing documents all day today."
Maria Ethel recounted her day's work in an animated voice. But unlike her cheerful demeanor, the Crown Prince sat rigid, his gaze fixed upon the white porcelain plate before him with a stern expression.
Baroness Sophron, seated against the wall, barely dared to breathe. Something felt terribly wrong. The corners of Leopold's handsome eyes grew sharper with each passing moment.
"By the way, Leopold—why aren't you eating today?"
Maria seemed to have finally noticed the Prince's condition.
Baroness Sophron felt a measure of relief at the charm laced through Maria's voice. The Prince had always had a soft spot for his lover's lovely mannerisms. Surely that forbidding expression would ease soon.
"It stinks."
The unexpected words fell like ice water upon the room.
The smell of the food prepared for His Royal Highness.
Not only Baroness Sophron but every servant present felt a cold chill run down their spines.
"What is wrong with His Highness's food?!"
"I apologize, Your Highness!"
Maria's sharp cry and the Baroness's hurried apology came simultaneously. One by one, the servants dropped to their knees. To Leopold, their movements seemed strangely slow, dreamlike.
He stared at them blankly, then turned his attention back to the table. Someone had swiftly removed the offending plate. The appetizing aroma had vanished—and yet an overwhelmingly sweet scent still lingered in the air.
Where is that smell coming from?
No matter how desperately he searched, the sweetness seemed to emanate from everywhere at once.
Leopold rose abruptly from his seat. To the eyes watching him like trembling aspen leaves, he spoke in a flat voice.
"...Perhaps my head aches today. I'm tired. I should retire."
"Leopold...!"
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