Chapter 183.2
After finishing such work, I returned to the Zeavert residence after making a detour. It was not the worst, but I couldnt help but sigh as I set aside my jacket. Lily watched me with a worried expression, but I was too distracted to notice. Just as I was thinking about what to start with, Lily asked.
Well, Welner-sama, did you like the red flowers I put up in your office?
Yes, and sorry for the bother as always. Oh, and tomorrow, I want you to get me a blue handkerchief.
Yes, of course.
I had no idea where Clara would be listening, so I used this kind of code, as we had agreed. As expected, Clara expressed her desire to help. And by handkerchief, I meant that I would be in my office until midnight. Clara would be the one to bring me after-dinner tea.
By the way, Lily sometimes decorated the vase in my office with flowers. Fresh flowers might be expensive, but she had her mothers permission.
Flowers in this world were different from those in my previous life, and they lacked a sense of season. In other words, flowers bloomed in almost all seasons. As expected of a fantasy world. Or was it more like in a game, where all the flowers were always in bloom?
After dinner, while I was discussing a new product with Frenssen in my office, Clara, who was dressed like an apprentice maid, brought me a cup of tea as expected. According to her, she was just bringing the tea that Lily had brewed for her. Did she want to emphasize that it was Lily who brewed the tea?
I was hinting at Clara that it was unnecessary for her to go out of her way to do this, but she didnt seem to notice, so I left it as is and didnt say anything. Well, thats also convenient for me.
From this point on, Clara started showing me movements that someone in the mansion must have taught her during the daytime. First, she put the tray with the tea set on a small table near the entrance and offered Frenssen a cup of tea, which he drank and nodded before preparing my share.
I moved to sit in front of the table, Clara prepared tea with her back pointed at me, hiding her preparations. While she was doing so, I looked at Frenssen and sent a signal. Frenssen then looked at Claras reflection in the window, revealing what she was doing. When we both confirmed that she did use the package she was hiding, we couldnt help but want to laugh, since she was so focused on what she was doing that she didnt notice our interaction.
Just to be safe, I took the antidote while I had the chance. Unlike in games, it was effective to drink the antidote first as long as I didnt wait too long. This point was very close to the real world.
When I looked at Frenssen, he nodded, took the book with the red spine, stood up, and moved it to the shelf behind him. This was a signal. I knew she would put that thing in the tea.
Um, sorry to keep you waiting
You dont have to be so nervous.
I knew that she wasnt a professional in assassination or anything like that. The reason why I smiled and called out to her was not an act. I was concerned that she might suspect us to be doing something, but it seemed like she was too nervous to think about it, that made me want to chuckle at how focused she was.
I took a sip and realized that it was pretty strong, but I persevered and drank the whole cup. I tried to keep a poker face, but it was impossible. Being aware of what she had done, I couldnt help but notice her expression changing to fear when I made a contorted look.
Clara, Im sorry, but go get Norbert.
Ye, yes.
Clara saw the look on my face and almost ran out of the room. I was still holding back to some extent, but finally I couldnt help but choke. Ugh, that was tough. I unintentionally complained to Frenssen.
I dont care if its sugar, I dont want to drink tea with a lot of salt ever again.
(T/N: Poison in that hidden packet was replaced with salt.)
Im sure you wouldnt.
With a wry smile on his face, Frenssen offered me the tea he was drinking, which I gratefully accepted. Ah, it was soothing.
As poison was originally tasteless, I had to drink the salty tea with patience and without changing my expression, but it tasted so bad. It was like I was being punished a little.
I was not lying when I said that I wished I had kept the antidote for a palate cleanser just in case. I let out a sigh of relief at the normal tea.
I couldnt help but comment, Maybe they should have just replaced poison with flour instead of salt.
Thats what Im thinking right now as well.
Well, then, do as youre supposed to do and take care of the rest, will you?
Yes, sir.
Sir Welner should become sick by now, as planned.
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