[Ch. 22] Enjoying Old Company

The body no longer twitched as it lay sprawled out on the floor. A small pool of crimson liquid gradually spread out around it, coming close to Hatsuyo. I moved the hem of his clothes so that it didn't get dirty.

Hatsuyo stuttered in disbelief, "Y-You-"

The silver-haired man slammed his fist on the desk. He cursed out furiously, "Do you dare kill in our presence?! Do you want to die!?"

"Mmn." I smiled back at him, "Dying is fine. However, I am afraid that I cannot permit it to be done by your hand. It can only be done by another."

He choked on his own tongue, "Y-You!? WHAT!?"

Hatsuyo caught onto something that no one else did. He looked at me in complete bewilderment, "Who must it be done by?!"

I merely smiled at him in response.

Kuro paid my words no attention and spoke calmly, "Why did you kill that servant just now?"

I suddenly felt tired by his question and answered apathetically, "She tried to kill my young master."

Hatsuyo blinked in confusion as he pointed to himself, "She tried to kill me?"

Kuro pressed, "What evidence do you have that this is true?"

I presented my hand. The cuts that I received were now covered in a black substance. I spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, "The tea was laced in a deadly poison. It is tasteless but potent."

The silver-haired man snickered, "How could you possibly know that?! Are you conspiring with her?"

I smiled at him, "For what purpose would I have to conspire with her?"

He was rendered speechless by my remark. It was clear that no one has ever dared to speak back to him. Instead of getting angry, he looked more curious as he pondered my words. His mind began to work so hard, I could almost see the smoke rising from his ears.

He spoke aloud as he thought, "Perhaps you… You wanted to look good in front of everyone? Maybe you just wanted to get in good favor with your employer so you hired someone to attack him!"

Isn't he creative?

A faint laugh passed from my lips, "Very good deduction."

He stuck his nose in the air, "So I was right!"

I shook my head, "Unfortunately, you are wrong. That is not what happened at all. However, I am very impressed that you thought outside the box and came up with such a creative answer. I can tell your Highness will make a great ruler one day."

The Silver-haired Prince was rendered speechless at my genuine praises. He turned bright red and could only open and close his mouth as he thought of what to say. He had always been complimented and told this, but it was the first time he had heard someone say it to him genuinely.

A Scholar interrupted our conversation, "But how did you know the tea was poisoned? If you can't taste it or smell it…"

"By the color." I answered dully.

This conversation is beginning to bore me. Is this the first time they have ever experienced poisoned tea? It can't be that hard to understand.

Hatsuyo also looked lost by the conversation. He scratched his head, "...Color?"

I looked back at him and nodded. Since he was the one asking, I didn't feel like explaining was too much of a hassle. I grabbed a cloth to wipe off my hand, "Everyone else received tea that was the same color and appearance before any sugar or milk was added. However, only yours had a different shine to it. I wasn't entirely convinced it was poisoned, but I thought that the risks were too great for me to ignore. It was better to risk killing an innocent than to let his highness die."

Hatusyo furrowed his brow, "Then… Was it poisoned or not?"

I showed him my palm which was now festering from the poison. My ivory skin was turning black as the poison spread. I spoke calmly, "It was."

Kuro smiled at me, "How interesting."

Hatsuyo jumped to his feet in a panic, "Your hand is injured again!? Give it here!"

I allowed him to grab my hand and heal it without another thought. He stared at my ghastly-looking palm with a grave expression. I studied his face closely and noticed that it wasn't as pale as it had been when I cut my palm earlier.

Perhaps I just need to keep getting injured for him to get over his fear of blood.

Suddenly, the doors were thrown open, nearly breaking off from the force. A gruff voice cut through the air, "You!"

I turned to see Raylon glaring at me with obvious hatred. I chuckled dryly, "Ah, if it isn't the Grand Hero, Raylon. It is so nice to see you again."

His expression only grew more furious, "I said if you showed yourself in front of me again, I would take your life!"

I held out my arms calmly, "I'm not moving."

Raylon pulled out his blade and paced towards me with an evil glint in his eyes. I didn't move as I smiled in anticipation. I watched him carefully as if trying to memorize each step he took. My eyes stuck to his blade that hadn't changed after all these years…

The only difference was that it no longer had that white jade pendant attached to it.

Kuro noticed his killing intent and shouted, "Raylon! Calm yourself! This is not the place for a fight!"

He spat back, "Shut up! Stay out of this or else I will kill you too!"

Kuro's face paled in shock. He knew Raylon well enough to know that he had meant it. Raylon stomped forward, his sharp deadly eyes never once leaving mine. I smiled back at him without guarding myself. He raised his blade to cut me down...

….But before he could swing it down, a body jumped in front of me.

My eyes widened as Hatsuyo shrieked in panic, "DON'T KILL MY FRIEND!"

Raylon froze, still holding the sword above his head. His expression was still murderous, "You… What did you say!?!"

Hatsuyo was shaking terribly, but he forced himself to speak, "M-Mo is my friend… Please d-don't kill him…"

Raylon's cold venomous eyes turned to me, "...Mo?"

I stepped out from around Hatsuyo and cupped my hands together. I bowed deeply and spoke in a clear voice. "Greetings, Hero Raylon. This lowly one's name is Mo Zao."

Raylon sneered, "What a stupid name."

I continued to grin at him. Kuro noticed the tense atmosphere and motioned to the empty table, "Sit. Please. We were just updating each other on the continent's current situation."

Raylon's eyes moved from Hatsuyo, then back to me. The weapon disappeared from his hands as he placed the hilt back on his waist. He plopped down in his seat, causing a loud bang to echo off the wall. He crossed his arms as he scowled at me. I smiled back at him, not even afraid or insulted by his disposition.

A new servant rushed out and went to pour him tea, but he growled at them, "Bring me bourbon."

The servant flinched at his command. Kuro sighed, "Raylon…"

Raylon interrupted without taking his eyes off of me, "Bring out enough for everyone. We should all drink. After all, it's not often we are all together in one room. Shouldn't we celebrate our good health?"

Everyone in the room suddenly turned blue. They didn't want to drink, but who could say no to Raylon? Thus, the servant complied. As the servant was bringing out drinks, Raylon stared at me without even blinking. Hatsuyo was sweating, but I didn't care enough to be frightened.

For some reason, my chest felt lighter with those sharp eyes on me.

It almost felt exciting.

His eyes narrowed, "There were three of you. Where's the third companion?"

My grin didn't falter, "My friend is rather shy. She can not stand being around people for too long."

He let out a sarcastic hum, "Hm."

It was clear he didn't trust me.

The servant put down another glass and was about to escape until Raylon stopped her. His cold voice echoed throughout the room, "Don't forget to give one to that shameless, girly man."

It was clear he was talking about me.

The servant complied and poured my drink as I stared back at Raylon. My smile faltered slightly, "That is unnecessary."

He sneered, "I am showing my good intentions by offering you a drink. You won't even accept it? Isn't that rude?"

I didn't back down, "I cannot drink on duty."

Of course, that wasn't the complete truth. If I had a glass of bourbon, I was afraid I would black out again. This body wasn't suitable for drinking yet. The last thing I need is to collapse in front of everyone.

I may not be afraid of death, but I despise embarrassing myself in such a way.

Even I have a face I'd like to protect, albeit a lifeless one.

His tone was harsher than before as he motioned to the drink, "Drink before I get mad and slaughter your little master."

Hatsuyo flinched and started to shake. He thought Raylon was serious.

But I knew he was just bluffing.

From the stories I've heard, he only seems to care about Hatsuyo and Michiya. He may be a murderous and crazy man, but he still maintained some sense of rationality.

Hatusyo looked up at me with pleading eyes, "Mo…"

I met his eyes back and paused. Kuro let out a sigh, "Just drink already. We cannot delay our meeting much longer."

I frowned for a moment, but quickly changed it back to a smile. I grabbed the glass from the servant, "Then it is an honor to receive a drink with such good company."

Raylon chuckled which sounded more like a deadly growl than a laugh. He raised the glass while his eyes practically stabbed into me, "Drink up."

I frowned once more as I raised the cup to my lips. I drank from the cup, relishing in the sensation… However, I soon felt the burning feeling surge back up my throat. I leaned over and hurled immediately.

I gagged, trying to catch my breath.

Really… What's happened to me?

Raylon scoffed and down the glass in one gulp. He sat it back down on the table with his arms crossed. He muttered under his breath, "It's not even as strong as Dragonshine."