How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 109.1
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“I never imagined that the batatas had such characteristics. Come to think of it, even when using it as pig feed, I have never seen them eat the leaf side.”
Tristan spoke as he poked a piece of potato with his fork. Following the recipe I had taught him, it was ‘Hezekia Fries’ which the chef had prepared with his utmost dedication, which is to say, otherwise known as french fries… no, it was the Hezekia version of french fries.
Munching on the french fry that Tristan had slipped into my mouth, I swallowed it down and nodded my head.
It was obvious that stories about demons and divine blessings were made up, and it was simply an excuse that utilized the peasants’ general perception of crops. Still, for something thrown together hastily, wasn’t it a pretty good smoke screen?
“Normally, people would think that the part buried in the ground is the root, but for pot… batatas, that side is the food. However, the parts of the batatas that have sprouted or turned green contain toxicity. No matter how much I instructed them not to eat it, I was already deeply worried because I thought they would normally try to eat the leaves anyway.”
“Was it because of that toxicity that stories went around about people seeing demons or the Grand Consort flying through the sky on a broom?”
“The representative side effect brought about by toxic substances is hallucinations.”
To be precise, it caused anomalies in the nervous system, making them see hallucinations. When I first realized that the batatas was the exact same crop as the potato from the world I used to live in, this was also the point I concerned myself with the most.
Even so, I had not anticipated that things would turn out where even I, the Grand Consort, would be framed as a demon and pushed right to the brink of the execution pyre.
“Those who claimed they saw a witch were probably all sincere. However… the person who linked that hallucination to me must have had an impure intention.”
It might be different for the servants who frequently entered and left the Grand Ducal Castle, but the general estate residents were unfamiliar with the Grand Consort. Since they didn’t know my face anyway, when someone claimed that the evil spirit in the hallucinations they each saw was the Grand Consort, they must have been soaked in anxiety and terror and followed right along.
Tristan furrowed his brows and set down his fork with a sharp clack. The incident had come to a temporary close, but now that the existence of the spies had been revealed, he did not seem at ease.
“The culprit who fed Constantine mushak for a long time must have been the wet nurse as well.”
“The wet nurse died in prison without confessing until the very end, but… it is likely correct. Since she was the person who could approach Prince Constantine most easily.”
“She was someone from a family that had taken root and lived in Hezekia for a long time, so I trusted and left him to her, yet…”
The source of the trouble this time was revealed to be Constantine’s wet nurse and her family. The entire family had already been bribed by Everett a long time ago. The way she had been particularly sharp during Prince Constantine’s mushak poisoning incident had been suspicious all along. Since it was difficult to find evidence, we had left her alone until now.
The person said to be the wet nurse’s son was the very first to point to me as a demon, and the spies who had infiltrated various parts of Hezekia amplified the rumors.
This was the result of harshly interrogating the wet nurse’s son and the one spy who survived after failing to commit suicide. However, it would not be easy to incriminate Everett with just this much. Even if we brought forward witnesses, Everett would simply claim that they were people bribed by our side.
Letting out a light breath, I patted the back of Tristan’s hand.
“We have weeded out the spies who were lurking in Hezekia, so we have achieved a result beyond expectations from that alone. Now, even if Prince Constantine and I stay at the Grand Ducal Castle, it will not be as dangerous as before.”
It was also time to stop taking a young child along on dangerous voyages. Since the trade had also established its place to some extent, I was planning to take this opportunity to stay at the Grand Ducal Castle and properly look after Hezekia.
At that, Tristan nodded with a calm face and agreed.
“Your words are correct. Originally, I intended to set sail again after winter, but… since things have turned out like this, I do not wish to make you suffer any further. From now on, let us spend our time together in Hezekia.”
“Yes… Pardon? Yo- Your Excellency is staying as well?”
“You are speaking of something obvious. When the Grand Consort remains in the castle, where would I go?”
“Th- That… Then what about the fleet? Haven’t you always led it yourself, Your Excellency?”
“That was the story back when we operated as a mercenary fleet. Now that the trading business has established its place, there is no need for me to step forward anymore. Did you not also decide a long time ago to have Mildred lead the fleet?”
That was only because you went missing back then…
However, no matter how much I pressed him, Tristan showed no intention of budging from the Grand Ducal Castle. I did not know why the Grand Duke of Hezekia, who was the very definition of diligence and responsibility, was suddenly declaring a halt to his business trips.
At any rate, the person in charge was saying he would now retire and enjoy a leisurely life, so what could I say? There were many matters put off while going on voyages all this time, so it wouldn’t be particularly relaxed, but even so, the fact that I could continue to spend my days together with Tristan was a thrilling thing for me as well.
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