Chapter 48: I’m Here to Catch Someone

“I’m so sorry!”
The attendant frantically cleaned up the spilled tea on the grass, only to notice it had stained Althea’s dress, impossible to wipe off.

“Your necklace?”
Althea was about to tease the clumsy attendant when she noticed her silver necklace had turned black. Instantly alert, she scanned the gathered kings.

Something was wrong with the tea.
“What’s going on?” Althea held up the necklace for all to see. “Is there something dirty in the tea?”

At her words, the kings, some with cups already at their lips, froze, spilling their tea on the ground and turning to Valencia’s king.
Bodyguards stepped forward, using appraisal magic to confirm the tea was laced with poison—lethal within minutes.

“This…”
The middle-aged king faltered. He had no intent to poison anyone; his goal was merely to invite collaboration.

This situation made it clear someone was framing Valencia to make it a target.
“Lords, I have no reason to poison you. That would make enemies of the entire continent—hardly beneficial for Valencia.”

But with evidence in hand, the other kings weren’t convinced by his words. “Then explain who would frame you at an event like this, poisoning everyone’s tea? Doesn’t that point to the source?”

He knew explanations were futile. The poisoner’s goal was likely to kill everyone—or, failing that, pin the blame on him.
This incident would likely cost him dearly.

“Since it’s come to this, please hear me out.” He raised his cup. “This may be a calculated plot to sow discord among us. I can’t yet identify the culprit, but I wish to show my sincerity.”

With that, he downed the tea to prove his innocence.
Moments later, he clutched his chest, spitting black blood. Guards rushed to induce vomiting and provide treatment.

“Well… do you… believe me now?”
His voice grew hoarse and weak, his pupils dilating.

“I’ll… clear this misunderstanding… find the culprit…”
He collapsed, unconscious, and was surrounded by physicians who carried him back to the palace.

The remaining kings exchanged glances, silent.
His resolve and earnest gaze didn’t seem like a lie. With him in such a state, pursuing blame felt pointless.

“So, are you all staying to wait for his ‘results’?” The beastman king spoke first, already uninterested in the tea party and now nearly poisoned, visibly annoyed.
“The auction’s in two days. Might as well wait. We need to see those goods, cooperation or not. If we catch the culprit before it starts, that’s extra entertainment.”

“I agree. He doesn’t seem the type to do this. Some group’s likely framing him.” A king close to Valencia’s ruler vouched for him.
The kings debated, but Althea’s mind was elsewhere.

Was that attendant who spilled tea on her genuinely clumsy, or was it a deliberate hint?
“Lords, I have matters to attend to. I’ll see you in two days.”

Althea rose, bidding farewell, and began searching for the attendant.
She’d seen her slip toward the hall during the chaos—fleeing now meant she knew something.

But when Althea finally found her, the attendant’s reaction wasn’t what she expected.
“M-My lady, what do you need me for?”

The attendant was timid, a stark contrast to the one who’d spilled tea.
“You splashed tea on me. Forgot already?”

Althea was sure she had the right person. It had only been minutes—how could she change so much?
“D-Did I? M-Maybe I was half-asleep? I don’t recall being at the tea party. My name’s not on the attendant list.”

“What?” Althea was baffled. The attendant had been alert earlier, not sleepwalking.
Then, she glimpsed a discarded uniform in the corner, identical to the attendants’.

Why was it on the ground?
“Could it be?”

Recalling the familiar feeling, Althea considered a possibility.

…

Outside the palace, Tina left the chaotic scene with ease, heading to a potion shop.
Mission accomplished, fame concealed—she’d snuck into the palace with a small trick and uncovered a conspiracy.

“Mental control magic is just too handy.”
In truth—

Tina had only meant to observe from afar. But when the attendants served tea, a faint smell hit her nose, raising her instincts.
Checking it, she found poison in the tea.

She couldn’t warn Althea directly, so she controlled an attendant to spill tea on her, trusting Althea’s sharp senses to notice.
Spilling tea on Althea’s gown, Tina feared exposure, but Althea was too focused on exposing the truth, giving her a chance to escape.

Staying longer risked being caught once the dust settled.
Good thing she fled fast, or explaining would’ve been tricky.

“Boss, a few more bottles of transformation potion.”
Tina hummed, holding the vials to pay.

She was in a great mood—stocking up now meant no more trips later.
“Oh? Miss, they work well? Maybe I’ll grab some too.”

A familiar voice came from behind.
“Yep, super effective. One dose lasts five days—nobody’ll notice.” Tina answered without turning.

“Sounds impressive.”
The voice grew closer. “So… what do you look like before transforming, miss?”

A chill of dread hit Tina. She turned to see an all-too-familiar face smiling at her.
No… no way.

It’s really Althea!
How was she here?!