This princess cooked four dishes and a soup overnight (Part 2)

The First Prince had barely departed when the tent flap was pushed open once more, revealing a golden-haired, half-elf loli who peeked half her body inside.

“Are you here for a follow-up on the medicine’s effects? Then you’ve come to the wrong place,” I said, a hint of annoyance in my voice. “The Second Prince’s tent is to the right, just outside.”

“No, I’m here for you.”

“For me?”

“May I speak with you privately?”

‘What?’

Filled with a mix of suspicion and curiosity, I followed her out of the tent.

“What exactly do you want with me, Prime Minister?”

She observed me silently for a moment before she finally spoke. “Maple has advanced to the finals.”

“Yes, that’s right,” I replied, a flush of self-satisfaction spreading across my face.

Though I hadn’t yet agreed to marry him, he was, after all, my fiancé in name. I decided to accept this surge of pride for now.

“There’s a matter, Your Royal Highness, that will unfortunately require your careful attention.”

“What is it?”

“From this very moment until Prince Maple’s match tomorrow, you must absolutely ensure he does not touch any food within the palace.”

“Why?”

At first, her words struck me as utterly baffling. However, Sharabelle’s subsequent explanation sent a dreadful chill down my spine.

“Prince Maple’s performance in the arena today was exceptionally brilliant, but because he shone so brightly, he has offended certain individuals.”

I tilted my head, a thought forming. “Are you referring to the Second Prince?”

She shook her head. “Such a trivial matter wouldn’t require the Second Prince to act personally.”

“If anything were to befall Maple, wouldn’t the Second Prince be the prime suspect?”

“Indeed,” she confirmed. “Those who wish for the Second Prince’s downfall think the very same.”

A chilling realization dawned on me. “What? Are you saying someone would intentionally harm Maple just to frame the Second Prince?”

“Precisely.”

“Maple is the Prince of Britannia! He’s also—well, I don’t need to elaborate! Who would be so utterly audacious? Do they have a death wish?”

Sharabelle’s demeanor suddenly grew grave. “Your Royal Highness! Have you forgotten how your mother, the Empress, died?”

I stared at her blankly, speechless for a long moment.

‘What exactly happened to my mother? It’s a pity I’ve lost my memory and can’t recall a single thing.’

“If even an Empress who commanded respect throughout the land could meet such a fate, how much more vulnerable is the Prince of Britannia? Should something truly befall Maple, what good would it do to execute their entire clan? Could their lives ever equate to Prince Maple’s single life?”

“You have a point…”

“Not only are there those who wish to harm Prince Maple and frame the Second Prince, but many also exist who do not want to see him win the championship. They could secretly slip something into Maple’s food, causing him to suffer an upset stomach the next day. Such schemes are almost impossible to guard against.”

“You have a point…” I repeated, the grim reality sinking in deeper.

I began to conjure a terrifying scenario in my mind: scullery maids, choppers, chefs, assistants, maids, and guards—all secretly bribed by various factions—conspiring to poison Maple. It was a chaotic dance of demons, a veritable pandemonium.

The dish eventually served to Maple might have already been tainted with countless different poisons at every stage of its preparation.

“Therefore, Your Royal Highness, I must ask for your utmost discretion in this matter. Prince Maple must not know, as it could strain relations between our two kingdoms and potentially jeopardize your engagement. Oh, and those who wish to escalate conflict between the nations will also secretly attempt to poison Prince Maple…”

“Alright, alright, I understand…”

‘Just how utterly treacherous have the hearts in this imperial palace become?’

After seeing Sharabelle off, I had barely returned to my tent when Maple rubbed his stomach and said, “I’m so hungry. Let’s go get something to eat, shall we?”