The Talentless Wicked Prince Wants To Survive ~ The Only Way For Me, Reincarnated As The Punching Bag Third Prince In A Romance Smartphone RPG, To Live Is To Not Break Off My Engagement With The Duke’s Yandere Daughter Who’s Stronger Than The Heroine~ - Chapter 87: I Quickly Crushed the Mastermind’s Move

“To the continued prosperity of our Capetien Kingdom and the Kingdom of Dehaubarz, let us celebrate grandly the visit of His Highness Harold, who has come from afar!”

With King Salomon’s greeting, the banquet finally began.

Fortunately, our seats were right beside the king’s, close enough to act immediately if anything were to happen.

And besides…

“Prince Harold, please.”

“Thank you.”

Among the royal servants attending the guests, Monica had slipped in, serving as one of them.

I had already told her of the danger that King Salomon might be assassinated tonight, and asked her to keep a close eye on the food and any suspicious people.

“Prince Harold, Alexandra, this here is a specialty of the Capetien Kingdom, and one of my personal favorites!”

“Ahaha…”

Every time a dish was brought out, Lisette spoke up before the servants could, explaining it to us herself.

Usually she put on airs as a “villainess”, but seeing her so eager, bustling about and smiling brightly, everyone around us could only stare in disbelief.

That said, none of the royal family, starting with King Salomon himself, showed any interest in her.

…Well, Princess Elyne, Lisette’s younger sister, wasn’t present here tonight, so it wasn’t all of them, at least.

“Thank you very much, Princess Lisette. Thanks to your explanations, this banquet has become much more enjoyable.”

“R-really? W-well, you know, among the young ladies here, only you, Alexandra, get to hear my commentary.”

Sandra seemed to have picked up on the situation as well, and kept the conversation going, engaging Lisette warmly.

Clearly angered by how the royals ignored her, she squeezed my hand under the table.

She really was the best fiancée anyone could ask for, perceptive, considerate, and kind.

When I’d realized I’d been reborn as Harold, I’d honestly despaired, but meeting her made me truly grateful for this life.

And so, the banquet proceeded smoothly. The orchestra’s music filled the garden, and then the main course was brought in, a dish identical to the one in that event illustration, where King Salomon collapsed in agony over the table.

“Monica.”

“Leave it to me.”

At my quiet signal, Monica quickly moved toward the servant preparing the food.

“For His Highness Harold and Lady Alexandra, I shall handle the serving myself.”

“Eh…?”

The moment she said that, the servant froze.

Gotcha.

As expected, that bastard Jean really did poison it.

“Did you not hear me? I said I will be serving them.”

“Ah, um…”

The confused servant glanced toward Jean, looking for guidance.

Idiot. Doing that only confirmed that he was involved.

“You there… You may be His Highness Harold’s maid, but this is the Capetien Kingdom. Don’t overstep your place.”

“I’m afraid I must. Protecting the precious Prince Harold is my sworn duty… However, if someone present here would care to taste it before my eyes, I shall gladly step back.”

Jean shot her a sharp glare, trying to pressure her into retreating, but Monica didn’t flinch an inch.

Good, everything was going just as I expected.

I’d already given Monica three instructions beforehand.

First, of course, was to keep watch for anything suspicious during this banquet, whether a strange individual or any sign of poison in the dishes. Based on the EnHaza event, the chances of any deviation was low, but since everything was already off-script, we couldn’t take any risks.

Secondly, upon the appearance of the main dish, the whole and nearly one-meter-long boiled fish seen in the event illustration, Monica would insist on serving our portions herself.

That dish was the one most likely to be poisoned, and by speaking up, we’d provoke some sort of reaction.

And sure enough, Jean took the bait.

And the third instruction was…

“Since you seem to understand, then you there, please taste the part near the fish’s belly. Yes, right there.”

“Wh-what? N-no, I… I can’t…”

Staring fixedly at the section Monica indicated, the servant broke out in a cold sweat.

Exactly. That was the very spot where the poison had been hidden in EnHaza.

If the entire fish had been poisoned, Jean himself would end up eating it too, not just us. Therefore, the poison must have been limited to the portion meant for King Salomon.

Of course, it was possible the poison would be added after the serving, but if that happened, Monica would spot it immediately, so that wasn’t an issue.

“What’s the matter? If you don’t hurry, this delicacy will get cold.”

“Ugh…”

Monica smiled faintly in the dim light.

The servant’s face turned pale, his whole body trembling violently.

“Hmph… I can’t stand to watch this.”

“Your Majesty Salomon…?”

“Captain of the Knights. Feed it to him, by force if you must.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Aahhhh!? P-please, spare me!!”

At the king’s command, the knight captain who had been standing guard seized the servant by the collar and tried to force his mouth toward the portion indicated.

The servant, face twisted in terror, cried out for help in desperation.

Naturally, toward none other than the crown prince, Jean.