I Was Told to Drink Poison, So I Drank It - 60 - A Promise from Fourteen Years Ago

Noah decided to form an alliance with the Arcana Empire.

They exchanged a contract promising not to attack each other, and officially handed over the remains that rested in Utis to the Arcana Empire.

To avoid causing chaos in both countries, they kept it a secret that the remains were of a vampire.

And I—

“A goodwill ambassador?”

Noah called me, and I was alone in the audience chamber.

He must be very busy.

On the throne, there was a huge pile of papers.

Even while talking to me, Noah kept his eyes on the document in his hand.

He had so much to do.

Victoire had been drained by the previous kings.

To heal this country, it would take a lot of time and effort.

When I asked him again, thinking I misheard, Noah put the document on the desk and looked up.

“…You said that Queen Chalize is dead. That the Chalize born into the Zenefelder family is no longer here.”

“…Yes.”

“But as long as you are still you, I believe you’ll still want to help Victoire. That’s why, Chalize. I want to give you a job.”

“That is…”

I was confused, and Noah smiled as he spoke.

His face looked more tired than it did when he was a prince, but it was also much brighter than back then.

“I want you to go to the Arcana Empire as Victoire’s goodwill ambassador. Since we’re forming an alliance with Arcana, we agreed to send ambassadors to each other. It seems they’re sending a princess.”

“Such a big role… Is it really okay for me?”

“You used to be a queen. Your birth and lineage have no problems. And the Arcana Empire is, let’s say, a non-human country. An ordinary human couldn’t handle it… But you have someone you can rely on.”

When I heard Noah’s words, I understood what he meant.

He meant Tino.

I lowered my eyelashes and stayed silent for a moment.

Then I lifted the hem of my dress and gave a lady’s curtsey.

“…Thank you. I gladly accept your words, Your Majesty.”

Noah said I was the right person to be the goodwill ambassador, but— I felt there was kindness in his words.

I think he said that out of care for me.

Sending goodwill ambassadors to each other’s countries—

That decision was likely made with political reasons as a king, but I believe he also considered my situation.

So, I was thankful.

For Noah’s kindness and thoughtfulness.

(Thank you, Noah.)

That’s why I wished for it.

His happiness, and peace.

☆

And so, I was chosen to be the goodwill ambassador to the Arcana Empire.

I didn’t change my name.

In Victoire, the name ‘Chalize’ is common.

Chalize—comes from “Champs-Élysées.”

A name of the paradise garden that appears in mythology.

That’s where my name comes from.

Since many people have the same name, I judged that there wouldn’t be a problem even without using a fake name.

When I told Tino I was going to the Arcana Empire, he already knew about it.

He took my hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.

Even though I knew it was a greeting used by nobles, it still made me feel nervous.

“…Will you come?”

Tino asked quietly.

I smiled and answered.

“Yes. …We made a promise, didn’t we?”

‘Tino is lonely and a crybaby. So I’ll become your bride!’

Fourteen years ago, in that flower field.

In front of the viola flowers, I made a vow to you.

(…Hey, Tino)

I wonder if you know.

The flower language of the viola includes:

‘Happy memories,’ ‘Small happiness,’ ‘Trust,’ ‘Sincerity.’

And besides those—

(‘A girl’s love’ …that’s also one of them.)

In that flower field, I think I felt a soft first love for him.

That’s why I said those words.

If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have said anything about marriage.

I pulled Tino’s hand, the one he kissed, back toward me.

And then, I also placed a kiss on the back of his cool hand.

“You’re lonely and a crybaby. So I’ll become your bride… I said that, didn’t I?”

After saying that, I felt like I was pushing something onto him.

Embarrassment came rushing in, and I tried to hide it by saying, “Did you forget?”

……But there was no reply.

I started to feel concerned and looked up—

His pale skin had turned completely red.

Not just his face, but also his ears and neck were flushed.

Tino’s sky-blue eyes were wide open, and he gasped as if at a loss for words.

He was blushing so deeply that I was surprised too, and when I looked at him, Tino quickly turned his gaze away.

He covered his mouth with his hand and answered.

“…Yeah.”

Then, Tino began mumbling something.

It was hard to hear, but I somehow understood it.

“You awakened to the power of a saint. So I thought it would be better if we stayed apart. But even so, I couldn’t forget you…”

A single tear fell from his eye.

Fourteen years had passed, and Tino had grown into someone with noble grace and behavior.

At least Noah and Louis probably would never guess that Tino was once a shy and lonely boy.

Or that he could cry such beautiful tears.

I stood on my toes and wiped Tino’s cheek.

He smiled awkwardly.

“Sorry, Chalize.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I… I couldn’t give up on you. I kept searching for your presence, always. I thought I should forget. My brother and father also told me to move on. But… when I heard you were going to be executed, I thought…”

Tino stopped speaking for a moment, then slowly said:

“Then I’ll take you for myself.”

“Tino…”

“I’ll steal you away from Victoire.”

He said that quietly.

With a troubled look, his eyebrows drooping.

And yet, in his eyes, there was a calm fire.

When I saw that, I felt the tension leave my body.

I gave a small, tired smile and said to Tino:

“…Really, why do you always think like that?”

It was like we were repeating a conversation from the past.

Back then, he also regretted being born after taking his mother’s life.

He’s a complicated person, I thought.

But at the same time, I felt love for him.

Because that proves how deeply he cares for me.

“Can’t you think of it like this instead? That you’re the one taking me away.”

Tino blinked at my words.

And I smiled.

“Queen Chalize is dead. The one standing here now is just Chalize.”

Queen Chalize stayed with Victoire until the end.

But the me standing here now—

“Take me to the Arcana Empire. And then—show me the viola flower field that your mother loved.”

I drank the poison because I was told to.

At that moment, Queen Chalize died.

The only one left was just Chalize.

What I, as just Chalize, wish for are the things that Chalize Zenefelder lost.

Like hope, or the heart that believes in a bright future.

When I was young, I could believe in the future without any reason.

If I could go back to that time—

I would wish for a future with you.

[I Was Told To Drink Poison, So I Did. – The End]