This Time, I Am A Mob's Potions Teacher Who Has Become Engaged To The Mastermind Of The Otome Game - 7

Time passed quickly, and before I knew it, the weekend had arrived.

The morning greeted us with beautifully clear, cheerful weather—but my heart couldn’t match it.

“Haaaahhh…”

“Oi, girl. Your sighs are loud and annoying.”

“How could I not sigh when I’m about to meet my future mother-in-law?!”

This is the same woman who made Noël suffer since childhood—and completely ignored me when I went to greet her. There’s no way I could be feeling cheerful about meeting her again.

In my previous life, I never got to the marriage route, so I have no clue how to handle this… I guess I’ll just have to fall back on the skills I honed battling monster parents.

“My lady, if I may say so—I have the distinct feeling you’re thinking something unwholesome. Please remember: a mother-in-law is not your enemy, but a new member of your family. You must not go into this as if it were a battle.”

The one giving me that warning was Sophie, the maid who had come from my family home to help me get ready.

I opened my mouth to argue—only for her to yank the corset tight, cutting off my words completely.

She’s been looking after me since I was little—almost like an older sister. Though now that she’s a mother of two, she sometimes feels more like an actual mom.

She’s… well, formidable is the word that comes to mind.

“I know your feelings for Lord Fabius are sincere, my lady. But please, do refrain from saying anything that might make his parents see you as an enemy.”

“I know, I know.”

From Sophie’s perspective, I probably still seem like a child.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, and already she’s hit me with a full barrage of lectures.

When I pouted, Sophie pulled me into a firm hug.

“But even so, I love you, my lady—the kind of person who can’t ignore someone in need. Please, take care of yourself.”

“Thank you. I’m off, then.”

I was really glad to see her again after so long.

She always knows just how to encourage me when I need it most.

Bracing myself, I opened the entrance door to the faculty dorm—and found Noël already waiting for me.

“Good morning, Noël. Thanks for coming to pick me up.”

“…Yeah.”

Noël stared at me intently.

“Do I have something on my face?”

“No, nothing.”

“Is it… weird or something?”

Today was special, so Sophie had styled my hair differently—letting it down in a more elegant arrangement.

Maybe I really should’ve stuck with my default look…

“No, it suits you. Really.”

That’s just because Noël has good manners. He was raised well, so of course he’s just being polite. Which means—it must look weird.

“I’m going back to have it fixed into my usual style!”

Just as I turned around, thinking I couldn’t possibly meet my future mother-in-law looking strange, I caught sight of Sophie through the window. She was glaring at me with a terrifying expression and mouthing, “Just go already.”

“Eep—!”

“As expected of Leticia’s maid. The count really did assign someone capable of handling you.”

Noël nodded to himself, clearly impressed.

Handling me? What is that supposed to mean? Do you think I’m some kind of wild beast?

“Come on, let’s go.”

I was all set to give him a snappy comeback, but before I could say a word, he smoothly escorted me to the carriage like he’d done it a hundred times—and I completely missed my chance.

◇

“Leticia, welcome to the Fabius household.”

“Thank you very much for having me today, Mother.”

The Marquise, Noël’s foster mother, had her golden hair elegantly styled and looked every bit the picture-perfect noble lady.

She was stunning, without a doubt—but her features held a certain chill that made her difficult to read. Even now, though she smiled at me, I couldn’t help feeling nervous inside.

“There’s so much I want to talk to you about today. I’m truly glad you came.”

So much she wants to talk about, huh. I wonder what kind of things…

Sophie told me not to treat her like an enemy, but still, I couldn’t help being on guard—it all felt a little too suspicious.

I mean, last time we met, she completely ignored me. And now, all of a sudden, she’s being warm and welcoming?

“Come, this way.”

The place Mother-in-law guided me to was the garden.

It was immaculately maintained, with vibrant, beautiful flowers blooming in full glory.

She led me to a delicately carved white table set that looked like it had stepped right out of a fairy tale.

“Oh, what lovely tea ware.”

“Thank you. I chose it myself.”

Okay—step one, compliment and cheer her on. Gotta raise that favorability score and establish smooth communication.

When I glanced over at Noël, he seemed content to let me take the lead here, sipping his tea gracefully.

I followed suit and picked up my teacup.

“What a wonderful ar…o…ma…”

As I brought the cup to my nose, the scent hit me so hard I nearly dropped it.

“Oh my, Leticia—what’s the matter?”

“I-It just smelled so lovely I was caught off guard, that’s all.”

That was the best response I could manage.

Because what I smelled just now made my heart pound with shock.

This sweet scent—I’ve only encountered it once before, at a joint academic meeting on magical pharmacology. If my memory serves me right, it’s the scent of venenum, a toxic flower.

No… no way, right?

Why would that be in the tea?

“Please, go ahead and enjoy.”

When I looked up, Mother-in-law was watching my every move.

Should I pretend to take a sip, at least?

Just as I was thinking what to do, Noël reached out and grabbed my hand, stopping me.

“Leticia, you’d better not. You don’t like sweet tea, remember?”

“Y-Yes…”

He must’ve noticed the poison too—he took the teacup right from my hand. He’d looked completely calm drinking his earlier, but if it had the same scent, then his cup must’ve had poison in it too.

“Oh, what a shame. His Majesty the King sent that tea as a gift for today’s gathering, you know.”

Damn it.

So it was that guy’s doing after all.

“N-Noël, you don’t like sweet tea either, right? Here, have some water to cleanse your palate.”

If he had already drunk it, he needed to flush it out.

I called for a servant to bring water.

When I handed Noël a glass, his hand trembled so much he dropped it.

With a crash, the glass shattered on the ground.

“Noël! Noël, please—drink lots of water, quickly!”

His complexion had turned pale, and his breathing was growing ragged.

Oh no. I could tell the poison was starting to take hold.

But even when a fresh glass of water was brought, Noël wouldn’t drink.

He just let out a heavy sigh, clearly in pain, and glared at his mother.

“Mother… you served this tea knowing it was poisoned, didn’t you? I knew something was off—you never even took a sip yourself.”

“I had no idea,” she replied, her tone flat.

Even though they weren’t related by bl00d, to stay this calm while her own son writhed in pain from poison—her voice was cold, devoid of emotion.

“Why would you target her?!”

Noël suddenly rose to his feet and slammed his hand down on the table.

It was a rare show of fury from him—his face burning with emotion as he glared at his mother.

“Noël, please calm down!”

“How can I?! Leticia could have died!”

As if summoned by his rage, dark storm clouds began gathering overhead.

I have to stop Noël—before something worse happens.

Driven by sheer determination—and, to be honest, with my mind completely occupied by the fact that Noël had been poisoned—I ended up charging straight at him.

“Take this!”

“L-Leticia?!”

I had more momentum than I expected, and Noël ended up falling backward onto his butt, catching me in his arms as he did.

That had to hurt… Sorry.

“Ugh…”

Noël groaned in pain, but still reached up with one hand to gently pat my head, as if to reassure me.

“Noël, I’m sorry…”

“I can’t believe you… Tackling a poisoned man? Really?”

His muttered complaint drifted up to me, and when I looked at his face, he had his brows drawn together in a half-exasperated, half-amused smile.

The tea party was canceled after that, and I ended up staying by Noël’s side to nurse him back to health.