Daisuke casually popped a grape into his mouth, his eyes briefly scanning the maids who beamed at him like a gaggle of adoring fans. It wasn't lost on him how unusual it was for someone of noble blood to go out of their way to introduce their servants. Yet, it spoke volumes about the turmoil brewing not just within the royal court but within Lumielle's own heart. It was understandable then that she would seek comfort in fostering a connection with those who shared her personal space.
With as much grace as he could muster, Daisuke sliced into a sausage, the clink of his knife and fork breaking the silence. Just as he lifted the piece to his mouth, he paused, catching the unease etched across Lumielle's face. Her jade-green eyes were fixated on the food, quivering nervously as her lips pressed into a tight, uneasy line.
That's fair, Daisuke thought inwardly.
Given the current state of affairs, particularly the campaign between the siblings to succeed the throne, it was no wonder Lumielle appeared uneasy. Sure, she had put a lot of effort into building a strong rapport with her staff, but a carefully tailored threat by an outside source could easily tip the scales. After all, even the most devoted could be tempted or coerced if their family's safety or future hung in the balance.
"Arabelle," Daisuke said firmly, his tone sharp enough to draw surprised glances from both Lumielle and Lyndoria. "I want you to summon the entire staff here immediately. Every single one of them."
The girl blinked in surprise, her voice almost hesitant. "A-All of them?"
"That's correct," Daisuke replied smoothly, his calm demeanor underscored by unwavering authority.
Arabelle glanced at the princess for confirmation, and Lumielle gave a subtle nod. Within minutes, fewer than a dozen people gathered in the dining room, standing across from the large table where Daisuke and the princess were seated. Some shifted uneasily, their worries evident, and Daisuke's piercing, unyielding gaze only heightened their discomfort.
"There's no need to be nervous," he reassured calmly, his hands propped on the table, fingers interlocked. "I'm going to ask a simple question. The order in which you respond is irrelevant; all I require is that you maintain eye contact while you answer." His gaze sharpened. "Is that understood?"
Everyone exchanged confused glances, some sneaking looks at the princess, hoping for some hint of clarity. But in the end, they all gave reluctant nods, falling into line without a word.
Haxks Starfrost, Lyndoria frowned in annoyance. Just what exactly is that buffoon trying to accomplish?
Daisuke's golden eyes burned with intensity as his lips parted. "Does Princess Lumielle have your absolute loyalty?"
The staff were befuddled by the strange question, but instinctively, they understood that any hesitation would only raise suspicion. Without missing a beat, they answered, their eyes fixed on the source of the bewildering exchange.
DING!
[The Eye of Verity peeks beyond the veil. All recipients speak the truth.]
"Perfect. That will be all," Daisuke announced with cool authority. "Thank you for your cooperation and patience. From this point forward, each morning before you begin your duties, I expect everyone to report to me as a group to perform this same exercise. In return…" Daisuke gestured, summoning a platter with a sizzling, perfectly cooked cut of monstron. "After each session, I'll treat you to a rare foreign delicacy you've never had the pleasure of sampling before."
Every eye in the room widened in sheer astonishment—not just at a mere guest's audacious proposal to an aristocrat's personal staff, but also at the miraculous way she conjured food out of thin air like a magician.
Lyndoria stared, her mind reeling. Did he just… pull that platter from a magic bag? Her eyes flicked between the steaming monstron and Daisuke, a wave of disbelief washing over her. But the meat is still so fresh! What tier of magic bag would allow for this kind of utility? And how could a lowly adventurer be in possession of such an expensive commodity?
Daisuke's lips curled into a sly smile. "This is a cut of Venomscale steak, marinated in exotic seasonings and slow-grilled over hickory oak wood, which, mind you, can only be acquired in the Mammothgrove Forest."
Lumielle's eyes flickered in alarm. When did he even manage to do that?
"V-Venomscale?" one of the maids squeaked, her voice filled with awe.
"I-Isn't that incredibly rare?" another chimed in, hearts sparkling in her eyes.
"Is this a dream?" a third wondered aloud.
A female chef took a hesitant step forward. "I-I've worked with rare ingredients for years and managed to try all of them, but this…" she trailed off, eyes lingering on the steak. "This is beyond anything I thought I would ever have the privilege of trying—it's extraordinary!"
"Kyaaaa!"
The girls erupted in delighted shrieks, rushing out the door with their newfound treasure. Arabelle detached from the chaotic swarm, offering a polite smile and bow before gracefully exiting the room.
Daisuke watched as they left, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. At the very least, that should boost their morale and strengthen their resolve should anyone try to manipulate them. Still, according to Lumielle, the tower is divided into three sections, each overseen by one of the siblings.
He sighed, his thoughts darkening. I don't want to be overly pessimistic, but it's not out of the realm of possibility that a servant from either side could infiltrate and carry out sabotage. Poisoning a food source, perhaps, and then trying to pin the blame on someone else.
Daisuke swept his gaze across the tableware. To be safe, I should probably go ahead and appraise the food on the table, just in case.
"…Sophia?" Lumielle called expectantly.
"Yes, do you mind explaining what that was all about?" Lyndoria added, her curiosity piqued.
Daisuke gave a calm nod. "I have a special ability that allows me to discern truth from lies. And I've also just confirmed that the food hasn't been tampered with."
"R-Really?" Lumielle exclaimed in a hushed tone.
"Absolutely. No toxins—harmless or otherwise."
Lyndoria narrowed her eyes, still not fully convinced.
"You don't believe me?"
"Was it that obvious?" she scoffed.
Without a word, Daisuke moved toward Lumielle and reached for her knife and fork. The princess flushed at the sudden closeness, the warmth of his bare shoulder grazing hers causing a flutter in her chest. Her gaze followed him, wide-eyed and tense, as he calmly sliced a bite from each item in her plate, her breath hitching in surprise as he popped them into his mouth without hesitation, chewing as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
At the sight of that, Lumielle froze in stunned silence—not because she feared her guest had just eaten his last meal, but because he had taken her very own utensil and placed it in his unbelievably attractive mouth.
…A-An indirect kiss? She thought unconsciously with an adorable gasp, her face exploding into a luminous shade of pink.
"P-Princess?!" Lyndoria rushed over, desperately shaking the girl who had fallen into a sudden stupor. "What's wrong? Did you already consume some of the food? Is it the poison?"
A moment later, Lumielle cleared her throat softly, her voice weak as she started to recover, her body temperature cooling. "Sophia… wasn't that a bit… reckless? What if the food was actually poisoned?"
"It's not," he assured her confidently. "And, besides, I'm immune to poison anyway."
""What?!"" Lumielle and Lyndoria exclaimed in unison.
"Along with screening the servants as I just did, I'll be your personal food tester from now on—every single day."
Everyday. Everyday. Everyday. Daisuke's velvety voice resounded in Lumielle's mind like an enticing echo. She gasped, almost amorously, as an arrow pierced her chest with delicious precision, her treacherous mind illustrating his soft, warm lips wrapping around her fork.
A-An indirect kiss… every single everyday? The princess meekly lowered her gaze with a blush and squirmed, her thighs rubbing together. "I-I'm still feeling a bit fatigued from earlier. Would you mind… f-feeding me?"
"Huh?" Daisuke cringed at the sudden request.
CRACKLE. CRACKLE. CRACKLE.
Instinctively, he shielded his face from a sudden surge of scorching heat. Beside him, Lyndoria seethed, enveloped in a blazing aura that pulsed with raw power. She appeared on the verge of a breakthrough—ascending beyond her already ascended state to achieve Super Saiyan 3. Her eyes burned with murderous intent, daring him to follow through with the princess's request.