A Snake’s Life Ch 84

Chapter 84

 

The table was laden with desserts. She sipped her black tea, and a cup was placed before me as well. Though tea wasn’t usually to my taste, I took a hesitant sip at Camilla’s encouragement—only to find it sweet and perfectly suited to my palate.

 

“It’s good, isn’t it?” Camilla smiled. “His Highness mentioned you have a sweet tooth, so I made sure to prepare it. This place is known for its desserts, but their tea is quite lovely too.”

 

The café had an elegant, refined atmosphere, clearly popular among noblewomen. The clientele was overwhelmingly female, with only a handful of men present.

 

“Excuse me… Aren’t you Lady Camilla and Sir Casa? Meeting alone like this… Could it be… over *His Highness*?”

 

A group of young noblewomen nearby whispered loudly, their imaginations running wild. Their stares prickled against my skin. Camilla took a leisurely sip of tea before responding.

 

“Pay them no mind. Though I must admit, I didn’t expect you to join us.”

 

“Uh… well…”

 

I couldn’t exactly say I’d sat down just to hear what Zerpell had said about me. Awkwardly scratching my cheek, I averted my gaze. Camilla had broached the topic first, yet now she feigned innocence with practiced ease.

 

“I assumed you’d resent me after last time.”

 

“Cough—!”

 

I choked on my tea. *Ah—the ballroom dance with Zerpell.* That incident had nearly faded from memory. Though… what came *after* was the real problem. Heat rushed to my face, and I fanned myself furiously.

 

“N-No, it’s fine.”

 

“The next day was far more entertaining, though.”

 

As someone who’d been at the center of that scandal, she knew *exactly* what had happened. I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly.

 

“Ahem. So, what did His Highness—”

 

“Feeling guilty, I offered His Highness some advice on date locations and such.”

 

“Advice?”

 

“How did you find the restaurant I recommended?”

 

Her roundabout answers were maddening. Just as I opened my mouth to press further, her words stopped me cold. My eyes widened. *That* explained the uncharacteristically thoughtful venue choices and gifts. *So it wasn’t his idea?* My gaze drifted to the cream puff on the table—oddly familiar.

 

“This too?”

 

“Yes, my recommendation. So you needn’t be so wary.”

 

She’d noticed my guardedness. I bristled like a hedgehog. Who could guarantee she had no interest in Zerpell?

 

“I understand your concern,” Camilla continued, setting her cup down with deliberate grace. “There *were* talks of an engagement between us, but… His Highness’s vehement opposition ended that.”

 

She spoke just loudly enough for eavesdroppers to hear, her eyes flicking toward the whispering nobles. A soft, collective gasp rippled through them.

 

“I realized it at the ball. The way he acts with you is worlds apart from how he is with me. With me, he’s strictly professional—cold, even. And well… stoic men aren’t to my taste.”

 

Leaning in, she dropped her voice to a whisper meant only for me. Her smirk was unreadable—teasing or truthful?

 

“So rest easy. During council meetings, he often glances toward the palace. If discussions run late, he repeatedly asks if they’re finished. Clearly, someone’s waiting for him.”

 

“That bastard…”

 

Hearing his behavior laid bare like this was mortifying. And coming from *her*, it stung doubly. My ears burned.

 

“And I’ve no interest in standing beside His Highness.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“No. I’ll be a Duchess.”

 

She set down her tea, studying me intently. I blinked. Camilla’s smile never wavered, but her gaze was sharp—waiting for my reaction.

 

“Uh… impressive. You’ll do great.”

 

My genuine admiration seemed to startle her. The certainty with which she declared her future was striking. *A Duchess?* Then she truly *didn’t* care about Zerpell. She’d inherit her family’s title.

 

The corners of her eyes crinkled prettily. Then, covering her mouth with a hand, she laughed—not the refined chuckle of a noblewoman, but the hearty, unfiltered mirth of a child.

 

*W-What’s with this reaction?* Her laughter didn’t subside; if anything, tears glimmered at the edges of her eyes.

 

“Now I see why His Highness adores you.”

 

I frowned, tilting my head. Camilla picked up a teaspoon, her movements languid. My gaze followed the spoon’s path—until it stopped, pointing directly at my eyes. Her sharp stare made me flinch. But then she smiled sweetly, dropped a sugar cube into her tea, and stirred.

 

“You look at people without prejudice. That must be it.”

 

She rotated her cup once before draining the last of her tea.

 

“I’m glad we could talk like this. I wanted to see for myself the person who might one day stand as the Empire’s leader. If you’re to be His Highness’s consort, you’ll also be someone *I* must support.”

 

*The Empire’s leader?* I didn’t understand. *Zerpell* was the future Emperor. Unless… did she mean the Temple? Before I could ask, Camilla rose gracefully, then paused as if remembering something. Leaning close, she whispered:

 

“Be careful, even in disguise. Commoners have been disappearing lately. And…” She pushed the dessert bag toward me. “These are for you—a token of thanks for your time.”

 

“Oh… thanks.”

 

Dazed, I accepted the bag. By the time I peered inside, she and Casa were already gone.

 

“She’s so… composed. Confident in everything she does.”

 

“You’re much the same, Lady Shuiren.”

 

“Am I?”

 

Well, I’d scored free desserts. From her words, it seemed she had zero interest in Zerpell—if anything, she’d been observing *me*.

 

As the carriage rolled toward the palace, a flower shop caught my eye.

 

*Flowers…* I still had some coin left. A gift alone felt insufficient—why not pair it with something extra?

 

“Stop the carriage!”

 

At my shout, the coach halted. Wol drew the curtain, questioning, and I pointed to the shop. He nodded, redirecting us.

 

“If *he* brings me flowers, I should return the favor. Plenty of money left anyway.”

 

Would they have pink blooms? I recalled the bouquets Zerpell often carried.

 

The carriage stopped outside the shop, though the narrow street left little room. Since this would be quick, Paul stayed with the coach while Wol and I entered. The florist greeted us warmly.

 

“Welcome! What flowers would you like?”

 

“Do you have anything pink?”

 

“Oh? For a lover?”

 

“S-Something like that.”

 

I scratched my cheek, embarrassed. She chuckled and led me inside.

 

“Come, I’ve just the thing.”

 

She headed straight for a section brimming with pink blossoms, plucking one to show me.

 

“For pink flowers, how about these? Their meaning is quite lovely.”

 

But my attention snagged on another bloom—one I recognized instantly. Without thinking, I pointed.

 

“I’ll take those.”

 

“Ah, these?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Their color and shape matched the flowers Zerpell always brought. When the florist asked about the arrangement, I requested something simple—a bundle of my chosen blooms, accented with small white flowers to make the pink stand out.

 

As she worked, the florist chattered away.

 

“These have been selling well lately.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I’ve always thought they were lovely, but most customers prefer larger, showier flowers. Hardly anyone bought these—until recently. Now, one patron requests them every time. I even prepare bouquets in advance for them.”

 

She said it lightly, but my instincts prickled. *Someone I know?*

 

“By any chance, is this person tall, with black hair and gold—”

 

“Ah, there it is.”

 

Before I could finish, she gestured to a pre-made bouquet, exquisitely wrapped. My foot nearly slipped. *It’s him, isn’t it?* Today was determined to set my face aflame. I waved my hands frantically, fanning my cheeks.

 

“You two must share quite the connection.”

 

Oblivious to my crimson face, the florist continued arranging. “The way his entire demeanor softens when picking gifts for his beloved… Whoever they are, they’re lucky. Are you unwell, miss? You’re awfully red.”

 

“J-Just hot! Wol, handle the payment!”

 

I thrust the money pouch at him and fled before she could probe further. Outside, I gulped the cool air, willing the heat away.

 

“Of all the shops… Why *this* one?”

 

“Um…”

 

I took deep breaths to steady my pounding heart—when a woman tapped my shoulder. She clutched a map like a lifeline, her eyes pleading.

 

“Can you help me? I’m lost… Do you know where this is?”

 

She pointed to a spot on the map, but I had no clue. Wol and Paul were the navigators.

 

“Ah… Sorry, I’m new here too.”

 

“…First time in the capital?”

 

Technically no, but I knew nothing of the streets.

 

“Yes, so I’m not familiar with the area.”

 

“I see…”

 

A chill crawled down my spine. Her voice had gone eerily flat. As I looked down, she lifted her face—and smiled. Her lips stretched too wide, too sharp.

 

I stumbled back, but hands seized me from behind.

 

“Ugh—!”

 

It happened in an instant. I shoved at my assailant, but they didn’t budge. My feet left the ground. As I thrashed, a pungent, sleep-inducing scent hit my nose. My limbs grew heavy, consciousness slipping like sand through fingers.

 

The last thing I saw was the woman’s grin widening.

 

Then—darkness.