Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 71: A Secret Just Between Chloe and Me
Once we were alone, Chloe began fidgeting restlessly. I had better explain myself before she formed the wrong impression.
“Chloe, you know that my grandmother was poisoned, don’t you?”
“Yes, of course.”
She looked puzzled by the abrupt question and invited me to sit at the table. Using Subspace drained me badly enough that standing afterwards might be difficult. Since no one but Chloe could see me here, sitting down first was sensible.
“Chloe, I need you to keep what I’m about to show you secret.”
“I don’t know what it’s, but I promise.”
Still confused, she nodded firmly. Chloe could be sharp-tongued, but she was honest and dependable. Even if the secret escaped her somehow, I wouldn’t blame her.
I activated Subspace in front of her. A black sphere appeared in the air. By reaching through it, I could store or retrieve objects, and I could alter its size at will.
“W-what’s that? Julius, are you really going to put your hand inside it?”
“It’s safe. This skill lets me store objects in another space.”
“I’ve never heard of such a skill.”
Ignoring her astonishment, I reached inside and withdrew the Panacea. The moment it emerged, strength rushed out of me. Fortunately, I was already seated and didn’t collapse.
“Julius, you look ill. Are you all right?”
As perceptive as ever. I had hoped to conceal the strain, but since I was already asking her to share my secret, honesty would build more trust.
“Subspace is extremely useful, but moving things in or out consumes a great deal of stamina and mana.”
I smiled reassuringly and offered her the bottle filled with seven-coloured liquid.
“What’s this?”
“A Panacea. It can neutralise any poison.”
“Any poison? That must be an extraordinary potion.”
“It’s, although it tastes like concentrated forest and smells dreadful. Drinking it’ll require courage.”
Chloe grimaced. She had probably experienced ordinary potions and knew how appalling they could be. She accepted the bottle and examined it cautiously.
“Could Lady Margaret make something this powerful? If she had carried one, perhaps she could have saved herself. Is this the only bottle?”
Her face clouded. She may have met Grandmother before. Considering the lengthy memorial at the royal castle, the royal family must have known her well.
“I could make only one because I lacked the ingredients.”
“You could make— Wait. You made this?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes became perfectly round. The expression was so comical that I burst out laughing.
“Julius, this isn’t funny!”
“Sorry. Your face was simply adorable.”
“A-adorable?”
Her cheeks turned bright red. Chloe usually wore a rather severe expression. Had no one ever told her she was cute? That seemed impossible.
“The only people who know I made the Panacea are probably Lionel and my parents. Now you know as well.”
“I never imagined you could compound potions. But… is it genuine?”
“It’s reasonable to doubt me. Have it appraised later. You’ll feel safer using it once its effects are confirmed.”
“I’m not accusing you. I merely heard that only licensed magic pharmacists are permitted to make potions.”
Chloe lowered her gaze, embarrassed. She had said nothing wrong. Trusting an unlabelled potion without question merely because it came from me would have been far more dangerous.
“You’re correct. I’m making potions illegally. If the authorities discovered it, I might even be executed.”
“I’ll never tell anyone.”
She answered before I had finished. Her unwavering stare sent a slight chill down my spine. I must never make Chloe genuinely angry.
“I asked to speak alone because I wanted to entrust this Panacea to you.”
“Oh. I see.” She sounded oddly disappointed. “But why me?”
“As a precaution. The true target of the poisoning may be the royal family. Lady Margaret was perhaps the only magic pharmacist capable of creating an antidote to that poison. Now that she’s gone…”
“Someone could poison Father.”
I nodded. Chloe went pale. She had clearly never considered the possibility.
It might not happen immediately. The culprit could wait until public alarm faded and the royal capital returned to normal.
“Don’t be afraid. That’s why I brought the Panacea. The hardest part will be enduring the taste.”
My joke drew a faint laugh from her.
“Julius, using that skill exhausted you, didn’t it?”
“A little. I’ll recover after resting.”
She smiled, and I found myself smiling back.
“Then lie down on my bed. You should recover more quickly there.”
Chloe had just offered me her own bed.
What was I supposed to do now?