They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 11

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The closeness of our bodies suddenly became impossible to ignore.
‘When you train your body this intensely, the sensation of contact feels entirely different….’
Once I became aware of it, my senses sharpened to an acute edge.
And beyond that…
My eyes, now adjusted to the darkness, revealed what I had failed to notice until now.
For instance, exactly where my thigh was pressed against his body, or which spots he had tapped while saying he’d ease the tension.
When I tried to move my hand away, he flinched slightly.
It seemed I had no choice but to remain still.
My legs… I couldn’t even muster the courage to move them.
“I’m sorry….”
As I whispered softly, Elhart bowed his head deeply.
His cheek brushing against my face was burning hot.
It appeared his tension all this while wasn’t because of the Crown Prince—it was because of me.
‘What if he thinks I did it intentionally.’
It’s true I felt a certain impulse when I saw his lips, but until that moment, I was truly innocent.
‘Why does this man have to look like this.’
Even knowing I had made a mistake, my gaze kept drifting back to him.
“Is there anything regarding the closure of the West Corridor….”
Meanwhile, the conversation outside was nearly reaching its conclusion.
“Others will handle that, so you focus only on your assigned duties.”
The Crown Prince cut off the Mage’s words coldly and left the room first.
The Mage soon followed the Crown Prince, and before long, all trace of the two had completely vanished.
Since Elhart showed no sign of moving, I spoke first.
“Should we go now.”
“…Yes.”
We opened the cabinet door and slipped out silently.
When he carefully lowered me to the ground, an unexpected sense of regret surged through me, entirely at odds with the situation.
‘Please, get a grip on yourself.’
As I rubbed my face to cool the heat rising in my flushed cheeks and glanced at Elhart, the nape of his neck, turned away from me, was equally crimson.
I cleared my throat softly and opened my mouth as if nothing had happened.
“I’ll check the Foreign Affairs Office.”
I stepped away to give space to Elhart, who appeared unable to move immediately.
‘There must be a reason the Crown Prince came here with the Mage.’
They had likely visited this place at a time when no one was around to retrieve something essential to their planned scheme.
‘Based on where the conversation seemed to come from, it should be around here….’
I examined the contents of the display cabinet that lined one entire wall carefully.
‘Mount Kivnil, Emerun… Mount Benirov, Lakfer….’
Various glass bottles with their origins and names inscribed filled the space densely.
‘Hmm… I don’t understand much even looking at them.’
While some of the place names were familiar, most were unfamiliar to me.
‘In the past, there simply weren’t many lands where people could safely settle.’
After all, Mikhail had founded this nation precisely to create a fortified sanctuary where people could live securely.
‘The territories of Cradian have been contaminated by mana for so long that purification efforts are still ongoing.’
With the knowledge I possessed at that time, it was difficult to deduce what these materials were or what purpose they served.
‘Medicinal herbs? Or perhaps spices?’
Perhaps they were hoarding something valuable for exclusive trade?
“These are ingredients for synthesized poisons.”
Elhart approached me as I tilted my head in confusion, and after sweeping his gaze across the display case, he spoke.
“For instance, the liquid in that white bottle induces paralysis merely from skin contact, and that red powder, when burned, causes hallucinations across a wide area.”
I looked at him in shock.
“All of these cause harmful effects?”
“Yes. Cradian regularly experiments with combined synthesized poisons in warfare. Sometimes the effects are minimal, but other times they’ve driven entire villages to death.”
“That’s… unthinkable.”
It was something I couldn’t believe.
Of course, war itself is inherently cruel and devastating, but this crossed the line of what should be acceptable for human conduct—it was pure evil.
“Is the Crown Prince planning to use one of these tomorrow?”
“Likely.”
I nodded at Elhart’s words.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be able to find it.”
Using magic in what could be considered enemy territory was dangerous, but I had no choice now.
Based on our conversation, it seemed clear that even if not a large-scale massacre, some inescapable trap had been laid.
‘Perhaps they’re targeting Elhart.’
The mention of physical appearance suggested a high likelihood that this was an outsider, not a Cradian noble.
Had my assumption that they wouldn’t harm Elhart been wrong?
Looking at the circumstances, it seemed possible.
‘The sudden order to attend the banquet was suspicious to begin with.’
I pushed Elhart back and drew a magic circle on the floor.
‘If I inscribe the formula to restore the spatial matter to its original state….’
Moments later, as I carefully channeled mana into the completed magic circle, fine particles shifted and moved somewhere with a subtle sound.
“That one…!”
Elhart, confirming the glass vial I pointed to, turned to me and asked.
“You’re certain?”
“Yes. Do you know what it is?”
Elhart nodded, his brow furrowed.
“It’s a powder extracted from a plant called curcari….”
He hesitated, his expression seeming uncomfortable as he continued.
“It’s commonly known as an ingredient in the synthesized poison called the ‘Love Elixir.'”
Ah… the Love Elixir.
“I think I understand what it does.”
There had been a trend for such a drug with that name in the past as well.
In truth, it contained nothing more than a one-time enchantment spell.
It wasn’t particularly effective against mana users with magical resistance.
But the synthetic poison developed by Cradian would likely function differently.
“Do you happen to know anything about its precise effects?”
He shook his head at my question.
“After being poisoned, roughly half a day’s worth of memories seem to vanish completely. That’s all that’s known about it.”
So there would be no way to trace what was consumed or inhaled.
‘Of all things, they plan to use something with such an unsettling name.’
It bothered me greatly.
“We’ve learned what we can. Shall we head back?”
“Yes.”
After carefully erasing all traces of the magic circle, we slipped out of the Central Palace.
Fortunately, aside from the Crown Prince’s intrusion, there were no other complications, and we returned safely to the Separate Palace.
As I prepared for bed, I glanced at Elhart.
His expression had been dark ever since we left the Central Palace.
He likely had his suspicions.
‘Is the Crown Prince really targeting Elhart?’
Perhaps, believing Bardia’s subjugation was imminent, he was executing a scheme to recruit him to Cradian’s side beforehand.
‘Using desire is the most fundamental tactic, after all.’
It worked well enough to be consistently employed.
‘Now that I think about it, Elhart does seem rather susceptible to women….’
Even when I mistakenly thought I was attacking him, he didn’t push me away or fail to hide me from discovery.
‘If I’m not careful, he could fall for it knowingly.’
“Elhart.”
Elhart, who had been sitting on the bed connecting chains to the restraints, lifted his head at my call.
“What?”
“Um, I have something I want to ask….”
I watched him, freshly bathed with damp eyelashes fluttering slowly, and swallowed hard.
Were those golden eyes a hereditary trait of the current House of Bardia?
Gold is said to bewitch people, and truly, the color was captivating.
“So, hypothetically. If you spent a night in bed with a woman….”
The simple question somehow came out hesitantly and awkwardly.
“Do you think you’d have to take responsibility for life?”
“…?”
“Even if you don’t love her, mistakes can happen. Sudden impulses can surge up.”
I would do my best to protect Elhart, but I couldn’t predict how things might go wrong in a situation where I had to attend the Imperial Palace banquet as his maidservant.
It seemed wise to confirm with him beforehand how to handle the aftermath if something went awry in a moment I wasn’t watching.
Elhart, who had been quietly observing me, slowly nodded.
“I’d take responsibility.”
“R-really?”
“Do you think differently?”
Elhart held my gaze as he posed the question.
‘Hmm, what should I do?’
If I said something like “two adults could enjoy a night together,” I’d surely be branded as immoral.
Especially after I’d inadvertently touched him earlier.
“I… think similarly.”
Without time to deliberate further, I found myself agreeing with him.
“I see.”
Why was he smiling like that?
Before any strange feelings could take hold again, I rose from my seat.
“It’s late. You should sleep.”
I seemed to be fleeing hastily—surely he didn’t notice?
‘Good grief.’
I burrowed into my familiar, comfortable sleeping bag and swallowed a sigh alone.
‘I can’t take my eyes off him for a moment.’
If Elhart became entangled with some strange woman, my entire plan would fall apart.
‘Elhart will need to marry eventually, but it cannot be just anyone.’
His wife would become the Queen of Bardia.
Tossing and turning with these thoughts, I finally fell asleep around dawn.
And when morning broke.
“Ser.”
I jolted awake at the voice coming from right beside me.
It was startling that I’d slept so deeply I hadn’t sensed his approach, but what was even more shocking was.
“…?!”
My sleeping bag had somehow been moved onto the bed.
“Did you sleep well?”
His smile as he looked down at me was so remarkably beautiful that I couldn’t find words for quite some time.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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