Episode 29: Poisoned Rat(6)
* * *
That was where the Monarch Sight ended.
The water surface flickered again by itself, and after it calmed down, the only reflection on the water was Aristine’s bewildered face.
โWhat was that?!โ
The unexpected revelation threw Aristine into confusion.
โWhat in the world happened? How? At least show me the scene where he got poisoned too!โ
Aristine scattered the water in the basin with frustration, but the water only rippled back and forth without doing anything.
She had never been more frustrated by the fact that she couldnโt control the Monarchโs Sight.
She couldnโt help but heave a deep sigh.
Nephtherโs death.
The sudden development made Aristineโs heart sink.
โI need to calm down.โ
Aristine took a deep breath and exhaled.
She squeezed her trembling fingertips, closed herย eyes, and made a pledge to herself, almost prayerfully.
โIt hasnโt happened yet. I can stop it.โ
Her stomach clenched and her eyes flew open.
It would have been better if she had a clearer idea of how it happened, but it was already too late. You canโt move forward if you keep clinging to something you couldnโt see.
โThis is better than not knowing at all.โ
Aristine got up from her seat and walked to her dresser.
She opened the locked drawer with a key she had hidden away and took out a sparklingly clear glass bottle.
It was the poison that the Emperor had given her when she left Silvanus.
ใKill Tarkan.ใ
ใEither stick a poisoned knife in that irritating bastardโs chest or put poison in his wine.ใ
As the memory resurfaced, Aristine squeezed the glass bottle tight. The cold sensation was very vivid.
She wanted to sneer and say, โdo you think Iโll obey to you?โ but after seeing the future, she couldnโt do that anymore.
The Emperor longed for a rift within the royal family of Irugo, a rift that centered around Aristine, and it looked like that was actually going to happen.
โIf I am accused of assassinating the king, the Emperor will declare it unreasonable and gain justification to start a war.โ
She didnโt know how far Silvanusโs war preparations had progressed.
But regardless, that justification could be used at any time.
โIf I get executed, it will be the perfect justification.โ
The Emperor would be more than pleased.
โI better get rid of this first.โ
They mentioned poison in her belongings so they must be referring to this.
Aristine was pondering how to dispose of the poison, then she paused.
โWait, who knows that I have this poison?โ
The Emperor had personally handed this to her, so even her handmaids didnโt know of its existence.
No, even if they knew, they were no longer in Irugo.
โWhat I know for certain, is that they framed me as the kingโs assassin with some kind of evidence.โ
The people who plotted this might have even secretly brought their own poison into her room.
But if the โsolid evidenceโ they were talking about was this glass vial, then…
โI can figure out who set me up.โ
And not just that.
โWith enough planning, I can even counterattack.โ
Aristineโs eyes glinted sharply.
* * *
โAristine?โ
Tarkan called out in puzzlement when he saw Aristine looking unusually withdrawn.
He couldnโt fathom what she was thinking about so deeply but she wasnโt responding at all, no matter how many times he called her.
โDonโt tell me itโs because our lips touched earlier?โ
Other than that, nothing in particular happened.
They both washed up separately after dinner and came to the bedroom.
Tarkan began to wonder if she hated it that much and the inside of his mouth felt bitter.
โNo, if you think about it, sheโs the one who did it.โ
Aristine was the perpetrator and Tarkan was the victim.
Of course, in Tarkanโs mind, he would happily suffer such damage over and over again.
He felt saddened and upset that Aristine obviously hated it after doing it to herself but on the other hand, he wanted to be able to notice.
Tarkan hovered around Aristine like a whining cub.
Right then, Aristine lifted her head and looked at Tarkan.
โTarkan.โ
Hearing her call his name felt good.
The heart that he tried to harden was immediately melted with that alone, so Tarkan purposefully tried to sound grumpy.
โWhat.โ
โIf. And this is really just if. If His Majesty is assassinated, who do you think is the culprit?โ
At that unexpected question, Tarkan frowned and looked at Aristine.
Aristine did not shy away from his gaze.
She knew that after asking such a question, she might be suspected when Nephther was poisoned.
No, it wasnโt just a possibility. In reality, it was normal to grow suspicious.
However.
โWith Tarkan, itโs fine.โ
She believed in him that much.
Honestly, she was a little surprised to see Tarkan siding with her in the future. He trusted her even though he didnโt know the exact circumstances.
Even worse, he was Nephtherโs son.
If Aristine was shocked when she heard that Nephther was dead, imagine Tarkanโs reaction. He couldnโt have been okay.
Despite that, he was more focused on protecting her.
โWhy are you suddenly asking that?โ
โJust cause. Since my business is back on track, I thought I should start turning my attention to politics?โ
โDonโt worry about such nonsense.โ
Tarkan pressed Aristineโs head with one hand.
He didnโt want her having such dark thoughts. He wanted her to only think of happy and bright things.
And he were to speak a little greedily…
โThink about me too.โ
Even though that thought was only in his mind, Tarkan felt embarrassed, and his ears turned red.
At the same time, he felt a little relieved.
He realized that it wasnโt the kiss that was making Aristine lost in thought.
He unconsciously touched the part where Aristineโs lips had touched.
(Aristine)โFor example.โ
As he was doing that, Aristine spoke and Tarkan immediately lowered his hand, feeling pricked for some reason.
(Aristine)โIf someone says that I assassinated Royal Father, His Majesty, would you believe that?โ
Tarkan looked into the purple eyes that were staring at him.
Her question was strange.
Her gaze on him was also strange.
Her purple eyes seemed to reflect nothing but at the same time, it was like it could see everything.
Tarkan didnโt know why she was asking such a question, but the answer was easy.
โNo.โ
โEven if thereโs solid evidence?โ
โMhm.โ
Aristine momentarily fell silent.
A beat later, she asked in a slightly hoarse voice, โWhy?โ
โBecause you wouldnโt do that.โ
It was a very simple reason.
At the same time, it was a very complicated and difficult reason.
Aristine sucked in a breath.
Tarkanโs eyes, akin to the golden rays of the sun, were looking straight at her.
In the dim bedroom, it felt blinding to Aristine.
In that vast imperial palace where she was raised, no one had ever trusted her like this.
No one came forward for her even though she was persecuted by the Emperor and imprisoned.
No one ever asked to be arrested with her.
She thought that was how it was supposed to be.
Because everyone was living their own life.
Aristine lowered her head.
Haha, a dry laugh trickled from her lips.
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- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 82 - February 26, 2026
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 81 - February 26, 2026
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 80 - February 26, 2026
Thank you for chapter, Ruby Sama ๐ธ๐น๐
I’m wondering if Aristine will tell Tarkan about her Monarch Sight. Since she kept it a secret from everybody in this life. I would be so excited if she trusted Tarkan enough to tell him
I think that queen’s faction could do it or the asshole of rineh’s father, but I’m not sure who have major culprit possibilities ๐ค๐ค
Maybe this is the first step for you and your hubby to end like that rineh ๐๐, only saying…
Thank you so much for this chapter miss ruby ๐ค๐ค
What can I say?!
The tension of politics and fluffy moments are keeping me excited and nervous for the next chapter. On one hand, I really want Aristide to save Nephter (one of the best father king characters EVER). On the other hand, isnโt trying to avoid the prophesy usually lead to it fulfilling?
Anyways, I will hope for the better!
PS Tarkan, stop being a victim and speak UP. My patience grows short as to how you victimize yourself without voicing your feelings!
That’s not true in this story. I mean, look at that blacksmith Aristine scouted (forgot his name T.T) He did end up keeping his thumb due to Aristine’s interference.
Thanks for the translate Ruby Nim…
Feel like to fast reading this chapter ๐ฅบ….
Wish Aristine would pass this trouble,,
Tarkan Nim… fighting, get your next damage๐คญ
Thank you very much for the updates !
Entah kenapa aku mencurigai diana.
Karna yang memiliki interaksi dengan pelayan jahat hanya diana
Got a feeling it has something to do with Diana that bitch… she hasn’t died and she is close enough with aris(not friendly of cos). Not to mention the monarch eye shown only effecting aris means is not targeting tarkan. So who hate aris more than anyone other than diana?
Your man is top tier Ari! Now give the poor man some sugar.
I wonder how much time she has before the original event happened.
Thank you for the chapters ๐
that last bit where aristine realized how tarkan is completely in her corner and that’s what she deserves and has ALWAYS deserved made me :’)
tarkan, work on not letting ur insecurities overtake u lmao be a big boy