Chapter 8: IPMSC

Chapter 8

I’ve Dumped All My Stats into Charm”

The steak tasted as exquisite as it had been described in the game.

It used the finest-quality meat, overflowing with juices and melting in my mouth like a heavenly delicacy.

As expected from the hottest restaurant in the empire, not only the main dish but even the dessert was excellent. The artisan-made tart was both delicious and beautiful, making it a feast for the eyes as well.

But what was even more entertaining than the food… was Jerome’s face.

I quietly watched him cut his steak with elegant precision.

Calm demeanor, perfectly arranged features. Pale skin, a refined jawline. Clear blue eyes and neatly slicked-back black hair.

His appearance, like a real-life version of a game illustration, would not be out of place next to Hollywood actors.

We weren’t even talking, yet just watching his face was this entertaining.

Seeing scenes from the game in reality felt fresh and thrilling.

Maybe this game world isn’t so bad if I get to see a face like that…

For a moment, I smacked my forehead with my palm.

What am I even thinking? Snap out of it! Return to reality!

But compared to this dry, flavorless reality, life inside the game world felt happier.

At least here, I was surrounded by handsome men—and even had a private room larger than a one-room apartment.

“Is something the matter?”

At Jerome’s voice, I snapped back to reality and lifted my head.

His clear blue eyes, like a calm ocean, were observing me carefully.

“You suddenly hit your forehead.”

“Uh…”

Only then did I realize what I had just done.

“T-The steak is just too delicious! It’s like… a physical expression of admiration!”

“An expression?”

“Yes! When something is too enjoyable, people scream, right? It was so good I expressed it physically without realizing it!”

“……”

I carefully studied his expression.

‘That’s definitely the face of someone politely enduring nonsense.’

Yeah… even I think that sounded like barking.

“I-Aisha…”

“Oh, it’s so good! I should eat more!”

Too embarrassed, I cut him off.

Avoiding eye contact, I buried my face toward my plate and shoved steak into my mouth.

Because of that, I didn’t notice Jerome quietly hitting his own forehead.

After finishing the meal, we walked back toward the imperial palace.

Walking side by side made me realize how tall Jerome was. I had to tilt my head up to speak to him, and his broad shoulders emphasized the difference in our builds.

Without much conversation, we soon arrived in front of the Moon Tower.

Facing Jerome, I said goodbye.

“Thank you for escorting me.”

“You’re welcome.”

As I turned to leave, a thought came to me.

“Now that I think about it… I don’t think I need the capital tour anymore.”

“……?”

Jerome’s eyes wavered slightly. He looked genuinely confused.

But I had only said that to one-up Vivian—not because I truly wanted it.

What I really meant was just a reaction in the moment.

Still, I wasn’t acting without a plan.

“Instead… could you show me the North?”

If anything, it was better for me to go there.

It was improper to casually ask someone from the provinces to come to the capital anyway.

Jerome’s eyes widened slightly at my words. He looked at me silently before answering.

“As you wish, Lady Aisha.”

Good. Next date would be in the North.

Feeling light-hearted, I parted ways with Jerome.

‘I should avoid meeting him for a while.’

If his affection increased further, I couldn’t predict what Vivian might do.

I wanted to minimize variables.

In any case, the date with Jerome had ended successfully, and things were going well. At this rate, it felt like I might return to reality soon.

Humming lightly, I opened the gate of the Mage Tower—

And screamed.

“Eek!”

Right in front of the door, Lowell was standing there.

‘W-Why is he here?!’

My heart nearly flipped from shock.

I clutched my chest and asked,

“S-Sensei? Why are you standing here?”

“I was just about to head out.”

Lowell smiled gently as always.

His face looked calm—but somehow eerie.

“You look cheerful. Did you go somewhere nice?”

“Ah, I just… received an invitation to a tea party from Lady Vivian Angus.”

“A tea party?”

Lowell tilted his head.

I could have told him I met Jerome, but for some reason, I didn’t want to say it directly.

“I didn’t really have friends my age, so I was a bit lonely. I felt excited after receiving the invitation. I guess it showed on my face.”

“Lady Angus is the only daughter of Count Angus. It’s curious how she managed to invite you despite rarely coming to the palace.”

It suddenly felt like I was being interrogated.

Not wanting to reveal unnecessary personal details, I gave a simplified explanation.

“I didn’t actually receive an invitation. I just happened to meet her while walking in the city.”

“I see.”

Fortunately, Lowell didn’t seem to think much of it.

Still, I needed to figure out how to get rid of Vivian.

Simply avoiding poisoned tea wouldn’t be enough.

Then a thought came to me.

“Sensei. When His Majesty the Emperor eats, there must be procedures to check whether the food is poisoned, right?”

At my sudden question, Lowell paused mid-step.

He looked curious.

“That’s correct.”

No matter the era, there are always people who try to assassinate rulers, and many methods exist—poisoning being one of them.

In Joseon, there were food tasters for the king. In other cases, silver utensils were used to detect poison.

The Belkadia Empire likely had similar precautions.

And Lowell, being close to the emperor, would know such things.

“How do they check for poison?”

“The Emperor eats using tableware managed by the temple. The dishes contain divine power, which reacts immediately to poison.”

So similar to using silverware in ancient times. But that alone wasn’t enough information.

Vivian wouldn’t serve tea in temple-approved cups, and I couldn’t easily obtain such items either.

Even if I somehow did, bringing sacred imperial utensils to a tea party would only make me look suspicious.

I needed more information.

“Is there any other way to check for poison besides divine-infused dishes?”

“Hmm, there is one more method.”

“What is it?”

“It’s…”

At Lowell’s explanation, my eyes lit up.

With this method, I could completely take Vivian down.