Erich was holed up in his room, mulling over what she had said to him yesterday.
<I don’t understand why you’re apologizing and seeking forgiveness now, but I already see you as a stranger.>
<It would be better for both of us to divorce and clear our names.>
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find a solution.
How could he change her mind?
He absentmindedly glanced at the portrait and grimaced.
The portrait remained stained with ink.
It seemed to hint at the unchanging nature of his relationship with her, so Erich covered the portrait with a cloth.
“Damn it.”
His throat and lips felt dry.
As anxiety gnawed at him, he noticed a bottle of liquor in the display case.
Suddenly, he recalled the times he had drunk.
The vision of Cornelia he had seen back then was sometimes charming.
He absentmindedly took out the bottle from the display case.
When he uncorked it, a strong smell wafted up.
He brought the bottle to his lips.
Knock, knock.
“Master, are you inside?”
At Landon’s voice, Erich set the bottle down and replied.
“Come in.”
Soon, Landon entered the room and bowed his head.
“Master, I came to report that the madam is going out.”
“I see. What about her escort?”
“Well, the Madam said she would only take Sir Sardin with her…”
Erich sighed at her usual response.
‘I told her how dangerous it is…’
Of course, someone of Sardin’s caliber could protect her from most dangers.
The problem was that Erich didn’t completely trust Sardin.
Furthermore, considering various threats like Reinhardt, a sense of unease washed over him.
Recalling the power of the bomb he had seen recently sent chills down his spine.
‘I’ll have to follow her after all.’
At that moment, Landon continued, “I’ve selected some skilled knights from the order to shadow her.”
“What?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected answer, Erich asked in disbelief, and Landon grinned as he whispered,
“I’ve served her longer than anyone else before she left.”
When Erich nodded instead of replying, Landon pounded his chest proudly.
“Since she always finds escorts a nuisance, I thought it’d be better to keep it discreet rather than obvious. Moreover, Sir Chester, the commander of the knights, was actively cooperative.”
‘Chester…’
Chester, who had always tried to dissuade Erich.
But Erich knew how long Chester had been by his side, searching for her and shedding tears.
<It’s my fault. I promised to protect her, but I failed to do so!>
Just then, Landon spoke again.
“I thought that following the Madam’s orders was for her benefit. But the result was her death.”
For a moment, Landon’s expression turned dark, but he soon forced a laugh.
“Of course, she wasn’t really dead, but it was still very sad at that time.”
Erich showed no outward reaction, but he somewhat agreed with Landon’s words.
“And if a miracle happens and she returns, I promised to help her in my own way—to prevent her from making reckless plans again.”
At that moment, Erich asked, “But if it goes on like this, she will never know how much you have done.”
Landon smiled and replied, “It’s not like we’re doing it for her to know, so what’s the point? We just want to protect the madam this time, so we don’t regret it later.”
Landon then turned to Erich, who looked dazed, and urged him, “The Madam is alive now, isn’t she? So, please don’t have any more regrets and act as you wish. And don’t drink this anymore.”
Erich didn’t feel any discomfort from Landon’s blunt remark, but rather, his foggy head cleared up.
“I’ll be back shortly.”
As he watched his master rush out while putting on his cloak, Landon sighed.
‘I hope everything goes well…’
Then, for a moment, he recalled the face of the lovely little boy who had whispered to him.
<Landon, I peeked through the door, and Dad was drinking! Go stop him!>
‘Well, with the lovely young master around, it should be fine.’
A gentle smile had appeared on his lips.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
After finishing my preparations to go out, I reminded Janet to take good care of the child.
“Yes, don’t worry.”
I inadvertently looked at the knights’ quarters and training grounds.
I also spotted Chester, the commander of the knights, watching me and my child from a distance.
‘Well, at least security seems fine.’
Though I didn’t like the place, I was confident I would be safe as long as I was here.
Perhaps that’s why I didn’t feel too worried about leaving my child behind.
‘Besides, that guy has left the mansion, so that’s a relief.’
Xenon Reiner, Erich’s former aide, had recently left without notice.
When I heard that he had later sent in his resignation, I was convinced that he was a suspicious character.
‘What was his true identity?’
Before my return, he had tried to kill my child.
Faces of those who would benefit from that flashed in my mind.
Medelin Arzen, who wanted to marry Erich.
The Grand Madam who saw me and my child as a thorn in her side.
And Reinhardt, who had eliminated many royals, to ascend the throne.
‘Though I can’t know who is behind Xenon, I will never let this go.’
Without realizing it, I clenched my teeth for a moment, then gently stroked my child’s soft, fluffy hair.
“Mommy will be back soon. Be good, okay?”
My child kissed my cheek and smiled brightly.
“Yes! Have a good trip!”
With that lovely send-off, I headed toward the workshop.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Meanwhile, Reinhardt was tapping the table with a serious expression.
Then he spoke the name of the person he longed for.
“Cornelia.”
He furrowed his brow, recalling the image of Cornelia pointing a gun at him.
‘Such a beautiful woman, but she’s too full of herself.’
Currently, the advantage in their relationship lies with Cornelia.
‘And the reason she’s so arrogant is probably because of that damned firearm and being under the protection of Duke Blant.’
So, he needed to create a rift between them.
A rift that would drive them apart.
‘Medelin Arzen and the Grand Madam are cards I can’t play right now. It would be good if we could use another card…’
Just then, a knock sounded.
“Milord, I have urgent news.”
“Come in.”
Upon entering with a bow, the aide spoke.
“It’s about the Princess—she just left the Duke of Blant’s residence in a carriage.”
“Where is she headed?”
“We’re not sure, but it’s presumed to be in the direction of the workshop.”
Reinhardt frowned.
‘She’s been going to that workshop quite often.’
He knew Cornelia was too noble to just fool around with any man.
It must have something to do with the guns she carries around.
But…
‘At least the men who see Cornelia won’t feel the same way she does.’
Despite her hair being a flaw, Cornelia was as beautiful as a painting.
Any man would be captivated by her.
Reinhardt clenched his teeth as he recalled Parakel’s handsome face.
‘That worthless alchemist is definitely looking at my woman with lecherous eyes.’
With the savage dog and Erich Lennon Blant around, it was already annoying enough.
Now, adding another man to the mix made his stomach turn.
‘Yes, it’s best to eliminate him.’
Removing anything that causes trouble is the best approach.
Moreover, getting rid of the gun she had the audacity to point at him would dampen her spirit significantly.
‘It’s like killing two birds with one stone. But I don’t need to deal with such a trivial matter personally.’
Reinhardt quickly scribbled a letter and handed it to his aide.
“Take this to the palace and deliver it to the Crown Prince.”
After all, chaos should be instigated by a rogue for maximum effect.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Despite all my worries, when I arrived at the workshop, the reason Parakel called me was something I expected.
“I’ve finished analyzing the two candles Her Highness gave.”
His response was also what I anticipated.
“First of all, these two candles are indeed the same. And as you feared, they contain poison. It’s a lethal toxin that damages the lungs, shortening one’s lifespan.”
However, there was one thing I hadn’t anticipated.
“I’m cautious since I haven’t met His Majesty directly, but if he started showing symptoms of coughing up blood nearly a year ago… he likely won’t last more than three months.”
Of course, I knew the emperor’s lifespan was running short.
Before my return, he had passed away the following year and bequeathed the throne to Fritz.
But three months was too soon.
“Is there no antidote?”
At my question, Parakel sighed and replied,
“Given that his lungs are likely damaged, all I can offer is to ease his frequent coughing.”
At his response, I clenched my fists and spoke.
“Just give me that.”
Parakel sighed and replied,
“It will take a little time, so please wait.”
Had it been about two hours?
“Here, it’s finished!”
I took the medicine from Parakel and said,
“Thank you. And…”
Hearing my words, Parakel nodded and smiled.
“Yes, you don’t need to worry about that. Oh! I also finished analyzing the bomb you gave me yesterday, so I think I can make something similar.”
Feeling reassured by that, I nodded.
“Great, thank you. Take care.”
“Yes, don’t worry about me! I can handle anyone who comes!”
I smiled at his words for a moment.
After leaving the workshop, I headed to the palace.
