Dead-End Villainess Who Makes Medicine

 

“My sister told me what you two are preparing.”

 

Harkiel’s voice was gentle, but there was strength in it.

 

Sensing what he was about to say, Countess Rivolain called Harkiel’s name in a low voice.

 

Harkiel glanced at the Countess once and then turned his gaze back to me.

 

“Can I join you two as well?”

 

His pink eyes, staring forward, glowed with firmness.

 

I didn’t expect Harkiel to act differently, given that he was part of Rivolain.

 

Yet, posing a direct question in this manner suggests there might be a reason behind it.

 

“I thought we were already together. Why do you ask?”

 

Julion, seemingly sharing my thoughts, asked in confusion.

 

At that, Countess Rivolain let out a small sigh.

 

Harkiel spoke.

 

“When I went to the Nartavan Hot Springs, I heard something from a servant.”

 

“A servant?”

 

“Yes. When I was struggling with a sudden outbreak of a skin disease, the servant said so.”

 

Harkiel paused, lowering his gaze.

 

In the tension-filled atmosphere, both Julion and I, as well as the Hemion who accompanied us, swallowed hard.

 

“The Count and Countess won’t be here anyway. So there’s no need to prepare… I’m sure that’s what was said.”

 

“You must be talking about the former Count’s couple.”

 

“That’s right. Our parents. They died in a carriage accident on their way to Nartavan when they received a telegram that I had suddenly collapsed.”

 

“Then, did the servant mention this before the carriage accident?”

 

After a brief silence, Harkiel responded with a somber voice.

 

“Yes. At that time, I was unaware due to my own struggles, but the carriage accident definitely happened after the servant said that.”

 

“That means…….”

 

Tap. Tap. Julion crossed his arms and tapped his arm with his index finger.

 

“That servant knew that the Count’s couple would die.”

 

I had somewhat anticipated it.

 

However, having concrete evidence was different from mere speculation.

 

The bedroom fell silent again.

 

Julion’s voice broke the silence.

 

“But what does that have to do with the question you asked earlier?”

 

The question of whether Harkiel could join us.

 

That implied some kind of ‘action,’ but what Harkiel said was just information.

 

Harkiel’s determined pink eyes turned towards Julion this time.

 

After biting his lower lip for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.

 

“I’ll be the bait.”

 

“To… who, and for what? You don’t seem to have that much charm.”

 

Julion asked, a bit perplexed. I, too, waited for Harkiel’s response with curiosity.

 

“By now, Liliana probably knows that I’ve been cured.”

 

“Probably. Since the rumors are no longer under control.”

 

Not long ago, there had been a massive upheaval in the Countess’s estate, with many servants, including the butler, being dismissed.

 

The reason is spying.

 

I’ve also heard that Countess Rivolain was devastated after finding out that the butler was Liliana’s man.

 

In any case, the fact that Harkiel was undergoing treatment had been thoroughly controlled to prevent it from leaking out as much as possible. The control was lifted when a warrant was issued for Liliana not long ago.

 

“So, what if we spread the word that, after passing the brink of death, it triggered a memory I’d forgotten?”

 

“Because you think Liliana will show up to get you?”

 

In response to Julion’s immediate question, Harkiel nodded.

 

“Yes. I think it would be a good idea to spread the word that we have conclusive evidence of the carriage accident, along with my memories of what happened at the Nartavan hot springs. Then Liliana Cassian won’t be able to ignore it.”

 

Harkiel murmured his plan in detail, as if he had been thinking about it for a long time.

 

It was certainly a somewhat reasonable plan. However, executing that plan could put Harkiel back in danger.

 

Harkiel must have known that, which is why he spoke so nervously.

 

“Harkiel, don’t forget you’re still a patient.”

 

Countess Rivolain expressed concern, but Harkiel remained resolute.

 

Julion, facing Harkiel’s steadfast gaze, chuckled as if finding the situation awkward.

 

“I don’t know why everyone is so desperate to be bait.”

 

He glanced at me.

 

I smiled awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.

 

“Yes……?”

 

In truth, I hadn’t told Countess Rivolain and Harkiel that I had come out to lure Roxis.

 

I had only sent a message that I was going to examine Harkiel and that there was something to discuss regarding Marquis Thetman’s matter.

 

Looking at the two pairs of questioning pink eyes, I opened my mouth.

 

“I appreciate your concern, Harkiel. But there’s no need for you to be the bait.”

 

“I’m fully recovered. Even your highness said I’m almost healed…”

 

“Regardless of your physical condition, it’s really not necessary.”

 

Harkiel’s eyes narrowed.

 

I pondered where to start explaining.

 

“Well…… I mean, if it’s Liliana’s whereabouts, we’ve pretty much got that figured out already.”

 

This time, Countess Rivolain also seemed startled, taking a sharp breath.

 

During our discreet discussion last time, I hadn’t mentioned the seed I planted in Liliana.

 

‘That was before we caught the spy.’

 

Though we had used soundproofing and strengthened precautions with Julion and Ares, I didn’t know what might happen.

 

So, I hadn’t disclosed the truly crucial last resort.

 

Of course, I had separately informed Julion about it later.

 

I added an explanation to the still surprised siblings.

 

“Perhaps by now, Liliana is diligently heading to the Rivolain territory.”

 

“Your Highness, how on earth do you know that?”

 

“I told you, I’ve been preparing for a long time.”

 

The plan to crush Cassian.

 

From the moment I perceived my father as an enemy, I steadily prepared for everything.

 

I smiled and said to Countess Rivolain,

 

“So, Countess, please proceed with the plan we discussed last time.”

 

“Oh…! Understood.”

 

“And Harkiel. Thank you for the information, you told me something very useful.”

 

While I had suspicions about the intentional nature of the carriage accident, there was no concrete evidence.

 

All the witnesses were dead, and there was no way to prove it.

 

So I had pretty much given up on the carriage accident.

 

If he was right, I should be able to find the servants who had accompanied Harkiel to Nartavan at the time.

 

“Still, I’m glad to hear I could help. In fact, I hadn’t told you until now…… because I didn’t think there was anything you could do about it anyway.”

 

Harkiel shook his head.

 

The sheet clenched in his hand was mercilessly crumpled.

 

“I just wanted to stop being unfairly treated. So, even if it meant volunteering as bait, I tried to secure evidence somehow.”

 

I fully understood his feelings.

 

I, too, had started this with the same mindset.

 

“It’s not over yet; it’s just beginning.”

 

I deliberately spoke with a lively tone.

 

“What happened to you needs to be repaid in kind.”

 

Of course, what happened to me as well?

 

Harkiel’s pink eyes, once again, were very firm, in contrast to his frail body.

 

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

 

The discussion continued for quite a while afterward, as the issue of arranging a meeting with Count Tetman was brought up.

 

Countess Rivolain was horrified at the mention of poisonous beetles and was unable to speak for some time.

 

The mention of Marquis Tetman being one of the victims made her speechless.

 

“Still, it’s a good thing we’ll be able to meet him, isn’t it?”

 

“……Yes.”

 

Julion responded somberly.

 

He had been quite sensitive since leaving the Countess’s estate.

 

‘Is it because of Roxis?’

 

There was no telling when or where Roxis might attack from now on.

 

I had deliberately ordered the pace to be slower, so the carriage we were in was moving so slowly that it felt faster if we just walked. 

 

“You tell others not to be the bait, but you yourself have no intention of changing your mind?”

 

At the bluntness of Julion’s question, I looked at him, laughing soundlessly.

 

The disgruntled look in his eyes, glaring out of the window, was filled with dissatisfaction.

 

‘Cute.’

 

For a moment, I reconsidered my thoughts.

 

Cute.

 

Did I just say ‘cute’?

 

Why in the world would I find a big guy grumbling cute?

 

‘I must have been nervous too.’

 

It seemed like inappropriate thoughts crossed my mind due to the tension of preparing for the upcoming confrontation with Roxis.

 

As I shook my head to clear my mind, Julion’s expression suddenly turned stern, emitting a sharp aura.

 

“It’s coming.”

 

He whispered in a low voice, simultaneously with the sound of hooves erupting.

 

-Bang, bang, bang!

 

Following that, someone vigorously knocked on the door of the now-halted carriage.

 

 

 

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊