It happens.
Instances where you woke up and didn’t realize you had fallen asleep.
I heard the rustling sound as I slowly came to my senses.
It sounded like someone was flipping through a book.
‘I’m sure I was at the pharmacy for blood tests.’
So, who could be flipping through books here?
I lifted my heavy eyelids.
The swaying curtains, completely burned-out candles, and a handsome young man with black hair.
Julion was sitting across from me, engrossed in a book.
He had his chin resting on one hand and his gaze fixed downwards. I hesitated for a moment before calling his name.
‘Under the moonlight, he seems even more…’
Gorgeous.
Julion was impressive even in the sunlight, but this quiet night seemed to suit him better.
When I secretly infiltrated the Crown Prince’s palace to propose a contract marriage to Julion, the atmosphere was like this.
Back then, of course, he had a much colder demeanor towards me.
As I reminisced about the past, Julion slowly opened his mouth.
“Rohiriel, are you awake?”
His gaze remained fixed on the book, but his tone was certain that I had awakened.
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, thinking about how cool he looked. But then, I felt a strange sensation on my shoulder.
I reflexively lowered my head and found Julion’s coat covering me.
“When did you get here?”
“Not long ago.”
Julion replied as he turned another page in the book.
Now that I think about it, this place was filled with books related to medicine. I wondered what he was reading, so I followed his gaze and looked at the book as well.
“Advanced herbalism……?”
It wasn’t a beginner’s herbalism or practical herbalism, it wasn’t a rare plant book either, but an advanced herbalism book.
Perhaps sensing my curious feelings, Julion cleared his throat and closed the book.
“Just looking at it out of boredom. I don’t understand a thing, so it’s not fun at all.”
“Of course, it’s natural…..You should have woken me up.”
“You were sleeping so soundly.”
“I guess I didn’t get enough sleep.”
“Did you take your medicine today?”
Julion raised his head, and our eyes met. He hesitated for a moment and then turned his gaze away.
“…Did you take it?”
“Uh, yeah. Of course.”
Before I could finish my answer, Julion turned his head completely away.
‘What’s wrong? Why is he acting like that?’
After a moment of questioning his behavior as if he had done something wrong, Julion scrambled to his feet.
“Good, then let’s go have dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“You weren’t planning to skip it, weren’t you?”
“No, of course not. We should eat.”
I have no idea what time it is.
I got up, handing Julion his coat.
“Here, thanks. I slept well, thanks to you.”
“The night is still quite chilly. Put it on.”
“It’s okay. You’re the one wearing just a thin shirt.”
Julion, who had stopped walking abruptly, turned to look at me. Taking the coat from my hand, he spread it open and draped it back over my shoulders.
“I don’t know who’s worried about who right now.”
“…….”
“I always say this: you tend to care for others while neglecting your own body too much.”
This time, he stared at me without avoiding eye contact. I knew I had my own flaws and shortcomings, so I meekly nodded.
“All right. Thank you.”
Seemingly satisfied with my response, Julion raised the corners of his mouth slightly. Just before stepping out of the pharmacy room, he extended his hand towards me.
His warm hand I had grown accustomed to.
××××××××××××××××××××××
At the same time, in Roxis’ office.
Tap.
Tap.
The sound of Roxis rhythmically tapping on his desk filled the room.
Kali, sensing that something was bothering his master, tried to stay as quiet as possible.
The land he had worked so hard for had been taken from him.
The trouble began with Hemion Martin.
“If only I hadn’t missed that moment…!”
Hemion Martin escaped the siege and appeared at the prince’s wedding, bringing the Martin family incident back to the surface.
Because of that, the Crown Prince formally dispatched an investigation team, causing a commotion here and there.
Luckily, he was able to keep the important information, but he was criticized by his father for not handling things properly and was forced to give up some of his land.
And it had to be given to none other than Liliana Cassian, the person Roxis despised the most.
He and Liliana were brothers and sisters, but they were also enemies, vying to be the next duke.
With this valuable land being taken away this time, the balance would start to tilt.
In this situation, what if Hemion Martin were to wake up and make unfavorable statements about him?
Or even have evidence against him?
“I absolutely can’t let that happen.”
With a loud noise, the corner of the desk broke off.
A heavy atmosphere settled in Roxis’ study.
“Kali.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Kali answered as quickly as possible.
He knew that if he even slightly agitated his master, he didn’t know what might come flying his way.
Once, he’d thrown a heavy iron box at him, leaving a large gash on his forehead.
He fought back the urge to cower, not knowing where his anger would lead this time.
Roxis didn’t even bother to look at him.
“Did you say the crown prince’s knights are surrounding her?”
“Yes.”
She was referring to Hemion Martin, who was being cared for at the Garnet Palace.
He tried to do something about it, but there was nothing he could do as the Crown Prince’s secret knights were guarding the Garnet Palace, especially the perimeter of the room where Hemion Martin was supposedly sleeping.
“How many are there?”
“Ten, I believe.”
“Their skills?”
“They are all ranked lower than you, my Lord, with one knight particularly marked for caution.”
“Name.”
Kali recalled the name written in the report and swallowed hard.
Knowing that Roxis would be furious upon hearing the name, Kali made an effort to keep his voice steady as he answered
“Ares Wolfgang, third son of Duke Wolfgang. He’s been assigned as the Crown Princess’ personal escort, so I don’t think we’ll run into each other, as long as you keep her off target.”
Surprisingly, instead of getting angry, Roxis slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, a thick smile adorned his lips.
“Our Rotty really saved that guy, as it turns out.”
Since he roamed around without permission and dug into his land, Roxis had taken measures.
He had opted for an easy solution due to lack of time.
He had thought the guy would end up as a corpse within a few days, left outside the palace.
“She’s a cute younger sister, but she keeps getting in my way.”
That cute thing even threatened him using Hemion Martin
“I heard the invitation to the spring banquet has arrived.”
“Yes, my Lord. It’s scheduled for the fifth day of next month.”
“And Liliana?”
“She plans to attend.”
“Well, of course. She loves luxury and indulgence, so she wouldn’t miss it.”
Every year, in celebration of spring, the Imperial Palace hosts a grand banquet.
Almost all the nobles received invitations, but Roxis had attended them so infrequently that he could count the times on one hand.
Kali had not included the spring banquet in their future plans, thinking he would not attend this time as well.
However, Roxis had made a different decision.
××××××××××××××××××××××
It had been a while since Julion spent the night at Garnet Palace.
Although Julion occasionally slept in my bedroom to maintain appearances, it still felt awkward.
Fortunately or unfortunately, when I opened my eyes, he was gone, leaving only his warmth behind.
“Your Highness, I’ll prepare the wash basin.”
In the midst of my sleepiness, Zenid brought me water.
As part of my morning routine, I inquired about Hemion Martin’s condition.
“How’s she doing? Still no change?”
“Yes. Although most other symptoms have almost disappeared…”
“That’s odd, since she should already be up by now.”
Even though the proliferation of severe poisoning had progressed almost to the end, there were no other abnormalities, and his condition had improved, indicating that the detoxification had been successful.
The poison was known to affect the brain significantly, so it might take some time for Hemion to wake up. Still, considering all of this, it felt like it was taking too long.
“If she doesn’t wake up by the end of this week, let’s try a different remedy.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After having breakfast, I headed to the Golden Garden.
“Your Highness!”
However, as I was about to leave the Garnet Palace, a servant from Tishrit Palace hurried over, bowing respectfully.
“Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress wishes to see you.”
I haven’t taken Apherium yet today. A sense of unease welled up, anticipating that something urgent had come up.
However, I couldn’t refuse the Empress’ summons without a valid reason, so I silently sighed and nodded.
“Very well, let’s go.”
The servant followed me closely as I made my way to Tishrit Palace.
When we arrived at Tishrit Palace, there was hustle and bustle at the entrance.
Instead of being led to the Empress’ bedroom, I was led to her office.
The Empress was busy giving various instructions to several maids.
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Crown princess.”
I greeted her, and the Empress welcomed me with a bright smile.
“I have summoned you because I have something to ask you.”
After giving some instructions to her maids, the Empress went into a room attached to her office.
