The pills that entered his mouth melted and disappeared in an instant.
A moment later, white smoke escaped from the emperor’s nose, and his color gradually returned.
His skin, which had turned pale due to significant blood loss, showed a slight but noticeable improvement.
“Zenid, one more.”
I received another pill from the two I had prepared and placed it inside the Emperor’s mouth again.
With his complexion now much better, the Emperor was breathing more comfortably.
“Phew… That’s enough. The pills I administered just now not only alleviate His Majesty’s condition but also assist in blood regeneration. They will increase his blood production by five times the normal amount, so the blood he lost should be nearly restored.”
“F, five times?”
The assistant chief physician stammered with a shocked expression.
The other physicians were also blinking in bewilderment as they stared at me.
Well, I discovered the efficacy of this medicine while researching it for my mother.
The most effective blood regeneration agent known in the medical field typically reaches a limit of threefold, so it was no wonder the physicians were surprised.
“The Goam fruit peel plays a crucial role. However, since this medicine is made according to His Majesty’s condition, it’s still uncertain how it will react in people with different symptoms.”
This was a custom-made medicine exclusively for my mother.
Therefore, further validation was necessary before using it solely as a blood regeneration aid.
I deliberately hadn’t disclosed this medicine to the medical community due to the associated risks.
However, the physicians continued to gaze at me with amazement.
I turned my head towards the Emperor, ignoring their stares.
‘Now it’s a custom-made medicine for the Emperor as well.’
The fact that this medicine had an immediate effect was evidence that the Emperor’s illness was the same as my mother’s.
This raised a question: why did the Emperor collapse suddenly?
My mother fell ill when I was seven years old and passed away when I was twelve.
Her condition deteriorated slowly, but even before passing away, she occasionally regained consciousness.
‘There must be another factor.’
Was this also orchestrated by Cassian, or was there something I didn’t know about?
It seemed necessary to investigate.
While I was organizing these thoughts, the Empress quietly asked,
“Princess, so what will happen to His Majesty now?”
Despite her efforts to remain calm, her voice was laden with tension, and even the slightest tremor was evident.
I hesitated to answer.
My mother, who had suffered from the same illness, eventually passed away.
I’ve often wondered what it would have been like to treat her now that I’ve studied medicine in more depth.
Although there was no clear treatment plan even now, I believed there was still room for further attempts.
However, giving a definitive answer regarding the Emperor’s condition was another matter.
As my response was delayed, disappointment crept into the Empress’ eyes.
Yet there was still a lingering sense of hope.
Finally spoke cautiously.
“Please clear the area, Your Majesty.”
I couldn’t speak openly where others could hear.
Seemingly understanding my intentions, the Empress immediately gestured to the physicians and palace maids.
“Everyone, leave.”
As they exited the bedroom, I turned to Zenid and said,
“Summon Julion. I know he’s busy, but he should be here to hear this…….”
Before I could finish, a maid among those exiting reversed her steps and entered.
“There’s no need to call me, since I’m already here.”
Julion’s face was unusually grave.
His previously neat hair was disheveled, likely from rushing.
Julion maintained a stern expression as he addressed the Empress curtly.
“Mother, why did you not summon me immediately?”
“Why would I call you instead of the physicians?”
“Because, of course…”
“First, I was going to call the physicians and then call you if it was an urgent situation. But how did you find out without being informed? I had even instructed them not to inform anyone beforehand.”
In response to the Empress’s inquiry, Julion hesitated before closing his mouth.
He briefly glanced at me and then covered his face with his hand.
“Well… how is His Majesty? Is he all right?”
“For now, yes.”
“For now?”
“We’ve passed the crisis. In fact, just a moment.”
I stopped talking and opened my medical bag, pulling out a few small pills from an inside pocket that I always carry with me.
I placed them on the candle on the emperor’s bedside table.
Soon, the pills started to burn, releasing wisps of smoke.
“What is that……?”
Julion looked at me with a puzzled expression.
The Empress also awaited my explanation with a look of incomprehension.
“It’s a sound-blocking incense.”
“Sound-blocking? Does it mean it blocks sounds?”
“Yes. What I’m about to tell you should be kept as hidden as possible, even from the shadow knights of His Majesty the Emperor.”
“You know about it…”
“Of course. Do you take me for a fool?”
This place is where the Emperor and Empress reside.
Naturally, there are those who silently guard and protect them.
I felt the surge of energy directed solely at me as I sprinkled cold water on the Emperor earlier.
I’d be a fool not to recognize it.
“Indeed, the Princess Consort did something… provocative.”
The Empress chuckled as if she had roughly anticipated it and took a seat on the sofa.
“Go on, I’m already prepared.”
Listening to her calm voice as usual, I gulped.
Julion also seemed curious about what I had to say, his golden eyes glinting as he stared intently.
“Firstly, His Majesty’s condition has actually improved somewhat.”
“I saw something strange earlier, but is that related to His Majesty’s illness?”
“That’s correct. However, the root cause lies elsewhere.”
I tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come out.
It’s a disease created in Cassian.
A disease created by my father.
I looked at the two pairs of golden eyes fixed on me and managed to speak.
“The results of the Emperor’s blood tests aren’t complete yet, but I had some suspicions about the disease. But because of today’s events…… there’s no need to wait for all the results; we can be certain of what’s afflicting His Majesty.”
Because of the rising smoke of the sound-blocking incense, the bedroom ceiling seemed to be covered with clouds.
I lit another candle near the window and placed the sound-blocking incense there as well.
With a tick-tock sound, the second sound-blocking incense emitted smoke.
“The disease afflicting His Majesty is…”
The smoke flowed along the wall. A white cluster moved slowly and quickly and covered the surrounding walls.
“It’s the same disease as my mother’s.”
Both of their eyes widened significantly.
In addition, there was anger on Julion’s face.
He knew where my mother’s illness came from.
××××××××××××××××××××××
The Cassian Duchy had some unique customs:
First, all direct descendants would be allocated territories to manage once they reached a certain age.
Second, on the first day of every month, those who had been allocated territories and the heads of household would gather for a meal.
Third, the one who made the greatest contributions to the family would become the next head of the family, and during this time, the territories would be returned to the next heir.
And today was the first day of the month.
The direct descendants of Cassian were finishing their meal in the grand mansion.
“This is so annoying. I don’t know who came up with these ridiculous customs. Right, sister Lily?”
The youngest, Yeffa, asked with a mixture of cheerfulness and stubbornness.
Liliana responded with a gentle smile.
“These rules were set by Cassian’s great ancestor, Yeffa. Refrain from speaking in such a manner.”
“Ugh, can’t you even throw a little tantrum? You’re so lucky, aren’t you, Sis? You’ve become a strong contender this time, even surpassing brother Roxis.”
Yeffa, as if challenging anyone to listen, spoke loudly and let out a mischievous laugh.
From behind, Roxis emitted a powerful aura, but Yeffa responded with a mocking laugh and bumped fists with Liliana.
“I’m just barely making a living with the land I got allocated on the border. It’s so inconvenient to come to this mansion every month. In contrast, you…”
“Yeffa, that’s enough.”
Liliana firmly stopped Yeffa’s attempt to go too far.
Yeffa eventually pouted, stuck out her lips, and turned her head away.
“Fine, fine, I get it. I’ll make some friends at the upcoming spring banquet. Oh, I might see Sister Rotty there too.”
“Now, you’ll be addressing her as Her Highness, the Crown Princess. It’s better to be mindful of titles, Yeffa.”
“Sister Liliana, you’re too strict. Anyway, I’ll go first!”
Yeffa waved her hand with a cheerful smile and quickly disappeared toward the carriage.
Liliana watched Yeffa’s retreating figure with cold eyes and then moved her steps.
Just as Liliana was about to board the carriage herself,
“Lady Liliana.”
“Butler.”
Cassian’s mansion butler, Rodan, discreetly appeared in front of Liliana.
“The master wishes to see you.”
After the regular dinner, it was common for Duke Cassian to summon his trusted subordinates and assign tasks.
A sinister smile played on Liliana’s graceful face as she silently followed Rodan.
