Dead-End Villainess Who Makes Medicine

 

 

The list ranged from high-ranking nobles to lower-ranking ones. The only thing of note was that they were all women’s names. Uncertain about how to react, I blinked rapidly, scanning the list a few times.

 

“…Your Majesty, what is this list for?”

 

“Oh, that’s the list of nobles to be invited next month.”

 

Inviting nobles next month was unexpected news.

 

Silence hung between us for a moment. In the next moment, the Empress, as if realizing something, slightly opened her mouth.

 

“Oh, I didn’t tell you. I’ve been so busy lately that I forgot.”

 

The Empress had indeed been quite busy lately, dealing with tasks she had neglected due to her eye disease.

 

The sound of cries could be heard here and there as she cleaned up the corruption-ridden palace.

 

The Empress smiled slightly and raised her teacup.

 

“During the spring banquet, the nobles who received invitations from the palace didn’t leave in the best mood, so I thought I should do something about it.”

 

“…That’s true. I’m concerned as well.”

 

I lifted my teacup and paused. Even though I wasn’t directly responsible, I was somewhat involved, and it left me with a twinge of discomfort.

 

Sipping her tea, the Empress continued, “I’m thinking of organizing a boat party at the Emerald Palace next month. By then, the lotus flowers should be in full bloom, which would be perfect.”

 

This sounded very unappealing to me. I was already swamped with the restoration work on the Golden Garden, and adding preparations for a boat party would only leave me with even less time.

 

Trying not to reveal my true feelings, I pretended to appreciate the fragrance of the tea and lowered my head.

 

“But, Your Majesty, I’m a bit concerned about the state of the Emerald Palace. It hasn’t been properly maintained.”

 

The Emerald Palace, named for the emerald-green lake surrounding it, was usually the residence given to princesses. It was considered the most beautiful place in the palace, adorned with various jewels that made it sparkle and shine, and it had a large lake in the middle of the garden that was famous for being full of lotus flowers.

 

While I had only heard about it and couldn’t confirm its beauty personally, rumors spoke highly of its enchanting atmosphere.

 

‘They say once you see it, you’ll be captivated by its mystery.’

 

It was empty in this generation of the imperial family, for no princess had been born, so it was often used by the empress for tea parties with only a few ladies.

 

However, since the Emperor had fallen, she had stopped visiting the Emerald Palace, and it was barely being maintained.

 

“I was worried about it too, so I went and checked it out yesterday. Surprisingly, it’s not as bad as I thought. There’s no significant damage.”

 

“Well, that’s a relief.”

 

“Besides, there’s still over a month left, so we have plenty of time for a thorough cleaning. And the lotus flowers are truly beautiful; the ladies will love it.”

 

The Empress put down her teacup, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

 

Certainly, I was curious as well, but I didn’t want to add additional tasks to my busy schedule.

 

As if understanding my inner thoughts, the Empress cheerfully raised the corners of her mouth.

 

“Don’t worry. I plan to oversee the entire management of this matter.”

 

“But that means you’ll be out of the bedroom a lot.”

 

Almost instinctively, my gaze shifted inside the canopy. The Empress was a woman whose public life had been curtailed by her need to be at the Emperor’s side at all times, nursing him. As a result, she had contracted the Latvian disease, which was rare in the Empire.

 

Caught in my skeptical gaze, the Empress remained silent for a moment before breaking into a gentle smile.

 

“I’ve realized many things through this. I had been committing terrible deeds against the Emperor. I lived a shameful life; how dare I call myself the Empress?”

 

“Your Majesty, that’s…”

 

“His Majesty the Emperor wouldn’t want me to live a confined life, tethered to him. So, I’ve decided to go out again.”

 

The Empress’s golden eyes caught the sky outside the window. Long stretches of sunlight illuminated the Empress’s face.

 

“From now on, I aspire to live as an Empress who does not bring shame upon herself in front of the Emperor.”

 

Her words seemed more like a self-declaration than something directed at me.

 

I set down the teacup I was holding and took a deep breath.

 

‘Thank God.’

 

If the Empress had decided to continue her previous lifestyle centered around the Emperor, I would have tried to persuade her to come outside somehow.

 

But since she had made this decision on her own, it saved me the trouble, despite the potential increase in my workload.

 

“Anyway, the conversation has gone on for quite some time. Take a look at the list, and if there’s anyone else you’d like to invite, feel free to add their names.”

 

It seemed she showed me the list not to give me tasks but to seek my opinion.

 

I unfolded the paper that had been placed beside me and quickly noticed something among the dozen or so names.

 

“Yeffa……?”

 

Yeffa Cassian.

 

Considering the Empress’s dislike for Cassian, I never thought she would consider inviting her.

 

“Oh, I thought I’d invite Cassian’s youngest lady as well, since she’s your sister.”

 

The Empress had a gentle smile on her face. It seemed that, perhaps because of me, her perception of Cassian had shifted slightly.

 

Perhaps it was the fact that Yeffa, unlike me, didn’t have a particularly bad reputation.

 

She was different from Liliana, but she was good at selling herself.

 

‘Still, it would probably be better without her.’

 

If she was there, she would only cause trouble, and I don’t want to deal with that.

 

“Oh, um… But I’m afraid that Yeffa is a bit of a troublemaker.”

 

I tried to deflect, but the Empress responded rather favorably.

 

“She’s still young, so I can understand. You too were a person quite different from the rumors. I’ll try not to judge anyone until I personally get to know them.”

 

Well, I wish you would judge a little. Seeing the Empress suddenly so open-minded, I sighed inwardly.

 

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Perhaps Yeffa will consider it an honor for a lifetime.”

 

“Well, I’d be happy if she did. But what about the other ladies—”

 

“Oh, by the way, may I check on the Emperor’s condition?” I hurriedly changed the subject before she could bring up inviting other ladies.

 

I had planned to perform a check-up on the Emperor while I was here anyway.

 

Although I had interrupted the Empress, she didn’t seem to mind and nodded her head.

 

“Of course, Elvin!”

 

At the Empress’ call, a maid came in and drew aside the curtains. Lying on the bed was the Emperor, looking much the same as usual.

 

“Then, if you’ll excuse me,”

 

As I approached, I felt the characteristic breath of someone facing death. A breath that was very faint, unstable, and lacked the vitality of life

 

Shaking off the image of my mother that kept haunting me, I rolled up the sleeves to reveal the Emperor’s arm. The pale green spot that had faded after removing the poison was now vivid again.

 

Continuing my examination, I lifted the Emperor’s eyelids to check his eyes and felt his pulse, fingertips, and toes.

 

‘At this rate, he’ll have another seizure, and the more seizures he has, the less chance we have of curing him.’

 

My mother had passed away after five seizures.

 

Due to my inadequate response during the first seizure, where they only used a hemostatic agent, the situation rapidly deteriorated.

 

‘But, at least, the Emperor safely survived the first seizure.’

 

I hope he can hold out longer. Please don’t give up on life until I can create a cure.

 

My father ordered me not to treat the Emperor, but I had to keep him alive.

 

Why would Cassian do such a thing? Especially to the Emperor of the Empire. There was nothing I could discern at the moment. So, I would do what I could.

 

“How is he?”

 

With a grave expression, the Empress asked cautiously as she watched me examine the Emperor.

 

“He should be fine for the next few days. However, we never know when something like the last time might happen again. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, please call for me immediately.”

 

“…I understand.”

 

The Empress’s cheerful tone had become heavier.

 

Even if she had given up and accepted the situation, it was only natural to still have hope for family.

 

I took out a vial from my bag.

 

“And this…….”

 

The black liquid shimmered within the transparent vial.

 

I ordered the maid to fetch warm water and a dry towel, then opened the lid of the vial.

 

 

 

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊