The story shared by Julion, Countess Rivolain, and even Hemion turned out to be much longer than expected. By the time I returned to Garnet Palace, it was the middle of the night, and the moon was waning.
“Your Highness!”
Zenid, waiting for me in the empty bedroom, greeted me and helped me take off my coat.
“Did everything go well on your trip?”
“Yes, thanks to Zenid guarding the palace.”
Saying so, Zenid responded with a gentle smile.
“You always are kind, Your Highness. Shall I prepare a bath?”
“Yes, please.”
It was late, but after riding horses and dealing with many herbs, my body felt sticky.
While Hemion and Zenid prepared the water, I sat in my office with paper and a pen.
‘If Liliana completely doubts me, it’ll be troublesome.’
What happened today will surely reach Liliana’s ears in the next few days.
She’ll find out that Countess Rivolain’s caught her embezzlement soon enough.
Then she will suspect me.
I didn’t want to invite unnecessary suspicion, especially when Yeffa was making it seem like I was on Liliana’s side.
After a brief contemplation, I quickly wrote a letter.
‘It’ll all be over soon anyway.’
With this, I can continue to deceive Liliana for a while.
I placed the finished letter in an envelope and sealed it with beeswax. Before it dried, I stamped the Crown Princess’ seal firmly on it.
“Your Highness, everything is ready.”
Zenid soon came to call me. I handed her the letter.
“Perfect timing. Send it west.”
West.
I was referring to the west side of Cassian, the land Liliana was managing.
Zenid understood and carefully held the letter.
“Understood.”
As Zenid disappeared to send the letter, I headed to the bathroom.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
The next day, and the day after, a similar routine continued.
Continuing to develop medicine, I distributed unnecessary items among the castle residents.
The notable change was the daily reports from Countess Rivolain, detailing Harkiel’s condition.
<……So, today was a little better: in the early morning, Harkiel’s consciousness returned briefly, though he quickly fell asleep again, which made me very happy. I don’t know how to repay you for this favor. And at lunch, the medicine you made was given, and… in the evening…>
Ah, today his consciousness briefly returned.
I quickly absorbed the necessary information and folded the letter. Then, I heard a stifled laugh from Hemion beside me.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I just couldn’t stop looking at it, but the Countess really does care about his little brother. I always end up fighting… my…”
Hemion’s complexion visibly darkened as she spoke. She seemed to be thinking of his brother, who was killed by Roxis.
Feeling a sudden melancholy, I quickly changed the topic.
“By the way, Hemion, I’m going to create a new medicine. Would you like to help me?”
“Oh, sure, of course. What kind of medicine is it this time?”
Luckily, Hemion regained her energy, eager to help. As usual, she was very interested in the subject of medicine.
‘Should I teach her a bit?’
Hemion is now fifteen, old enough to start learning about becoming a pharmacist.
The most basic requirement for a pharmacist is enthusiasm and curiosity above all else.
“We’ll try a medicine related to the Emperor’s illness again. Let’s go to the pharmacy first.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Watching Hemion follow along like an eager puppy, I couldn’t help but smile at her cuteness. Yet a heavy feeling pressed on a corner of my heart.
‘If it weren’t for Cassian, she could have grown up happily.’
Cassian has brought unhappiness to countless people. I couldn’t even fathom what evil deeds they might be committing at this very moment.
According to the original plan, I would have submitted all the information and evidence to the imperial court by now, engaging in a full-scale confrontation with Cassian.
Of course, I would have taken advantage of the chaos to escape.
As a noble lady implicated in high treason, if Cassian became a wanted criminal, I couldn’t have walked around the empire unscathed.
But the illness delayed everything. At first, it was frustrating, but it seemed like a fortunate turn of events.
‘Now, with plenty of solid evidence, there’s no need for a full-scale confrontation.’
The traps are all set. All that remains is to lure Cassian into those traps. If everything succeeds, then… then…
‘I have to leave too.’
I had already scouted out a place. A place with good air, good water, and a good living environment. I even laundered all my money for that.
When I first entered the palace, I wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
‘But why do I keep…’
Perhaps it’s because I feel reluctant to part with Julion?
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
To the west of Cassian’s territory, a hawk landed. It was a messenger hawk with a note tied to its leg.
-Phiiit!
The hawk, flapping its wings in the indigo sky, suddenly lowered its altitude and folded its wings on a designated perch.
Tock, tock.
It pecked at the window next to it with its beak, and a moment later, the window opened and revealed a person.
Taking the note attached to the hawk’s leg, the bird promptly buried its face in the food bowl placed inside the window, as if indicating it had done its job.
After briefly observing this scene, the man filled the hawk’s bowl with food and left the room.
“Butler, Lady Yeffa is looking for you.”
A maid, who had come out to find him urgently, delivered a message.
The butler furrowed his brow as he put the note in his pocket.
“I need to go to the master. Is it urgent?”
“Well… it’s because the dinner wasn’t to her liking.”
“Sigh.”
The butler sighed, then changed his direction away from where Yeffa was.
“Tell her I’ll make a more delicious meal tomorrow. You haven’t been here for a full year yet, and yet, you lack discretion like this?”
“I, I’m sorry.”
Hearing the butler’s reprimand, the maid bowed her head in apology and quickly moved away.
Having served Liliana for so long, the maid had proven to have a heavy mouth, and he was using it on this occasion.
Yeffa’s presence here was an utmost secret that must never be revealed. However, although the maid’s lips were sealed, her thoughts seemed a bit lacking.
Observing the departing maid with a slight dissatisfaction, the butler suddenly wiped all expression from his face and headed toward where Liliana was.
Liliana was currently in the reception room, welcoming a guest.
‘A guest, but it’s more like an unwelcome visitor.’
As the butler arrived at the front of the reception room, he hesitated before knocking.
“Lord Roxis sends word that it won’t be fun if you continue like this. You’ll regret it, Lady Liliana!”
A loud voice echoed from inside.
As the butler debated whether to enter or not, another harsh voice continued.
“If you intend to persist in this defiance, he mentioned that he might as well reveal the truth about that incident ten years ago…”
However, the shouting did not come to an end.
In the sudden tranquility, the butler sensed that another troublesome matter was unfolding.
“Master, I’m coming in.”
Though there was no response, the butler, familiar with such situations, opened the door without hesitation.
At that moment, a strong smell of blood wafted in, causing the butler to barely control his expression from wrinkling.
“…Huh? If you were outside, you should have come in.”
Liliana greeted the butler with a gentle smile.
Due to the candles in front of her, Lilliana’s face appeared crimson.
As the moon emerged from behind the clouds, the blood flowing down her white cheeks became evident.
The butler, trying not to lower his gaze, spoke.
“Master, I have a message from Lady Rohiriel.”
“Oh, really?”
The blade in Liliana’s hand fell to the floor, replaced by the letter the butler handed her.
“You’ve been up to no good lately, my sister.”
Liliana smiled as she brushed aside her flowing hair and unfolded the letter.
Once again, the words were very simple.
<Rivolain, what do you want me to do?>
Although there were no detailed explanations, a deep smile spread across Liliana’s lips. Despite feeling filthy due to the insects sent by Roxis, things seemed to be improving.
“How interesting, Rottie.”
It was unclear what she was thinking, but one thing was certain: Rohiriel was making an effort not to offend her mood.
Just that was enough to lift Liliana’s spirits.
Even if I don’t know what plans she has later, she’ll probably writhe in betrayal when she learns the whole truth.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
How would she react when she realized that the one she trusted and tried to hold hands with was actually an enemy?
Liliana squinted her eyes and licked her lips.
As the moon disappeared behind the clouds, darkness fell.
Casually, Liliana glanced at the black mass rolling under her feet, then, nonchalantly, she uttered,
“Clean it up.”
Her steps leaving the reception room were light. Thick blood dripped in her footsteps, making a trail.
The butler sighed lightly as he began to deal with the waste left behind by his mistress. Roughly, they’ll just have to pretend they rolled off the mountain on their way back.
The butler skillfully started the cleanup process.
