Dead-End Villainess Who Makes Medicine

Chersoniet Deli Razia.

She’s one of the princesses of the Razia Kingdom…I’ve lost count of how many there are.

All I’ve heard about her is that her exceptional beauty has led to numerous challenges and hardships.

 

‘It was puzzling that she accompanied the envoy this time.’

 

I didn’t realize her target was Julion.

She had subtly hinted at having a personal relationship with Julion, seemingly trying to provoke me into getting angry.

And she likely wanted to convey to the others that she had some connection with the Crown Prince of Sertizan.

Sure enough, when Chersoniet mentioned Julion, the nobles gathered here became interested in our conversation.

Chersoniet’s red lips curled into an arc in response.

It was a smile that exuded confidence, as if she was certain she would win regardless of my reaction.

Without taking my eyes off her smile, I slowly opened my mouth.

 

“I appreciate that you consider His Highness warm and kind. Truth be told, I was worried.”

 

With a relieved expression, I gently curled up the corners of my lips.

Seemingly taken aback by my unexpected words, Chersoniet paused for a moment before carefully asking,

 

“What kind of worry… are you speaking of?”

 

There was a faint hint of unease in her voice.

The gathered nobles also grew more curious, listening intently to our conversation.

After a few moments of hesitation, I raised my eyebrows as if to ask why she was asking such a question.

 

“Well, His Highness did get upset at the princess and your brother, didn’t he? The princess even shed tears. I thought His Highness might be seen as a cold-hearted person.”

 

It was that moment. Chersoniet’s crimson eyes flickered faintly.

Her smiling lips slightly trembled, and then she swallowed nervously.

It was a change that only those who had been watching her could recognize.

The others focused on the content of my words, not how Chersoniet’s expression had changed.

 

“Are you saying that His Highness the Crown Prince got angry at the Prince of Razia?”

“The princess even shed tears?”

“I’ve heard that His Highness Julion is a calm and gentle man, so what could have upset him?”

 

People’s gazes shifted from me to Prince Shutkatan.

Suddenly finding himself the center of attention, Shutkatan seemed flustered, breaking into an awkward laugh while perspiring.

 

“That, hahaha. It’s my fault for my rudeness. I asked Miss Rohiriel to call me by my nickname…….”

 

He then smoothly recounted the events of that day.

With only the Razia delegation present and neither I nor Julion wanting to make a fuss, the incident had been brushed aside.

But the fact that the prince of Razia had offended Sertizan royalty, leading to the prince’s anger, would become quite the gossip.

 

‘Even if it’s not a major offense, it could still lead to some finger-pointing once it gets out.’

 

Chersoniet, seemingly aware of this, had the smile that had just been gracing her lips vanish without a trace.

As expected, the nobles, and now even the physician, began to chatter with the story of Shutkatan and Julion.

 

“Addressing a royalty with a nickname at the first meeting?”

“Even if the intention was innocent, it could be misconstrued.”

“It’s widely known how much His Highness loves his wife; even a prince of his rank could face consequences.”

 

As the attention shifted away from her, Chersoniet bit her lower lip, clearly displeased that her initial plan had been derailed.

But it was only for a moment, as she soon composed her delicate features and lowered her head.

 

“I have nothing to tell you about that day, Your Highness, but His Highness Julion generously exercised his discretion. We are deeply grateful.”

“Ah, so that’s why you say he’s a warm and kind person. Indeed, beautiful people often see beauty in everything.”

“…That’s too kind of you to say.”

 

Although I couldn’t see Chersoniet’s expression well as she bowed her head, one thing was clear:

With this, the words the princess had initially spoken about Julion transformed into words of forgiveness for Prince Shutkatan.

She probably wanted to mention their meeting in the garden in front of the royal residence… 

Whatever her intentions, it seemed her scheming had all been thwarted. 

It’s done.

It should have been obvious.

 

‘Why do I keep feeling so bad?’

 

This feeling is unfamiliar.

I stared silently at Chersoniet, who was looking down.

Her slightly lowered pink eyelashes were remarkably long.

Among them were her shining red irises.

My eyes were drawn to her, as if involuntarily pulled in by the mysterious and beautiful colors.

She was truly a beautiful woman.

 

‘She’s beautiful, but why do I…’

 

Why am I in such a bad mood?

What was Julion thinking when he looked at that face?

Why were they meeting in the garden late at night?

Why didn’t he tell me about meeting the princess?

 

‘…Ah.’

 

Every question circling around ultimately had to do with Julion.

The situation might have gone as I wished for now, but I still remained in the dark about what had happened between Julion and the princess.

As I momentarily looked up, my gaze met Chersoniet’s head-on.

Within her pure red eyes, a flicker of desire was discernible.

It was the gaze of someone who hadn’t given up yet.

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

“Don’t be so angry, Cherry. Who would’ve thought such a small mistake would escalate like this…”

 

Shutkatan stopped making excuses and stiffened his shoulders in dismay.

It was because of Chersoniet’s icy glare.

After finishing the palace tour and returning to their quarters, Chersoniet’s demeanor had changed from a spring day’s cherry blossoms to winter frost.

Shutkatan could only sweat profusely while apologizing repeatedly.

 

“I, I’m sorry. It was my fault, Cherry.”

 

Though the two of them, born to the same mother among the many consorts, could not be called close, they did have a cooperative relationship.

That’s why, even though Shutkatan could be a bit reckless at times, Chersoniet had been tolerating him.

But if he messed up something this crucial, the situation would change.

 

“Brother Shutkatan.”

 

Chersoniet sat on the sofa, crossed one leg over the other, and propped her chin up.

Under her arrogant expression, Shutkatan felt small.

 

“Well, what do you think I should do? Should I go to the Crown Prince and kneel before him?”

 

However, even at this point, Shutkatan seemed genuinely clueless about his mistakes.

Chersoniet closed her eyelids in frustration as she stared at him.

A heavy sigh filled the room, and soon Chersoniet spoke up.

 

“But that’s not the issue, is it? My plans have been thwarted because the conversation has shifted to my brother’s mistake.”

 

Originally, the plan was to provoke Rohiriel and then make her angry.

She offered words of praise, attempting to incite the crown princess’s anger. And not just anger, but display jealousy and resentment towards another royal from a different country for praising the Crown Prince.

That was Chersoniet’s first goal.

At the same time, it was also meant to hint at something between Julion and herself.

Any perceptive person would surely spread rumors that the future Emperor of Sertizan was interested in the Princess of Razia.

 

“Why did she have to respond like that?”

 

Rohiriel clearly saw her and the Crown Prince that night. But she deftly deflected the conversation by mentioning their first meeting.

She was better at controlling her emotions than she had thought.

As Chersoniet pondered the recent events, she sharply questioned Shutkatan.

 

“What about the task of seducing the Crown Princess? Did you even attempt it?”

“Well, you see, I… I’ve been to the palace infirmary a few times to meet her, but the Crown Princess is always too busy…”

“So, you haven’t even properly tried yet?”

“Well, that.”

“You only went during the day, so she rejected you, saying she’s too busy. Didn’t I tell you many times that it’s easier to sway someone’s heart at night?”

“……I’m sorry.”

 

As Chersoniet’s voice fell like snowflakes whirling, Shutkatan couldn’t continue speaking and lowered his head.

He had always wanted to be helpful to his capable sister, but he was ashamed of himself for never doing things properly.

Watching Shutkatan’s slumped shoulders, Chersoniet clicked her tongue and shook her head.

 

“Never mind. I should’ve explained everything clearly from the start. Anyway, go see the Crown Princess tonight.”

“Tonight? But it’s already evening.”

“Exactly. Right after dinner, go see her. Tell her you want to discuss something important with her. Do it visibly in the central garden.”

“What if she refuses? She didn’t seem fond of me.”

“Just say that you have something to tell her about a rare medicinal herb. She’ll definitely come out then.”

 

Chersoniet recalled Rohiriel discussing medicine.

She may not know anything else, but if you say she has something to say about medicine, she will definitely be interested.

 

‘Let’s create a scandal first.’

 

And she would approach the Crown Prince again in order to sow discord between him and the Crown Princess.

No matter how sturdy a wall seemed, once it started cracking, it wouldn’t take long to collapse.

Chersoniet rose to put her plan into action.

 

“I’ll go see the crown prince. You better be ready to meet the Crown Princess.”

“…Alright, I got it.”

“Don’t forget, we have a mission to accomplish.”

 

Shutkatan’s appointment as the representative of this diplomatic mission stemmed from his unique knowledge in the medical arts. His mission was to win over the Crown Princess’s heart and steal all her medical knowledge.

And for Chersoniet, it was to become the imperial consort and the real power behind the throne of Sertizan.

 

‘If Shutkatan succeeds,… maybe I won’t just be an imperial consort, but an empress.’

 

Rohiriel hails from the rebellious House of Cassian.

It was only a matter of time before trust in her crumbled.

First, she would use today’s events at the palace as an excuse to request a meeting with the Crown Prince.

And if he mixed a drop of truth into her lies, he would have no choice but to believe her.

𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊